The Perfect Summer Dish
When summer comes around, it’s time to turn those BBQs on! But if you’re watching your weight or just want to prioritize healthier foods, then these are dishes that you need to grill up. Did we miss any of your favorites, or do you have any recommendations of your own?
1. Grilled Green Tomatoes
Grilled green tomatoes make a delicious and refreshing summer side dish. They add a nice tangy flavor that pairs well with the smokiness from the grill. Green tomatoes are high in vitamins A and C, and are lower in sugar than ripe tomatoes, so they are a healthy, low-calorie option.
2. Grilled Peach Salad
Grilled peach salad is a fresh, sweet, and savory spin on the wedge salad. Juicy, caramelized peaches and crisp greens create the perfect balance in this tasty summer salad. Peaches are full of vitamins A and C and provide natural sugar without the added sweetness, and grilling helps to bring out this flavor!
3. Turkey Burgers
Turkey burgers are a healthier substitute for beef burgers. They still offer you a great amount of protein, with less saturated fat content. You can also flavor them easily with fresh herbs, shallots, garlic, or a homemade spice blend such as Cajun seasoning to add more flavor without extra calories.
4. Lettuce Wrap Cheeseburgers
Swap buns for crunchy lettuce or cabbage leaves in these low-carb, high-protein lettuce wrap cheeseburgers. It’s a lighter way to enjoy all the delicious flavor of a juicy burger with none of the refined carbs. Instead, you get fiber, vitamins, and a hydrating crunch in every bite.
5. Grilled Corn
Grilled corn on the cob is a staple summer side dish, and for good reason. It's naturally sweet, and the char from the grill gives it a wonderfully smoky flavor. It's also high in fiber and antioxidants, as well as vitamins B and C.
6. Bruschetta Grilled Chicken
This grilled chicken is inspired by bruschetta, the popular Italian appetizer. The chicken breasts are lean and full of protein. For the bruschetta topping, tomatoes, basil, and garlic are mixed with olive oil and spooned on top of the grilled chicken, keeping it light and healthy.
7. Grilled Salmon Foil Packets
Salmon foil packs are a simple and fuss-free way to grill salmon. It's basically a healthy salmon packet where everything is cooked in foil and keeps everything from sticking and losing moisture or flavor. Consider adding zucchini and yellow squash to amp up the fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants in this dish.
8. Grilled Shrimp Skewers
Grilled shrimp piccata skewers are smoky and tender shrimp with a punchy lemon, briny capers, and rich white wine butter sauce. Shrimp is a lean, low-calorie protein with lots of nutrients like selenium and B12. This fast and easy shrimp recipe is a light and indulgent addition to your BBQ that's sure to be a crowd pleaser.
9. Grilled Romaine Caesar
Grilled romaine can be used to make a wedge salad with a nice smoky char without cooking the greens so much that they lose their crisp and refreshing bite. It's naturally low in calories and high in fiber. Dressing it up with Caesar, green goddess, or ranch can make it richer and decadent while also allowing you to dial in the amount of fat and calories to keep it healthy enough for BBQ.
10. Zucchini Bun Hot Dogs
Zucchini bun hot dogs are a delicious twist on the classic BBQ favorite, using hollowed-out zucchini instead of bread. This simple substitution cuts down on refined carbs and adds extra vitamins, minerals, and fiber to your meal. Enjoy this fun and summery take on hot dogs for a lighter and more nutrient-packed treat.
11. Caprese Chicken Foil Packs
This grilled chicken caprese foil packet recipe features grilled juicy chicken breasts stuffed with fresh tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and fresh basil. Classic Caprese ingredients all cooked up in a foil packet to seal in all the moisture and flavor. Plus, it’s quick and easy too!
12. Lime Chicken Skewers
Cilantro-lime chicken skewers are fresh, light, zesty, and full of flavor. These easy chicken kabobs are perfectly grilled to bring out tenderness and smoky flavor. They are marinated overnight for juiciness and flavor infusion, meaning all you have to do is toss them on a grill.
13. Tomato Gnocchi Kebabs
Tomato gnocchi kebabs are a healthier, grilled twist on an indulgent comfort food classic. By crisping up gnocchi on the grill, there’s no need to drown the little potato dumplings in heavy sauces. The tomatoes and red onion add juiciness, fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins to each bite.
14. Grilled Artichoke
Artichokes are pretty eye-catching and have such a unique delicate flavor. They are very high in fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins, and are excellent for your digestive system. Considering their versatility and unique taste, they are always a crowd-pleaser at a BBQ.
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15. Grilled Persian Chicken
Persian chicken is marinated in yogurt and warm spices. Yogurt tenderizes the meat, while also keeping in flavor and moisture. As it cooks on the grill, the yogurt caramelizes and forms a delicious golden crust.
16. Green Beans
Easy and healthy, grilled green beans get a quick char and smoky flavor from the grill. Keep them from falling through the grates by cooking them in foil. Green beans are low in calories and high in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants for a heart-healthy side dish. Add some crushed nuts or seeds for a satisfying crunch, along with a dose of healthy fats.
17. Steak Salad
Get the most out of your BBQ grill by cooking steak salad! Cherry tomatoes, basil, and red onions are some of the fresh vegetables that make this salad a balanced meal. Opt for ribeye, as it is a fattier part of beef and provides protein and big flavor.
18. Cauliflower Steaks
Full of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavor, this Thai-inspired sauce is just what you need to take grilled cauliflower steaks to the next level. Cauliflower is a low-calorie vegetable that is packed with fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. It's a filling and nutrient-dense meat substitute that will leave you feeling satisfied without the guilt.
19. Portobello Tacos
These portobello tacos are a protein-rich plant-based alternative for taco night. Meaty portobellos are marinated in big, bold taco spices and then grilled to bring out their umami flavors for tacos. Plus, portobellos are low calorie and full of antioxidants, fiber, and essential nutrients such as potassium.
20. Grilled Carrots
Grilled carrots are a tasty and nutrient-dense BBQ side dish that become naturally sweet and slightly smoky when grilled properly. Packed with beta-carotene, fiber, and antioxidants, carrots are good for eye health and digestion while adding a pop of color to your plate. Serve them with creamy ricotta or a vibrant chimichurri for added flavor!
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