Spicy Chipotle Grilled Vegetables with Orange
Charred mixed vegetables seasoned with garlic and kosher salt, grilled in a basket until crisp-tender, then tossed with a bright sauce of chipotle chile, fresh orange peel, and orange juice. A vibrant, smoky side dish with citrus brightness.
Ingredients
- 2 clove garlic, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oilcanola oil1:1neutral
neutral flavor
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise, cut into 1-inch slices
- 1 small red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 lb fresh asparagus spears, cut into 2-inch piecesfrozen asparagus1:1convenience
thaw before grilling; slightly softer texture
- 8 oz baby pattypan squash, cut in halfyellow squash1:1substitution
similar shape and cook time
- 1 canned chipotle chile in adobo sauce, seeds removed, finely choppedfresh poblano1:1heat_source
milder; grill before chopping
- 1 tablespoon grated orange peel
- ½ cup orange juice
Instructions
- 1
Heat gas or charcoal grill.
- 2
Place garlic, oil, salt, zucchini, bell pepper, asparagus, and squash in a large resealable plastic bag; seal and toss to coat.
- 3
Transfer vegetables to a grill basket and place on grill over medium heat.
- 4
Cover grill and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp-tender.
- 5
Meanwhile, stir together chipotle chile, orange peel, and orange juice in a small bowl.
- 6
Toss cooked vegetables with orange juice mixture and serve warm.
Tips
Stir vegetables occasionally during grilling to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking.
Remove chipotle seeds for less heat; keep seeds for more spice.
A grill basket prevents vegetables from falling through grates.
Good to Know
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Prepare vegetables and store in the resealable bag in the refrigerator for up to 8 hours. Make orange juice mixture up to 1 day ahead.
Serve warm as a side dish alongside grilled proteins.
Common Mistakes
Do not skip the resealable bag step to avoid uneven seasoning distribution.
Do not grill without a basket to avoid losing smaller pieces through the grates.
Do not cover the grill immediately to avoid steaming instead of grilling; grill uncovered first to char, then cover to finish cooking.
Substitutions
similar shape and cook time
thaw before grilling; slightly softer texture
milder; grill before chopping