Best Veggie Marinade Recipe | A Spicy Perspective (2024)

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The Best Grilled Vegetable Marinade– This easymarinatedgrilled vegetables recipe is simply the best forgrillingyour favorite veggies as a healthy, hearty, and flavorful summer side dish.

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Grilling Vegetables

The days are hot, the charcoal grill or gas grill is on, and summer is officially infull swing.

Our family tends to spend a lot less time in the kitchen and more time outside these days. It is always so nice getting to take advantage of the warmer weather, and many of our favorite meals can be made on the grill while we enjoy the great outdoors.

Nearly all season long and most nights of the week we can be found in the backyard grilling up relaxing, easy classics likejuicy hamburgersand loadedhot dogs.

We also love to grill crisp summer veggies for adding wonderfullyfresh,crunchy, and healthy sides to our meals.

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The Best Grilled Vegetables Marinade

Include fresh summer vegetables in your family’s rotation of easy weeknight dinners with our recipe for theBest Grilled Vegetables Marinade.

This is a great side dish for using that bounty of summer produce from your garden or farmers’ market. You can grill just about any hearty seasonal vegetables you’ve got available!

You won’t believe how simple it is to whip up azesty,tangy, bright, and bold grilled veggie marinade in just minutes. I dare say that these marinated vegetables will wind up being the star of your meal…

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What Ingredients You Need

You can grill many vegetables with only a little oil, salt, and pepper, but a good, simple marinade makes all the difference. I love this easy blend, made with pantry staples that together add a punch of perfectlysavory-sweetflavor to your favorite summer veggies.

Here is what you need for the Grilled Vegetables Marinade:

  • Olive oilto get the perfect grilled char
  • Balsamic vinegarslightly sweet, deep, and tangy flavor
  • Dijon mustardadds an extra punch of tanginess and thickens the marinade
  • Honeyfor a hint of sweetness and great caramelization; you can also use agave to make vegan
  • Seasoningsdried thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper

Our Favorite Veggies for Grilling:

  • Carrots
  • Asparagus
  • Zucchini
  • Squash
  • Red bell pepper

Other types of produce you can grill with our vegetable marinade include eggplant, green and/or yellow bell peppers, portobello mushrooms, and onions. Get creative!

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How to Make Marinade for Grilled Vegetables

Simply set out a 1-2 cup measuring pitcher, measure all ingredients into the pitcher, and whisk until smooth.That’s it!

Use this grilled vegetable marinade immediately, or cover and refrigerate forup to a weekfor later use.

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How to Marinate and Grill Veggies

  1. First,prep the veggies. Trim and slice all of the vegetables into long strips as shown. This makes them less likely to fall through the grill grates.
  2. Place the vegetables on a large rimmed baking sheet, and pour the marinade over the vegetables. Then gently toss the veggies to coat in the marinade.
  3. Allow the vegetables to marinate forat least 30 minutes, or up to several hours. Youcanmarinate hard vegetables like carrots in the fridge overnight. However, I wouldn’t recommend marinating softer veggies, such as zucchini and asparagus, for that long.
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  1. When almost ready to cook, preheat the grill tomedium heat, about 350 degrees F.
  2. Once the grill is hot, place the carrots on first, laying them across the grates so they don’t fall through. Let the carrots grill for 3-4 minutes, then flip them over. Then lay the rest of the vegetables on the grill.

As mentioned, you can use any vegetables you like with this marinade. But apro tip for grilling: Be sure to place the hardest, most dense, vegetables on the grillfirstto give them a head start. Root vegetables will need more time to grill than other vegetables.

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  1. Give the marinated grilled vegetables a few more minutes,flipping halfway through cookingonce a nice char has formed. Remove with tongs and plate to serve.

While grilled veggies won’t be as terrificallycrispy and crunchywhen reheated, they will keep well stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge. You can even enjoy them as cold leftovers!

Get the Complete (Printable) Grilled Vegetables Marinade Recipe Below. Enjoy!

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What Goes Well with Marinated Grilled Vegetables?

Tender, hearty grilled vegetables are the perfect side dish for servings with simple and delicious proteins that can also be cooked on the grill. Try this best marinated grilled veggie recipe in a kebab style with skewers along with this4-Ingredient Magic Grilled Chicken BreastsandGrilled Pork Tenderloinrecipes.

Or, for a completely vegetarian meal, make it withGrilled Artichokes with Miso Butteror our favoriteGrilled Corn with Smokey Lime Mayo.

