40 Healthy Summer Recipes That You'll Make Over & Over On Your Grill (2024)

Keto, low-carb, vegan, and vegetarian options get the grill treatment.

By Camille Lowder
40 Healthy Summer Recipes That You'll Make Over & Over On Your Grill (1)

Summer is full of so many of our favorite (and coincidentally, pretty healthy!) eating activities: farmers' markets packed with produce, picnics at the beach and park, and grilling as many things as we can get our hands on, with a big emphasis on the grilling. To fuel up for the season, you can catch us grilling as many of these healthy dinners as possible to really celebrate all the best parts of summer. We know health looks different to different people, so we’ve included options for every diet, like low-carb, vegan, pescatarian, or gluten-free. Check out our 40 healthy grilling recipes—these ideas will keep you going, so you can enjoy your summer to the fullest.

When it comes to eating healthier during the summer, there’s no easier way than to look to summer produce. Trust us, even the vegetables you or your family thinks they hate (we see you mushrooms or Brussels sprouts) taste better with a little char from the grill. Truly, you can put any vegetable on the grill—try everything from basics like grilled zucchini and corn on the cob to Mediterranean grilled eggplant and grilled green tomatoes. You could just eat your vegetables plain, straight from the grill, but we recommend jazzing them up a bit. Add nuts, seeds, cheese, or whatever you like. Check out our Thai-inspired grilled cauliflower steaks, our grilled artichokes with pistachio-yogurt sauce, or our grilled carrots with ricotta and chimichurri for ideas.

Another one of our favorite ways to keep things “healthier” during the summer is to change up how we’re eating some of our fave dishes. Missing carbs, for example? Stick all your faves on grill skewers, like our Buffalo cauliflower kebabs (everything you love about Buffalo chicken, but vegetarian), our banh mi kebabs (flavorful meat without the bread), or our tomato gnocchi kebabs (like a bowl of pasta, but portion-controlled).

Want more healthy summer inspiration? Check out our summer salads and healthy summer recipes too.

1

Tomato Gnocchi Kebabs

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Sure, gnocchi is amazing served in a bowl with a sauce, but have you ever had nicely browned gnocchi taken straight off the grill?The gnocchi paired with blistered grilled tomatoes and tender red onion make for a perfect summer dinner or side dish.

Get the Tomato Gnocchi Kebabs recipe.

2

Cheeseburger Cabbage Wraps

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We're BIG fans of low-carb burgers. (Hellooo, bunless burger bites.) We love how sturdy cabbage is as a bun replacement—just make sure you buy a large cabbage so your leaves are big enough to wrap around the entire burger. Then you can make bacon wrapped cabbage with the core!

Get the Cheeseburger Cabbage Wraps recipe.

3

Peach Balsamic Grilled Chicken

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Grilling fruit will bring out its juicy sweetness, and while you can always go the sweet route with your grilled peaches, they're just as good paired with this sweet and tangy balsamic chicken.

Get the Peach Balsamic Grilled Chicken recipe.

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4

Honey Lime Grilled Corn

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Nothing says summertime like the smell of corn on the grill. It also happens to be the easiest side you’ll make all season. For this recipe, juicy ears of corn get some char on a hot grill, then get brushed with an irresistible honey-lime butter that you'll want to put on everything.

Get the Honey Lime Grilled Corn recipe.

5

Bánh Mì Kebabs

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A classic bánh mì is one of the world's great sandwiches. An ideal way to get that classic bánh mì taste, without the bread? With these kebabs! Par-cooked carrots and slightly sweet daikon grill up nicely with thick pieces of pork chop. And they're perfectly matched with a straightforward combo of fish sauce, soy sauce, and honey.

Get the Bánh Mì Kebabs recipe.

6

Grilled Honey-Chipotle Salmon Foil Packets

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Grilling fish can be intimidating, but with foil packs, there's no need to stress. Rather than worry about the fish sticking to the grates or flipping the flaky flesh, you'll fold the salmon up in tin foil instead. It's not just fish inside, either—there's a medley of zucchini and yellow summer squash with a smoky honey-chipotle sauce.

Get the Grilled Honey-Chipotle Salmon Foil Packets recipe.

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7

Grilled Green Beans

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If you're cooking over an actual grill, place a heavy duty piece of foil over the grates before adding the green beans. It'll prevent all the veg from falling through the cracks. Not a fan of peanuts? Use any crushed nuts or seeds here for crunch!

Get the Grilled Green Beans recipe.

8

Caprese Chicken Foil Packs

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This recipe combines three things we love—Caprese, chicken, and foil packets—for a SUPER-easy and bright chicken dinner that only takes about 30 minutes to make. Whether you're throwing a BBQ or having a chill family meal, everyone will love them!

Get the Caprese Chicken Foil Packs recipe.

