BHA & BHT Free Smoky Paprika White Bean & Zucchini Skewers
These vibrant skewers are everything a summer grill session should be — smoky, a little spicy, and packed with color from tender zucchini, sweet red bell pepper, and creamy white beans. The marinade is built from whole, recognizable pantry staples like smoked paprika, cumin, turmeric, and fresh lemon juice, which means you know exactly what's going into every bite. That matters more than it might seem, because many store-bought spice blends, marinades, and packaged foods quietly contain synthetic preservatives like BHA and BHT as stabilizers — making from-scratch cooking the most reliable way to avoid them. Here, every ingredient is straightforward and clean, with nothing processed or shelf-stabilized beyond a can of rinsed white beans. The beans themselves are a brilliant skewer ingredient — they soak up the garlicky, smoky marinade beautifully and develop irresistible charred edges on the grill. A squeeze of fresh lemon and a scatter of parsley at the end brighten the whole dish and make it feel like something you'd order at a restaurant. Whether you're grilling for a crowd or just yourself, these skewers are the kind of recipe that makes eating clean feel genuinely exciting.
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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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