Fire up your grill and get ready for a summer favorite: Balsamic Grilled Veggie Kebabs! These beauties are colorful, smoky-sweet, and bursting with zesty marinade in every bite—a must at any backyard BBQ or even as a stand-alone meal you’ll crave all year long.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Vibrant & Versatile: The rainbow of veggies makes these kebabs as attractive on the plate as they are delicious, and you can mix and match your favorites.
- Irresistible Marinade: That tangy balsamic blend infuses every bite with bold, complex flavor and a touch of sweetness.
- Effortlessly Healthy: Loaded with fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, all while remaining naturally gluten-free and vegan-friendly.
- Grill or Oven Friendly: No grill? No problem! Bake or broil these anytime, anywhere for perfectly caramelized veggies.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll be amazed by how a handful of fresh vegetables and a zingy homemade marinade come together for maximum flavor in Balsamic Grilled Veggie Kebabs. Each simple ingredient plays a starring role in building texture, color, and those signature smoky flavors.
- Zucchini: Tender and quick-cooking, zucchini soaks up the balsamic marinade beautifully.
- Bell Peppers: Use a mix of red, yellow, orange, and green for color and natural sweetness.
- Red Onion: Adds a subtle sharpness and caramelizes perfectly on the grill.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Juicy and bright, they burst with flavor after grilling—slice in half for easy threading.
- Fresh Mushrooms: Whole white button or cremini mushrooms bring earthy richness and a satisfyingly meaty bite.
- Skewers: Use wooden skewers (soaked in water) or metal ones for fuss-free assembly.
- Balsamic Vinegar: The foundation of our marinade, delivering that signature tang and deep flavor.
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Helps the veggies caramelize and keeps everything luscious.
- Fresh Parsley & Thyme: These herbs add green flecks and an herby, aromatic lift.
- Lemon Juice: A bright burst of citrus keeps the flavors lively and fresh.
- Garlic & Dijon Mustard: Bold, savory notes that make the marinade extra addicting.
- Kosher Salt & Black Pepper: Don’t forget the classics—they bring everything together.
Variations
These Balsamic Grilled Veggie Kebabs are endlessly customizable—it’s one of the best parts of the recipe! Swap in what you love or need to use up, and make it perfectly suited to your taste or dietary needs.
- Add Protein: Thread tofu, tempeh, or even halloumi cheese alongside the veggies for extra substance.
- Switch Up the Veggies: Try eggplant, yellow squash, or asparagus—anything that grills well looks (and tastes!) right at home.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of crushed red pepper or diced jalapeño to the marinade for gentle heat.
- Herb Delight: Use basil, oregano, or rosemary in place of, or in addition to, parsley and thyme for a fresh twist.
How to Make Balsamic Grilled Veggie Kebabs
Step 1: Prep the Skewers
If you’re using wooden skewers, immerse them in water for about 15 minutes. This helps prevent burning on the grill—such a simple step, but trust me, it makes a huge difference.
Step 2: Make the Marinade & Toss the Veggies
Whisk together your balsamic vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon, garlic, herbs, and seasonings in a large bowl. Add all your chopped veggies, toss them to coat, and let them marinate for at least 45 minutes (up to an hour for deeper flavor).
Step 3: Assemble the Kebabs
Thread your marinated veggies onto the skewers, alternating colors and types for that gorgeous rainbow effect. Leave a little space between each piece so everything cooks evenly and gets those lovely grilled edges.
Step 4: Grill!
Heat your grill (or grill pan) to medium and lightly oil the grate. Lay the kebabs down and grill, turning every few minutes and brushing with extra marinade, for 10–15 minutes until tender and perfectly charred in spots.
Step 5: Serve & Savor
Once the veggies are tender and golden, slide them off the grill onto a platter. Drizzle with any reserved marinade, and serve them up hot, bursting with flavor and color.
Pro Tips for Making Balsamic Grilled Veggie Kebabs
- Soak for Success: Don’t skip soaking wooden skewers—dry ones can go up in flames or splinter your beautiful kebabs!
- Even Sizing: Cut all your veggies to uniform sizes for perfectly even grilling and pretty presentation every time.
- Double Up on Marinade: Set aside a little of the marinade (before adding the raw veggies) for drizzling just before serving—it adds extra flavor and shine.
