The Perfect Grilled Veggies with Caper Butter Recipe for Summer

Summer barbecues reach new heights with these mouthwatering grilled veggies that feature a surprising caper butter twist.

Salt-packed flavor bombs add unexpected depth to every charred vegetable slice.

Mediterranean traditions inspire this simple yet sophisticated side dish that makes vegetables sing.

Crisp zucchini, vibrant bell peppers, and sweet onions transform under high heat’s caress.

Each vegetable becomes a canvas for the briny, rich caper butter’s magic.

Quick marinades and strategic grilling techniques ensure maximum taste with minimal effort.

You’ll want to make extra – these veggies disappear faster than you can plate them.

Why People Can’t Get Enough Of Grilled Veggies With Caper Butter

• Elevate Weeknight Cooking: This grilled veggie recipe transforms simple vegetables into a gourmet side dish with minimal effort, making weeknight meals feel special and restaurant-worthy.
• Master Quick and Healthy Grilling: Packed with fresh vegetables and minimal ingredients, this recipe delivers a nutritious meal in under 15 minutes, perfect for health-conscious home cooks who want maximum flavor with minimal prep.
• Create Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: The flexible recipe works for casual family dinners, summer barbecues, and elegant dinner parties, allowing you to impress guests with minimal cooking skills and adapting easily to different vegetable selections.
• Boost Flavor with Simple Technique: The caper butter adds a sophisticated, tangy twist that elevates ordinary grilled vegetables, turning a basic side dish into a memorable culinary experience with just a few extra ingredients.

Everything You Need For Grilled Veggies With Caper Butter

• Zucchini, Bell Peppers, Eggplant: Colorful summer vegetables perfect for grilling, offering a smoky and tender texture. Choose firm, fresh vegetables without blemishes.

• Olive Oil: Helps vegetables cook evenly and prevents sticking to the grill. Use extra virgin for best flavor.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for enhancing the natural vegetable flavors and creating a balanced taste.

• Butter: Provides a rich, creamy base for the sauce. Softened butter blends smoothly with other ingredients.
• Capers: Adds a tangy, briny punch to the butter. Rinse to reduce saltiness if needed.
• Lemon Zest, Lemon Juice: Brings bright, citrusy notes that complement the grilled vegetables.
• Fresh Parsley: Adds a fresh, herbal dimension to the caper butter. Chopped finely for even distribution.

How To Cook Grilled Veggies With Caper Butter Easily

Step 1: Fire Up The Grill

Crank up your grill to a sizzling medium-high heat. Grab a paper towel dipped in cooking oil and glide it across the grates to prevent sticking. If you’re worried about smaller veggies falling through, snag a grill basket for extra protection.

Step 2: Slice And Dress The Vegetables

• Zucchini
• Bell peppers
• Eggplant
• Asparagus
• Red onions

Slice vegetables into beautiful diagonal cuts or long strips. In a spacious mixing bowl, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. Sprinkle generously with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Toss until every piece is glistening and evenly coated.

Step 3: Char Those Veggies

Place vegetable slices directly on preheated grill grates. Let them sizzle and dance for 3-4 minutes on each side. You’re aiming for gorgeous caramelized grill marks and a tender, smoky texture. Work in batches to avoid overcrowding. Transfer grilled vegetables to a beautiful serving platter as they finish.

Step 4: Whip Up Zesty Caper Butter

• Softened unsalted butter
• Briny chopped capers
• Freshly grated lemon zest
• Squeeze of lemon juice
• Finely chopped fresh parsley
• Pinch of black pepper

Stir until ingredients are beautifully blended and fragrant.

Step 5: Create The Final Masterpiece

While vegetables are still warm, generously dollop the caper butter across the top. Watch it melt slightly, creating a luxurious sauce. Serve immediately or at relaxed room temperature. Perfect for backyard gatherings or a quick weeknight side dish.

Simple Tips For Grilled Veggies With Caper Butter

• Optimize Grilling Technique: Use a grill basket to prevent smaller vegetable pieces from falling through grates, ensuring even cooking and maximum flavor retention.
• Customize Vegetable Selection: Mix and match seasonal vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, eggplant, and asparagus for diverse textures and color variations.
• Enhance Butter Flavor: Let caper butter sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving to develop a more pronounced, complex taste profile.
• Adapt for Dietary Needs: Swap regular butter with vegan alternatives like plant-based margarine or olive oil for dairy-free and vegan-friendly options.
• Elevate Presentation: Sprinkle extra fresh parsley or lemon zest over the finished dish for a vibrant, restaurant-style garnish that adds brightness and visual appeal.

How To Keep Grilled Veggies With Caper Butter Fresh

• Refrigerate leftover grilled vegetables in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
• Keep the caper butter separately in a sealed container to maintain its fresh flavor.
• Seal the vegetables and butter in different compartments to prevent sogginess and preserve their distinct textures.
• Reheat vegetables gently in a skillet or oven to restore their original grilled crispness, avoiding microwave which can make them mushy.
• When ready to enjoy again, let vegetables come to room temperature and add a fresh dollop of caper butter for maximum flavor impact.

