Here’s how make grilled peppers so they turn out smoky and tender every time! This method turns ordinary peppers into an easy summer side dish for cookouts and grilled meals.
Got your grill fired up and want to make a simple grilled side dish? Try these grilled peppers! Bell peppers are one of our favorite vegetables to grill because they are simply incredible. Throw them on the grill and they come out charred, smoky, tender and sweet.
You won’t believe how flavorful these are! This is my favorite method for grilling peppers that we’ve been using for years. I finally wrote it down so you can share in the magic, too.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s delicious and family friendly. I’ve made a lot of grilled vegetables over the years, like grilled asparagus, grilled onions, and grilled green beans, but bell peppers are the easiest sell at our table.
- It’s easy. There’s no marinade, no fussy seasoning blend, no resting time needed!
Ingredients You’ll Need
These grilled peppers taste so good, you’ll think they have some sort of fancy seasoning on them. Nope, all you need is salt and pepper to make this healthy vegetable to taste incredible! Here’s all you’ll need for this recipe:
- Bell peppers: I reach for a mix of red, yellow, and orange when I can. Each color has a slightly different sweetness, (Wondering the best way to cut them? My guide on how to cut a bell pepper shows you.)
- Red onion: It’s optional, but recommended! The sweet-savory pairing here is almost too good.
- Olive oil: My favorite all-purpose oil for grilling.
- Kosher salt and pepper: It’s all you need for perfect seasoning.
Two Ways to Grill Bell Peppers
There are two main methods for grilled bell peppers: using a grill basket (or aluminum foil), and grilling right on the grates. Here’s when to use each:
- Grill basket / foil method: This method is great for sliced vegetables, especially if you’re using the red onion, so they don’t fall into the grates of the grill. It takes a few more minutes, but it gives the veggies a sweet, slow-cooked flavor.
- On the grates: Use this method if you’re using only bell peppers (no onion). You can cut the peppers in quarters and place them right on the grates. This method is quicker.
Method 1: Grill Basket (Best For Sliced Peppers)
Use this method if you’re planning to make grilled peppers that are sliced, or if you’re using the red onion. The sweetness of red onion is the perfect compliment to the peppers, so we highly recommend it (though you can omit too). If you don’t have a grill basket, you can use foil instead. Here some tips for how to grill peppers using this method (or jump to the recipe):
- Make sure to preheat the grill basket on the grill!
- Slice the peppers and onion into thick strips: about 1 ½ inches thick. Mix with olive oil to coat and salt.
- Grill about 10 to 15 minutes! You’ll need to turn the vegetables a few times to ensure even cooking.
Method 2: On the Grates (Best for Pepper Quarters)
Use this method if you’re making grilled bell peppers without onion! This method requires large pieces so they don’t fall into the grill. Here are some tips on this method:
- Cut the bell peppers into quarters. Then mix with olive oil and salt.
- Place them directly onto the grates. You’ll want to space them apart as much as possible because they’ll cook faster this way.
- Grill about 6 to 10 minutes, until tender.
No Grill Basket? Make One Out of Foil
Don’t have a grill basket? No problem! Here’s the grill basket we use, if you’re looking to purchase one. Or, you can make a make-shift grill basket out of aluminum foil! This helps so that the smaller vegetables don’t fall through the grates. Here’s what to do:
- Fold a large piece of aluminum foil in half and prick several holes in it with a fork.
- Fold up a 1-inch rim around the edge to make a makeshift tray. This isn’t required, but it’s helpful to keep all the veggies in the tray. Then you can use it like you would a grill basket!
My Favorite Ways to Serve Grilled Bell Peppers
Grilled peppers are the perfect healthy and easy side dish when you’re whipping up a grilled dinner! If you’ve already got it fired up for the main event, it’s so easy to throw on a few peppers to make it a meal. Here are some recipes we’d recommend:
- Serve with grilled salmon or chicken. Try my Perfect Grilled Salmon or Grilled Chicken Thighs.
- Serve with grilled shellfish. Try Grilled Shrimp, Cajun Shrimp, Blackened Shrimp, Grilled Scallops, or Grilled Shrimp Tacos. (For the tacos, sprinkle in a pinch or two of cumin before grilling.)
- Serve next to a veggie burger. Try our Grilled Veggie Burger or Portobello Burger.
- Make as part of fajitas. Add fajita seasoning and then add to a tortilla with seasoned black beans or refried beans.
Storage and Reheating
Leftover grilled peppers will keep for 3 to 4 days in an airtight container in the fridge. You can use them straight from the fridge on a sandwich the next day (like a burrata sandwich, yum!).
If you want them warm, reheat in a skillet over medium heat for a couple of minutes, or microwave in short bursts.
Dietary Notes
This grilled peppers recipe is vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.
Perfect Grilled Peppers
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Here’s how make grilled peppers so they turn out smoky and tender every time! This method turns ordinary peppers into an easy summer side dish for cookouts and grilled meals.
- Author: Sonja Overhiser
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Grilled
- Cuisine: Vegetables
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 3 multi-colored bell peppers
- 1 medium red onion OR 1 additional bell pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat: Preheat a grill to medium-high heat (375 to 450 degrees). If using the grill basket, place it on the grill while preheating. Or, fold a large piece of aluminum foil in half and prick several holes in it with a fork, then fold up a 1-inch rim around the edge to make a makeshift tray.
- Grill basket or foil method: You can use onion in this method! Cut 3 peppers into 1 1/2-inch wide strips. Cut the onion into wide strips and separate the layers with your fingers. Place them in a bowl and mix with the olive oil and kosher salt. Grill in the grill basket or on the foil tray for 15 to 20 minutes until tender, turning the vegetables a few times to ensure even cooking.
- Grates method: Cut the bell peppers (and optional onion) into quarters, then place in a bowl and mix with olive oil and kosher salt. Place them directly on the grill grates, spaced as far apart as possible. Grill until tender, about 6 to 8 minutes, turning once.
More Bell Pepper Recipes
Here are a few more favorite bell pepper recipes you might enjoy with this healthy vegetable:
- Classic Stuffed Peppers A hit every time! The roasted bell peppers are filled to the brim with melty cheese and Italian flavor.
- Quinoa Stuffed Peppers Recipe A colorful and delicious healthy dinner, full of Mediterranean flavors like lemon, parsley and feta!
- Vegetarian Fajitas on the Grill Easy to grill up as a fast and easy dinner recipe! The charred veggies and black bean filling is always a crowd pleaser.
from A Couple Cooks https://ift.tt/XyjBMmI
