It’s time to get outside, light the grill, and start cooking.
It’s good to remember, though, that while the grill has long been the domain of meat, there’s no reason why it can’t add flavor to your favorite vegetables.
If you’re anything like me, you love grilling up all the veggies from your garden. However, grilling all those perfectly diced carrots or zucchini slices can be a huge headache.
These vegetable grill baskets are so handy. So, I’ve put together a list of my top grill basket picks for grilling your vegetables.
In a hurry? Here is my personal favorite: Weber Stainless Steel Vegetable Basket from Amazon because it's PRO Grade stainless, and I love Weber!
If you have a little vegetable patch in your garden, there are fewer greater pleasures than cooking your own produce on a grill in the very same garden.
Homegrown veggies are particularly robust and hardy, perfect for cooking in a grill basket.
| Best Basket for Grilling Vegetables | Why We Like It |
|---|---|
| 1. Yukon Glory Premium Grilling Basket | locking mechanism makes it easy to flip food |
| 2. Weber 6481 Small Stainless Steel Vegetable Basket | can be used to serve vegetables at the table and is small and simple in design |
| 3. Extreme Salmon Rectangle BBQ, Vegetable, and Grilling Basket | good for cooking over a very hot fire |
| 4. Charcoal Companion Non-Stick Flexi Plank Basket | good for a budget; non-stick |
| 5. Cuisinart CNTB-422 Simply Grilling Nonstick Grilling Basket | extra-large basket; versatile grilling surface |
| 6. Shish Kabob Grilling Barbecue BBQ Baskets, Set of 4 with Basting Brushes | non-stick; dishwasher safe |
| 7. BBQ Masters Non-Stick Grill Basket – Grill Topper Barbecue Wok pan | non-stick wok form is great for stir frying on the grill |
Veggies on the grill
Many people use the kitchen to cook the vegetables, the meat is the star outside. However, more and more people prefer a dedicated vegetarian option at the BBQ. Nothing is as awkward as inviting a friend to a barbecue, only to find out that they’re vegetarian and can’t eat anything.
Side dishes like potato salad are all well and good, but why not put the grill to good use while it’s already hot? Everyone should get to enjoy the grill’s smokey bounty.
Read recipes for delicious BBQ side dishes.
Which grill baskets work best?
The main advantage of using a grill basket for vegetables is that the spaces between the grate can be large enough for them to fall through. That’s not only annoying, it’s also dangerous to try to fish them back out.
Tip: Stay safe while grilling! Prefer oven mitts designed to handle the higher temperatures of the grill to those designed for the stove.
With a grill basket, you also don’t need to waste time flipping each piece individually. A grill basket also lets you use a higher cooking temperature and get that wonderfully flavorful char on the outside, while keeping the middle nice and firm.
What to put in the basket?
Nearly every vegetable you can think of benefits from grilling. Corn, peppers, and zucchini are classics, but you don’t have to stop there. How about mushrooms? Admittedly, mushrooms aren’t part of vegetable family, but I still love to invite them to the reunion! Grilled Portobello burgers make a hearty substitute for beef.
Your imagination is the only limit to what you can do on a grill, but you need to have the right tools. A grill basket ensures your veggies stay where you put them, rather than spilling onto the coals. Let’s look at a few of the options available to you and rate the most popular baskets for grilling vegetables on the market today.
Yukon Glory Premium Grilling Basket
This model uses the classic fill, close, and shake design, and features a foldable handle that makes this model super-easy to store. It has enough room to cook a large amount of vegetables but, at just 11 inches in diameter, it won’t take up all the room on the grill. The non-stick coating means that cleaning up afterward is easy.
This is a good, traditional basket. Once you start using one, you’ll probably find a ton of other uses for it besides just grilling vegetables.
Weber 6481 Small Stainless Steel Vegetable Basket
The Weber 6481 basket is small and simple in design. The upside, of course, is that there’s little that can go wrong. This grill basket will stand up to continued use year after year. It fits all Weber grills and won’t take up a lot of room.
The design is also great for serving the vegetables after they’re cooked, meaning they’ll stay hot sitting on the table. This model is perfect for self-serve, family-style grilling. If you regularly host larger gatherings, there’s also a larger size.
