Henry James once said, “Summer afternoon—summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.” I’d have to agree, but add that the phrase “grilled peaches” is a close contender during the summer months. Can you think of another single-ingredient dish that’s this irresistible? Okay, maybe it’s four ingredients if you count olive oil, salt, and honey, but those are pantry staples. You could also elevate these grilled peaches with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream, but that’s entirely up to you.
If you haven’t tried grilling peaches yet, now is the perfect moment. And if you don’t have a grill, don’t worry. You can achieve similar results by placing the peaches under the broiler for a minute or two. Just grab some peaches (or nectarines, or apricots) from the market and keep reading for an easy recipe that’ll show you what to do with them.
Choosing the Best Peaches for Grilling
Experts recommend Freestone Peaches for grilling, as they hold their shape well and don’t fall apart easily. However, don’t stress if you have a different variety on hand—I often grill whatever stone fruit I find in my kitchen. While some peaches might not look as appealing on the grill, they all taste fantastic. Just ensure they’re firm enough to grill well but ripe enough to easily remove the pit.
Grilling Peaches: Step-by-Step
This simple recipe takes just 10 minutes—here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Preheat the Grill
Get your grill hot enough to char the peaches nicely, but not so hot that they catch fire or turn to mush. If you’ve just grilled savory foods, make sure to clean the grill thoroughly for this sweet treat.
Step 2: Prepare the Peaches
Your peaches should be ripe yet firm. Use a paring knife to cut them along their seams all the way around. Then, twist the halves to separate them from the pit, using your knife to help remove the pit entirely.
Step 3: Brush with Olive Oil
This crucial step prevents sticking on the grill, as the peaches will release their natural sugars while cooking. I like to sprinkle a little salt here too, adding a savory touch to the sweet flavor.
Step 4: Grill the Peaches
Place the peaches on the grill with the skin side facing up. Avoid moving them around to allow for a good sear (about 3-4 minutes). Once they have nice grill marks, flip them over and cook for another couple of minutes. I prefer mine slightly undercooked to keep that fresh, crunchy texture. If the peach skin comes off, don’t worry—just focus on achieving those beautiful grill marks.
At this stage, feel free to drizzle honey over your grilled peaches and add fresh herbs like basil or mint if you wish.
Serving Grilled Peaches: Ice Cream or Not
My go-to way to wrap up a summer dinner? Serving a platter of grilled peach halves with a pint of vanilla ice cream for everyone to enjoy. It’s messy, delightful, and simply screams summer.
Check out the easy grilled peaches recipe below, and feel free to share your results with us!
PrintDescription
Grilled peaches are a quick and tasty summer dessert. Here’s how to make them, what type of peaches work best, and serving suggestions.
Ingredients
- 4 large peaches, firm but ripe (or use equivalent nectarines or apricots)
- olive oil
- kosher salt
- optional: honey, fresh mint or basil, ice cream
Instructions
- Preheat a grill to medium.
- Using a paring knife, slice the peaches along their seams. Twist the halves off the pits, using your knife to help remove the pit completely.
- Brush the cut sides with olive oil and sprinkle salt. Using tongs, place them cut side down on the grill. Avoid moving them until it’s time to flip.
- Once the cut side has grill marks (3-4 minutes), flip the peaches and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Transfer to a platter, drizzle with honey and herbs if desired. Enjoy with ice cream or on their own!
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 7