You can also enjoy marinated veggies by themselves with a bright and flavorful sauce, like ourCreamy Chimichurri Sauce recipeorAji Verde (Peruvian Green Sauce).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use this vegetable marinade for roasted veggies?

Definitely! If you don’t have a grill or don’t want to fire up the grill, you have a few options. You can roast the marinated vegetables in the oven or place them on a grill pan on the stove to still get those beautiful grill marks!

How should I store leftover grilled vegetables?

To store leftover grilled vegetables, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat on the grill or under the broil for crispy veggies, or simply microwave them until heated through!

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Looking for More Summer Side Dish Recipes?

  • Giardiniera Pickled Vegetables
  • 15 Bean Salad
  • Vegetable Pakora with Kale
  • Caribbean Coleslaw Recipe
  • Grilled Fruit Salad with Creamy Lime Dressing
  • Potato Chip Cookies with Chocolate Drizzle
  • Sauteed Yellow Squash Recipe
  • Italian Summer Pasta with Orange and Basil
  • Loaded Cauliflower Florets Buffalo Wings
  • Southwest Brussel Sprouts and Beans
  • Grilled Romaine Lettuce Salad with Lemon Poppyseed Dressing
  • Baked Green Beans Almondine

Check the printable recipe card for nutritional information including calories, sodium, protein, and fiber percentages.

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Print Recipe

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Grilled Vegetables Marinade Recipe

Prep Time: 45 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes minutes

Total Time: 57 minutes minutes

This Grilled Vegetables Marinade recipe is the best for making marinated grilled veggies as a healthy, hearty, and flavorful summer side dish!

Servings: 10 servings

Ingredients

US CustomaryMetric

For the Grilled Vegetables Marinade:

For the Grilled Vegetables:

  • 1 pound carrots halved or quartered
  • 1 pound asparagus trimmed
  • 2 zucchini cut into sixths
  • 2 yellow squash cut into sixths
  • 1 large red bell pepper cut into ½ inch strips

Instructions

To Make the Marinade:

  • Set out a 1-2 cup measuring pitcher. Measure all ingredients into the pitcher. Whisk until smooth. (Use immediately or cover and refrigerate for later use.)

For the Best Grilled Vegetables:

  • Trim and slice all the vegetables into long strips. This makes them less likely to fall through the grill grates.

  • Place the vegetables on a large rimmed baking sheet. Pour the marinade over the vegetables. Then gently toss the veggies to coat in the marinade.

  • Allow the vegetables to marinate for 30+ minutes. (Or up to several hours.)

  • Meanwhile, preheat the grill to medium heat, about 350 degrees F.

  • Once the grill is hot, place the carrots on first, laying them across the grates so they don’t fall through. Let the carrots grill for 3-4 minutes, then flip them over. Then lay the rest of the vegetables on the grill. Grill another 8-10 minutes, flipping once. Remove with tongs.

Video

Notes

You can use any vegetables you like with this marinade. Just be sure to place the hardest, most dense, vegetables on the grill first to give them a head start. Root vegetables will need more time to grill than other vegetables.

Nutrition

Serving: 5oz, Calories: 137kcal, Carbohydrates: 16g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 322mg, Potassium: 484mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 12g, Vitamin A: 8456IU, Vitamin C: 34mg, Calcium: 45mg, Iron: 2mg

Course: Main, Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Making this recipe?Follow us on Instagram and tag @ASpicyPerspective so we can share what you’re cooking!

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Best Veggie Marinade Recipe | A Spicy Perspective (2024)

FAQs

How long should you marinate vegetables? ›

Soft Vegetables (Broccoli, Tomatoes, Greens, etc.)

About 10 minutes is good. Don't marinate these for longer than 30 minutes because they will release water and get soggy. When marinating with other vegetables, add soft veggies last after the harder veggies have already soaked for a while.

How do you jazz up vegetables? ›

Try herbs and spices like paprika, cumin, oregano, chilli powder, curry powder, basil and more. These Spiced Cauliflower Tacos use smoked paprika, mild chilli powder, ground cumin, salt and pepper together to make ultra-flavourful cauliflower bites. A bit of oil or butter adds so much flavour to vegetables.

Is it worth marinating vegetables? ›

Using the right marinade can actually help your vegetables brown and char while being grilled. How? Because the sugar content in the marinade (whether that's from honey, maple syrup, or fruit juice) caramelizes and lends the vegetables that signature charred flavor.

