5 Light recipes for a healthier barbecue! (2024)

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5 Light recipes for a healthier barbecue! (1)

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Since Memorial Day kicks off summer, start your season right with a healthy, yet delicious, holiday menu! Skip the burgers and hot dogs and serve up roasted corn and veggie salsa, skinny chicken kabobs and a pistachio ice cream so good you’ll swear it’s full fat. With a menu this good, you’ll have all your neighbors and fellow barbecuers tossing out their patties and coming to eat with you!

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5 Light recipes for a healthier barbecue! (4)

Start your summer off right (and still fitting into that teeny bikini) with this skinny menu, full of low-fat proteins, low-calorie cheeses and even a skinny co*cktail made with light vodka! Plus, each recipe uses healthy, seasonal ingredients for an even fresher, more delicious end result.

Related storyGiada De Laurentiis' New Pesto Recipe Swaps Pasta for Avocado

Roasted corn and jalapeño salsa

Recipe adapted from All You

Serves about 7-8 people

Ingredients:

  • 2 ears corn, shucked
  • 2 jalapeños
  • 6 small yellow cherry tomatoes, chopped
  • 1/2 red onion, chopped
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1-1/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 2 basil leaves, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Preheat grill to 450-600 degrees F. Place corn and jalapeños on a broiling pan set about four to six inches from heat. Cook, turning corn frequently, until kernels are soft and jalapeños are lightly browned, about 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. Once corn has cooled, scrape kennels off and place in a medium size bowl. Once jalapeños have cooled, slice and remove seeds. Place in the same bowl as the corn.
  2. Add tomatoes, red onion, olive oil, vinegar, chopped basil leaves and salt and pepper. Mix to combine. Serve with whole grain chips and enjoy!

5 Light recipes for a healthier barbecue! (6)

Chickpea and beet summer salad

Serves 4

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups canned chickpeas, rinsed
  • 14 ounce can red beets, drained and chopped
  • 2 stalks celery, with leaves, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 2 tablespoons lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup chopped summer squash
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Sliced lemon for garnish

For the directions on how to make this, check out the recipe here on SheKnows >>

5 Light recipes for a healthier barbecue! (7)

Spicy mustard marinated chicken kabobs

Serves 4

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
  • 1/2 red bell pepper, cut into chunks
  • 1/2 yellow bell pepper, cut into chunks
  • 4 plum tomatoes, cut into chunks

1/2 red onion, cut into thick slices

  • 8 ounces mustard marinade (like this kind)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Wooden skewers

Directions:

  1. Place three-quarters of the marinade in a medium bowl. Place chicken in, mix so chicken is fully covered and cover with plastic wrap. Let chicken marinate for at least three hours, or overnight. In a freezer bag, add the rest of the marinade. Add chopped peppers and let marinate for at least an hour.
  2. Once chicken has marinated, preheat grill to medium-high heat. Remove chicken from the marinade and thread onto the skewers, interchanging with peppers, tomatoes and red onion. Sprinkle each kabob with salt and pepper.
  3. Grill kabobs with the grill lid on for at least 10 to 12 minutes, or until chicken is fully cooked and vegetables are soft. Serve with rice and enjoy!

5 Light recipes for a healthier barbecue! (8)

Low-fat pistachio gelato

Yields about 6 -7 (1/2 cup) servings

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup 1% low-fat milk
  • 3/4 cup white sugar
  • Dash of sea salt
  • 2 cups light cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 package light pistachio-flavored pudding
  • 3 tablespoons finely chopped pistachios

For the directions and more about this creamy, light gelato, check out the recipe here on SheKnows! >>

Drunken pink lemonade

Recipe and photo provided by Voli light vodka

Serves 4

Ingredients:

  • 8 ounces Voli lemon vodka
  • 4 ounces lemon juice
  • 3-2/3 ounces simple syrup (try this recipe)
  • Splash of club soda (in each drink)

5 Light recipes for a healthier barbecue! (9)

  • Splash of diet cranberry juice (in each drink)
  • Ice

Directions:

  1. Combine vodka, lemon juice and simple syrup in a chilled blender with a lid filled halfway with ice. Shake vigorously. Pour mixture into 4 tall glasses filled halfway with ice.
  2. Add a splash of club soda and diet cranberry juice to each glass and mix lightly. Garnish with slices of fresh lemon and enjoy!

More Memorial Day recipes

Memorial Day backyard BBQ recipes
Memorial Day desserts
Memorial Day party guide

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