9

Buffalo Cauliflower Kebabs

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We here at Delish know the value of adding spicy Buffalo sauce to cauliflower (see our Buffalo cauliflower wings), but we never thought to grill the cauli up… until now. These Buffalo cauliflower kebabs put all your favorite flavors from classic Buffalo wings onto skewers–and they're vegetarian to boot!

Get the Buffalo Cauliflower Kebabs recipe.

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10

Grilled Carrots

As with most root veggies, carrots take awhile to cook through, meaning they've got to be tended to and turned frequently to get tender on the grill. The good news is that your hard work will be rewarded; the carrot's natural sweetness comes out during cooking, a complementary foil to the smoky char achieved on the grill. We love serving this veggie side atop creamy ricotta, with a punchy carrot top-based chimichurri sauce for some brightness.

Get the Grilled Carrots recipe.

11

Turkey Burgers

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We obviously love ours as is, but there are a few swaps you can make that we totally support! Don't have Worcestershire? Use soy sauce or even liquid smoke. Add some finely chopped shallots in with your garlic or swap out the parsley for any herbs you have on hand or make your own Cajun seasoning to use in it. This burger is flexible.

Get the Turkey Burger recipe.

12

BBQ Tempeh Sandwiches

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The grill adds subtle, almost bacon-like smoky flavor to these tempeh steaks, but there's no meat in sight. Add a cooling, creamy coleslaw and a toasted buttered bun for the perfect meatless sandwich.

Get the BBQ Tempeh Sandwiches recipe.

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13

Bruschetta Grilled Chicken

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This bruschetta-inspired grilled chicken is one of our favorite ways to celebrate fresh summer flavors. Make it for dinner this grilling season, then again and again all season long.

Get the Bruschetta Grilled Chicken recipe.

14

Grilled Artichoke

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Artichokes are the roses of the vegetable kingdom. Their beautiful look and subtle flavors are well worth the work, especially if you're cooking to impress. We're pairing the smoky flavors of the grill here with a cool, green pistachio-yogurt cream and adding a little bit of spice and crunch with fried garlic chips and a pistachio-sesame topping.

Get the Grilled Artichoke recipe.

15

Thai-Inspired Grilled Cauliflower Steaks

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We found the perfect funky balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy in this Thai-inspired sauce to blanket your cauliflower steaks. Try the sauce and, if needed, balance it out to your taste with brown sugar for more sweetness, red pepper flakes for more heat, lime juice for more pucker, and salt.

Get the Thai-Inspired Grilled Cauliflower Steaks recipe.

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16

Mahi Mahi Tacos

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Being a meaty, tender fish, mahi mahi stands up well to the grill and is even better when marinated. You could use a traditional citrus-oil mixture, or do like we did and go with a mayo-based marinade that adds some richness and a ton of flavor. Throw the fish on a tortilla with some spicy pineapple-jalapeño salsa, and you'll have an amazing summer taco night.

Get the Mahi Mahi Tacos recipe.

17

Balsamic Grilled Mushrooms

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Mushrooms can get sidelined at a BBQ as a lame side dish, but when tossed in a balsamic-soy glaze, they'll get ALL the attention.

Get the Balsamic Grilled Mushrooms recipe.

18

Honey Mustard Chicken, Tomato & Zucchini Foil Packs

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Smothered in sweet honey-mustard sauce, these chicken breasts are grilled to perfection, staying super-tender and juicy by cooking inside foil packets. If you're looking for the easiest weeknight dinner ready in under an hour, this veggie-packed chicken dish is the crowd-pleaser your family will love this summer.

Get the .

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19

Grilled Steak Salad

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This salad is simple enough for a weeknight but worthy of planning a get-together around, thanks to its star ingredient—ribeye steak. You’ll grill it (and red onions), then combine it with cherry tomatoes, blue cheese, basil, and a drizzle of tangy balsamic dressing, turning it into the kind of impressive-but-secretly-easy dish you’ll be making all the time.

Get the Grilled Steak Salad recipe.

20

Grilled Asparagus

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Few veggies grill up as nicely as asparagus. Thin stalks get crispy while thicker ones get tender. Finish with a bit of lemon or Parm, and you'll have the perfect summer side dish in under 5 minutes.

Get the Grilled Asparagus recipe.

40 Healthy Summer Recipes That You'll Make Over & Over On Your Grill (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest grill option? ›

And that is a big plus, because research has shown that grilling with gas is thought to be safer than grilling over charcoal, according to Healthline. There is less smoke and heat with gas grilling – two things that can spur the creation of those cancer-causing compounds.