Best Dishes To Serve With Grilled Veggies With Caper Butter

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Elevate the grilled veggies with a chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio. These light, zesty wines complement the bright, tangy caper butter and cut through the richness of the grilled vegetables.
• Match with Herb-Forward Protein: Serve alongside grilled chicken or fish seasoned with fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary. The herbal notes will harmonize beautifully with the parsley in the caper butter and the charred vegetable flavors.
• Complement with Rustic Bread: Grab a crusty sourdough or ciabatta to soak up the melted caper butter. The bread's texture and slight tang will enhance the overall dining experience, adding a delightful crunch to the soft, grilled vegetables.
• Balance with Cool Tzatziki: Add a refreshing tzatziki sauce on the side. Its creamy, cucumber-yogurt base will provide a cool contrast to the warm, charred vegetables and rich caper butter.

Ways To Switch Up Grilled Veggies With Caper Butter

• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Enhance the grilled veggies by adding fresh rosemary, thyme, and oregano to the olive oil marinade before grilling, creating a fragrant Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.
• Smoky Paprika Kick: Sprinkle smoked paprika and a touch of cayenne pepper over the vegetables before grilling to introduce a bold, spicy undertone that complements the creamy caper butter.
• Asian-Inspired Glaze Variation: Replace the caper butter with a quick mixture of soy sauce, sesame oil, minced ginger, and chopped green onions for an umami-rich alternative that transforms the dish's character.
• Balsamic-Roasted Alternative: Swap grill cooking for oven roasting, drizzling vegetables with balsamic vinegar before cooking to create a deeper, caramelized flavor that pairs beautifully with the herbed butter.

Grilled Veggies With Caper Butter FAQs Made Easy

• What are the best vegetables to use for this grilling recipe?

The ideal vegetables include zucchini, bell peppers, eggplant, asparagus, and red onions. These veggies have great textures that hold up well on the grill and absorb flavors beautifully.

• Can I make the caper butter ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the caper butter up to 3 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just let it soften at room temperature before serving with the grilled vegetables.

• Do I need special equipment to make these grilled vegetables?

Not really. A standard grill or grill basket works perfectly. If you don’t have a grill, you can also use a grill pan on the stovetop for similar results.

• How do I prevent my vegetables from sticking to the grill?

Lightly coat the vegetables in olive oil before grilling and ensure your grill grates are clean and well-oiled. This helps create a non-stick surface and beautiful grill marks.

Grilled Veggies With Caper Butter Recipe

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• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sizzling Italian-inspired “Grilled Veggies with Caper Butter” elevate summer produce with Mediterranean zest. Herbed butter drizzled over charred vegetables creates an irresistible dish perfect for relaxed outdoor dining.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Vegetables:

• 1 zucchini, sliced into 0.25 inches (0.64 centimeters) rounds
• 1 yellow squash, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
• 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into strips
• 1 small eggplant, sliced into rounds
• 1 red onion, cut into wedges

Oil and Seasoning:

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
• Salt, to taste
• Fresh cracked black pepper, to taste

Caper Butter Components:

• 4 tablespoons (56 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) capers, drained and roughly chopped
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) lemon zest
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) chopped fresh parsley

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Instructions

1. Fire up the outdoor grill to a medium-high temperature, ensuring the cooking surface is evenly heated and lightly coated with cooking oil to prevent sticking.
2. Slice vegetables into uniform thickness, creating elegant, symmetrical cuts that will cook evenly and look appealing on the platter.
3. Generously coat the vegetable slices with high-quality olive oil, then season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance their natural flavors.
4. Arrange vegetables on the grill, creating strategic placement to achieve optimal charring and prevent overcrowding which can steam instead of grill.
5. Cook each vegetable batch carefully, rotating halfway through to create beautiful crosshatch grill marks, ensuring they develop a rich caramelized exterior while remaining tender inside.
6. Transfer grilled vegetables to a large serving platter, arranging them artfully to showcase their vibrant colors and smoky texture.
7. In a small mixing bowl, whip softened butter until smooth, then fold in briny capers, fragrant lemon zest, tangy lemon juice, freshly chopped parsley, and a whisper of black pepper.
8. While vegetables are still warm, lavishly spread the herbaceous caper butter across the surface, allowing it to melt slightly and infuse the grilled produce with rich, zesty flavors.
9. Present the dish immediately, serving either warm or at ambient temperature to highlight the butter’s luxurious texture and the vegetables’ robust grilled essence.

Notes

• Ensure even slicing of vegetables for consistent grilling and perfect charring, using a sharp knife to create uniform thickness.
• Choose seasonal, firm vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, eggplant, and asparagus that hold up well to high grilling temperatures.
• Control grill heat carefully to prevent burning, watching for hotspots and rotating vegetables for balanced caramelization.
• Customize caper butter by adjusting herb quantities or substituting parsley with fresh dill or basil for varied flavor profiles.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg