Posted by Tastefully Simple on May 23, 2025
There’s something magical about the sizzle of food hitting a hot grill on a sunny day. And if you really want to take your grilling to the next level, the secret doesn’t lie in a fancy new tool or an expensive grill – it starts with fresh, local ingredients and amazing seasonings and sauces. Farmers markets are a great place to look for fresh ingredients.
Why Farmers Markets?
Farmers markets offer a direct connection between you and the people who grow your food. Fresh veggies and other goods are typically harvested within a day or two of sale. That means peak ripeness, better flavor and more nutrients – everything you want when you’re firing up the grill.
The Benefits of Fresh Ingredients for Grilling
- Unmatched Flavor
Fresh produce is delicious. Whether it’s sweet corn, heirloom tomatoes, thick-cut zucchini or halved and seeded bell peppers, produce at its peak can hold its own on the grill. Brush those veggies with some olive oil and sprinkle on the Seasoned Salt or Ultimate Steak™ Seasoning for a beautifully grilled side dish hearty enough to be the main course.
- Better Texture and Juiciness
Meat and vegetables tend to lose moisture and structure as they age. At the farmers market, you’re getting produce and proteins that haven’t been sitting on a shelf for days. This can translate to juicier burgers and crisper grilled veggies.
- Seasonal Variety
Grilling with the seasons keeps your cookouts exciting. In the Spring, try asparagus, ramps, and radishes. Summer brings juicy tomatoes, corn and peaches. Fall might inspire grilled squash or apples. Seasonal eating isn’t just trendy – it’s a delicious way to explore new flavors and textures with your farmers market finds.
- Community Connection
Grilling with farmers market ingredients adds a story to every bite. You have an opportunity to meet and know who grew your tomatoes or picked the zucchini you’re grilling. Connection brings more meaning to your meal and can even inspire you to try new recipes or techniques.
Grilling Tips for Farmers Market Finds
- Let the ingredients shine. A light brush of an olive oil blend (like Roasted Garlic Infused Oil) and a pinch of flavorful seasoning, like Seasoned Pepper or Fiesta Party Seasoning™, can be all you need to flavor up your peak-fresh produce.
- Use skewers to mix and match. Alternate mushrooms, cherry tomatoes and onion slices for quick and colorful veggie kebabs. Drizzle with Bayou Bourbon™ Glaze or Smoky Bacon BBQ Sauce the last few minutes of grilling.
- Don’t forget the fruit. Stone fruits like peaches, nectarines and plums grill beautifully and make excellent sides or desserts. Glaze with a little Rhubarb Strawberry Fruit Spread for a caramelized finish.
Grilling isn’t just a cooking method – it’s a celebration of food and the outdoors. And nothing honors that more than using the freshest ingredients you can find as you take a stroll through your local farmers market. Grab what’s in season, fire up the grill and enjoy a meal that tastes like summer itself.