How do you eat healthy on the grill? ›

10 Tips for Healthy Grilling
  1. Choose a healthy protein. Chicken. ...
  2. Right size your portions. ...
  3. Season with no-sodium marinades or rubs. ...
  4. Add color — lots of color. ...
  5. Trim fat and moderate grill temperature. ...
  6. Watch for hidden added sugars and sodium. ...
  7. Choose healthier sides. ...
  8. Pair with whole grains.
Oct 26, 2023

What are 4 foods that can be grilled? ›

Grill-Worthy Veggies
  • Sweet peppers (6-8 minutes each side)
  • Onions (5-7 minutes each side)
  • Zucchini and other summer squash (5 minutes each side)
  • Corn (25 minutes)
  • Portabella mushrooms (7-10 minutes per side)
  • Romaine lettuce hearts (3 minutes per side)
Jun 26, 2022

Which grill is healthier charcoal or gas? ›

When it comes to your health and the planet's health, however, propane is the clear winner. It all boils down to carcinogens that end up in your food and the fact that charcoal tends to be dirtier, and that propane's carbon footprint is much smaller carbon.

Is grilling on a gas grill healthy? ›

Gas or electric grills may pose a lower risk of introducing carcinogens in foods than charcoal grills. Charcoal itself is not a carcinogen, but cooking with charcoal has been linked to two types of cancer risks.

What is the healthiest BBQ meat? ›

Choose a lean protein.

"You're going to get a whole lot less fat and cholesterol with turkey or chicken than pork." If it's available, grilled, skinless chicken breast beats out barbecued chicken, because the fat content is lower when you lose the skin, plus there's no added sugar from barbecue sauce.

Is it healthier to grill chicken? ›

When creating a healthy diet plan, grilled chicken is almost always a staple. This is because grilled chicken is lean and contains far less fat and calories than other types of meat. Eating it regularly can help you lose weight, especially when you swap it out for fattier meats like beef or pork.

What is the healthiest outdoor cooking method? ›

Nutrient Retention: Grilling is a gentle cooking method that exposes food to less heat than frying or roasting. This helps retain more nutrients and antioxidants in your food, making your grilled dishes tasty and healthier. Reduced Fat Consumption: When you grill, the fat drips off the food as it cooks.

What are the best foods to cook on the grill? ›

There are many foods that can be cooked on an outdoor grill, from meat to vegetables to fruits. Some delicious and easy foods to cook on a grill include steak, chicken, burgers, hot dogs, and sausages. These meats provide a juicy and flavorful taste, and grill marks give them a unique texture that many people love.

What are 3 rules for using the grill? ›

Learn how you can help keep your home and family safe by following our grill safety tips.
  • Only use grills outside. ...
  • Place your grill away from your home. ...
  • Make sure your grill is located on a flat, level surface. ...
  • Check your grill for leaks. ...
  • Always clean your grill after use.

Is food off the grill healthy? ›

In addition, the higher heat levels used in grilling are more likely to cause more vitamins and minerals to leach out into the food, improving its nutritional value and giving you added nutrients that aren't available through other cooking methods like boiling or baking.

What foods should not be grilled? ›

Be sure to steer clear of these 7 grilling mistakes you didn't know you were making as well.
  1. Pork chops. Raw pork chops on a cutting board (Image credit: Shutterstock) ...
  2. Delicate fish. Flaky fish (Image credit: Shutterstock) ...
  3. Bacon. ...
  4. Peeled shrimp. ...
  5. Tofu. ...
  6. Leafy greens. ...
  7. Tomatoes. ...
  8. Foods that you can cook on a grill.
Apr 23, 2023

What can I grill besides burgers? ›

What Can You Cook On A Grill Besides Hamburgers
  • Avocado. Say hello to your new way to enjoy avocado – grilled to perfection. ...
  • Grilled Cheese. Let's say you're craving a grilled cheese sandwich. ...
  • Fajitas. ...
  • Tomatoes. ...
  • Scallops. ...
  • Watermelon. ...
  • Clams (with spiced paprika butter) ...
  • co*cktails.

What is the most popular item to grill? ›

Best Grilling Meats
  • Burgers and Steaks. Burgers and steaks are staples of any backyard bbq. ...
  • Chicken Legs. You can't go wrong with bbq chicken legs. ...
  • Ribs. Killer ribs are smoky, juicy, sweet, and fall-off-the-bone tender. ...
  • Pork Butts. ...
  • Pork Sausages. ...
  • Kabobs. ...
  • Brisket. ...
  • Hot Dogs.
Jun 3, 2023

Is grilling a healthy cooking method? ›

The high heat and direct contact with your grill can make foods crispy on the outside while keeping them moist inside – all while adding a smoky flavor to your meal. Research has found that grilling may reduce your risk for many chronic diseases, including heart disease, certain cancers, and type 2 diabetes.

Is grilling the healthiest way to cook meat? ›

Grilling meat is generally considered a healthy cooking method, as it allows excess fat to drip away from the meat and can result in a lower calorie, lower fat meal.

Is grilling a healthy way to cook food? ›

Grilling can also help lower your calorie intake and may even help with weight loss. While grilling does not remove all the fat from meats, it causes the excess fat to melt and drip off the racks. Other cooking methods allow the meat to cook in its own fat, which can be reabsorbed.

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