20 Mistakes To Avoid While Grilling Vegetables

20 Mistakes To Avoid While Grilling Vegetables
20 Mistakes To Avoid While Grilling Vegetables

Grilling is an efficient way to cook vegetables. It stuffs them with a deep, smoky flavor and transforms into a delicious meal that even die-hard meat lovers cannot resist. Vegetables are packed with nutrients and flavor, and they make in almost every meal. Grilling vegetables is one of the most awesome ways to bring out nature’s flavors, and is the ultimate form of cooking in summer but it can be intimidating, especially for people who have never tried it before. If you want to get the most nutrition out of your vegetables then you should know how to grill vegetables properly. Cooking the vegetables properly makes a big difference both in taste and nutrition.

There’s no other way to infuse vegetables with such a deeply mind-boggling flavor. But grilling vegetables is a lot easier said than done. Sometimes the vegetables burn outside before they get cooked inside, and sometimes they simply blend with the taste.

Here are some top 20 mistakes that people make during grilling vegetables and how to avoid them.

1. Mistake: Coating them in different Sugary Sauces

Vegetables that are coated in sauces (like store-bought barbecue sauces, sweet sauce, or sour sauce) caramelize and burn when grilled.

Solution: Instead of using these sauces as your marinade use oil or vinegar-based marinades that will coat your vegetables with flavor without burning them.

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2. Mistake: Not using Frozen Vegetables

Everybody thinks fresh vegetables are the best choice for grilling, but that is not the case. It’s not always true. Sometimes, frozen vegetables are better. Frozen vegetables are packed with more vitamins and minerals, the reason being that when they are picked, they are frozen right away.

Solution: Keep some vegetables in your freezer before when you decide to go for grilling veggies. Using frozen vegetables will add extra nutritional value to your plate.

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3. Mistake: You are throwing the good Nutritional parts away

People peel the cucumber and potato skins after washing them. They grill the vegetables after removing the vegetable skin but these are the nutritional parts of the vegetables. It’s a mistake made by most people.

Solution: Use the chop and toss method during grilling. For broccoli, stalks and leaves would add more nutritional value to your meal.

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4. Mistake: Not Seasoning them well

Vegetables need to be appropriately seasoned with all the spices to shine and taste good. Salt is essential but you should season them well with all the spices just like you would season the chicken, steak, and any other meat.

Solution: Try coating vegetables with your favorite seasoning, or marinate them properly to give them a more delicious flavor.

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5. Mistake: Not pairing Vegetables with Fat

Pairing red, green, yellow, and dark green vegetables with fat helps the body to absorb cancer-fighting and heart-healthy nutrients like lycopene and beta-carotene. You need to consume six grams of added fat with your veggies to get the maximum nutritional benefits.

Solution: Pair vegetables with healthy sources of fat (like avocado, tofu, walnuts, fatty fish, or soybean).

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6. Mistake: You’re not Using Skewers and Grilling Baskets

Using skewers is good for cooking small vegetables, meat, or steak. Some skewers can also add flavor to your veggies from the inside.

Solution: Always remember to soak the skewers for 30 minutes before using them. Leave a little space in between the vegetables allowing heat and air to circulate.

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7. Mistake: Do not overcook the Vegetables

Grills cook your vegetables very quickly, so it’s easy to overcook them accidentally. Keep an eye on the veggies and remember that they will be cooked in just a little time.

Solution: Cook the vegetables for about half the time you cook them in the oven or on a stove.

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8. Mistake: Not cutting the Vegetables Properly

The most common mistake people make during grilling vegetables is not cutting the vegetables properly. Do not put whole vegetables on the grill it may leave them undercooked and flavorless. It’s best to chop them for an even cook. Also, make sure to cut them in a size that your grill can handle. Vegetables should not be too big or too small.

Solution: Make sure to cut the veggies in such a size that they can absorb proper heat to cook properly. Some vegetables are best uncut, like mushrooms and cherry tomatoes.