What spices make vegetables taste better? ›

Spices like chile powder, curry, smoked paprika, cinnamon, cumin, and black pepper can do wonders for vegetables. And never forget the most important seasoning: salt (just remember to add a little bit at a time and keep tasting).

Can you over marinate veggies? ›

Semi-Hard Vegetables (Green Beans, Asparagus, Peppers, etc.): Marinate for at least 30 minutes and up to several hours. Soft Vegetables (Broccoli, Tomatoes, Greens, etc.): About 10 minutes is good. Don't marinate these for longer than 30 minutes because they will release water and get soggy.

Is it better to marinate in the fridge or out? ›

Always marinate foods in the refrigerator, not on the kitchen counter. Some older recipes call for marinating at room temperature. DO NOT FOLLOW THIS PRACTICE. Marinating at room temperature causes the meat to enter the “Danger Zone” (between 40°F and 140°F), where bacteria multiply fastest.

How do restaurants make vegetables taste good? ›

However, one reason that vegetables always taste better at a restaurant is that chefs there don't hold back on using oil to boost flavor. They often use oodles of butter, oil, or bacon fat to coat veggies fried on the stove and give them an umami appeal.

How do you get the most flavor out of vegetables? ›

Reach for fresh lemon juice, parsley, fresh cracked pepper and a dash of salt to make veggies pop. Add dried herbs early in the cooking process to allow the flavor to develop as they absorb moisture. Sprinkle fresh cilantro, parsley, or thyme after cooking to finish the veggie dish with a burst of flavor and color.

How do you spice up raw vegetables? ›

Top with fresh herbs

Fresh herbs pack a punch and can add a burst of flavor to any kind of food, including vegetables. Cilantro, basil, dill, and mint feel fresh and bright with raw or cooked veggies, and you can cut those and sprinkle them over your produce when you're ready to eat.

What to avoid in marinades? ›

These are the top 5 marinating mistakes to avoid
  1. Marinating and then freezing. Whether you are marinating meat for Shawarma or a nice steak, be sure to keep it from freezing. ...
  2. Too much acid. Acid is the super star in many marinades. ...
  3. Too much salt. ...
  4. Too little flavour. ...
  5. You're getting the timing wrong.
Oct 6, 2021

What is the secret to a good marinade? ›

Making a mouth-watering homemade marinade isn't rocket science! You simply need to follow this simple formula: an acidic ingredient to tenderize the meat (think vinegar, juice, yogurt, or mustard), fresh herbs and spices for added flavour, and a fatty ingredient, such as oil or butter.

What is the flavorful liquid that adds more flavor to a vegetable meal? ›

A stock is a very flavorful liquid that is made by gently cooking bones and other ingredients such as vegetables in a liquid.

What should you avoid in regards to seasoning a vegetable dish? ›

Avoid adding salt, sugar, cream and sauces. Flavour your vegetables with lemon juice, garlic, ginger, pepper, and herbs or spices instead of salt.

What are 3 tips to make vegetables more appealing? ›

10 ways to make eating vegetables appealing
  1. Choose baby varieties. ...
  2. Buy fresh and cook straightaway. ...
  3. Flash cook them. ...
  4. Cook Brussels sprouts faster. ...
  5. Cook onions slower. ...
  6. Don't buy eggplants overripe. ...
  7. Give them an oil change. ...
  8. Take a dip.

Is 2 hours enough to marinate? ›

You can marinate chicken anywhere from 2 hours up to 24 hours, though marinating chicken for even 15 to 30 minutes can impart flavor and moisture into smaller pieces of meat. Generally, bone-in cuts of chicken, such as wings, drumsticks and breasts, will require a longer marinade time than their boneless counterparts.

Is marinating for 3 hours enough? ›

Most recipes for marinating meat and poultry recommend six hours up to 24 hours. It is safe to keep the food in the marinade longer, but after two days it is possible that the marinade can start to break down the fibers of the meat, causing it to become mushy.

Is marinating for 30 minutes good? ›

Even 30 minutes in a marinade can make a difference in the taste of the final dish; the flavors just won't be as present as they would be if the chicken had been allowed to marinate for a bit longer.

Is 30 minutes long enough to marinate? ›

Marinating chicken for even 15 to 30 minutes can impart flavor to smaller pieces of meat. Boneless, thinner cuts of chicken like tenders — or any other cuts that are purchased as thin strips or pieces that are lightly pounded — can benefit from a quick marinade if you find you are pressed for a time.

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