How to Grill Fruit

Grills aren’t just for cooking meat. You can even grill certain fruits on them. If you are wondering how to grill fruits and vegetables, you will be surprised to find that it’s actually very easy to grill fruit. Here’s all you need to know about cooking fruit on the grill.

Basics of Grilling Fruit

Almost any type of fruit can be grilled. However, some fruits are better on the grill than others. The most important thing is to prepare the fruit properly. A lot of fruits need to be cut into pieces, and you do constantly need to keep an eye on them so that they don’t get overcooked.

10 Fruits You Can Grill

1. Nectarines

This is a great fruit to cook on the grill. It gets very sweet once it’s been grilled. If you want it to cook quickly, cut it up into several pieces before grilling.

2. Pears

If you are looking for a very versatile fruit to cook on the grill, pears are a good option. They can be served on top of a main dish like pork chops, or you can eat grilled pears for dessert. They can be sliced in half, or you can cut up into pieces before placing on the grill.

3. Cantaloupe

Not a lot of people think about grilling cantaloupe on the grill. It’s a shame because grilling it does add quite a unique flavor to it. For best results, you should grill cantaloupe that’s just turned ripe. It’s best to cut them in long pieces before grilling them.

4. Cherries

This is the perfect fruit to grill because it can complement so many dishes. If you are wondering how to grill cherries because of their size, it’s fairly easy. You can place aluminum foil over your grill. You can also place them in a grill pan, and cook them that way. Just make sure that you remove the pits beforehand.

5. Bananas

This fruit really transforms once you place it on the grill. You may be wondering how to grill bananas so that you don’t ruin this delicious fruit. It’s best to leave the skin on them so that they don’t get overcooked. This will keep the inner part of the fruit from touching the grates of the grill, but it will still allow the banana to caramelize as it heats up.

6. Peaches

Grilled stone fruit is absolutely delicious. Peaches are just one of the fruits that falls into this category. When grilling a peach, you need to cut the peach into fourths so that all of the flesh gets cooked evenly.

7. Mangoes

If you are looking to grill a fruit that you can use as a relish for one of your dishes, mangoes are a great choice. They can be put on top of beef, pork or chicken or on one of your favorite desserts. You need to slice them in half before grilling them, and you shouldn’t try to cook them whole.

8. Apricots

By grilling apricots, you will find that the fruit is less tangy. You’ll end up with a richer and sweeter tasting fruit. It’s best to cook them over direct heat for several minutes and then flip them. You can slice them in half or grill them whole.

9. Pineapples

A lot of people like to grill pineapple. This is because it cooks easily, and you’re left with a caramelized piece of fruit that pairs easily with a variety of different dishes. Before grilling it, you’ll want to cut it into rings first to ensure that it cooks evenly.

10. Watermelon

Despite its high water content, you can cook watermelon on the grill. By grilling it, you will notice that it’s flavor changes into a subtle sweetness. Watermelon should be cut into thin slices and grilled until there are char marks on it.

Fruit Grilling Time and Temperature

The amount of time to cook fruit on the grill will vary. If you look up how to grill fruit on the stove or how to grill fruit in the oven, you will see that the cooking technique will tend to be similar. It’s a good idea to cook fruit at about 350°F. This will allow you to cook it thoroughly without overcooking it. If you cook it at a heat that’s too high, you will risk cooking the outside too quickly but not cooking the inside of it enough.

As far as cooking times go, you will find that most fruits only need to be cooked for a couple of minutes on each side. If you aren’t sure if your fruit is cooked enough, it’s best to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of it. You will know it’s done when it’s reached an internal temperature of 135°F.

Tips for Making Perfect Grilled Fruit

1. Grill Fruit That’s Firm And Not Overly Ripe

You don’t want your fruit to be overly ripe before you grill it. If it’s too soft, then it won’t grill very well. It may end up being just too watery and even mushy.

2. Use Larger Chunks Or Slices

It’s best to cut your fruit into larger pieces. This will ensure that they won’t fall through the grates of your grill. Keep in mind that fruit may shrivel up a bit while it is being grilled. This is why you shouldn’t cut it up too small, or you’ll risk it falling right into the fire as it cooks.

3. Let The Grill Preheat First

You may think that because you are grilling fruit that you don’t have to let it preheat. Unfortunately, this is not the case. You need to let the grill preheat for about 10 minutes. It’s also a good idea to add some sort of oil to the grates in order to keep the fruit from sticking to them.

4. Use A Meat Thermometer To Check For Doneness

It can be rather difficult to determine whether or not it’s time to remove your fruit from the grill. This is why it’s imperative that you use a thermometer to check the temperature of it. The ThermoPro meat thermometer will allow you to see whether or not your fruit has reached an internal temperature of at least 135°F. It takes all of the guesswork out of grilling, and it will allow you to cook fruit that will be the perfect temperature.

5. Add Sugar To Citrus Fruits

Some grillers get frustrated when they grill citrus fruits as they tend to stick even if they oil the grates. You can easily solve this problem by adding granulated sugar to them before placing them on the grill. It will keep them from sticking and will leave you with a caramelized tasty treat.

6. Don’t Keep Flipping It

You will need to give your fruit time to cook before flipping it. Let it sit on the grate for at least two minutes before checking it to see if it has any grill marks. Constantly flipping it over will ruin the fruit, and it can alter the finished product.

7. Keep In Mind That Some Fruits May Take Longer To Cook

Grilled stone fruit or grilled pineapple will take longer to cook then other types of fruit. You may need to grill each side for about five minutes. With these types of fruits, you shouldn’t be worried that you are cooking them for too long. After they’ve cooked for about five minutes on one side, you should check for grill marks. If you don’t see any, allow it to cook for two more minutes before flipping it over.

8. Use A Baking Sheet To Minimize Messes

Grilling fruit can be a little messy. This is especially true if you are cooking a fruit that contains a lot of juice. You can keep this from happening by cooking your fruit on a baking sheet. You won’t get any grill marks, but you also won’t have a mess to clean up later on.

If you are ready to expand your grilling skills by cooking fruit, follow the tips mentioned above. One of the easiest ways to ensure that your fruit is cooked properly every single time is by using a ThermoPro meat thermometer. It will easily allow you to determine whether or not your fruit has cooked long enough or if you need to leave it on the grill a little bit longer. This handy device can be used for everything from fruit, to fish, to meat. If you don’t already own a ThermoPro meat thermometer, now is the perfect time to buy one!