Grilled Vegetables Marinade
by Sommer Collier — last updated on Feb 13, 2026 
This marinated grilled vegetables recipe has become one of my go-to sides during grilling season. I like how quickly I can whip up the marinade and prep the vegetables. The seasoning mixture gives the veggies so much savory-sweet flavor, pulls in smoky flavor from the grill, and protects them from burning. It’s one of those dishes I feel good about serving because it’s beautiful to behold, packed with tangy flavor and crunch, and a healthy dish that never disappoints.
Grilled Vegetables Marinade
In the summer, my family tends to spend a lot less time in the kitchen and more time outside. It’s always nice to take advantage of the warmer weather, and many of my favorite meals can be made on the grill while I enjoy the great outdoors. Nearly all season long, I can be found in the backyard grilling easy classics like my grilled vegetable skewers. I love to grill crisp summer veggies to add fresh, crunchy, and healthy sides to our meals. This easy vegetable marinade can be used with all my favorite veggies, so it’s easy to personalize to pair with any main dish. I dare say this veggie dish will be the star of your meal.
Sommer’s Recipe Highlights
Crowd pleasing– You can grill vegetables with only a little oil, salt, and pepper, but a good, simple marinade makes all the difference. I love this easy blend, made with pantry staples that together add a punch of perfectly savory-sweet flavor to your favorite summer veggies. Even your kids will love it!
Simple – You won’t believe how easy it is to whip up a zesty, tangy, bright, and bold grilled veggie marinade in just minutes. Just whisk, soak, and throw on the fire. You can even buy pre-cut produce to save time.
Key Ingredients and Tips
- Olive oil – to get the perfect grilled char
- Balsamic vinegar – slightly sweet, deep, and tangy flavor
- Dijon mustard – adds an extra punch of tanginess and thickens the marinade
- Honey – for a hint of sweetness and great caramelization, you can also use agave to make vegan
- Seasonings – dried thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper
My Favorite Veggies for Grilling:
- Carrots
- Asparagus
- Zucchini
- Squash
- Red bell pepper
Pro Tip: Other types of produce you can grill with our vegetable marinade include eggplant, green and/or yellow bell peppers, portobello mushrooms, red onions, and white onions. Get creative!
How to Make
Guys, this is so easy! I simply set out a 1-2 cup measuring pitcher, measure all ingredients into the pitcher, and whisk until smooth. That’s it! You can use this grilled vegetable marinade immediately, or cover and refrigerate for up to a week for later use.
I place the cut vegetables on a rimmed tray and pour the marinade over the top. I usually let the veggies soak for about 30 minutes.
Then I lay the flavor-infused produce on a hot grill and let them sizzle.
Find the full recipe with ingredient proportions, detailed instructions, and a video tutorial in the printable from at the bottom of the post.
Expert Tips
- If you are grilling both meat and vegetables for a meal, grill the meat first, and while it is resting, grill up the vegetables.
- If you prefer, you can use an Italian seasoning blend here! Alternatively, if you have fresh herbs on hand, such as parsley, thyme, or basil, add some for a herby boost.
Serving Suggestions
I believe this is the perfect side dish to serve with simple and delicious proteins that can also be cooked on the grill. Try them with my Grilled Blackened Mahi Mahi, Grilled Blackened Chicken, or Bone In Ribeye Steak.
Or, for a completely vegetarian meal, make it with Spinach Artichoke Casserole, and our favorite Corn Succotash Recipe.
You can also enjoy marinated veggies on their own with a bright and flavorful sauce, such as our Creamy Chimichurri Sauce recipe or Aji Verde (Peruvian Green Sauce).
Frequently Asked Questions
Definitely! If you don’t have a grill, or don’t want to fire up the grill, you have a few options. You can roast the marinated vegetables in the oven or place them on a grill pan on the stovetop to still get those beautiful grill marks!
To store leftover grilled vegetables, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat on the grill or under the broiler for crispy veggies, or simply microwave them until heated through!
Looking for More Summer Side Dish Recipes?
Grilled Vegetables Marinade
Video
Ingredients
For the Grilled Vegetables Marinade:
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 3 tablespoons dijon mustard
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
For the Grilled Vegetables:
- 1 pound carrots halved or quartered
- 1 pound asparagus trimmed
- 2 zucchini cut into sixths
- 2 yellow squash cut into sixths
- 1 large red bell pepper cut into ½ inch strips
Instructions
To Make the Marinade:
- Set out a 1-2 cup measuring pitcher. Measure all ingredients into the pitcher. Whisk until smooth. (Use immediately or cover and refrigerate for later use.)
For the Best Grilled Vegetables:
- Trim and slice all the vegetables into long strips. This makes them less likely to fall through the grill grates.
- Place the vegetables on a large rimmed baking sheet. Pour the marinade over the vegetables. Then gently toss the veggies to coat in the marinade.
- Allow the vegetables to marinate for 30+ minutes. (Or up to several hours.)
- Meanwhile, preheat the grill to medium heat, about 350 degrees F.
- Once the grill is hot, place the carrots on first, laying them across the grates so they don’t fall through. Let the carrots grill for 3-4 minutes, then flip them over. Then lay the rest of the vegetables on the grill. Grill another 8-10 minutes, flipping once. Remove with tongs.
Delicious
this marinade was scrumptious!! I highly reccomend it. Everyone loved it.
I don’t just love this marinade, I CRAVE it! I marinate heartier veggies like onions and peppers overnight and a few hours before grilling, I add the softer veggies like zucchini and eggplant. This is the only vegetable marinade I’ll ever use again!
I used this marinade for chicken and veggies and it was amazing!! The whole family loved it!
Delicious! My entire family enjoyed this!
Made this for a barbecue and it was a big hit. I shared the recipe with several of the guests.
This was SO good! I did this as a last minute side for a family get together and everyone raved about it! Will definitely be making this often!
And I used Mexican oregano instead of thyme. Absolutely delicious!