Healthy BBQ cooking tips
Summer is here. That means one thing – it’s backyard barbecue season.
Fire up the grill, bring out the hot dogs, hamburgers and steaks and create some memorable meals for yourself and your family. Your mouth is probably watering just thinking about it.
But while those pounds of charred meat may taste delicious, they are not exactly healthy for you. If you want to survive summer grilling season with your health intact, you need to look for healthy side dishes to go with all that delicious red meat. Here are some tips to get you started.
Make Some Colorful, Healthy Kabobs
Intersperse those pieces of tender steak with cherry tomatoes, green peppers and other brightly colored foods. You can even add things like cantaloupe and honeydew for a fresh delicious taste.
Trim the Fat
Fat might be flavorful, but you can make your summer barbecues healthier by trimming the skin from chicken and the extra fat from your steaks. Some chefs like to leave the fat on while grilling, while others do their trimming ahead of time.
Mix in Some Veggie-Based Alternatives
Meat-free grilling products have gotten a lot better in recent years, with more realistic textures and better taste. Stock up on veggie burgers, meat-free hot dogs and other grilling favorites and mix them in for a healthier backyard barbecue.
Puree Vegetables into Your Barbecue Sauce
Every great chef has a signature barbecue sauce, and these homemade sauces can transform a summer barbecue from good to great. Grab your blender and your favorite veggies, puree them and add them to your other barbecue sauce ingredients. (The kids will never know!).
Make Your Own Healthy Salads
Create your own. Swapping out mayonnaise with salad dressing and other alternatives can reduce the calorie count and up the health quotient at your next barbecue.
Grill Up Some Corn
Corn on the cob is a delicious summertime treat, and it is even better on the grill. Add herbs and spices to the ear of corn before grilling it. The herbs and spices liven up the flavors and add an interesting spin on basic roasted corn.
Make your backyard barbecues as healthy as they are delicious. Enjoy!
