Artificial Food Coloring Free Smoky Paprika White Bean & Zucchini Skewers
These vibrant skewers bring serious smoky depth to your grill without a single drop of synthetic dye — the gorgeous golden-orange color comes entirely from smoked paprika, turmeric, and a little char from the flames. Zucchini rounds, sweet red bell pepper, and hearty cannellini beans soak up a punchy marinade of cumin, cayenne, garlic, and fresh lemon juice, so every bite is layered and bold. Packaged and processed foods are notorious for sneaking artificial colorants into unexpected places, but this recipe keeps everything clean and whole from start to finish. The beans are a clever addition here — they pick up the marinade beautifully and get just enough char on the edges to feel satisfying and substantial rather than an afterthought. A squeeze of fresh lemon and a scatter of parsley at the end brightens the whole platter and makes it look like something you'd order at a restaurant. Whether you're grilling for a crowd or just yourself, these skewers are proof that eating without artificial additives doesn't mean eating without flavor.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the skewers
- 1 can (15 oz) white beans (cannellini or great northern), drained and rinsed
- 2 medium zucchini, cut into 1-inch rounds
- 1 medium red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
For the marinade
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For serving
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
- 1 lemon, cut into wedges (optional)
Instructions
- 1
If using wooden skewers, submerge them in water and soak for at least 15 minutes to prevent scorching on the grill.
- 2
In a large bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, the smoked paprika, cumin, turmeric, cayenne, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper until combined.
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