10+ Healthy Barbecue Recipes for a Guilt-Free Grilling Experience

Barbecuing is a popular way to enjoy good food outdoors, especially during the summer. With the right recipes, you can create delicious meals that are also good for your health. Healthy barbecue recipes can help you enjoy flavorful dishes while sticking to your dietary goals.

Whether you are grilling meats, vegetables, or even fruits, there are plenty of ways to make your barbecue both tasty and nutritious. You can impress your family and friends with meals that are not only fun to eat but also packed with essential nutrients.

Grilled Honey Lime Chicken

Grilled honey lime chicken is a tasty and healthy option for your barbecue. The marinade combines honey, lime juice, and spices to give the chicken a delicious flavor.

To start, prepare your marinade. Mix honey, fresh lime juice, garlic, and a pinch of salt. Then, pour this mixture over chicken in a resealable bag. Make sure to seal it well and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or even overnight for best results.

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, about 375°F (190°C). Then, brush the grill grates lightly with olive oil to prevent sticking. Place the marinated chicken on the grill and cook for 5-8 minutes on each side. The internal temperature should reach 160°F (70°C) when done.

Enjoy this flavorful dish with a side salad or grilled vegetables!

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) boneless chicken breasts
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt, to taste
• Olive oil, for grilling

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix honey, lime juice, garlic, and salt in a bowl.
2. Marinate the chicken in the mixture for at least 4 hours.
3. Preheat the grill to 375°F (190°C).
4. Brush grill grates with olive oil.
5. Grill chicken for 5-8 minutes on each side, until cooked through.

2) BBQ Pineapple Shrimp Skewers

BBQ pineapple shrimp skewers are a tasty and healthy option for your next barbecue. These skewers combine sweet pineapple with juicy shrimp, creating a delicious blend of flavors.

To start, you will need shrimp, fresh pineapple, and a simple marinade. This dish is easy to prepare and perfect for summer gatherings.

For grilling, soak wooden skewers in water for about 30 minutes. This prevents them from burning on the grill.

Preheat your grill to a medium temperature of 350°F (175°C). Then, thread the shrimp and pineapple onto the skewers, alternating between the two.

Grill the skewers for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until the shrimp are pink and cooked through.

These BBQ pineapple shrimp skewers make a great appetizer or main dish. Serve them with a side of rice or salad for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 cup fresh pineapple, cubed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes.
2. Preheat the grill to 350°F (175°C).
3. In a bowl, mix shrimp, pineapple, olive oil, lime juice, salt, and pepper.
4. Thread shrimp and pineapple onto skewers.
5. Grill for 2-3 minutes on each side until shrimp are pink and cooked.

3) Spicy Grilled Corn on the Cob

Spicy grilled corn on the cob is a fun and tasty addition to your barbecue. This dish combines fresh corn with bold spices, making it flavorful and exciting. Perfect for summer gatherings!

To start, prepare your corn by husking it and removing all the silk. You can grill it directly on the grate or wrap it in foil for a different texture.

Make a simple spicy butter mixture with softened butter, chili powder, and a pinch of salt. Then, spread this mixture over the corn before grilling.

Cook the corn on a preheated grill at medium heat (about 350-375°F or 175-190°C). Turn it every few minutes until it’s charred and tender, usually in 8 to 10 minutes.

Serve your corn with lime wedges for an extra kick!

Ingredients

• 4 ears of corn
• ½ cup softened butter
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• Salt to taste
• Lime wedges

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the grill to medium heat (350-375°F or 175-190°C).
2. Husk the corn and remove silk.
3. Mix the butter, chili powder, and salt in a bowl.
4. Spread the spicy butter on the corn.
5. Grill the corn, turning every few minutes, for 8 to 10 minutes.
6. Serve with lime wedges.

4) Miso Grilled Vegetables

Miso grilled vegetables are a tasty and healthy choice for your barbecue. Using miso paste adds a rich umami flavor that makes vegetables shine. You can use a mix of your favorites like zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms.

To prepare, toss the veggies in a blend of miso paste, rice wine vinegar, and a little oil. This marinade enhances the taste while keeping everything fresh and vibrant.

Preheat your grill to about 400°F (200°C). Then, grill the vegetables for about 5 to 7 minutes, turning them occasionally. This helps them get those beautiful grill marks and a nice char.

Enjoy these miso grilled veggies as a side dish or in a salad. They are sure to impress your guests!

Ingredients

• 2 cups assorted vegetables (zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms)
• 2 tablespoons white miso paste
• ¼ cup rice wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, whisk together miso paste, rice wine vinegar, and olive oil.
2. Add vegetables and toss until well coated.
3. Preheat grill to 400°F (200°C).
4. Grill vegetables for 5 to 7 minutes, flipping occasionally.
5. Serve warm.

5) Sweet Potato Black Bean Burgers

Sweet potato black bean burgers are a tasty and healthy option for your barbecue. They are packed with flavor and nutrients. Plus, they are easy to make.

Start by cooking sweet potatoes until they’re soft. You can then mash them in a bowl. Mix in black beans, spices, and oats to create a hearty burger patty.

After you shape the mixture into patties, refrigerate them for a little while. This helps them hold together better when you cook them on the grill. Then, bake or grill them until they’re golden and delicious.

These burgers pair well with fresh toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, and vegan barbecue sauce. Enjoy them on a bun or on their own for a healthy meal.

