Shorts and sandals weather is officially here. The sun is shining, but it’s not meltingly hot yet, and I, for one, am itching to spend the entire weekend outdoors. My plan is to chill out in the backyard with friends, put on some tunes, slide a paper umbrella in one of these fruity drinks, and soak up the sunshine (through my SPF 50 sunblock, of course). I’m officially putting my oven on summer vacation and firing up the grill instead.
When I grill for a crowd, I like to serve one or two lean meats, a vegetarian option, and a table full of veggie-centric side dishes. Instead of putting out plastic bottles of ketchup and mustard, I like to make a healthy homemade condiment like chimichurri, which tastes great on burgers, chicken, and fish. It’s easy to prepare and always gets rave reviews. For dessert, I keep things light with fresh fruit or something frozen and refreshing like these popsicles.
Here are 10 delicious, healthy recipes that take will make your summer barbecue the talk of the neighborhood.
MAIN DISHES
Burgers with Roasted Garlic and Rosemary
No holiday barbecue is complete without burgers. Roasted garlic and fresh rosemary make these burgers extra flavorful. Adding grated zucchini to the lean ground beef helps keep the burgers moist, and it’s almost undetectable, so it’s a clever way to sneak extra veggies into your diet. Try this with turkey burgers, too. Get the recipe.
When I grill for a crowd, I like to serve one or two lean meats, a vegetarian option, and a table full of veggie-centric side dishes. Instead of putting out plastic bottles of ketchup and mustard, I like to make a healthy homemade condiment like chimichurri, which tastes great on burgers, chicken, and fish. It’s easy to prepare and always gets rave reviews. For dessert, I keep things light with fresh fruit or something frozen and refreshing like these popsicles.
Here are 10 delicious, healthy recipes that take will make your summer barbecue the talk of the neighborhood.
MAIN DISHES
Burgers with Roasted Garlic and Rosemary
No holiday barbecue is complete without burgers. Roasted garlic and fresh rosemary make these burgers extra flavorful. Adding grated zucchini to the lean ground beef helps keep the burgers moist, and it’s almost undetectable, so it’s a clever way to sneak extra veggies into your diet. Try this with turkey burgers, too. Get the recipe.
Cedar Plank Salmon with Maple Glaze
Look like a gourmet chef at your barbecue with this easy-to-execute recipe. Cooking salmon on cedar planks imparts wonderful flavor and protects the fish from burning or sticking to the grill. A simple maple syrup glaze with lemon juice and ginger adds a touch of sweetness without making this salmon too sweet. Cedar planks can be purchased at stores like Target, culinary specialty stores, and most hardware stores. Get the recipe.
Look like a gourmet chef at your barbecue with this easy-to-execute recipe. Cooking salmon on cedar planks imparts wonderful flavor and protects the fish from burning or sticking to the grill. A simple maple syrup glaze with lemon juice and ginger adds a touch of sweetness without making this salmon too sweet. Cedar planks can be purchased at stores like Target, culinary specialty stores, and most hardware stores. Get the recipe.
Grilled Chicken Dijon
How many barbecues have you been to where someone threw a bunch of plain chicken breasts on the grill, and maybe seasoned them with salt and pepper or slathered them with barbecue sauce? Pretty boring, huh? This chicken Dijon recipe will give chicken-lovers something to be excited about. Get the recipe.
How many barbecues have you been to where someone threw a bunch of plain chicken breasts on the grill, and maybe seasoned them with salt and pepper or slathered them with barbecue sauce? Pretty boring, huh? This chicken Dijon recipe will give chicken-lovers something to be excited about. Get the recipe.
Portobello Burgers
Marinating these hearty, portobello burgers infuses them with the flavors of garlic and balsamic vinegar and they take only minutes to cook. They are a great vegetarian option for grilling season, and can also be made in an oven. Get the recipe.
Marinating these hearty, portobello burgers infuses them with the flavors of garlic and balsamic vinegar and they take only minutes to cook. They are a great vegetarian option for grilling season, and can also be made in an oven. Get the recipe.
