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Mouthwatering Grilled Moroccan Vegetable Skewers Recipe

4.9 from 88 reviews

These Mouthwatering Grilled Moroccan Vegetable Skewers feature colorful bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, and onions marinated in a blend of warm Moroccan spices including cumin, coriander, paprika, and turmeric, enhanced by garlic, lemon juice, honey, and fresh herbs. Perfect for vegetarians and vegans, they’re ideal for summer cookouts or easy weeknight dinners, offering a healthy, flavorful, and visually stunning dish.

Ingredients

Scale

For the base

  • 2 zucchini, cut into 1-inch thick rounds
  • 3 bell peppers, seeded and cut into 1.5-inch squares
  • 1 large onion, quartered and separated into chunks
  • 1 lb mushrooms (button or cremini), stems trimmed
  • 10 skewers (soak in water for 30 minutes if using bamboo)

For the marinade

  • 5 tbsp olive oil (preferably Lucini Extra Virgin)
  • 3 tbsp lemon juice
  • 4 garlic cloves, freshly pressed
  • 1 tsp coriander
  • 1/2 tsp cumin (McCormick Gourmet recommended)
  • 1 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric
  • 1/2 tbsp honey
  • 1/4 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tbsp salt
  • 3/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 bunch parsley
  • 1/2 bunch cilantro

Instructions

  1. Soak Skewers and Prepare Vegetables: If using bamboo skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning. Meanwhile, wash all vegetables thoroughly. Cut zucchini into 1-inch rounds, seed and dice bell peppers into 1.5-inch squares, quarter the onion and separate into chunks, and trim mushroom stems. Pat mushrooms dry with paper towels to promote better browning on the grill. Prepare a large mixing bowl for the marinade.
  2. Build the Moroccan Marinade: In a blender, combine olive oil, lemon juice, freshly pressed garlic, coriander, cumin, paprika, turmeric, honey, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Blend 5-7 times until evenly combined. Add parsley and cilantro, then pulse a few times until herbs are finely chopped but still visible. Avoid over-blending to preserve herb texture and fresh flavor.
  3. Marinate the Vegetables: Place all cut vegetables into a large bowl or resealable bag. Pour the marinade over and toss gently but thoroughly to coat all pieces evenly. Ensure the vegetables are fully submerged or coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight to deepen flavors.
  4. Thread Vegetables onto Skewers: Remove vegetables from marinade, reserving excess marinade for basting. Thread vegetables onto soaked skewers, alternating zucchini, bell peppers, onion, and mushrooms. Pack firmly but leave slight space between pieces for even cooking. Start and end with firmer vegetables like bell peppers to secure mushrooms on the ends.
  5. Grill the Skewers: Preheat grill to medium-low heat and oil grates to prevent sticking. Place skewers on the grill and cook for about 15 minutes total, turning every 2-3 minutes to develop even light char marks. Brush with reserved marinade as you turn to build flavor and keep moist. Vegetables are done when zucchini is tender, peppers show charred spots, and mushrooms are golden and cooked through. Medium-low heat ensures vegetables cook evenly without burning.

Notes

  • Use button or cremini mushrooms; if large, cut to match other veggies’ size for even cooking.
  • Yellow squash or eggplant can substitute zucchini; adjust grilling time if using eggplant.
  • Any bell pepper color works; red, orange, and yellow offer sweetness, green is more bitter.
  • If lacking parsley or cilantro, double up on one; cilantro can be omitted based on preference.
  • Lime juice can replace lemon juice, adding a slightly different citrus note.
  • Metal skewers can substitute bamboo and don’t require soaking.
  • Cut vegetables into uniform 1-inch pieces for even grilling.
  • Avoid overcrowding skewers to allow heat circulation.
  • Pre-oil grill grates well to prevent sticking due to the marinade.
  • Leftovers keep up to 4 days refrigerated; reheat in a skillet or enjoy cold in salads or wraps.
  • Bring marinated skewers to room temperature (~15 minutes) before grilling for best results.

Keywords: Moroccan vegetable skewers, grilled vegetable skewers, vegetarian skewers, vegan grill recipe, summer recipes, healthy grilled vegetables, Moroccan spices, vegetable marinade