But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a good ol’ American cookout. To up the health-factor of your next backyard bash—without ditching your favorite grilled mains—try some of these healthy side dish recipes. They’re all packed with health-protective nutrients and will keep you satiated all afternoon (even after a dip in the pool!). Plus, they’re far more flavorful than those mayo-smothered salads—promise. (Find out how to stop the craving cycle before it starts and burn fat around the clock with the naturally sweet, salty, and satisfying meals in Eat Clean, Lose Weight & Love Every Bite.)
Watermelon Salad
Nothing elevates a summer barbecue quite like a mouthwatering side of watermelon. This 10-minute recipe has just 146 calories per serving and is packed with vitamin A and lycopene, a cancer-protecting carotenoid that gives watermelons their red hue. Meanwhile, the feta cheese and olive oil lend the dish a fresh Mediterranean flavor. Get the full recipe here! PREVENTION PREMIUM: Yet One More Reason To Follow The Mediterranean Diet
Black Bean & Tomato Salsa
The black beans in this delicious salsa are packed with fiber, which binds to cholesterol in the digestive system and removes it from the body. Tomatoes, like watermelon, are a rich source of lycopene, and they’re also rich in vitamin C, which is essential for strong hair and healthy skin. To pack even more nutrition into this healthy side dish, pair it with crunchy vegetables (think: red bell peppers, cucumbers, and celery) instead of salty tortilla chips. (Looking for even more dip ideas? Don’t miss these 14 guilt-free chip and dip recipes.) Get the full recipe here! Here’s how to properly slice and store tomatoes:
Grilled Jalapeno Tuna Bruschetta
Add some crunch to your next BBQ—without breaking out the chip bowl—with this light bruschetta recipe. Grilling the bread gives it a desirable toasty texture, the crisp celery, onion, and chile peppers offer mouthwatering flavor, while the tuna provides omega-3 fatty acids, which contribute to heart and brain health. (Psst! Don’t miss these 5 other festive finger foods to serve at your next party.) Get the full recipe here! MORE: 5 Things You Need To Know Before You Buy Tuna
Apricot Grilled Shrimp
Grilled shrimp is brightened with apricot preserves in this fruity, summery recipe. The unique blend of preserves, soy sauce, garlic, and fresh ginger (which has compounds that aid digestion and lower inflammation) creates a sweet and savory flavor palette that pairs perfectly with your favorite BBQ staples. Like other meats, shrimp is rich in protein, which takes longer to digest than fats or sugars—so it will help you stay satiated until your next meal. (Before you make this dish, be sure to read up on these 7 things you need to know before you buy shrimp.) Get the full recipe here!
Cucumber Salad with Grilled Steak Skewers
Have an appetite for beef? These bite-sized skewers served with cucumber ribbons and an Asian-inspired sauce provide an ideal way to savor it without overindulging. Red meats like skirt steak contain all the amino acids your body needs, which are crucial for building muscles and tissue, and may even prevent skin conditions like acne. However, some red meats are high in saturated fat, which may contribute to heart disease risk when eaten in excess. With only 102 calories per serving, this healthy side dish is a smart way to bring red meat—and some international flavor—to your next barbecue. Get the full recipe here! MORE: 5 Creative Recipes For Meat-Free Grilling
Mesquite-Barbecued Corn on the Cob
Corn topped with salt and butter is, well, sort of boring. To spice up the classic summertime staple, this recipe calls for sizzling flavors like mesquite and scallions. The final product not only has loads of flavor, but it also serves up lutein and zeaxanthin, two phytochemicals that accumulate in the eye to filter out damaging blue light. (For even more tasty ways to enjoy the yellow veggie this summer, don’t miss these 12 crazy-good fresh corn recipes.) Get the full recipe here!
Portobello Caps Stuffed with Chile Polenta and Cheese
Love the flavor of meat, but trying to cut back and eat more veggies? This is about to become your new favorite side dish. Grilled Portobello mushrooms offer the same umami (aka savory) flavor as meat, and are simply irresistible topped with mozzarella, provolone, polenta, and garlic. This dish is also a low-calorie source of potassium, phosphorus (important for bone strength), and B vitamins, niacin and folate (important for nervous system function), making it a must-try.
Tangy Red Cabbage and Apples
This recipe gives cabbage, apples, and onion a surprising flavor twist with sweet brown sugar and cinnamon—and it’s super healthy, too. Apples really can keep the doctor away with their high levels of antioxidants, including quercetin, which can reduce neurological cell death caused by inflammation, according to a study in the journal Experiment Biology and Medicine. Meanwhile, cabbage is a rich source of vitamin C and vitamin K, both important for healthy bones. Get the full recipe here! MORE: 6 Dangerous Food Prep Mistakes That Make You Sick
Corn and Tomato Salad
Many store-bought salad dressings are packed with added sugars, which is why this recipe calls for a homemade one made with olive oil, lime juice, and cumin. Mmm! This salad also borrows flavor from onions, which have a myriad of nutrients, including vitamins A, B6, C, and E, and minerals such as potassium and iron. Get the full recipe here! MORE: 6 Delicious Salad Dressings With 4 Ingredients Or Less
