Perfect Grilled Peppers

Here’s how to make the best grilled peppers: smoky, tender and sweet! Bell peppers are easy to grill and have incredible flavor: a perfect summer side dish.

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 they are! This is Alex and my favorite method for grilling peppers that we’ve been using for years. We finally wrote it down so you can share in the magic too. Here’s what to do!

Ingredients for grilled peppers

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, multi-colored for a beautiful look
• Red onion, optional, but it adds great flavor!
• Olive oil for cooking
• Kosher salt

Two methods for grilled 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.

How to grill bell peppers in a grill basket!

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.

Substitute for a grill basket: aluminum 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!

How to grill peppers directly on the grates

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.

Ways to serve grilled peppers: make it a meal!

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. Try Easy Cedar Plank Salmon or Perfect Grilled Salmon.
• 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.

And that’s it! These bell peppers are a big winner in our house. Let us know if they are in yours in the comments below!

This grilled peppers recipe is…

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

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More recipes with bell peppers

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.