John Myers
Would you like to organize a barbecue party and try out new recipes for the occasion? Maybe you have mostly vegetarian guests and are therefore looking for an alternative to corn on the cob and vegetable skewers? Our tip: just use an old friend who you rarely meet at the barbecue buffet. We’re talking about kohlrabi. It’s local, low in calories, and great in flavor. Raw and cut into small pieces, the vegetables taste wonderful with a fine herb dip or hummus. The grilled kohlrabi is a step up in terms of taste.
Read our article below to find out how to grill kohlrabi and in which combination the green tuber tastes particularly good. You will also find an unusual recipe and tips for preparing the kohlrabi. Let yourself be surprised what the kohlrabi can do!
How do you grill kohlrabi?
There are different ways to grill kohlrabi. One option is to peel the vegetables first and cut them into small pieces. It is up to you how big the pieces should be. Kohlrabi slices with a thickness of 1 to 2 centimeters are also suitable for the grill and can be wonderfully garnished. You can arrange the small pieces in small aluminum packets or bowls, similar to what we know from zucchini and peppers. Put some olive oil in a packet or bowl and add other fine ingredients (more on this at the end of the article) and off you go on the grill – the vegetables need about 10 to 15 minutes. You can simply place the kohlrabi slices on the grid and grill for about 15 minutes.
The slices get a particularly fine touch if you brush them with a little olive oil or other fine oils before grilling. Don’t forget to turn the slices regularly! Herbs add flavor to the vegetables. Burger lovers who like it vegetarian can use the kohlrabi like a kind of vegetable cutlet and place it between two slices of bread. Add a lettuce leaf, fresh tomatoes, and a delicious barbecue sauce – the delicious burger with vegetables is ready!
Tip for gourmets and those who eat everything: Never throw away the leaves of the kohlrabi after you have removed them from the tuber. They contain a particularly large number of nutrients and should therefore definitely be incorporated into the diet. It is best to wash the kohlrabi leaves thoroughly, cut them into small pieces, and use them as a topping for salads or as an ingredient in sauces. The healthy green of the kohlrabi is also suitable for bowls and soup recipes. You will be amazed at how much flavor kohlrabi leaves can have.
Barbecue idea: cook kohlrabi in the embers
Anyone who has already come up with the kohlrabi will surely love this barbecue idea. And best of all, all you have to do is remove the leaves from the kohlrabi with a knife and then place the vegetables on the embers of your grill. Yes, you read it right! Because the kohlrabi has a thick skin, you don’t need aluminum or anything else to protect it from the heat. Place it between the charcoal and make sure it’s really well covered. Let it cook for about an hour, turning it from time to time so that it is sufficiently cooked on all sides. Don’t be afraid to bury it again once the bits have slipped off.
When the cooking time is over, remove the kohlrabi from the embers with grill tongs and place it on a plate. Test with a knife to see if you are happy with the consistency. It is ideal if the inside is nice and soft and can be easily cut through. Don’t be fooled by the black skin of the tuber, the interior will immediately surprise you with a fine scent! Now either remove the black skin with a knife or scoop out the vegetables with a spoon. You will be amazed at the flavors that grilled kohlrabi brings to the fore. Salt, pepper or a few drops of olive oil make the barbecue experience perfect!
By the way: other types of vegetables with thicker skins can also be cooked directly on the embers. How about celeriac, for example? Similar to kohlrabi, the vegetable is rich in nutrients and fine aromas, which only really come out through cooking. Try it out and create your own recipes with delicious grilled vegetables.
Grilled kohlrabi: what goes well with it?
Grilled kohlrabi tastes delicious with other vegetables such as zucchini, tomatoes, and peppers. A classic would be a colorful vegetable skewer that you can put on the grid. If you love cheese, you’ve come to the right place with spicy feta cheese or fine halloumi. It is best to put the ingredients directly with the kohlrabi in an aluminum packet or in a bowl. Don’t forget to add delicious herbs to the vegetables. Thyme, rosemary, or just pepper – choose your favorite herbs and give the kohlrabi the final (taste) polish. The grilled kohlrabi also tastes delicious with the usual suspects at the grill buffet, for example with a fresh salad.
