Charcoal-Grilled Vegetable Skewers with Balsamic Glaze

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Colorful vegetables threaded on skewers and grilled over charcoal, finished with a sweet and tangy balsamic reduction for a vibrant vegetarian dish. This mediterranean-inspired vegetarian ready in about 30 minutes pairs red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces, zucchini, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds, red onion, cut into wedges for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 120 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 120 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar, 2 tbsp brown sugar, and 1 minced garlic clove. Simmer gently for 8-10 minutes until reduced by half and syrupy, then remove from heat and set aside to cool.
  2. Step 2: Toss 1 large cut red bell pepper, 1 medium sliced zucchini, 1 medium red onion wedges, and 12 button mushrooms with 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until evenly coated.
  3. Step 3: Thread the vegetables alternately onto soaked wooden or metal skewers.
  4. Step 4: Preheat a charcoal grill to medium-high heat, about 400°F. Grill the skewers for 10-12 minutes, turning every 3 minutes, until vegetables are tender and have charred grill marks.
  5. Step 5: Remove skewers from grill and brush generously with the cooled balsamic glaze before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Charcoal-Grilled Vegetable Skewers with Balsamic Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Charcoal-Grilled Vegetable Skewers with Balsamic Glaze?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep red onion, cut into wedges from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Charcoal-Grilled Vegetable Skewers with Balsamic Glaze?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Charcoal-Grilled Vegetable Skewers with Balsamic Glaze for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Charcoal-Grilled Vegetable Skewers with Balsamic Glaze vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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