How to Grill Peppers in Two Different, Delicious Ways
When you grill regularly, making the same few dishes week after week can get boring. One of the most effective way of livening up a meat-fest is to throw some bell peppers on the grill.
Peppers make such great grilled food! Just slip them on the grates or in a grill basket for about 10 minutes. You’ll enjoy sweet and tender peppers that are also nicely charred and caramelized.
Today, we’ll share two delicious ways to grill bell peppers. But first, let’s cover the basics of this tasty BBQ side dish.
I. Bell Peppers 101
A bell pepper is a fruit from the nightshade family.
Related to tomatoes, chili peppers, and breadfruit, these nightshades are native to South America and Central America.
Sometimes called capsicums or sweet peppers, bell peppers are equally tasty cooked or raw. Toss some into a salad for a wonderfully cooling crunch.
Dried and powdered bell peppers become paprika.
Bell peppers provide vitamin C and antioxidants, boosting your immune system. They are also low in calories, so they’re great for the waistline, too.
You find bell peppers in the following colors:
- Yellow
- Orange
- Red
- Green
In green form, the peppers are unripe and not as sweet as the riper and darker-colored fruits. Green peppers are borderline-bitter.
So, now that you know what sweet peppers are, what do you need to grill some for your next BBQ?
II. What Do You Need for Great Grilled Peppers?
The raw ingredients you have to work with when grilling peppers are such that you can keep the seasoning simple. All you’ll need is some olive oil and sea salt to bring out the best in your bell peppers.
- Multi-colored bell peppers to taste
- Salt
- Olive oil
- Red onion (optional, for added flavor)
Now for the fun part!
III. The Best Two Methods for Grilling Peppers
To grill peppers you have two main methods for doing so:
- Grilling directly on the grates: Only use this method if you are skipping the optional red onion. Slice your bell peppers into quarters and then pop them right onto the grill grates.
- Grilling using a grill basket or some aluminum foil: Grill peppers and onions in a basket or foil. This will stop them from falling through the grates. This method takes slightly longer but imparts a delectably sweet flavor.
Here’s how to take care of grilling peppers using both methods.
IV. How to Grill Peppers Directly on the Grates
If you don’t feel the need for red onion along with your peppers, slice them into large hunks so they don’t fall between the grill grates.
Here’s what you do:
- Cut the peppers into quarters
- Mix the peppers with some olive oil and salt
- Space the peppers across the grill grates with as much room between them as possible to speed up cooking
- Grill the peppers for 5 to 10 minutes or until tender
See below for serving suggestions after we break down how to grill bell peppers with a grill basket.
V. How to Grill Peppers Directly Using a Grill Basket
Here’s what you do:
- Preheat your grill basket
- Slice your peppers and red onion into thick strips 1.5 inches thick
- Mix the peppers with some olive oil and salt
- Grill for 10 to 15 minutes, turning several times for even results
If you don’t have a grill basket, fold a piece of aluminum foil in half then use a fork to make several holes in it. Around the edge, form an inch-wide rim. This will serve as a makeshift tray for your food.
Once you’ve fashioned your foil basket, you can use this as you would a regular grill basket.
Now, assuming you’ve cooked up your peppers, maybe you’re stuck for ideas serving them. We’ll cover that before we round out today so you have everything you need in place.
VI. How to Serve Grilled Peppers
Bell peppers are typically served as sides or as accompaniments to other foods.
Peppers are a key ingredient in fajitas. Add them to your tortillas with refried beans and fajita seasoning. This creates a tasty Tex-Mex meal.
Peppers go great with steaks. Check out our guide to the best steaks for grilling. Then, spice up your seared filet mignon.
Throw some grilled bell peppers into a mixed veggie platter along with some tomatoes, eggplant, and zucchini. Peppers also work wonderfully in a variety of summer salads.
If you remove the skins then chop them finely, peppers jazz up scrambled eggs or omelets without too much of a kick.
You can also pop some grilled peppers into just about any kind of sandwich for a cooling but crunchy sweetness.
VII. Conclusion
We hope today’s guide to grilling peppers has shown you how easy it is to spice up your cookout. This is perfect if you are tired of burgers and hot dogs and need some new ideas.
While you’re mastering the art of grilling, don’t let vehicle troubles interrupt your BBQ plans. Check out Rolon mobile truck repair for reliable on-the-go service solutions.
Take a moment to bookmark our blog before you head off today. We have a busy content calendar in place as summer gives way to fall.
We still have time to grill! Check out our guide to buying a grill on sale. See you soon!