If you want a side that balances your barbecue menu, fresh produce is the way to go! Fruits will not only add color and texture to main dishes like grilled meat, but they will also make your meals more nutritious!

Just keep in mind that different fruits require different treatments on the grill. Soft fruits like peaches, plums, papayas, and nectarines will cook quickly, while harder fruits like apples, pears, and pineapples will take longer.

Try these quick and easy grilled fruit recipes the next time you have a barbecue:

Grilled Caramelized Peaches

What do you need:

4 ripe white or yellow peaches, halved

4 ripe red plums, halved

4 small ripe plantains, cut in half lengthwise

1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Mix brown sugar and melted butter in a large bowl. Add the peaches, plums, and bananas to the bowl and toss to coat with the brown sugar mixture.

Take a piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil and form it into a shallow “tray.” Place the fruits, cut side down, on the foil. Place the foil on a preheated grill (medium-high heat) and cook until the fruits are golden brown and caramelized around the edges.

Spicy Maple Grilled Fruit Skewers

What do you need:

  • 2 cups of peach chunks

  • 1 cup pineapple chunks

  • 1 cup of banana pieces

  • 1/2 cup pure maple syrup

  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • Bamboo skewers, soaked in water

In a medium bowl, combine the maple syrup, cayenne pepper, ground cumin, and ground cinnamon. Add the peach, pineapple, and banana chunks to the bowl and stir until the fruits are covered with the glaze. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

When ready, thread the fruit alternately on skewers. Cook on a preheated grill directly over medium-high heat until caramelized, about 2 minutes. per side. Best served hot.

Grilled Cinnamon Sugar Grapefruit

What do you need:

  • 3-4 grapefruits

  • 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese

  • 1/2 cup double cream

  • 3 tablespoons unrefined golden icing sugar

  • Juice of 1 lime

  • Zest of 1 lime

  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

  • 1 teaspoon unrefined golden powdered sugar

Whisk the mascarpone cheese, cream, lime juice, lime zest and powdered sugar in a bowl. Set aside.

Cut the grapefruit in half. Combine the icing sugar with the cinnamon, then sprinkle the cut sides of the fruit with the mixture. Grill grapefruits, cut side down, for 4-5 minutes.

When ready, serve hot with the Mascarpone cheese mixture.

These quick and easy grilled fruit recipes are just the thing for your barbecue!