Grilled Peaches Recipe: 3 Ways to Serve Grilled Peaches

Grilled peaches are fresh peaches brushed with sugar and butter, then grilled until browned and caramelized. Grilled peaches pair well with savory and sweet foods, and you can serve them as a topping for an entrée or side dish.

Peaches are stone fruits—like nectarines, plums, and apricots—that have just one large seed at their core. Peach season hits in summertime, when you can find them at farmers’ markets and grocery stores. The nutritional profile of peaches includes calcium, carbohydrates, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin C, and no saturated fat.

Follow these easy tips to make the best grilled peaches:

1. 1. Use ripe peaches. Ripe, firm peaches have developed more natural sugars to aid the caramelization process during grilling. Make sure to use fresh peaches, as canned peaches and frozen peaches do not develop grill marks like fresh ones. While you want ripe peaches, make sure they are still firm. Peaches that are too soft will fall apart when you cut them open.
2. 2. Cut large pieces. To ensure the fruit won’t fall through the grill grates, cut peaches into larger pieces. Cut the peaches in half and remove the pits to maximize surface area for caramelization.
3. 3. Use alternative sweeteners. Rather than using brown sugar, you can baste the peaches in any sweetener. Use maple syrup, honey, coconut sugar, and molasses in place of brown or granulated sugar. You can experiment with extra seasonings in the marinade, like a pinch of cayenne chili powder or a teaspoon of rum.

Try grilled peaches as an accompaniment to your next picnic lunch, barbecue gathering, or dessert party:

1. 1. Fruit salad: The sweet and smoky flavors of grilled peaches add depth of flavor to a mixed fruit salad. You can also add grilled peaches to savory salads for a burst of sweet, juicy flavor.
2. 2. Barbecue: Grilled peaches are the perfect accompaniment to smoky barbecued meat. Try it with grilled chicken, pork chops, beef, or shrimp skewers. You can chop grilled peaches to make a salsa for topping tacos, burgers, or any barbecued proteins.
3. 3. Ice cream: Top vanilla ice cream with grilled and chopped peaches, caramel sauce, and whipped cream for dessert.