Flaming Hot Cheetos Grilled Corn!

Wait! Please don’t leave. I promise there’s a really good reason to make flaming hot cheetos grilled corn. I swear. There is a legitimate reason for covering your corn in these spicy, crunchy crumbs and then eating it. I promise. It might even become one of your favorite summer treats! Let’s be real: it’s definitely […]

The post Flaming Hot Cheetos Grilled Corn! appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

Wait! Please don’t leave. I promise there’s a really good reason to make flaming hot cheetos grilled corn.

flaming hot cheetos grilled corn

I swear. There is a legitimate reason for covering your corn in these spicy, crunchy crumbs and then eating it. I promise.

It might even become one of your favorite summer treats!

Let’s be real: it’s definitely a treat. And if we’re cooking at home all summer, things gotta be good. 

corn on the cob

Now, I didn’t make this recipe up. You may remember two years ago when I was doing a book signing for The Pretty Dish in Boston, we had flaming hot cheetos street corn one night.

It was SO good.

crushed flaming hot cheetos

And guys, here’s the biggest thing. I am not a cheetos fan, and I’m certainly not a flaming hot cheetos fan. As a kid, I liked cheese puff things more than crunchy cheetos. And I’m such a baby when it comes to heat and spice! If things are too spicy, I feel like they just burn out my taste buds and then I can’t, well, TASTE anything. 

You know?

But I had to make it at home. I don’t know exactly how that restaurant made their corn, but the way I’ve made it is incredible. Like holy flavor from heaven. 

grilled corn on the cob

So anyway. Here I am. Covering my grilled corn on the cob in flaming hot cheetos. 2020 has brought me to my knees. And brought me to this.

Let me tell you how insanely good it is. I mean, it is GOOD. 

rolling corn on the cob in cotija mayo

First up, let’s talk about the components:

It’s sweet from the corn.

Creamy and cheesy from the cotija lime mayo.

Spicy and crunchy from the cheetos coating.

Seriously, EVERYTHING you want in one bite? This is it.

I’ve made this recipe a few times over the years, but I was “embarrassed” to share the full “recipe” since it uses the cheetos. 2020 has tossed all embarrassment out the window. You may have seen me post it on instagram stories last summer, but this year I decided that it HAD to have its own space here. It’s just so incredibly good, regardless of how trashed up the concept may be.

flaming hot cheetos grilled corn

Here’s how it goes down:

Grill your corn. Or heck, even roast it. Doesn’t matter to me. I love the charred, smoky bite that you get from a grilled ear of corn. But whatever works! Just cook it.

Then, slather it with a mixture of mayo, crumbled cotija cheese and lime zest. This is good enough to eat with a spoon. Super flavorful! Spread it all over the ear of corn because it acts as “glue” (ew?) for the cheetos.

I know, I know. I still can’t get over the cheetos either. 

Then, roll it in the cheetos crumbs. Add a sprinkle of cotija, a spritz of lime.

And you’ve arrived. TRY IT!

flaming hot cheetos grilled corn

Flaming Hot Cheetos Grilled Corn

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Flaming Hot Cheetos Grilled Corn

This hot cheetos grilled corn is amazing. Charred, smoky grilled corn slathered in cotija cheese mayo and rolled through crushed flaming hot cheetos. Yum!
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 6 ears of corn
Author How Sweet Eats

Ingredients

  • 6 ears of corn
  • 2/3 cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup crumbled cotija cheese, plus extra for sprinkling
  • 1 lime, zest freshly grated (you can use the juice to spritz after)
  • 2 cups flaming hot cheetos

Instructions

  • Preheat your grill to the highest setting. Shuck the corn (I left the husk at the bottom for photos, but honestly, it’s messy to eat this way!). I don’t use olive oil or anything here - I find that it browns nicely on the grill and there is enough flavor with everything else!
  • Place the corn on the grill grates and cook until charred and golden, rotating every few minutes. My corn takes 10 to 15 minutes total, maybe a bit less for smaller ears.
  • While the corn is grilling, stir together the mayo, cotija cheese and lime zest.
  • Place the cheetos in the bowl of your food processor and pulse until small crumbs remain (or place them in a sealed bag and crush them!). Place the crumbs on a plate that is large enough to roll the ears of corn in.
  • Remove the corn from the grill and spread the cotija mayo (about 2 tablespoons each) all over the ears of corn. Roll the corn through the crushed cheetos. Sprinkle with extra cotija cheese. Serve immediately with fresh lime for spritzing!

Hate how much I love it.

The post Flaming Hot Cheetos Grilled Corn! appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

Grilled Whole Sweet Potatoes with Bacon and Ranch.

Tonight it’s grilled whole sweet potatoes for dinner! Seriously, these are about to be a staple in your menu. Because hello flavor! You can throw them on the grill and top them with ANYTHING. These sweet potatoes on the grill may be my new favorite thing. They are so easy. The skin gets crispy and […]

The post Grilled Whole Sweet Potatoes with Bacon and Ranch. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

Tonight it’s grilled whole sweet potatoes for dinner!

grilled whole sweet potatoes with homemade ranch

Seriously, these are about to be a staple in your menu. Because hello flavor!

You can throw them on the grill and top them with ANYTHING.

ranch dressing ingredients in food processor

These sweet potatoes on the grill may be my new favorite thing. They are so easy. The skin gets crispy and charred. You don’t have to turn on your oven!! 

Yes, the benefits are endless.

Plus, we have the whole smoky flavor that really takes everything over the top. 

homemade ranch in food processor

This is a simple recipe but one that is super good. I like to throw fresh garden tomatoes on top and crispy bacon. If you want to go full BLT-style you could top with shredded lettuce or even marinated kale. Or fresh arugula! 

I also like to add some quick pickled onions.

However, the thing that takes these over the top is the homemade ranch. I could do sweet potato fries alone dipped in the ranch. It’s insane. 

grilled whole sweet potatoes with homemade ranch

So, the ranch!

I have a few different varieties of ranch on my blog. Like this greek yogurt ranch and this avocado ranch

And I have never been a huge ranch person but my oh my, that has changed. After testing the potatoes with ranch a few times, I got hooked on the ranch. Like – OBSESSED. Finally, I fell in love with it. 

I’ve been making a batch of it every weekend. We use it on sandwiches, for veggies, all that good stuff. I’ve added hot sauce to it to make buffalo ranch and have just thrown an avocado in the blender with it for avocado ranch!

grilled whole sweet potatoes with homemade ranch

And here, I’m giving you two options – you can make it with fresh herbs or you can make it with dried. Whatever you have on hand, depending on the season. This one deserves a front row seat in your recipe box.

It’s seriously fool proof and so delicious. I do highly suggest using a bunch of fresh dill and chives straight from the garden right now. 

Then load up all of your favorite things on top of the charred sweet potatoes.

