7 Summer BBQ Recipes For Health-Conscious Party-Goers

Summer is the perfect time to gather friends and family for a backyard BBQ. With fresh produce in abundance, it's easy to create delicious and healthy dishes that everyone will love. Here are eight healthy summer recipes to make your BBQ both tasty and nutritious.

1. Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken

Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1/4 cup olive oil

Juice of 2 lemons

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
2. Marinate the chicken breasts in the mixture for at least 30 minutes.
3. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
4. Grill the chicken for 6-7 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked.
5. Serve hot, garnished with extra rosemary.

2. Quinoa and Veggie Salad

Ingredients

1 cup quinoa, cooked

1 cucumber, diced

1 bell pepper, diced

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped

1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons lemon juice

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine quinoa, cucumber, bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, and red onion.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
3. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
4. Sprinkle with feta cheese before serving.

3. Grilled Veggie Skewers

Ingredients

1 zucchini, sliced into rounds

1 yellow squash, sliced into rounds

1 red bell pepper, cut into chunks

1 red onion, cut into chunks

1/4 cup olive oil

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat the grill to medium heat.
2. Thread the vegetables onto skewers.
3. In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper.
4. Brush the vegetable skewers with the olive oil mixture.
5. Grill for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until the veggies are tender and slightly charred.

4. Watermelon and Feta Salad

Ingredients

4 cups watermelon, cubed

1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled

1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine watermelon, feta cheese, and mint leaves.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper.
3. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
4. Serve immediately for a refreshing side dish.

5. Avocado Corn Salsa

Ingredients

2 avocados, diced

1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)

1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered

1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped

2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped

Juice of 1 lime

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. In a medium bowl, combine avocado, corn, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and cilantro.
2. Drizzle with lime juice and season with salt and pepper.
3. Gently toss to combine.
4. Serve with whole-grain tortilla chips or as a topping for grilled meats.

6. Grilled Shrimp with Mango Salsa

Ingredients

1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon paprika

Salt and pepper to taste

1 mango, diced

1/2 red bell pepper, diced

1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped

1 jalapeño, seeded and minced

Juice of 1 lime

2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions

1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
2. In a bowl, toss shrimp with olive oil, paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Grill shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side, until pink and opaque.
4. In another bowl, combine mango, bell pepper, red onion, jalapeño, lime juice, and cilantro.
5. Serve the grilled shrimp topped with mango salsa.

7. Berry Boost Collagen Pops

Ingredients

1 cup mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries)

1 cup plain Greek yogurt (or dairy-free yogurt alternative)

1-2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup (optional)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

2 tablespoons Primal Collagen powder

1/2 cup almond milk or any milk of your choice

Instructions

8. Blend berries until smooth.
9. Mix yogurt, sweetener, vanilla, collagen powder, and almond milk. Fold in blended berries.
10. Pour mixture into popsicle molds and insert sticks.
11. Freeze for 4-6 hours until solid.
12. Unmold and enjoy!