Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Make the marinade and marinate
- Whisk the olive oil, garlic, balsamic vinegar, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper together until well combined. The marinade should look evenly streaked with spices.
- Toss the zucchini, red bell peppers, yellow bell peppers, red onion, cremini mushrooms, and cherry tomatoes in the marinade, then let them sit for 20 minutes. Visual cue: vegetables begin to look glossy and lightly tinted from the balsamic and paprika.
Skewer and grill
- Thread the vegetables onto skewers, alternating colors and types as you build the kabobs. Aim for tight but not crushed spacing so everything chars at the same pace.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high and oil the grates. Visual cue: you should see light shimmer when oil hits the hot surface.
- Grill the kabobs for 12–15 minutes, turning every 3–4 minutes, until vegetables are charred and tender. Visual cue: char marks form on edges while zucchini and peppers soften without collapsing.
Serve
- Serve immediately with any remaining marinade drizzled over the kabobs. Visual cue: the surface looks fresh and glossy right off the grill.
Notes
Pro tip: keep turning every 3–4 minutes so both thicker items (onion and mushrooms) and quick-cooking ones (zucchini and cherry tomatoes) reach the same tender, charred stage. Refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container for up to 3 days; reheat briefly on a grill pan or hot grill for best texture. Freezing isn’t recommended because the zucchini and tomatoes soften after thawing. For a dietary swap, you can use a simple herb-and-lime marinade (same method) to make it dairy-free and still bright-tasting.
