5 Healthy Recipe Ideas for Your Summer Cookout

As summer comes into full swing, so does cookout season. Whether it be a family gathering, neighborhood potluck or a backyard BBQ with friends, grilling in the summertime is the perfect way to bring people together. Unfortunately, for those wanting to stick to healthy eating, it can be hard to resist the temptation of often unhealthy barbeque food. Thankfully, you don’t have to suffer. These healthy summer cookout recipe ideas are not only good for you but also refreshing and delicious. They’ll be sure to keep you and your guests satisfied all summer long.

Grilled Salmon Filets

If you are looking for a lean, healthy protein option, grilled salmon is one of your best bets. Rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins and potassium, salmon is a fantastic choice for your healthy BBQ menu. Additionally, grilling salmon filets can be made extremely easy by packaging them in foil before putting them on the grill. Using this technique, you’ll end up with perfectly flaky fish in just 15-20 minutes. With a number of salmon marinade recipes out there, you’ll never run out of flavors to try this summer. This soy brown sugar salmon recipe is an excellent recipe to get you started. It also explains the easy foil packaging method in detail to ensure flawless results. 

Grilled Portobello Mushrooms

Grilled portobellos are a great alternative protein option for your vegan and vegetarian guests. With their tender and juicy texture, they substitute steak wonderfully. They also make a yummy side dish for everyone else. Even better, these mushrooms are low in fat and calories and contain natural anti-inflammatory properties. As with salmon, there is a huge number of marinade recipes to choose from, so you can experiment with a variety of different flavors. This balsamic soy marinade recipe comprises ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen; all you need are the mushrooms! Pro tip: Marinate your portobellos overnight to yield the most flavorful results.

Watermelon and Feta Salad

For those who haven’t tried the classic Greek combination of watermelon and feta, they might be hesitant about this seemingly odd mix of flavors. However, once you take a bite of this delightful summer salad, you’ll be hooked. The sweetness of the fresh, in-season watermelon with the salty taste of the feta cheese makes for a perfectly balanced snack. Better yet, this combination of the hydrating, vitamin-rich properties of watermelon with the high-protein, probiotic properties of feta creates an awesome summer power food! Coming in at under 100 calories per serving, this watermelon, feta and mint salad is the perfect healthy dish to eat in the summer heat. 

Mediterranean Potato Salad

Potatoes often get a bad rap for being high in carbs and the basis of unhealthy junk foods like fries or chips. However, potatoes are actually full of antioxidants and resistant starch, which keeps you full and improves digestion. Therefore, it’s less about not eating potatoes and more about how you eat them. Try switching your potato recipes to a healthier alternative. For example, typical potato salad is made with eggs, celery and lots of mayo. While delicious, this BBQ classic isn’t the best choice for your healthy diet. Opt for an equally delicious yet more nutritious alternative by making a mediterranean-style potato salad. The recipe features fresh baby potatoes, mustard, onions, capers and more. Best of all, it is made without eggs or mayo, so this dish works for guests with a variety of different diets. 

Fresh Fruit Popsicles

What’s better than a popsicle on a hot summer day? Instead of reaching for store-bought popsicles full of sugar and high fructose corn syrup, create your own healthy fresh fruit popsicles at home. Fresh fruit is high in fiber and nutrients, making these popsicles both refreshing and good for you. All you need to create this sweet treat is a popsicle mold and fruit of your choice. Add your desired mix of fruit and sweetener to a blender and blend until smooth. Then, pour into the mold and freeze overnight. For an idea of healthy popsicle combinations, try this delicious peaches and cream smoothie popsicle recipe.