SIDE DISHES
Arugula Salad with Peaches and Mozzarella
Yum! Sweet, fresh peaches are the star of this salad. They pair perfectly with mozzarella and balsamic vinegar. Make this recipe a summertime favorite by grilling the peaches first. Slice peaches in half and remove the pit, brush the cut side lightly with olive oil and place cut-side down on a grill for a few minutes, just long enough to leave grill marks. Cool slightly, slice, and serve! Get the recipe.
Arugula Salad with Peaches and Mozzarella
Yum! Sweet, fresh peaches are the star of this salad. They pair perfectly with mozzarella and balsamic vinegar. Make this recipe a summertime favorite by grilling the peaches first. Slice peaches in half and remove the pit, brush the cut side lightly with olive oil and place cut-side down on a grill for a few minutes, just long enough to leave grill marks. Cool slightly, slice, and serve! Get the recipe.
Grilled Corn Salad with Jalapeño
This corn salad recipe gives grilled corn bold flavor by adding zesty jalapeño, cilantro, and feta. It is a perfect side dish for any barbecue. Apple cider vinegar acts like a “secret ingredient” that makes it really memorable. Don’t have apple cider vinegar? Substitute it with any type of cooking vinegar, like sherry or red wine vinegar. Get the recipe.
This corn salad recipe gives grilled corn bold flavor by adding zesty jalapeño, cilantro, and feta. It is a perfect side dish for any barbecue. Apple cider vinegar acts like a “secret ingredient” that makes it really memorable. Don’t have apple cider vinegar? Substitute it with any type of cooking vinegar, like sherry or red wine vinegar. Get the recipe.
Grilled Romaine and Walnuts
Shake up the side dish at your next barbecue with this delicious grilled romaine salad. Grilling the greens brings out a sweetness that goes perfectly with the crunchy walnuts and salty Parmesan cheese. Get the recipe.
Shake up the side dish at your next barbecue with this delicious grilled romaine salad. Grilling the greens brings out a sweetness that goes perfectly with the crunchy walnuts and salty Parmesan cheese. Get the recipe.
Lentil and Feta Salad
This lentil salad takes a little bit of effort to chop all of those fresh veggies and herbs, but once you’re done, you’ve got enough food for a week’s worth of meals or a party of hungry guests. While nothing in it gets cooked on the grill, it makes a great side dish for grilled meats, and can be made well in advance if you’re hosting. Get the recipe.
This lentil salad takes a little bit of effort to chop all of those fresh veggies and herbs, but once you’re done, you’ve got enough food for a week’s worth of meals or a party of hungry guests. While nothing in it gets cooked on the grill, it makes a great side dish for grilled meats, and can be made well in advance if you’re hosting. Get the recipe.
DESSERTS
Grilled Watermelon Wedges
The next time you fire up the BBQ, throw some wedges of watermelon on the grill. Cooking fruit this way enhances its sweetness and adds a touch of smoky flavor. Other fruits to try are pineapple slices, halved peaches and grapefruit, and strawberries on a skewer. Get the recipe.
Grilled Watermelon Wedges
The next time you fire up the BBQ, throw some wedges of watermelon on the grill. Cooking fruit this way enhances its sweetness and adds a touch of smoky flavor. Other fruits to try are pineapple slices, halved peaches and grapefruit, and strawberries on a skewer. Get the recipe.
Lemonade Popsicles
What’s more refreshing than lemonade on a hot summer day? These lemonade popsicles made with fresh lemons and honey. Get the recipe.
What’s more refreshing than lemonade on a hot summer day? These lemonade popsicles made with fresh lemons and honey. Get the recipe.
Festive recipes often involve loads of sugar, preservatives and many other unhealthy “no-nos” – all in the name of once-a-year indulgences. And while we’re all for indulgences (I'm all about enjoying your best life & balance!), why can’t some of our favorite festive treats be not only delicious and festive but also healthy and nutrient-packed? Well, this summer they can be – if you make this healthy parfait anyway! And I love strawberry season, nothing like the smell of fresh strawberries! Get the recipe.
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