Extreme Salmon Rectangle BBQ, Vegetable, and Grilling Basket
This last model utilizes a more open wire grill construction, similar to the Outset, but in a design and shape more like the Weber. Choose this basket if you’re cooking over very hot fire. Its large 17” x 10” x 2” dimensions let you to blacken and roast a large amount of veggies at once.
This robust workhorse is ideal for larger parties, or if you grill on a regular basis.
Charcoal Companion Non-Stick Flexi Plank Basket
This grill basket is one of my favorites on this list, mostly because it’s one of the most affordable. It features a no-nonsense basket with flexible wires and an adjustable locking grill surface. It’s a great choice, whether you’re grilling fresh produce out of your garden, or grilling up that fish, steak, or tofu. You know I love versatile, multiple-use gadgets!
This model features a wood handle, which keeps your hands away from the open flames. The basket itself is non-stick, so cleanup’s a dream. It’s totally simple to clean. Just wash with dishwashing detergent, rinse, and let dry.
This basket is my favorite as it’s the most frugal choice on this list. It’ll make your next barbecue a breeze!
Cuisinart CNTB-422 Simply Grilling Nonstick Grilling Basket
Sometimes, size does matter. This basket is significantly larger than many of the other ones included on this list, and that makes it pretty awesome.
Cusinart’s basket is very versatile with its adjustable grilling surface. You can throw vegetables (sliced, diced, or whole) onto the grilling surface without worrying about spillage. The adjustable wire cover will keep it snug, and let you flip everything at the same time. Throw a steak in. Or how about a few ears of corn instead? Or, cook it all together! Why not!?
It’s got a handle, and a huge, adjustable grilling plate. Unfortunately, a grill basket this great has to have a downside. Unlike the others on this list, this one does require hand-washing. However, I think the large volume and adjustable baskets make this one of the best.
Shish Kabob Grilling Barbecue BBQ Baskets, Set of 4 with Basting Brushes
These beautiful kebabs could be yours, for the low, low price of a relaxing day on the porch!
This one made the list because it’s so unique and, if I’m being honest, because I love kebabs. The baskets in this set of 4 are in the shape of a kebab and lock in a variety of vegetables. You get that perfect kebab sear without having to use a stick. Like a standard kebab, the veggies and meat are going to have to be cut into manageable cubes/slices that will fit.
The baskets themselves are non-stick, and can be put in the dishwasher. Cleanup is almost as easy as throwing a kebab stick away! The handles also make it way easier to turn them without getting close to the flame.
Kebabs are awesome, and so is this basket set! It would make a great gift.
Why not try grilling up some healthy Brussels sprouts? See this post on how to cut and clean Brussels sprouts perfect for the grill.
BBQ Masters Non-Stick Grill Basket – Grill Topper Barbecue Wok Pan
This model is a little bit different from the others. Rather than a locking basket that you use to flip and roast veggies, this is a wok style basket that will essentially stir-fry veggies on the grill.
The BBQ Masters know how to make ‘em. This is a heavy duty basket. Its non-stick coating ensures that you’re grilling, not constantly scraping. Plus, it’s completely dishwasher safe.
You can use this wok basket on charcoal or gas grills. It’s ideal for grills like Weber, Kamado, Char-Broil, Traeger, and more. You can even use it on your Big Green Egg.
Learn more about the best lump charcoal for the Big Green Egg!
Even more reasons to use the grill
No more excuses for losing vegetables to the coals or running in and out of the kitchen to cook your sides. With one of these baskets, you can easily prepare grilled vegetables with the minimum fuss.
For more reviews on gear that fits your meat-related smoking and grilling needs, check out my post on the best smoker thermometer. If you have a pellet smoker, this article on smoker pellets will help you decide which flavors suit your meats.
Grilling pans are a great addition to your barbecue tools.
Because Brock is the tallest member of the team at 6 foot 5 inches, when he’s not thinking about food, he’s eating his favorites: pizza, burgers, tacos and burritos. He's always experimenting with the latest kitchen gadgets and exploring new techniques in the kitchen.