The result is so warm and comforting and FRESH. 

grilled whole sweet potatoes with homemade ranch

Grilled Whole Sweet Potatoes with Bacon and Ranch

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Grilled Sweet Potatoes with Bacon, Tomatoes and Ranch

These grilled whole sweet potatoes are drizzle with the most delish homemade ranch and topped with bacon, herbs, tomatoes and pickled onions!
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 4 people
Author How Sweet Eats

Ingredients

  • 4 medium sweet potatoes
  • pinch salt and pepper
  • 4 slices bacon, chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ¼ cup chopped herbs, like parsley, chives and basil
  • pickled onions, for topping

fresh herb ranch

  • 1 cup plain greek yogurt cream
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup milk
  • 3 tablespoons fresh chives or 1 tablespoon dried chives
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill or 2 teaspoons dried dill weed
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley or 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika

Instructions

  • Preheat the grill to medium heat. Wash and dry the sweet potatoes.
  • Place the potatoes on the grill and close the lid. Cook for 35 to 40 minutes, turning them every 10 minutes or so. Note: if you don’t want the skin to get crunchy and blackened, you can definitely wrap these in foil. It’s your call!
  • While the potatoes are on the grill, heat a skillet over medium-low heat. Add the bacon and cook until crispy. You can also make the ranch at this point too!
  • When the potatoes are done, slice them in half. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper. Drizzle with the ranch dressing. Top each with the chopped tomatoes, crispy bacon and a few pickled onions if you wish. Top with fresh herbs!

fresh herb ranch

  • Add all ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend until pureed and combined. Store in the fridge in a sealed container. This lasts for about a week!

grilled whole sweet potatoes with homemade ranch

Best breakfast, lunch or dinner!

The post Grilled Whole Sweet Potatoes with Bacon and Ranch. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

Grilled Bananas a La Mode

Grilled bananas is a dessert everyone will rave about! Flavored with maple, cinnamon and nutmeg, they’re even better topped with ice cream. Got a grill? Then you absolutely must try the revelation that is grilled bananas! This grilled spin on the flavors of bananas foster is the perfect end to a dinner on the patio. Grill up some burgers or veggies, then throw on these bananas and you’ve got dessert waiting for you. Each tender bite is flavored with maple syrup, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. It’s made even more perfect with a little melty vanilla ice cream: restaurant quality with very little effort! Alex and I were skeptical at first of this idea, but at first bite we were sold. Ingredients for grilled bananas There’s only a handful of ingredients you need for big flavor here! This grilled dessert is naturally sweet using pure maple syrup to make a sweetly spiced sauce. Here’s what you need to make grilled bananas: Bananas: Make sure to use bananas that are ripe but still firm. If they’re overly ripe, they’ll become mushy after grilling (which is okay flavor-wise, just not as pretty to look at) Maple syrup: Use pure maple syrup: you could also use […]

A Couple Cooks – Healthy, Whole Food, & Vegetarian Recipes

Grilled bananas is a dessert everyone will rave about! Flavored with maple, cinnamon and nutmeg, they’re even better topped with ice cream.

Grilled bananas

Got a grill? Then you absolutely must try the revelation that is grilled bananas! This grilled spin on the flavors of bananas foster is the perfect end to a dinner on the patio. Grill up some burgers or veggies, then throw on these bananas and you’ve got dessert waiting for you. Each tender bite is flavored with maple syrup, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. It’s made even more perfect with a little melty vanilla ice cream: restaurant quality with very little effort! Alex and I were skeptical at first of this idea, but at first bite we were sold.

Ingredients for grilled bananas

There’s only a handful of ingredients you need for big flavor here! This grilled dessert is naturally sweet using pure maple syrup to make a sweetly spiced sauce. Here’s what you need to make grilled bananas:

  • Bananas: Make sure to use bananas that are ripe but still firm. If they’re overly ripe, they’ll become mushy after grilling (which is okay flavor-wise, just not as pretty to look at)
  • Maple syrup: Use pure maple syrup: you could also use honey if desired
  • Rum: Add in a splash of rum if you like! This channels the bananas foster vibe even more
  • Cinnamon
  • Ginger
  • Nutmeg
  • Vanilla ice cream: Topping with melty vanilla ice cream takes it to star status
  • Chopped pecans: Optional, but the toasting crunch adds a finishing touch
How to grill bananas

How to cut bananas for grilling (leave the peel on!)

Here’s the important part for grilling bananas! Well, two things. Here’s what to know:

  • Keep the peel on. You’ll grill the banana in the peel: so don’t peel them! The peel acts as a protective barrier, almost like a pan. It keeps the banana together and makes it easy to flip.
  • Slice lengthwise. Slice the banana in half lengthwise so that it forms two long boat-shaped pieces.

Tips on how to grill bananas

Once you’ve cut your bananas, keeping them in the peel, you’re ready to grill! All you need to know at this point is the grill temperature and approximate timing. Memorize that and then make them on repeat all summer! Here’s what you need to know (or jump right to the recipe):

  • Preheat a grill to medium high heat: that’s 375 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Cut the bananas in half with the peel on. See the notes above.
  • Brush the tops with the maple syrup and spices.
  • Grill cut side down for 3 to 4 minutes, until you get those lovely char marks.
  • Flip and grill cut side up for 4 to 5 minutes. This finishes the cooking.
  • Use a spoon to scoop the bananas out of the peels. Garnish and enjoy!
Grilled bananas

Add toasted pecans or glazed pecans

Top these grilled bananas with vanilla ice cream for a showy, restaurant-style dessert! We also like using chopped pecans to add a satisfying crunch. You can use plain pecans for this. But if you’re looking for big wow factor, here are a few other options:

  • Toasted pecans: Simply heating pecans in a skillet for a few minutes brings out a beautiful nutty flavor. You can taste the difference! Go to How to Toast Pecans.
  • Maple glazed pecans: Even better, glaze your pecans with maple syrup so they have a sweet, crunchy coating. Go to Glazed Pecans.

Toppings for grilled bananas

Topping the grilled bananas is the fun part! While we loved it as specified, here are some more topping ideas:

Grilled bananas

Two more tasty grilled desserts

Love grilled desserts? Us too! Here are two more that you should try after making these grilled bananas:

This grilled bananas recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.

Print
Grilled bananas

Grilled Bananas a La Mode


1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (6 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

Grilled bananas is a dessert everyone will rave about! Flavored with maple, cinnamon and nutmeg, they’re even better topped with ice cream.


Ingredients

  • 4 bananas, ripe but still firm
  • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup*
  • 1 tablespoon neutral oil
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • For serving: vanilla ice cream (vegan as necessary), chopped toasted pecans or glazed pecans

Instructions

  1. Preheat a grill to medium-high heat (375 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit).
  2. In a small bowl, stir the maple syrup, oil, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
  3. Leaving the peel on, slice off the stem of the banana peel. Then slice the banana in half lengthwise.
  4. Brush the cut side of the bananas with 1/2 of the maple syrup mixture.
  5. Grill cut side down for 3 to 4 minutes until grill marks appear. Flip and cook an additional 4 to 5 minutes until softened.
  6. To serve, scoop the bananas out of their peels with a spoon. Stir the maple mixture, then drizzle it over the tops. Serve with ice cream and chopped pecans.

Notes

*Step up the flavors and add 1 tablespoon rum to the mix as well!

  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Grilled
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Grilled Bananas, How to grill bananas

More banana recipes

There are so many ways to use bananas, from bread to muffins to pancakes! Here are some favorite banana recipes:

  • Healthy Banana Bread Muffins These healthy muffins are made mostly of oats and bananas, blended together in a blender. A fan fave!
  • Banana Oatmeal Pancakes Wholesome and so delicious! They’re mostly with oats so they’re filling and full of nutrients.
  • Perfect Banana Smoothie The perfect banana smoothie! It’s got just the right creamy texture and beautifully banana-forward flavor.

A Couple Cooks - Healthy, Whole Food, & Vegetarian Recipes

Grilled Vegetable Orzo with Smashed Feta Vinaigrette.

This grilled vegetable orzo will be your new summer BFF. It’s loaded with flavor. Everyone loves it. It should be dinner tonight! Okay, but seriously? This orzo has been on repeat for weeks now. IT IS SO GOOD. First, let’s talk about how versatile it is. You can basically throw whatever veggies you have and […]

The post Grilled Vegetable Orzo with Smashed Feta Vinaigrette. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

This grilled vegetable orzo will be your new summer BFF.

grilled vegetable orzo with smashed feta vinaigrette

It’s loaded with flavor. Everyone loves it. It should be dinner tonight!

vegetables ready for the grill

Okay, but seriously? This orzo has been on repeat for weeks now. IT IS SO GOOD.

mushrooms with olive oil

First, let’s talk about how versatile it is. You can basically throw whatever veggies you have and love on the grill. There is no right or wrong here, as long as it’s vegetables you like. It’s a great way to do a clean-out-the-fridge meal and use up everything that’s about to spoil. 

orzo

The veggies that I always do for flavor purposes alone: mushrooms, bell peppers and broccoli.

Those are my faves!

However, as you can see in the photos, I add in many many more vegetables too. Cauliflower, zucchini and scallions here. I also like to throw in asparagus and/or green beans.

Everything ends up tasting incredible thanks to the charred, smoky flavor from the grill, but I also add a dash of balsamic vinegar to make the flavor pop.

grilled vegetables

When it comes to grilling, the way you grill the vegetables may vary. I love using this grilling basket and this grilling pan for almost all the vegetables. But if you have mushrooms that are thinly sliced, then I suggest grilling them in foil. They will get very crisp and this is where you can add that balsamic flavor. 

Of course, if you don’t have a grill, this works just as well with roasted vegetables too. Winning all around right here!

smashed feta vinaigrette

Now this vinaigrette. Oh my gosh. This might be my favorite dressing of the summer. I’m calling it now. My new signature!

You make a classic vinaigrette with red wine vinegar, some herbs, salt, pepper and garlic, them smash feta into that mixture while bring it together. Add your olive oil and boom! It’s perfect.

orzo with smashed feta vinaigrette

This reminds me a lot of a blue cheese vinaigrette I’ve been perfecting for a long time. The recipe will be in my next book! There’s just something about these soft cheeses that marinate in the dressing. Fantastic. 

grilled vegetable orzo with smashed feta vinaigrette

More great news:

You can make this ahead of time. Yes! The entire thing. Even this past weekend I made it almost a full 24 hours ahead of time and served it as a cold pasta salad. The flavors become more pronounced and everything marries together even more.

grilled vegetable orzo with smashed feta vinaigrette

So yes, that means you can serve this warm or cold. It’s totally your choice.

What I’ve been doing? If I want to make it for dinner, then we tend to eat it warm. I grilled the vegetables while making the orzo then toss it all together and serve. If you want to make it for a gathering with family or friends, I suggest taking it at room temp (so making it right before you leave) or serving it cold. All the ways are delicious. 

grilled vegetable orzo with smashed feta vinaigrette

If you do go the dinner route, you can serve this alone, serve it as the main dish with a greens salad or serve it as a side with some grilled chicken or salmon. Of course, you can also add chicken or beans or whatever else you’d like right into the salad. 

What I’m really saying is take this and make it your own. You’ll have wonderful leftovers. And double the dressing because you will freak over it! 

grilled vegetable orzo with smashed feta vinaigrette

Grilled Vegetable Orzo with Smashed Feta Vinaigrette

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Grilled Vegetable Orzo with Smashed Feta Vinaigrette

This grilled vegetable orzo is the perfect dish to serve warm or cold! Tossed with feta vinaigrette, the flavor is incredible!
Course Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Author How Sweet Eats

Ingredients

  • 1 pound orzo pasta
  • 12 ounces shiitake mushrooms
  • 1 cup broccoli florets
  • 1 cup cauliflower florets
  • 2 bell peppers, chopped
  • 4 green onions
  • 1 medium zucchini squash, cut into rounds or spears
  • olive oil for drizzling
  • balsamic vinegar for drizzling
  • salt, pepper and garlic powder for sprinkling
  • crumbled feta for serving
  • fresh herbs, like dill and chives, for serving

smashed feta vinaigrette

  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chopped dill
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chopped chives
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • salt and pepper
  • cup crumbled feta cheese
  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

  • Note: there is no wrong way to do the vegetables here! Cut them as you wish (at least large enough so they don’t fall through grates/grill pan), use the vegetables you wish - whatever you love most!
  • Preheat the grill to high. Make the dressing first and set it aside.
  • Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the orzo according to the package directions - usually around 8 minutes for al dente. If the orzo is finished before everything else is, toss with a spoonful of olive oil so the pasta doesn’t stick together. Grill the vegetables while the water boils and orzo cooks.
  • I find that I need 2 grill baskets/trays here to do all the vegetables. You can of course put vegetables right on the grill too - especially things like large pieces of bell peppers, asparagus, zucchini rounds or spears, etc. Toss the vegetables with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. If desired, you can also toss with 1 to 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar.
  • If the mushrooms are sliced, I put them on a sheet of foil. (if they are whole, you can place them directly on the grill or grill plate.) Drizzle the mushrooms with olive oil and add 1 to 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar. You can add cracked black pepper and garlic powder too. Wait to salt until the mushrooms cook.
  • Place the vegetables on the grill. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes total, tossing and turning some of the vegetables every few minutes. The length of time will depend on how small you cut your vegetables, so keep an eye on them. I check every 5 minutes or so.
  • Once the vegetables are done, toss them in a large bowl with the orzo. Pout the feta vinaigrette on top and toss. You can add in extra feta, fresh dill or chives if you wish. Either serve immediately, or store in the fridge until you serve. You can make this 24 hours ahead of time. Leftovers are great!

smashed feta vinaigrette

  • In a bowl, whisk together the vinegar, lemon juice, honey, salt, pepper, herbs and feta. Use a spoon or whisk to smash some of the feta into the mixture. Whisk the olive oil into the dressing until combined. You can make this ahead of time and store it in the fridge. It will separate but whisking or shaking will bring it back together.

grilled vegetable orzo with smashed feta vinaigrette

Holy.flavor.

The post Grilled Vegetable Orzo with Smashed Feta Vinaigrette. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

Grilled Tuna

Here’s how to make the very best grilled tuna: seared on the outside and tender on the inside! Full of savory flavor, it’s a true showstopper. Tired of grilling burgers and salmon? Good, because here’s a uniquely incredible grilled dinner idea: grilled tuna steaks. And there’s nothing fishy about this tuna. Ahi tuna is rich and buttery, and seared perfectly on the outside, it tastes more like chicken or steak than fish! Even better, it’s one of the quickest things you can cook. Just 1 to 2 minutes, and you’ve got dinner. Here are all the tricks to getting that perfect sear on the grill. Ingredients for grilled tuna The nice thing about ahi tuna: it’s so flavorful on its own that you hardly need any seasoning! Just salt and pepper will do. Here’s what you need for grilled tuna steaks: Ahi tuna steaks: Look for sashimi grade. If you can find it, wild caught tuna is most sustainable. You can use fresh or frozen tuna steaks: if it’s frozen, thaw it by leaving it in the refrigerator overnight the night before you plan to grill. Salt Pepper This recipe makes perfectly seared grilled tuna In this recipe, you’ll use […]

A Couple Cooks – Healthy, Whole Food, & Vegetarian Recipes

Here’s how to make the very best grilled tuna: seared on the outside and tender on the inside! Full of savory flavor, it’s a true showstopper.

