Now that BBQ season has officially arrived it’s time to shake things up a bit and start experimenting with new recipes. If you’d like to make your family BBQs a little bit healthier this summer, you could try switching out more traditional sides for lighter options. Grilling meat, fish, and vegetables is a pretty healthy method of cooking and with a few tasty yet low-calorie accompaniments there’s no reason why you need to feel guilty at your next BBQ. Here are a few summer side ideas to get you started.
Purple hull peas
Purple hull peas are a wonderful farmer’s market summer tradition, particularly in the south. They’re full of flavor and a great source of protein and fiber. Purple hull peas are easy to prepare and taste delicious with hardly any garnish or seasoning. If you’ve never made them before, check out this simple purple hull peas recipe. It’ll definitely go well on the side of many summer meals, especially BBQ.
Homemade coleslaw
Coleslaw is a BBQ staple but the shop-bought ones are often full of secret calories, fat, and artificial ingredients. If you make a homemade coleslaw, you can enjoy a lighter alternative that’s just as tasty. Simply toss together chopped cabbage, carrots, and green onions with a spoon of mayonnaise and mustard. You can play around with your own recipe ideas to get a homemade coleslaw that’s perfect to your liking. If you don’t have time to experiment and would prefer a quick and easy option, try this healthy coleslaw recipe.
Homemade ketchup
That’s right you can also make your own ketchup. This is a great way to use up the summer tomatoes from your vegetable garden. If you’re not naturally green-thumbed you can pick up some tasty organic tomatoes from a local market. Ketchup is actually not as bad for you as you might think and with the addition of fresh tomatoes it can be quite nutritious. You could even bottle some to give as a present to your friends and family. Here’s how to make homemade ketchup with fresh tomatoes.
Exciting salads
If you and your family are getting tired of eating the same old salads, why not try something new this summer? By making your salads more exciting you might just even encourage your kids to eat well. The keys to a great salad are a mix of textures, fresh ingredients, and a touch of herbs and spices. You could try a tomato salad or prepare a herb based salad rather than using traditional greens for a touch of Mediterranean flavor. Another option is to try an Asian salad recipe. Recipes vary but few typical ingredients include noodles, tropical fruits, and spice. You can browse online and choose a recipe that your family and friends will enjoy.
Grilled vegetables
You can grill vegetables as well and they will absorb a delicious smoky flavor. You could make them into kabobs or simply slice them up and place them on the grill. Grilling vegetables is even easier than meat or fish, and you’ll have a healthy addition to your meal. You can ensure your family gets a few different portions of vegetables in one sitting. Here is a quick guide to grilling vegetables so you can see how simple it is.
Baked polenta fries
For a lighter alternative to traditional French fries, try these baked polenta fries. They will definitely add a unique touch to your summer spread. These fries are baked rather than fried so they’re much lower in fat. The polenta gives them a subtle yet delicious flavor as well. They go perfectly with homemade dips such as coleslaw and ketchup and the best thing is they’re gluten-free as well. If you’re in need of a healthier carb option they’re definitely a good choice.
Succotash
Succotash is a fun salad mix of fresh corn, lima beans, or other shell beans. You can use these as a base and add any other ingredients you like. Traditionally things like pork, beef, turnips, tomatoes, sweet peppers, and okra are added, but you can choose. If you would like to opt for an easier option here is the best succotash recipe for you to try. You can wow your friends and family with something a bit different. If you’d like to try something new for your next BBQ, you don’t need to worry about calories. There are several lighter sides you can make that aren’t loaded with sugar or grease. You can enjoy a tasty meal with friends and family completely guilt-free.
This is a contributed post. You can read more about that here.