- Keep Turning: Rotate your kebabs every few minutes for those coveted grill marks and golden caramelized edges.
How to Serve Balsamic Grilled Veggie Kebabs
Garnishes
Fresh chopped parsley, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, or a dash of crumbled goat cheese are all wonderful finishing touches. A drizzle of balsamic glaze right before serving makes the colors pop and adds irresistible tang!
Side Dishes
Balsamic Grilled Veggie Kebabs pair like a dream with herbed couscous, fluffy quinoa, toasted pita, or garlicky rice pilaf. They’re also a fantastic side for grilled proteins like tofu, fish, or chicken, or tucked into wraps for a meatless feast.
Creative Ways to Present
Make a rainbow by arranging kebabs by color on a big platter, or remove veggies from the skewers and toss into salads, pasta, grain bowls, or tacos. Try layering leftover grilled veggies onto toasted sourdough for a showstopping bruschetta bar, too!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store any leftover Balsamic Grilled Veggie Kebabs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. They stay surprisingly juicy and flavorful, making a wonderful addition to quick salads or sandwich fillings the next day.
Freezing
While fresh is best for texture, you can freeze cooked kebabs—simply slide the veggies off the skewers, cool completely, and freeze in a single layer before transferring to a freezer bag. Reheat directly from frozen or thaw overnight in the fridge for easy meal prep.
Reheating
To reheat, warm the veggies in a skillet over medium-low heat, or pop them on a baking sheet in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes. Avoid the microwave if possible, as it can make them soggy—grill or skillet brings back that lovely char and texture.
FAQs
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Can I make Balsamic Grilled Veggie Kebabs in the oven?
Yes! Line a baking sheet with foil and broil the assembled skewers about 6 inches from the heat source, turning every 3–4 minutes until caramelized and tender (about 12–15 minutes total).
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Which vegetables work best on veggie kebabs?
Firm veggies like zucchini, bell peppers, onions, cherry tomatoes, and mushrooms are ideal because they grill quickly and maintain their texture. Feel free to experiment with squash, eggplant, or even sweet potatoes (parboil first)!
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How long should I marinate the vegetables?
At least 45 minutes is ideal for really flavorful Balsamic Grilled Veggie Kebabs, but you can go up to 2 hours. Much longer and the veggies may get soggy, especially tomatoes and mushrooms.
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Can I prep these kebabs ahead for a party?
Absolutely! Thread the marinated veggies onto skewers a few hours ahead, refrigerate, and grill right before serving. You’ll have a gorgeous, stress-free side dish ready to go.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready to bring a burst of color and joy to the table, give these Balsamic Grilled Veggie Kebabs a try! I absolutely love how they turn everyday vegetables into something special—smoky, juicy, and packed with flavor. Share with friends, bring them to your next cookout, or make a batch for an easy weeknight meal. You’re in for a treat!
PrintBalsamic Grilled Veggie Kebabs Recipe
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Balsamic Grilled Veggie Kebabs are a tasty and colorful way to enjoy a variety of vegetables. Perfect for a summer barbecue or a light and healthy meal.
Ingredients
Zucchini:
- 2 medium zucchini, cut in 1/2 inch rounds
Bell Peppers:
- 2 medium red, yellow, orange, green bell peppers, cut in chunks
Red Onion:
- 1 medium red onion, cut in chunks
Cherry Tomatoes:
- 4 cherry tomatoes, cut in halves
Mushrooms:
- 8–16 oz fresh whole mushrooms (white button, or crimini), cut in halves
For the Marinade:
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
- 1 tablespoon fresh juice from 1 lemon
- 2 teaspoons freshly minced garlic (about 2 medium cloves)
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons finely chopped thyme
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Soak the skewers: Soak the wooden skewers in water for 15 minutes.
- Prepare the marinade: Whisk all marinade ingredients in a large bowl. Toss all cut up veggies in the marinade and marinate for about 45 minutes to an hour.
- Preheat the grill: Preheat the grill on medium heat and lightly oil the grate.
- Grill the vegetables: Remove vegetables from marinade, shaking off excess. Grill vegetables on preheated grill until tender, 10 to 15 minutes, brushing vegetables with marinade.
- Serve: Transfer cooked vegetables to a platter and serve with any remaining marinade.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 kebab
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg