How to Make Grilled Vegetable Skewers with Garlic Butter for Appetizers
Planning a barbecue or looking for a simple yet delicious appetizer? Grilled vegetable skewers with garlic butter could be your new go-to! Not only are they bursting with flavor, but they’re also super easy to make. Whether you’re a grilling newbie or a pro, you’ll love how these skewers turn out. Let’s dive straight into how to make these yummy treats.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
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Vegetables: Think bell peppers (any color you love), zucchini, yellow squash, cherry tomatoes, and red onions. These veggies all grill beautifully, but feel free to mix it up with what you have.
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Garlic Butter: You’ll need butter, garlic cloves, salt, pepper, and some parsley. This combo will be brushed onto our veggies for that mouthwatering flavor.
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Skewers: You can use metal skewers or wooden ones. If you’re using wooden, remember to soak them in water for about 30 minutes before grilling to prevent them from burning.
Alright, gathered all your ingredients? Let’s get cooking!
Step 1: Prep Your Veggies
Start by washing your vegetables and cutting them into pieces that are relatively the same size for even grilling. For bell peppers and onions, cut them into squares. Zucchini and yellow squash can be sliced into rounds. Cherry tomatoes can be left whole. The goal is to get everything to cook evenly and look great on your skewers.
Step 2: Skewer Those Veggies
Once your veggies are all prepped, it’s time to thread them onto your skewers. There’s no right or wrong way to do this, but a colorful pattern can make your skewers look as good as they taste. Just make sure not to pack them too tightly. This ensures each vegetable piece gets grilled well.
Step 3: Make Your Garlic Butter
Now, let’s make the magic happen. Melt butter and mix it with finely minced garlic, a pinch of salt, pepper, and some chopped parsley for freshness. This mixture will be brushed onto the skewers, giving them a rich and savory garlic flavor.
Step: Heat It Up
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. You want it hot enough to char the veggies slightly, but not so hot that they burn before they’re cooked through.
Step 5: Grill ‘Em
Once your grill is ready, place your skewers on the grill. Brush them generously with your garlic butter mixture. Grill them for about 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally. You’ll know they’re done when the veggies are tender and have some nice grill marks. Halfway through grilling, give the skewers another brush with garlic butter for good measure.
Step 6: Serving Time
Once your skewers are beautifully grilled, it’s time to serve them up. These are fantastic on their own, but you can also serve them with some extra dipping sauce on the side—think a yogurt dip or a simple balsamic glaze.
Extra Tips:
- Herb it up: Feel free to add different herbs to the garlic butter for new flavors. Rosemary or thyme can add a nice touch.
- Cheese please: If you’re a cheese lover, adding small chunks of feta or mozzarella to your skewers before grilling adds a creamy texture.
- Avoid burnout: If you’re using wooden skewers, keep an eye on them to make sure they’re not burning. A bit of aluminum foil wrapped around the ends can help.
Grilled vegetable skewers with garlic butter are not just easy to make; they’re versatile, healthy, and a hit for any occasion. Whether you’re looking for a snack, an appetizer, or even a light meal, these skewers got you covered. Moreover, they’re a colorful and appealing way to get your veggies in. So next time you’re firing up the grill, give these skewers a spot. Happy grilling!