Better-for-You BBQ Side Dishes

Barbecues are one of the best ways to celebrate summer, but for all the fun, there's one big drawback: calories galore! With the typical combination of heavy meats-ribs, hamburgers, hot dogs-sweet treats and creamy cold salads, it's easy to pack a lot of calories onto your plate. Fortunately, scaling back can be as simple as swapping those fat-laden sides with fresh ones filled with diet-friendly ingredients such as vegetables, spices and yogurt. To keep your next cookout on the slim side, whip up a few of the following recipes-they're simple, seasonal and won't break your caloric bank.


Panzanella Recipe
Panzanella Recipe

Panzanella Recipe

Recipe Ingredients

6 cups cubed Italian or rustic bread
4 large ripe tomatoes (about 3 lb), cut in chunks
1 medium red onion, halved and thinly sliced
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 Tbsp red wine vinegar
2 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 medium yellow peppers, seeded and cubed
1 large seedless cucumber, quartered lengthwise, cut into 3/4-in. pieces
1/3 cup chopped parsley

Recipe Preparation

1. Heat oven to 400ºF. Line a jelly-roll pan with foil. Arrange bread cubes in a single layer on pan. Toast in oven 10 to 12 minutes, tossing once, until evenly browned.

2. Meanwhile, put tomatoes, onion, oil, vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Let stand at room temperature at least 30 minutes or until tomatoes release their juices. Toss occasionally.

3. Add peppers, cucumber and parsley to tomatoes. Let stand at least 15 minutes for flavors to blend. Just before serving, add bread cubes; toss to blend thoroughly.

Planning Tip: Bread cubes can be toasted up to 1 week before. Store in airtight container at room temperature. Stale bread works perfectly in this recipe too.



Tangy Coleslaw Recipe
Tangy Coleslaw Recipe

Tangy Coleslaw Recipe











Green Bean Salad Recipe
Green Bean Salad Recipe


Green Bean Salad Recipe










Slow Cooker Overnight Baked Beans Recipe

Slow Cooker Overnight Baked Beans Recipe
Slow Cooker Overnight Baked Beans Recipe













Corn on the Cob with Chili Salt Recipe
Corn on the Cob with Chili Salt Recipe

Corn on the Cob with Chili Salt Recipe











Warm Potato Salad Dijonnaise Recipe
Warm Potato Salad Dijonnaise Recipe


Warm Potato Salad Dijonnaise Recipe









Roasted Cauliflower & Onions Recipes

Roasted Cauliflower & Onions Recipes
Roasted Cauliflower & Onions Recipes












Heirloom Tomato Gratin Recipe

Heirloom Tomato Gratin Recipe
Heirloom Tomato Gratin Recipe










Original article appeared on WomansDay.com.

Related Articles at WomansDay.com:

The Ultimate Grilling Guide

An All-American BBQ Menu

Grilled Pizza 101: Tips and Recipes