Ingredients

• 2 medium sweet potatoes
• 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup oats
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Salt, to taste
• Optional toppings (lettuce, tomatoes, vegan barbecue sauce)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook sweet potatoes until soft, then mash them.
2. In a bowl, combine mashed sweet potatoes and black beans.
3. Mix in oats, cumin, and salt.
4. Shape the mixture into patties and refrigerate for 2 hours.
5. Grill or bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 15-20 minutes per side.

6) Turmeric-Lemon Grilled Salmon

Turmeric-lemon grilled salmon is a quick and healthy choice for your barbecue. The bright flavors of lemon and the warm notes of turmeric make this dish both tasty and refreshing.

To make this dish, start with fresh salmon fillets. You’ll want to season them with a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, and ground turmeric. Then, let the salmon marinate for about 30 minutes to absorb all those wonderful flavors.

Grill the salmon over medium heat at 350°F (about 180°C) for around 10 minutes. It cooks quickly, so keep an eye on it! The salmon should be flaky and fully cooked through.

Ingredients

• 2 salmon fillets
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix olive oil, lemon juice, sea salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and turmeric.
2. Place salmon in a glass dish and pour the marinade over it.
3. Let it marinate for 30 minutes.
4. Preheat your grill to medium heat (350°F or 180°C).
5. Grill salmon for about 10 minutes, until cooked through.

7) Herb Marinated Tofu Steaks

Herb marinated tofu steaks are a tasty and healthy choice for your barbecue. They soak up flavors from the marinade, making them delicious and satisfying.

First, choose firm tofu for the best texture. You can slice it into thick steaks for grilling. The marinade usually includes olive oil, garlic, and a mix of your favorite herbs.

Let the tofu marinate for at least 30 minutes to absorb the flavors. Then, preheat your grill to medium-high heat, around 375°F (190°C).

Grill the tofu for about 5-7 minutes on each side until you see nice grill marks.

This dish pairs well with fresh salads or grilled veggies, making it a perfect meal for summer gatherings.

Ingredients

• 1 block firm tofu
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh herbs (like basil or thyme)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Slice the tofu into thick steaks.
2. Mix olive oil, garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Marinate the tofu for at least 30 minutes.
4. Preheat the grill to 375°F (190°C).
5. Grill the tofu for 5-7 minutes on each side.

Balsamic Grilled Portobello Mushrooms

Balsamic grilled portobello mushrooms are a tasty and healthy option for your barbecue. They are simple to make and packed with flavor. The marinade of balsamic vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic enhances the rich taste of the mushrooms.

Start by cleaning the mushrooms and removing the stems. You can leave the gills in or scoop them out, depending on your preference. Then, let the mushrooms soak in the marinade for at least 30 minutes.

Grill the portobello mushrooms on medium-high heat for about 5 to 7 minutes on each side. This helps achieve a nice char while keeping them juicy. Serve them as a side dish or on a bun for a delicious vegetarian option.

Ingredients

• 4 large portobello mushrooms
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Clean the mushrooms and remove stems.
2. In a bowl, mix balsamic vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
3. Marinate mushrooms for at least 30 minutes.
4. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (about 375°F or 190°C).
5. Grill mushrooms for 5-7 minutes on each side.
6. Serve warm and enjoy!

9) Avocado Cilantro Lime Grilled Chicken

This Avocado Cilantro Lime Grilled Chicken is a fresh and flavorful dish. It’s perfect for a healthy barbecue dinner. The combination of zesty lime and creamy avocado makes each bite special.

You will start by marinating boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a mix of lime juice, garlic, and fresh cilantro. This will help make the chicken tender and pack it with flavor.

After marinating for a few hours, grill the chicken at 375°F (190°C) until it’s cooked through.

Top it off with a vibrant avocado salsa made with diced avocados, tomatoes, onions, and more lime juice. Enjoy this dish with a side of veggies or a salad.

Ingredients

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 avocado, diced
• 1 tomato, diced
• 1/4 onion, finely chopped

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix lime juice, garlic, and cilantro.
2. Marinate chicken in the mixture for 2-4 hours in the fridge.
3. Preheat grill to 375°F (190°C).
4. Grill chicken until fully cooked.
5. In a separate bowl, combine avocado, tomato, and onion.
6. Serve grilled chicken topped with avocado salsa.

10) Ginger Soy BBQ Tempeh

Ginger Soy BBQ Tempeh is a delicious and healthy option for your barbecue. This recipe combines the rich flavors of ginger and soy sauce to create a tasty marinade that enhances the tempeh.

To prepare, start by slicing the tempeh into strips or cubes. Marinate it in a mix of soy sauce, fresh ginger, garlic, and a touch of maple syrup for sweetness. This helps to infuse the tempeh with flavor while keeping it moist.

Next, you can grill or bake it. If grilling, cook on medium heat (about 350°F or 180°C) for about 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway.

For baking, place on a baking sheet and cook in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 20-25 minutes, until golden brown.

Enjoy your Ginger Soy BBQ Tempeh with a side of grilled vegetables or on a bun as a tasty sandwich.

Ingredients

• 1 block tempeh
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup

Cooking Instructions

1. First, slice tempeh into strips or cubes.
2. Then, mix soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and maple syrup in a bowl.
3. Next, marinate tempeh in the mixture for at least 30 minutes.
4. After that, preheat the grill to medium heat (350°F or 180°C).
5. Grill the tempeh for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway.

OR

1. First, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Then, place the marinated tempeh on a baking sheet.
3. Finally, bake it for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown.