Throwing a barbecue is one of the great joys of summer, but the typical fare is usually processed and loaded with calories and saturated fat. But outdoor cooking begs for fresh veggie sides and open flames that give leaner meats great grill flavor and encourage unhealthy fat to drip away. All it takes is a detour down the produce aisle and opting for healthier (and often organic) meats and toppings. Here are 11 healthy and delicious barbecue-friendly recipes you'll make all summer long.
1) Chicago-Style Buffalo Dogs
Choose healthier organic dogs and pile on low-cal sweet pickle relish plus spicy, antioxidant packed pepperoncini and you'll never miss the processed variety.
2) Grilled Mexican Corn
Don't wait for the county fair for this yummy corn-it's quick and easy to make yourself. You'll never miss the butter!
3) Chicken With Mango Salsa
Nothing says summer like homemade salsa. Here, mango, citrus juices, and cilantro combine for a refreshing topping that keeps grilled chicken moist and flavorful.
4) Italian Flank Steak With Roma Tomatoes
This simple marinated steak recipe from the best-selling The Biggest Loser 30-Day Jump Start is a great reason to break out the grill. Mix the marinade before work and when you come home, light the grill, toss a salad, and set the table-presto!
5) Teriyaki Tuna Burgers
Trade your typical hamburger for a tuna variety. Fresh tuna steak combines with teriyaki sauce, ginger, and garlic for Asian-inspired flavor.
6) Beef Kebabs With Yogurt And Spices
Grill up tasty skewers of lean beef sirloin and a colorful array of peppers for this no-fuss supper that needs only 15 minutes of cooking time.
7) Two-Ingredient Eggplant
Budget-conscious shoppers, this recipe's for you. Hearty eggplant makes a surprisingly satisfying supper-even for traditional meat lovers-at a fraction of the cost.
8) Grilled Salmon Burger
Try this satisfying salmon burger from The Biggest Loser 30-Day Jump Start. Salmon is not only a great low-cal choice for slimming down, it's superhealthy-the omega-3s in salmon and other cold-water fatty fish boost brain and heart health.
9) Spiced Kofta Sliders
Kofta is a Middle Eastern name for a meat dish, usually a combo of ground beef and lamb. Here, bulgur is used to bind lean beef and lamb in small burgers, reducing the fat and boosting the fiber.
10) Fresh Corn And Tomato Bruschetta Salad
Freshly picked sweet corn doesn't have to be cooked. Just slice off the kernels and run the dull side of the knife down the cob to release any juices. This salad is a good source of antioxidants, including lycopene for your heart and lutein and zeaxanthin for your eyes, thanks to the tomatoes and fresh basil.
11) Perfect Picnic Chicken
Paint on a tangy mixture of barbecue sauce and mango or apricot nectar to prepare this chicken. You'll never go with plain barbecue sauce again.
What's always a staple at your summer BBQ?
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