Grilled tuna

Tired of grilling burgers and salmon? Good, because here’s a uniquely incredible grilled dinner idea: grilled tuna steaks. And there’s nothing fishy about this tuna. Ahi tuna is rich and buttery, and seared perfectly on the outside, it tastes more like chicken or steak than fish! Even better, it’s one of the quickest things you can cook. Just 1 to 2 minutes, and you’ve got dinner. Here are all the tricks to getting that perfect sear on the grill.

Ingredients for grilled tuna

The nice thing about ahi tuna: it’s so flavorful on its own that you hardly need any seasoning! Just salt and pepper will do. Here’s what you need for grilled tuna steaks:

  • Ahi tuna steaks: Look for sashimi grade. If you can find it, wild caught tuna is most sustainable. You can use fresh or frozen tuna steaks: if it’s frozen, thaw it by leaving it in the refrigerator overnight the night before you plan to grill.
  • Salt
  • Pepper
Seared grilled tuna

This recipe makes perfectly seared grilled tuna

In this recipe, you’ll use the grill to make seared tuna using ahi tuna. What’s seared tuna?

  • Seared tuna is made with only the highest quality, freshest ahi tuna. This is the tuna is the quality that’s used in sushi and sashimi.
  • The perfect seared tuna is browned on the outside and raw on the inside: a beautiful pink color! It’s absolutely safe to eat, unless you’re a pregnant woman staying away from raw fish.

How to grill ahi tuna: time and temperature

The basic concept behind grilled ahi tuna: you need to crank up your grill to the highest heat possible! To get a perfect sear on the outside and a raw inside, the hotter the better. Because grills vary, the exact temperature will be different based on your grill.

  • Preheat a grill to the highest heat possible: 500 to 700 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on how hot your grill gets.
  • Pat the tuna dry and sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper.
  • Grill 30 to 60 seconds per side, until cooked on the outside but still raw on the inside. It’s helpful to use a food thermometer: the internal temperature should be 115 degrees Fahrenheit.
Grilled tuna

More on buying ahi tuna

Where to look for ahi tuna at the grocery? If you’re not used to buying it, here are a few things to know:

  • Look for frozen steaks. It’s possible that your grocery might have frozen ahi tuna steaks. These can be even fresher than fresh tuna if they’re flash frozen right when they’re caught. You’ll just need to remember to thaw the night before in the refrigerator.
  • If not, look at the fish counter. Ahi tuna steaks have become more popular lately, so you should be able to find it at your local grocery counter.
  • Find wild caught. If you can find wild caught, this is preferred from a sustainability perspective. US caught is preferable due to US regulations. Read more about buying sustainable seafood here.

Ways to serve grilled tuna

There are lots of fantastic sides to pair with grilled tuna! One thing to note: if you want to serve other grilled vegetables with the tuna, you’ll need to cook at medium high heat (375 to 450 degrees). So you’d grill them first, then increase the heat for the tuna. If this presents logistical challenges with your grill, you may want to opt for other sides like salads or rice.

Seared tuna | Seared ahi tuna
Serve it over rice with a few veggie sides!

Other ways to eat ahi tuna

Ahi tuna is a highly nutritious lean protein (more info here). There are many ways to eat it, but here are our favorites:

This grilled tuna recipe is…

Gluten-free, dairy-free, and pescatarian.

Print
Grilled tuna

Perfect Grilled Tuna


1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (6 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 2 to 3 minutes
  • Total Time: 55 minute
  • Yield: 4

Description

Here’s how to make the very best grilled tuna: seared on the outside and tender on the inside! Full of savory flavor, it’s a true showstopper.


Ingredients

  • 2 6 ounce ahi tuna steaks (best quality you can find; wild caught recommended)*
  • Kosher salt
  • Fresh ground pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat a grill to as hot as it gets (500 to 700 degrees Fahrenheit).
  2. Pat the tuna dry. Sprinkle it liberally with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper on both sides.
  3. Add the steak to the grill and cook 30 to 60 seconds per side, until lightly browned on the outside but still raw on the inside (115 degrees Fahrenheit). If you’d like to sear the short sides, turn the tuna with tongs and sear each side for a few seconds.
  4. To serve, slice the tuna against the grain into 1/2 inch slices. Serve immediately.

Notes

*Frozen is okay: make sure to thaw it in the refrigerator before serving.

  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Grilled
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Grilled tuna, Grilled ahi tuna, How to grill tuna

A Couple Cooks - Healthy, Whole Food, & Vegetarian Recipes

Grilled Tomatoes

These mind-blowing grilled tomatoes are easy and packed with smoky, juicy flavor. Serve them with herbs for a sensational summer treat. Speechless. That’s what you’ll be after trying these grilled tomatoes (at least, we hope!). Here at A Couple Cooks we’ve made almost all the grilled vegetables, but tomatoes were something new. Take one bite and it’s true magic: smoky, pure sweet tomato, with a melt-in-your-mouth quality that makes you immediately want to shout how delicious they are. These grilled tomatoes work as a side dish or appetizer for a grilled dinner. Drizzle with olive oil and top with fresh herbs, and it’s the very best summer treat you could imagine. Ingredients for grilled tomatoes You only need a handful of ingredients for grilled tomatoes! The tomatoes in particular should be good quality. Here’s what you need: Large, firm ripe tomatoes: this is important! The tomatoes must be ripe, but not so soft that they’ll fall apart on the grill. Olive oil Salt and pepper Fresh herbs: we used fresh thyme and oregano If you’d like, you can add a few feta cheese crumbles too (we did). But it’s not necessary for flavor! The olive oil and herbs bring such […]

A Couple Cooks – Healthy, Whole Food, & Vegetarian Recipes

These mind-blowing grilled tomatoes are easy and packed with smoky, juicy flavor. Serve them with herbs for a sensational summer treat.

Grilled tomatoes

Speechless. That’s what you’ll be after trying these grilled tomatoes (at least, we hope!). Here at A Couple Cooks we’ve made almost all the grilled vegetables, but tomatoes were something new. Take one bite and it’s true magic: smoky, pure sweet tomato, with a melt-in-your-mouth quality that makes you immediately want to shout how delicious they are. These grilled tomatoes work as a side dish or appetizer for a grilled dinner. Drizzle with olive oil and top with fresh herbs, and it’s the very best summer treat you could imagine.

Ingredients for grilled tomatoes

You only need a handful of ingredients for grilled tomatoes! The tomatoes in particular should be good quality. Here’s what you need:

  • Large, firm ripe tomatoes: this is important! The tomatoes must be ripe, but not so soft that they’ll fall apart on the grill.
  • Olive oil
  • Salt and pepper
  • Fresh herbs: we used fresh thyme and oregano

If you’d like, you can add a few feta cheese crumbles too (we did). But it’s not necessary for flavor! The olive oil and herbs bring such a big punch, it’s at its core a vegan and plant-based grilled recipe.

How to grill tomatoes

High quality, ripe tomatoes are a must!

Great grilled tomatoes start with great tomatoes. While some cooking methods can cover over sub-bar ingredients, grilling requires great tomatoes. Here’s what to know:

  • Best choice: Local farmers market tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes, or garden tomatoes. These are full of the most nuanced, tasty flavor. And you can support local growers!
  • Ripe grocery store tomatoes: Grocery tomatoes are best during tomato season. If you’re buying in the off season, some brands of hydroponic greenhouse tomatoes can have better flavor. Just don’t buy pink or hard tomatoes.

How to grill tomatoes: time and temperature

All you really need to know about grill tomatoes is the grill temperature and timing. Memorize these few things, and then make this recipe on repeat all summer! Here are the basic steps for how to grill tomatoes (or jump to the recipe):

  • Preheat a grill to medium high heat: that’s 375 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit).
  • Cut the tomatoes in half latitudinally: around the horizontal axis, not through the top.
  • Rub with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  • Grill 4 to 5 minutes per side, until tender and charred. Be very careful when flipping the tomatoes, and use a confident, strong motion with your spatula.
  • Serve with olive oil, more salt to taste, and chopped fresh herbs.
Grilled tomatoes

More ways to season grilled tomatoes

The simplest way to serve grilled tomatoes is as we listed above. But if you want to get even fancier, here are some ideas:

  • Balsamic drizzle. Add a touch of balsamic reduction for sweet tart sophistication.
  • Grilled Caprese salad. Layer with slices of fresh mozzarella and top with fresh basil for a grilled spin on Caprese salad.
  • Crostini. Gently chop the tomatoes (using a serrated knife) and serve with crostini or goat cheese crostini.
Grilled tomatoes

Make it a meal!

Grilled tomatoes work with lots of different cuisines; they’re especially perfect with Mediterranean-style meals. Here are a few ways to accessorize them to make a grilled dinner:

This grilled tomatoes recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.

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Grilled tomatoes

Epic Grilled Tomatoes


1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (5 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

These mind-blowing grilled tomatoes are easy and packed with smoky, juicy flavor. Serve them with herbs for a sensational summer treat.


Ingredients

  • 4 large, firm ripe tomatoes (not too soft or they can fall apart while grilling)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Kosher salt
  • Fresh ground pepper
  • For serving: Chopped fresh thyme and oregano, olive oil, feta crumbles (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat a grill to medium-high heat (375 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit).
  2. Remove the stems from the tomatoes. Cut each tomato in half (latitudinally: see the photos). Gently rub them with olive oil and sprinkle liberally with kosher salt and pepper.
  3. Grill cut side down for 4 to 5 minutes until tender and lightly charred. Carefully flip with a spatula, then cook an additional 4 to 5 minutes until tender.
  4. Sprinkle with a little more salt and drizzle with olive oil. Serve with fresh herbs and if desired, a few feta cheese crumbles (though the flavor is incredible without).

  • Category: Side Dish or Appetizer
  • Method: Grilled
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Grilled tomatoes, How to grill tomatoes

More fresh tomato recipes to try

Need more recipes for when summer tomatoes are juicy and ripe? Here are our top fresh tomato recipes to try:

A Couple Cooks - Healthy, Whole Food, & Vegetarian Recipes

Grilled Eggplant

Here’s how to make perfectly grilled eggplant! These tricks make it come out tender every time. Top with sauce as a summer side dish or appetizer. Eggplant can be under appreciated, but this Mediterranean-style vegetable is one of the tastiest around. You’ve got to try this grilled eggplant: it comes out smoky and tender, lightly charred and full of flavor. Top it with a sauce and you’ve got a killer summer side dish or appetizer! We went for two different sauces: a fresh tomato salsa fresca, and a creamy, lightly spicy white BBQ sauce. The combination of the two is spot on. You’ll need to know a few tricks for grilled eggplant to get it just right: here’s what to know! Ingredients for grilled eggplant You don’t even need to top this eggplant with sauces: especially if you’re serving as part of a sandwich or part of a grilled veggie platter. But they’re extra festive, so feel free to add them if you like. Otherwise, the ingredients for grilled eggplant are very basic: Globe eggplant Olive oil Salt Trick 1: make 1/2-inch rounds! There are two tricks you need to know for grilled eggplant. First: slice it into 1/2-inch slices! […]

A Couple Cooks – Healthy, Whole Food, & Vegetarian Recipes

Here’s how to make perfectly grilled eggplant! These tricks make it come out tender every time. Top with sauce as a summer side dish or appetizer.

Grilled eggplant

Eggplant can be under appreciated, but this Mediterranean-style vegetable is one of the tastiest around. You’ve got to try this grilled eggplant: it comes out smoky and tender, lightly charred and full of flavor. Top it with a sauce and you’ve got a killer summer side dish or appetizer! We went for two different sauces: a fresh tomato salsa fresca, and a creamy, lightly spicy white BBQ sauce. The combination of the two is spot on. You’ll need to know a few tricks for grilled eggplant to get it just right: here’s what to know!

Ingredients for grilled eggplant

You don’t even need to top this eggplant with sauces: especially if you’re serving as part of a sandwich or part of a grilled veggie platter. But they’re extra festive, so feel free to add them if you like. Otherwise, the ingredients for grilled eggplant are very basic:

  • Globe eggplant
  • Olive oil
  • Salt
Grilled eggplant

Trick 1: make 1/2-inch rounds!

There are two tricks you need to know for grilled eggplant. First: slice it into 1/2-inch slices! Any thicker and the eggplant comes out charred on the outside, but tough on the inside. Trust us: we tried it (not delicious). You can place half-inch slices right on the grates and they come out perfectly tender.

Trick 2: add olive oil right before grilling!

The other tip for grilled eggplant: add the olive oil right before you cook it! Here’s the thing about eggplant: it sucks up oil like a sponge. If you add the oil too soon, the eggplant sucks it all up and then becomes dry. But if you add it right before grilling, it will stay oiled enough for the grill.

Grilled eggplant

Salt to taste, until the flavor pops

Another thing to note about this recipe: typically we specify exactly how much salt to use. For this recipe, you’ll salt the eggplant afterwards (so salt doesn’t fall off on the grill). Because the size of eggplants can vary, the recipe below indicates simply to add salt to taste. Give it a good sprinkling of kosher salt, then taste and see if the flavor pops. If not, add a little more and taste until it tastes delicious but not salty.

How to grill eggplant: time and temperature

All you really need to know about grilled eggplant, besides those two tips, is the grill temperature and timing. Memorize those few things, and then make this recipe on repeat all summer! Here are the basic steps for how to grill eggplant (or jump to the recipe):

  • Preheat a grill to medium high heat (that’s 375 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit).
  • Thinly slice the eggplant into 1/2-inch rounds.
  • Directly before grilling, rub with olive oil.
  • Grill 4 to 5 minutes per side, until tender and charred. Add salt to taste and enjoy!
Grilled eggplant

Sauces for grilled eggplant

Here’s the fun part: serving your eggplant! Eggplant works with lots of different flavors, from American to Mediterranean. Here’s what we used, and then a few more ideas:

  • Fresh tomato sauce: We went with a salsa fresca to bring in bright tomato flavor; you could also use pico de gallo.
  • White BBQ sauce: Ever tried this? White BBQ sauce is unique and great for drizzling on grilled veggies.
  • Tahini sauce: Eggplant is great with Mediterranean flavors. Try this Tahini Sauce and top with chopped parsley and pomegranate seeds.
  • Pesto: Spoon over Basil Pesto and top with sliced cherry tomatoes. Perfection!
Grilled Eggplant & Tomato Stacked Sandwiches

Or, serve it as a sandwich!

Another great way to serve grilled eggplant: as a sandwich! This Eggplant Sandwich with Pesto is one of our favorite summer grilled meals, inspired by a stop in a hidden sandwich shop on a trip to Italy. It layers up some tasty Italian ingredients like:

  • Grilled eggplant
  • Ripe, juicy tomatoes
  • Fresh mozzarella cheese
  • Basil pesto Make your own if you have basil or get your favorite store bought jar.
  • Kalamata olive spread Full of big flavor! Buy store bought tapenade or make your own.

This grilled eggplant recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.

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Grilled eggplant

Grilled Eggplant (Perfect Every Time!)


1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (5 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

Here’s how to make perfectly grilled eggplant! These tricks make it come out tender every time. Top with sauce as a summer side dish or appetizer.


Ingredients


Instructions

  1. Preheat a grill to medium-high heat (375 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit).
  2. Directly before grilling (not in advance), slice the eggplant into thin rounds about 1/2” thick (size is important!). Place the slices on a baking sheet and rub both sides with the olive oil. Don’t do this step in advance: the eggplant soaks up lots of the olive oil, so make sure to do it right before grilling.
  3. Place the eggplant directly on the grill grates and grill for about 4 to 5 minutes per side (8 to 10 minutes total), until charred and tender.
  4. Remove from the grill and season generously with kosher salt to taste, until the flavor pops. Serve topped with salsa fresca or pico de gallo and/or white BBQ sauce.

  • Category: Side Dish / Appetizer
  • Method: Grilled
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean

Keywords: Grilled eggplant, How to grill eggplant

More eggplant recipes

Eggplant is one of our favorites because it’s so versatile! There are so many ways to use this nutritious veggie. Here are some of our top eggplant recipes for serving it:

  • Oven Roasted Eggplant Baking until it’s tender makes for unreal flavor. Serve it as a side dish, or toss with pasta!
  • Eggplant Pizzas Eggplant makes the crust of these mini pizzas, covered in garlicky sauce and gooey cheese.
  • Roasted Eggplant Pasta Flavor-packed with roasted eggplant & zesty marinara sauce!
  • Eggplant Caponata Eggplant and Mediterranean vegetables make a tangy, garlicky spread that’s perfect over crusty bread.
  • Grilled Eggplant Parmesan Smoky breaded and grilled eggplant, doused in warm marinara sauce.

A Couple Cooks - Healthy, Whole Food, & Vegetarian Recipes

Easy Grilled Salmon

Here’s how to make the absolute best grilled salmon! It’s perfectly tender and flavored with a magic seasoning blend that…

A Couple Cooks – Recipes worth repeating.

Here’s how to make the absolute best grilled salmon! It’s perfectly tender and flavored with a magic seasoning blend that takes it to new heights.

Grilled Salmon

Want to grill salmon to perfection? Salmon is notoriously easy to over cook and under-season. We’ve had our share of sub-par salmon experiences, so we set about to find a no-fail way to grill salmon. Meet the Perfect Grilled Salmon! It’s an easy method and comes out tender with a lightly crisp crust. Even better, it’s sprinkled with our tasty magical seasoning blend. This salmon seasoning tastes so good, you’ll want to put it on everything…you might never make salmon without it again.

Ingredients for grilled salmon

Let’s break down the ingredients for grilled salmon, shall we? You only need a few quality ingredients to make the very best grilled salmon:

  • Skin-on salmon fillets: Try to find wild-caught if you can: it tastes better and is most sustainable. Skin on is important because it acts as a barrier between the fish and the grill while cooking.
  • Olive oil & salt: You’ll just need a bit for rubbing and sprinkling.
  • Seafood seasoning: Here’s where the magic comes in…
Grilled Salmon

The best seasoning for salmon…period.

Salmon is beautiful with just salt and pepper, and a squeeze of lemon. But want to take it over the top? (We know you do.) The very best way to season grilled salmon is our homemade Seafood Seasoning! It brings unreal savory flavor to this fish. There’s a little smoky, savory, and salty, with a hint of celery seed and allspice for some intrigue. It’s so good that we can’t help but use it on all our grilled vegetables, too. Here’s what’s in this magic seasoning blend:

  • Smoked paprika (or sweet paprika)
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Thyme
  • Celery seed
  • Cumin
  • Allspice
  • Salt
How to grill salmon

Tips for how to grill salmon: the easy way!

Some people swear by cooking grilled salmon in foil. But we think the very best way is right on the grill grates. This way, you get all that smoky flavor and a crispy exterior. Here are our tips for how to grill salmon:

  • Brine the salmon first! Brining is simply placing the salmon in a salt water solution while the grill preheats. It makes for perfectly moist salmon, and also helps the salmon come to room temperature which makes it cook more evenly. You can also marinate the salmon as an alternate option: go to Marinated Grilled Salmon.
  • The temperature for grilled salmon? Medium high heat, or 375 to 450 degrees. Medium high heat makes for a perfectly cooked piece of salmon. While you can cook at high heat and then finish at lower heat, we like the ease of grilling at one temperature.
  • How long to cook grilled salmon? 3 to 5 minutes skin side up until grill marks form and it releases from the grates, then 2 to 5 minutes skin side down, depending on the thickness! The best way to measure whether it’s done is using an internal thermometer. Stick it in the thickest part of the fish and it should read 125 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit.

Ways to prevent sticking to the grill!

Some people complain about salmon sticking to the grill. The biggest contributor to that problem? Don’t try to turn it too soon! When the salmon is cooked just enough, it releases from the grill grates, making it easy to flip. But if you touch it before that time, it can stick and break apart. You don’t need to oil the grill grates. Just lightly oil the fish, and when cooking wait until the salmon is easy to release (about 5 minutes). Then it’s easy to flip!

Another tip: make sure to cook with skin on salmon. This helps it to stay together on the grill. Salmon with the skin off easily sticks to the grill. We don’t recommend using it here.

Another method: grilled salmon in foil!

Another great way to prevent sticking to the grill? Make Grill Salmon in Foil! Here are the pros and cons to this method:

  • Grilled salmon in foil eliminates the need to flip the fish on the grill.
  • The tradeoffs? The top doesn’t get crispy like in this method, and the fish doesn’t pick up as much of the charred grill flavor. If it seems worth it to you, head to our Grilled Salmon in Foil recipe.

Or, try marinated salmon!

Another option? Try Marinated Grilled Salmon! This infuses big savory, moist flavor into the salmon fillets and is one of our favorite ways to make this recipe. Here are the pros and cons:

  • The marinade adds complex, savory flavor to the fish fillets.
  • It takes at least 30 minutes to marinade, but half of this is your preheat time. You can also marinate for up to 3 hours refrigerated (just pull it out 30 minutes before grilling).
Grilled Salmon

More ways to season salmon

There are lots of ways to season salmon! Once you’ve tried it with this Seafood Seasoning, you might want to change it up a bit. Here are some more ideas on seasoning:

Grilled Salmon

What to serve with grilled salmon

Enough about cooking it: let’s talk about eating! What to serve with grilled salmon? Try using the rest of the grill grates for some grilled veggies, or pair with a summer salad. Here are some recs to build out your meal:

Want more grilled seafood? Try our Grilled Scallops, Grilled Cod, or Grilled Ahi Tuna.

This grilled salmon recipe is…

Gluten-free, dairy-free and pescatarian.

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Grilled Salmon

Easy Grilled Salmon (Perfectly Seasoned!)


  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4

Description

Here’s how to make the absolute best grilled salmon! It’s perfectly tender and flavored with a magic seasoning blend that takes it to new heights. Or, try our Marinated Grilled Salmon with a quick marinade. 


Ingredients

  • 4 4-ounce salmon fillets, skin on (wild caught if possible)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons Seafood Seasoning*

Instructions

  1. Preheat a grill to medium-high heat (375 to 450 degrees).
  2. Brine the salmon (or go to Marinated Salmon to marinade instead): While the grill preheats, in a shallow dish mix together 4 cups room temperature water and 3 tablespoons kosher salt. Place the salmon in the water and wait for 15 minutes (this should be about the time it takes to preheat).
  3. Pat the salmon dry with a clean towel. Rub it generously with oil and sprinkle it with the kosher salt and seasoning blend (or simply salt and pepper).
  4. Grill the salmon over indirect heat skin side up for 3 to 5 minutes, until grill marks appear and it releases from the grates. Flip and cook another 2 to 5 minutes, depending on the thickness of the salmon, until flaky and just pink at the thickest portion and the internal temperature is 125 to 130 degrees. (Salmon varies in thickness, so the cook time is different based on each piece of fish.) Allow to rest for a few minutes, then serve.

Notes

*We highly recommend making this homemade seafood seasoning! To make a quick version just for the salmon, mix 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt and ¼ teaspoon cumin.

  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Grilled
  • Cuisine: Seafood
  • Diet: Low Calorie

Keywords: Grilled Salmon

A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.

Grilled Apples a La Mode

Grilled apples make the best summer dessert! Grill them with sugar and spices until tender, then serve them with “a la mode” with melty vanilla ice cream. Here’s one of the best desserts out there: grilled apples! It’s carefree, easy, and a la mode (which makes everything better). Thinly slice those apples and throw them in a foil packet with sugar and spices. The grill turns them tender and velvety, with subtle nuance of smoke. Top with melty vanilla ice cream, and well: it doesn’t get any better than this! It’s easy to make up a packet and cook it while prepping the rest of a grilled dinner. When you’re ready for dessert: pop open the packet and get out some forks! Ingredients for grilled apples Grilled apples don’t need much to taste incredible: just sugar and spices! These apples are just sweet enough, because they’re designed to be covered in melty ice cream. Here’s what you need to make grilled apples: Apples: The best grilled apples are good baking apples: firm tart-sweet varieties like Honey Crisp, Jonathon, Granny Smith, Gala, Fuji, etc Brown sugar and white sugar: Or substitute any type of sugar you like (coconut sugar, etc). Cinnamon […]

A Couple Cooks – Healthy, Whole Food, & Vegetarian Recipes

Grilled apples make the best summer dessert! Grill them with sugar and spices until tender, then serve them with “a la mode” with melty vanilla ice cream.

Grilled apples

Here’s one of the best desserts out there: grilled apples! It’s carefree, easy, and a la mode (which makes everything better). Thinly slice those apples and throw them in a foil packet with sugar and spices. The grill turns them tender and velvety, with subtle nuance of smoke. Top with melty vanilla ice cream, and well: it doesn’t get any better than this! It’s easy to make up a packet and cook it while prepping the rest of a grilled dinner. When you’re ready for dessert: pop open the packet and get out some forks!

Ingredients for grilled apples

Grilled apples don’t need much to taste incredible: just sugar and spices! These apples are just sweet enough, because they’re designed to be covered in melty ice cream. Here’s what you need to make grilled apples:

  • Apples: The best grilled apples are good baking apples: firm tart-sweet varieties like Honey Crisp, Jonathon, Granny Smith, Gala, Fuji, etc
  • Brown sugar and white sugar: Or substitute any type of sugar you like (coconut sugar, etc).
  • Cinnamon
  • Ginger
  • Nutmeg
  • Vanilla ice cream: This adds the final bit of sweetness. If you want to omit, add a touch more sugar to the apples if you like.
Grilled apples

How to cut apples…the fast way!

For these grilled apples, you’ll need to cut them into 1/4-inch slices. You can leave the peel on (we did!), or remove it if you prefer desserts with peeled apples. Somehow, we only recently learned how to cut apples the fast way. Here’s the trick of how to quickly thinly slice apples: check out the video below!

  1. Holding the core of the apple, use a large chef’s knife to slice off four sides of the apple, cutting as close to the core as possible.
  2. Take one of the quarters and place it flat side down on the cutting board. Then cut it into thin slices.
  3. Repeat with the remaining quarters!

How to slice apples

Tips on how to grill apples

Apples are easiest to grill in a foil packet. You’ll just need to know a few basic items: grill temperature and approximate timing. Memorize that and then make them on repeat all summer! Here’s what you need to know (or jump right to the recipe):

  • Preheat a grill to medium high heat: that’s 375 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Cut the apples into thin slices. See the video above!
  • Place them on foil and season with sugar and spices. Then add another sheet of foil on top, seal it, and poke holes for air to escape.
  • Grill over indirect heat for 20 to 25 minutes, until the apples are tender. Serve with ice cream or whipped cream! We like eating it right out of the packet.
Grilled apples

More topping ideas!

What else can you use to top grilled apples? So many things. Take this to over-the-top grilled dessert status by adding any of the following:

  1. Substitute ice cream for homemade whipped cream (or vegan whipped cream).
  2. Try bourbon-infused whipped cream. (Yes!)
  3. Drizzle with caramel sauce.
  4. Sprinkle with maple pecan granola crumbles.
  5. Add toasted almonds.
  6. Top with glazed pecans or glazed walnuts.
  7. Drizzle with balsamic reduction.
  8. Top with a buttered rum sauce.
  9. Add sprinkles (why not?).
  10. Drizzle with a vanilla cream sauce.

Love grilled desserts? Also try our Grilled Pineapple: it also works a la mode! It’s great with some of the toppings above, and especially tasty with toasted coconut and fresh mint.

Grilled apples

This grilled apples recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.

Print
Grilled apples

Grilled Apples a La Mode


1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (6 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

Grilled apples make the best summer dessert! Grill them with sugar and spices until tender, then serve them with “a la mode” with melty vanilla ice cream.


Ingredients

  • 2 firm tart-sweet apples (like Honey Crisp, Jonathon, Granny Smith, Gala, Fuji, etc)
  • 2 tablespoons butter (or coconut oil for vegan)
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • For serving: Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream (or vegan whipped cream)

Instructions

  1. Preheat a grill to medium-high heat (375 to 450 degrees).
  2. Cut the apples into 1/4” slices (no need to peel unless you want to). Place the apples on a large piece of aluminum foil. Top with the butter, cut into thin pats, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Toss them with your fingers to combine. Seal the packet by placing another piece of foil on top and poke holes in it with a fork (to allow moisture to escape).
  3.  Grill over indirect heat for 20 to 25 minutes until the apples are fork tender. Top with ice cream and serve (either right on the foil, or place in bowls or on plates).

  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Grilled
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Grilled apples, How to grill apples

More fruit desserts

Are you a fruit desserts person? (We are.) Here are some fruit dessert favorites that are also perfect for summer:

  • Best Apple Pie This really is the best apple pie recipe. It’s got flaky lattice pie crust and a tender, perfectly spiced apple filling. Prepare to be amazed!
  • Easy Apple Crumble This easy recipe fills a 9 x 13 inch pan with crunchy topping and a gingery apple filling.
  • The Best Peach Pie This really is the world’s best peach pie! Our prize winning family recipe features fresh peaches with a thick, creamy custard.
  • Easy Blueberry Crisp The crumble topping is perfectly crunchy and the filling is pure, tangy blueberry!
  • “Magic” Blueberry Cobbler It’s magic to watch the cobbler rise to the top!
  • Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp Sweet tart and nostalgic, sweetened with maple syrup and a crumbly topping of pure oats.

A Couple Cooks - Healthy, Whole Food, & Vegetarian Recipes

Perfect Grilled Potatoes

Here’s how to make the best grilled potatoes! These wedges are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside: the ideal summer side dish. Out of all the vegetables imaginable: potatoes somehow always steal the show. Meet these perfect grilled potatoes! These little wedges are just how you’d want them: crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. They’re like the French fries of grilled vegetables, really. The outsides are just salty enough, seasoned with Old Bay to give them a hint of celery salt and paprika. Serve them with a dipping sauce and it’s hard to tear yourself away from the platter! (At least, it was for us.) Potatoes are a little tricky on the grill…here’s what you need to do to get them just right. The secret to grilled potatoes: parboiling! An experienced grill master knows: some vegetables you can’t just throw on the grill. Harder veggies like cauliflower and potatoes need a little TLC before you pop them on the grill. The secret: parboiling. What’s parboiling? Parboiling is partially boiling food before you cook it using another method. You don’t want to boil the potatoes fully, just enough so they’re just starting to become tender. Why […]

A Couple Cooks – Healthy, Whole Food, & Vegetarian Recipes

Here’s how to make the best grilled potatoes! These wedges are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside: the ideal summer side dish.

Grilled potatoes

Out of all the vegetables imaginable: potatoes somehow always steal the show. Meet these perfect grilled potatoes! These little wedges are just how you’d want them: crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. They’re like the French fries of grilled vegetables, really. The outsides are just salty enough, seasoned with Old Bay to give them a hint of celery salt and paprika. Serve them with a dipping sauce and it’s hard to tear yourself away from the platter! (At least, it was for us.) Potatoes are a little tricky on the grill…here’s what you need to do to get them just right.

The secret to grilled potatoes: parboiling!

An experienced grill master knows: some vegetables you can’t just throw on the grill. Harder veggies like cauliflower and potatoes need a little TLC before you pop them on the grill. The secret: parboiling. What’s parboiling? Parboiling is partially boiling food before you cook it using another method. You don’t want to boil the potatoes fully, just enough so they’re just starting to become tender.

Why do you have to parboil potatoes before grilling them? We get it, it’s an extra step. Skip parboiling and the potatoes turn out charred on the outside and hard on the inside. It’s any great grillmaster’s worst nightmare! In our opinion, at least.

Grilled potatoes

Ingredients for grilled red potatoes

The great thing about this grilled red potatoes recipe? You hardly need any ingredients to make a stand-out side dish. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Medium sized red potatoes The size here is key! You’ll want the potatoes to be not so small that they’ll fall through the grates, but not so large that the wedges are long and hard to eat.
  • Olive oil
  • Old Bay (more on that below!)
  • Salt
Grilled potatoes

Easy to scale up! Just mind your grill space.

This grilled potatoes recipe calls for 1 pound of red potatoes. This makes enough for about 3 to 4 modest servings of potatoes. But let’s be honest: these disappear very quickly!

Multiply these quantities by 1.5 or 2 to make a more hefty portion of grilled potatoes. Just note that you’ll have to manage your grill space accordingly. Depending on the size of your grill, 2 pounds of potatoes could take up the entire grill space. If you’re making other grilled vegetables or a grilled main dish at the same time, you may have to cook things in batches.

How to grill potatoes (basic steps)

All you need to know about how to grill potatoes is the trick: parboiling! Once you’ve mastered that, you’ll just need the grill temp and approximate temp and you’re ready to go. Here are the basic steps (or jump to the recipe below):

  • Preheat a grill to medium high heat. That’s 375 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, the temperature for most grilled vegetables.
  • Cut the potatoes into wedges and parboil about 5 minutes. Boil until they’re just able to be pierced with a knife, but still firm and hold their shape. The grill will do the rest!
  • Grill on the grates for about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Keep the straight edge on the grill and flip them right over!
How to grill potatoes

Old Bay & a few alternatives!

Old Bay is an American seasoning blend that’s often used to season seafood, most notably in shrimp boils or chowders. If you live in the US, you’ll know it from its signature red and yellow can! The main ingredients are paprika, celery salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. It truly makes anything you sprinkle it on taste irresistible. Here’s how to get ahold of it:

  • Buy it: You can find Old Bay in your grocery store in the spices aisle, or buy Old Bay online.
  • Make it: It’s close to the real thing! Try this homemade Old Bay seasoning.
  • Substitute: Old Bay contains salt! If you’re not using it, increase the salt and use garlic powder and paprika (exact quantities are in the recipe below).
  • Mix it up! Use other seasoning blends to mix it up! Our top seasoning recommendations are Taco, Fajita, Cajun, Blackened, Seafood (not just for fish!), and Greek.
Grilled potatoes

Sauces for grilled potatoes

Step these grilled potatoes up and serve them with a sauce! Of course, ketchup is a natural pairing. Here are a few more creative ideas for dipping your taters:

Grilled potatoes on platter

This recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.

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Grilled potatoes

Perfect Grilled Potatoes


1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (7 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 3 to 4
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

Here’s how to make the very best grilled potatoes! These wedges are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside: the ideal summer side dish.


Ingredients


Instructions

  1. Preheat a grill to medium-high heat (375 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit).
  2. Heat a pot of boiling water. Cut the potatoes into wedges. Boil until they can just be pierced with a paring knife but still feel firm and hold their shape, about 5 minutes. Place them in a strainer and wait until the steam stops.
  3. In a bowl, gently toss the potatoes with the olive oil, Old Bay seasoning, and kosher salt.
  4. Place the potato wedges directly on the grates and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side (or 6 to 8 minutes) until browned, turning once. Note that when you turn the potatoes, the easiest way is to keep the straight edge on the grill and flip them to the other side. Remove from the grill. Garnish with chopped cilantro or Italian parsley if desired.

Notes

*Makes 3 to 4 modest portions: it’s easy to 1.5 times or double! You’ll just need to manage grill space.

**If you don’t have Old Bay, use 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder and 1/4 teaspoon paprika, and increase the salt by 1/4 teaspoon. You can also use any of our seasoning blends (just keep in mind whether they contain salt and adjust accordingly).

  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Grilled
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Grilled potatoes, How to grill potatoes

More grilled vegetables

Love grilled veggies? We do too. Here’s almost any vegetable you might want to try:

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