How To Use A Grill Basket For Veggies: [IS IT WORTH IT?]

Grilled vegetables are a meal you should not miss, even if you are not vegan. It is one of the delicacies worth trying. So, how do you use a grill basket for veggies?

A grill basket holds your vegetables, and let the heat penetrate through the perforations of the basket, browning your vegetables. It is a perfect tool because it ensures that no vegetables fall through or stick on the grill. Again, a grill basket enables you to shake and toss your veggies with tongs, ensuring you do not use too much oil.

While you can grill a wide variety of vegetables using the grill basket, you first need in-depth knowledge of how to grill veggies. Additionally, you need to know the best type of basket you should use for the purpose. This article has everything you need to know.

Grill Basket for Veggies

The type of grill basket you use for your veggies is the primary determinant of what you should expect as your final grilled veggies. There are many different grill basket veggies in the market today, and finding the best one can be challenging, especially for beginners.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Grill Basket

Here are some things to consider when looking for a grill basket for veggies.

Size

First, check the surface area of the grill basket you have in question. Second, focus on the perforations and slots. How big are they? Grill baskets for veggies should have small-sized perforations because you would not want to burn your vegetables on the hot heat. The surface area is entirely based on the number of veggies you will make. In addition, if you like using more than one basket in your grill, you should choose small sizes that allow you to fit more than one basket.

Material

Material is a critical factor to consider when shopping for a grill basket for veggies. Most grill baskets available in the market are made from stainless steel or nonstick steel, but sometimes don’t be surprised to find cast iron grill baskets. Here is what each material implies.’

• Nonstick Steel – grill baskets made from this material are easy to clean. They are ideal for veggies because they do not stick to the basket. Even delicate veggies are ideally released from the basket. However, to ensure they last long only hand wash them and use them under 450 degrees F.
• Stainless Steel – these grill baskets are strong and can be heated over high temperatures without damage. However, they may have discoloration after grilling.
• Cast iron – grill baskets made from this material can sustain high temperatures and retain that heat. Nonetheless, they are heavy to carry. 

Shape

You can find grill baskets with versatile shapes. Remember that you can use the grill basket for grilling fish or something else. Therefore, ensure that they can accommodate various vegetables. Finding a versatile shape that accommodates all the veggies you cook most on your grill is convenient.

Handle Placement

Whatever style of grill basket you choose, you would always want the handle replacement in a position where your hands do not get close to the fire. Also, ensure that the handles are heat resistant and firm enough to allow you to rotate, shake, and even transport your veggies.

How to Use a Grill Basket for Veggies

With a grill basket, you can grill a wide range of vegetables, like any vegetable around you. Some of the most grilled vegetables include eggplant, peppers, mushrooms, potatoes, broccoli, summer squash, cauliflower, and mushrooms, among many others we can’t mention all today.

Also Read: How to Smoke a Chuck Roast on a Pellet Grill

Here is one of the simplest ways of grilling veggies using a grill basket.

• Choose your favorite veggies to grill. You can easily choose your favorites depending on the vegetables available for that season. For instance, you can take zucchini, sweet potatoes, red onions, bell peppers, carrots, and broccoli. Miniature vegetables are always perfect for grilling.
• Thoroughly wash your vegetables before grilling. Slice the small vegetables twice while the larger ones, like bell peppers and onions, cut them into chunks or wedges
• Arrange your trimmed vegetables on a pan for marinating. You can use various ingredients for marinating, such as lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, fresh herbs, or oregano. Also, add salt and pepper to your vegetable mixture.
• Make your marinade in a different dish, then drizzle your marinade over the vegetables. Distribute evenly and toss using a tong. Do this for about one hour, tossing and turning.
• Heat your grill over medium heat, then place the grill basket on the racks.
• Transfer the marinated vegetables from the pan to the basket. Keep some amount of marinating that remain on the dish you used.
• Grill your vegetables over medium heat until they turn golden brown, and ensure they do not overcook. Use the marinade you reserved to brush the vegetable while still grilling.
• Use tongs to turn the vegetables, or if you are an expert, you can shake the basket. Then leave the veggies to heat for the same amount of time the bottom ones did before turning. It is normal for some vegetables to cook faster than others. If this happens, you can remove the ready ones and leave the others to cook. For instance, you should expect the broccoli to cook faster than potatoes.
• Once your vegetables are grilled as you love, remove them from the heat and serve.

Grilled veggies are versatile in that they can be served as a side dish or even toppings for salad, sandwiches, pizza, or grain bowls.

Best Grill Basket for Veggies

You can make the best-grilled veggies with the best grill basket. There are millions of grill baskets in the market, and you would want to end up with the best grill basket. Here is the best grill basket for veggies.

Weber Deluxe Stainless steel Vegetable basket

Whether you want to have grilled veggies as part of your main dish or toppings, the weber deluxe stainless steel vegetable basket will give you what you need. It is made with small holes and high sides, perfect for holding vegetables while they grill as they won’t spill off.

This grill basket measures 13.8’’ by 11.8’’ by 2.5’’made with wide and high handles so that you can safely and conveniently handle your veggies. The material tells you that this is a durable basket that you can use for grilling veggies for a very long period. The basket is safe to use in a dishwasher and easy to clean.

Pros

• Durable
• Easy to clean
• Sturdy
• Easy to use

Cons

• small

Best Veggies for Grill Basket

We have a difference in tastes and preferences. Thus, don’t be surprised when you find that your favorite veggies to grill are another person’s worst. However, depending on the season or recipe, you can grill any veggies on the basket. Most people love herb-grilled vegetables.

What vegetables make up herb-grilled vegetables? Onions, broccoli, bell pepper, carrots, zucchini, eggplants, and sweet potatoes. To make the herb, you will need extra virgin olive oil, lemon, fresh herbs, salt, and pepper. These will make the best veggies for the grill basket.

Final Thoughts

Grill baskets always have open tops and high sides to hold your veggies and prevent them from spillage when grilling. There is a wide range of veggies you can grill. Choosing the right basket is the first step to enjoying your grilled veggies.