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9. Mistake: Grilling them on High Heat the entire time

Grilling vegetables on high heat may lead to risks like burning them before they are thoroughly cooked.

Solution: Start with the high flame, then turn down the flame after some time to finish cooking them. Start cooking your veggies on the hot side then, shift them to the other side. Both methods cook the vegetables perfectly.

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10. Mistake: Not washing the Vegetables

Vegetables are grown conventionally; pesticides are used on the vegetables every day, also they contain dirt and chemicals on their surface. Wash your vegetables before grilling them. The chemicals and dirt present on them can cause damage to your health like diarrhea, stomachache, and other common diseases.

Solution: Wash the vegetables with tap water or keep them in fresh water for some time before cooking. You will be able to remove the chemicals and dirt layers on them.t 10

11. Mistake: You do not oil the Grill Grates

Make sure you oil the grill grates before cooking to prevent the vegetables from sticking on the grill.

Solution: Use a paper towel in a few tablespoons of canola or vegetable oil and use tongs to oil it across the grill while they are hot.

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12. Mistake: You do not pre-cook your hard Vegetables

Many vegetables can be grilled without pre-cooking but vegetables such as potatoes and pumpkins are a bit tougher to cook on the grill.

Solution: Pre-cook the hard vegetables so you don’t risk burning them. You can use a microwave or boiling them till they are half cooked.

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13. Mistake: Eating them the Wrong Way

You should focus on the quality of your vegetables and not the quantity. Consuming a little number of vegetables with sauces full of fat is not healthy at all. To take advantage of the full nutritional value of the vegetables, consume them after grilling them on low heat.

Solution: Go for low-calorie sauces instead of high-calorie ones like garlic sauce and hummus.

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14. Mistake: Not being patient while Grilling them

Flipping the vegetables too early gives the best results that you want. Have patience and smell the smoke from vegetables to figure out when to flip them to the other side.

Solution: To cook them properly, leave them for a few minutes on the grill before turning them over. Also, use a pair of tongs to flip them over.

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15. Mistake: Underestimating the Fuel required for a Good Cook

 Most people do not know how much fuel is required for a good cook, be it vegetables or meat. It’s just embarrassing to run out of fuel during a grilling session.

Solution: Always keep extra fuel before starting a grilling session so that you don’t run out of fuel.

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16. Mistake: Not controlling the Heat properly

People who cook know how to control the heat, but for beginners, it’s essential to understand how to manage the heat when grilling. There is not much to learn, start with a high temperature to attain a golden crust and then turn it down to a lower temperature until the insides are cooked without burns.

Solution: Use the dial to regulate the flame if you are using a gas grill. If you are using a charcoal grill, transfer them to a cooler side.

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17. Mistakes:  Not drying the Vegetables before Grilling

People probably make this mistake quite frequently. Not drying the washed vegetables before taking them to the grill seems to be small but is a big mistake.

Solution: Try to dry the vegetables after washing them before taking them to the grill. Use a clean cloth to dry them properly.

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18. Mistake: Not using a Basket

People often do not use baskets to keep their washed veggies near the grill. Always use a basket to keep the washed vegetables near your grill.

Solution: Use a clean basket to store your vegetables near your grill.

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19. Mistake: Trying to Grill Small Vegetables without a Grill Basket or Skewers

Small vegetables tend to fall through the grates so they can be a bit trickier to cook.

Solution: For small vegetables use a mesh grill basket. Just place the vegies directly onto them and there’s no need to worry about them falling.

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20. Mistake: Taking Eyes Off Your Meal

Try not to get distracted by your Instagram feeds and posts or enjoying your drink. Keep an eye on your grill, do not walk away or get too distracted while grilling.

Solution: Keep checking the grill to get the desired result for your meal. Do not get too distracted while grilling your veggies. Grilling reduces the cooking time of the vegetables. This enables them to keep all their nutritional value to your meal. It allows them to retain all their nutritional value. Keep these mistakes in mind and make your grilling session perfect for your occasion.

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