Chermoula-Spiced Grilled Vegetable Skewers with Lemon
Colorful vegetables marinated in chermoula spices and grilled to smoky perfection, finished with a squeeze of fresh lemon for brightness. This middle eastern-inspired vegetarian ready in about 32 minutes pairs small, cut into 1-inch cubes eggplant, olive oil, chopped fresh cilantro for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 150 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
- 2 medium, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds zucchini
- 1 large, cut into 1-inch pieces red bell pepper
- 1 medium, cut into 1-inch chunks red onion
- 1 small, cut into 1-inch cubes eggplant
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 8, soaked in water for 30 minutes wooden skewers
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp ground coriander, 3 minced garlic cloves, 3 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to form the chermoula marinade.
- Step 2: Add 2 sliced zucchini rounds, 1 large red bell pepper cut into 1-inch pieces, 1 medium red onion cut into 1-inch chunks, and 1 small eggplant cut into 1-inch cubes to the marinade. Toss well to coat all vegetables evenly.
- Step 3: Thread the marinated vegetables onto 8 soaked wooden skewers, alternating colors for a colorful presentation.
- Step 4: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 425°F). Grill the vegetable skewers for 10-12 minutes, turning every 3 minutes until the vegetables are tender and have nice grill marks.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and serve immediately with extra lemon wedges for squeezing.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Chermoula-Spiced Grilled Vegetable Skewers with Lemon take to make?
Total time is about 32 minutes (20 min prep + 12 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 Chermoula-Spiced Grilled Vegetable Skewers with Lemon?
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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Chermoula-Spiced Grilled Vegetable Skewers with Lemon?
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 Chermoula-Spiced Grilled Vegetable Skewers with Lemon 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 Chermoula-Spiced Grilled Vegetable Skewers with Lemon 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.