It's time to officially kick off grill season with a fun-filled Memorial Day! Fill it with tasty healthy BBQ recipes that goes beyond the standard (and not so healthy) hamburgers and hot dogs. Whether it’s a new spin on shrimp or a few slices of vegetable heaven, the grill is your best friend this summer. Fare on the grill often incorporates less oil and more fresh produce, rendering meals that are healthy and tasty. Here are six must-try BBQ recipes for summer:
BBQ Onion Steaks with Honey-Mustard Sauce
These hearty, gluten-free treats, courtesy of our friends at Bon Appetit, are the perfect option for vegetarians and vegetable lovers at your next cookout. Coat the onion slices (large, sweet Vidalias work best) with an olive oil and butter mixture, then baste with an easy-to-make honey-mustard sauce. Everything carmelizes into BBQ goodness, leaving you with a lightly charred, sweet final product certain to impress all.
Grilled Cilantro Lime Shrimp
Anything shrimp and lime sounds delicious to us! This gluten-free and paleo-friendly dish is the perfect centerpiece for any classy summer barbeque. While the original recipe by Julie Murkerson suggests cooking on a grill wok, we prefer the old-fashioned method. Marinade the shrimp for 30 minutes to an hour, then skewer and grill. If you want to be even healthier (and willing to sacrifice a little taste), consider skipping the honey.
Grilled Zucchini Boats
Have you ever watched your kid mowing down a pizza and thought “I wish he/she was that into vegetables...”? If so, this is the grill recipe for you. Hollow out your zucchini lengthwise and throw on a little low-fat mozzarella – the results look just like pizzas and taste good to boot. And as with pizza, it’s often only as healthy as the toppings you choose, so steer clear of bacon in favor of mushrooms and cherry tomatoes.
Grilled Sweet Potatoes
Healthier than white potatoes (check out the glycemic index!), sweet potatoes are very versatile yet often overlooked. This easy recipe has only three ingredients: sweet potatoes, salt and olive oil. (To serve with the recommended dressing, however, you’ll also need cilantro and lemon or lime.) Simply peel and slice the potatoes to the recommended ¼ inch thickness, brush them with olive oil, and then cook them for 3-6 minutes per side (depending on how hot your grill is).
Grilled Artichokes
Simple but elegant, artichokes are typically amazing any way you prepare them. Grilling, however, gives them a smoke and a crunch that complements their earthiness. Most commonly prepared with lemons, these wonders are vegan and paleo-friendly while also being gluten-free. You will probably want to pan cook them on the range, but nothing beats a tender, grilled artichoke.
Give these recipes a try this Memorial Day Weekend and be the talk of the neighborhood!