Grilled Plums Recipe

By
Molly Watson
Molly Watson
An award-winning food writer and cookbook author, Molly Watson has created more than 1,000 recipes focused on local, seasonal ingredients.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 04/11/23
Tested by Joan Velush
Grilled Plums on a platter

The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 5 mins
Total: 10 mins
Servings: 2 servings

A bit of heat from the grill brings out the already sweet nature embedded in plums, caramelizing the sugars on the cut surface to wonderfully yummy effect. And, because these luscious summer and early fall delights tend to come into season all at once, finding novel ways to serve them is unusually welcome.

Grilled plums are wonderful alongside grilled pork or sausages, but even better when served with ice cream or frozen yogurt for dessert.

“Grilled plums are great for summer meals. They can be strewn with rosemary or sage, sprinkled with flaky salt, and served with grilled chicken or pork. They can pair with ice cream, yogurt, or a drizzle of honey for a light summer dessert. They’d also be delicious in a salad with garden fresh veggies.” —Joan Velush

How to Grill Plums
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive, or vegetable oil, more for the grill

  • 2 to 4 medium plums

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Grilled Plums ingredients

    The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

  2. Make sure the grill grate is scrubbed clean and well-oiled, then prepare a charcoal or gas grill to medium-high heat: You should be able to hold your hand about 1 inch over the cooking grate for 3 to 4 seconds. While the grill heats, rinse the plums, pat them dry, cut them in half around their pits, and remove and discard the pits.

    Plums on a wooden board

    The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

  3. Put the plums on a tray or baking sheet. Brush them with the oil, paying particular attention to the cut sides.

    Plums brushed with oil on in a baking dish with a brush

    The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

  4. Put the plums, cut-side down, on the hot grill. Cover and cook until they're grill-marked and heated through, about 5 minutes.

    Grilled plums on a platter

    The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

Grilled Plums Serving Ideas and Variations

Serve the grilled plums hot or warm, as a side dish or with ice cream for dessert.

  • If serving as a savory side dish, a sprinkle of salt and a grind or two of freshly ground black pepper is wonderful. Also freshly chopped rosemary or thyme makes a delicious addition.
  • If serving sweet for dessert, pair with ice cream, ricotta cheese, yogurt, or whipped cream. A sprinkle of chopped pistachios or other nut is lovely. Also, as you cook the plums, feel free to grill the cut side of the plum, then turn over and sprinkle each plum half with a bit of brown sugar, cinnamon or cardamom. Cover and grill until the sugar melts and starts to bubble, 3 to 5 minutes.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
374 Calories
8g Fat
79g Carbs
5g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2
Amount per serving
Calories 374
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 8g 11%
Saturated Fat 1g 6%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 5mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 79g 29%
Dietary Fiber 10g 36%
Total Sugars 59g
Protein 5g
Vitamin C 170mg 848%
Calcium 69mg 5%
Iron 2mg 9%
Potassium 1143mg 24%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)