Charcoal-Grilled Vegetable Skewers with Balsamic Glaze

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-07 · Updated 2026-05-07

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.

Ingredients

• 1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 medium zucchini, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
• 1 medium red onion, cut into wedges
• 12 pieces button mushrooms
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 clove garlic clove, minced

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.