7 grilled vegetable sides worth firing up the grill for

Give your burgers some competition with these smoky, charred vegetable sides.

Don’t overthink it: If you’re already grilling burgers, steaks, or chicken this summer, throw some vegetables on the grates, too. The grill brings out smoky, charred flavors that make everything from potatoes to zucchini taste better. The recipes below go well beyond the usual corn on the cob, with hearty potato wedges, zippy garlic scapes, and even grilled watermelon. And, of course, there’s corn. There will always be corn.

01 of 07

Grilled Potato Wedges

Grilled potato wedges won’t have the shatteringly crisp exterior of French fries, but they offer a different kind of satisfaction: smoky flavor, crisp edges, and fluffy interiors with a more pronounced potato flavor. Best of all, they cook right alongside your burgers without the mess or fuss of deep-frying.

Get Recipe: Grilled Potato Wedges

02 of 07

Grilled Spiced Cauliflower

Cutting the cauliflower into thick steaks with the stem intact helps it hold together on the grill. A spice rub inspired by chicken keema—featuring turmeric, cumin, coriander, ginger, garlic, and black pepper—forms a flavorful crust as the cauliflower chars. Finishing the steaks over indirect heat ensures they’re tender all the way through without burning the exterior.

Get Recipe: Grilled Spiced Cauliflower

03 of 07

Spicy Grilled Watermelon

Once you’ve grilled just about every vegetable you can think of, it’s time to give watermelon a turn. This unexpected recipe coats watermelon wedges in honey, lime juice, cayenne, and salt, then grills them over high heat until lightly charred. The heat caramelizes the fruit’s natural sugars, creating a smoky-sweet side that’s sure to spark conversation.

Get Recipe: Spicy Grilled Watermelon

04 of 07

Grilled Corn Ribs

Skip whole ears and cut corn into rib-like strips for a fun twist on grilled corn. After charring on the grill, the corn is tossed with butter and a paprika-spiced seasoning, then finished with a creamy elotes-inspired combination of lime, Cotija, crema, and plenty of fresh cilantro.

Get Recipe: Grilled Corn Ribs

05 of 07

Grilled Garlic Scapes

Make the most of garlic scape season with this simple grilled preparation. A quick coating of olive oil, salt, and pepper lets the grill do the heavy lifting, giving the scapes smoky, charred exteriors and tender centers. Finish them with the juice of a grilled lemon, a drizzle of olive oil, and flaky salt for a bright, flavorful side.

Get Recipe: Grilled Garlic Scapes

06 of 07

Smoked Corn

This isn’t another take on elotes. Here, mayonnaise acts as a vehicle for smoky flavor, helping it cling to the corn while protecting the kernels from drying out on the grill. Once you’ve mastered the technique, you can customize the mayonnaise however you like, whether with barbecue sauce and smoked paprika or a sweet-spicy combination of hot sauce and honey.

Get Recipe: Smoked Corn

07 of 07

Grilled Vegetable Board

A grilled vegetable board is one of the easiest ways to feed a crowd during the summer. These peak-season vegetables, including tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, eggplant, and zucchini, are grilled until perfectly tender, then dressed with a bright, herb-packed lemon vinaigrette. Serve everything with creamy cheese and grilled, crusty bread for an effortless summer spread.

Get Recipe: Grilled Vegetable Board

Read the original article on Serious Eats