14 healthy BBQ recipes

How to make your BBQ healthier

• Fish and vegetables make great BBQ foods to show off your grilling skills and are lower in fat than more traditional options like sausages and burgers.
• Making your own marinades and seasonings will allow you to get the full flavour from your BBQ without the high sugar and salt levels of shop-bought sauces.
• Adding herbs and spices to your barbecue dishes will also help bump up the flavour levels, whilst adding a range of health benefits. They also provide a healthier grill than sauces made with sugars that are more likely to burn and therefore become carcinogenic.

14 healthy BBQ recipes

Aubergine kebabs with charred onion salsa

Try these healthy skewers for an easy BBQ option – simple to put together, quick to cook and easily scaled up or down depending on how many you’re feeding.

Whole tandoori cauliflower with jewelled rice salad

Check out this Indian spiced whole roasted cauliflower with fluffy rice, pomegranate seeds and crunchy pistachios. This flavoursome recipe makes a showstopping veggie dish to serve friends and family at your next BBQ.

Healthy turkey kebabs

Mix turkey mince with feta, lemon and parsley and serve in warm pittas with yogurt and salad for a light, summery take on the classic kebab.

Charred onions with balsamic, walnuts and ricotta

Brush sweet onions in a balsamic honey glaze, bake until tender and serve with dollops of creamy ricotta for an easy veggie side that'll be ideal at a BBQ.

Hole-in-the-wall beef skewers

These kebabs are simple to make and cook fast on a barbecue. Rather than serve them in a wrap, make these a little different, plating them up on a slick of hummus – and then top the meat with a really zesty mix of red onion, sumac and parsley.

Ras el hanout and honey BBQ chicken thighs

Marinade chicken thighs in warming ras el hanout and sweet honey for a fragrant twist on classic BBQ chicken.

BBQ aubergines

This aubergine and pepper muhammara is smoky and sweet, with just a little hint of tang. It makes a highly versatile side dish at a barbecue and is a great way to boost your 5-a-day.

Grilled peas

This recipe is so easy to make and so addictively good, that you’ll want them as a snack as often as you can. The BBQ gives them a lovely chargrilled flavour.

Courgette lollipops

Check out these easy veggie skewers with courgettes soaked in a citrusy sweet marinade with a hint of chilli. Make these quick skewers as a healthier veggie BBQ side.

Fish kebabs

This recipe for spiced fish kebabs with a crunchy pickled vegetable salad is inspired by turmeric fish banh mi. Serve with a pile of sesame-dressed rice noodles or lettuce leaf cups for a light al fresco dinner.

Barbecued squid with charred lemon and caper dressing

This recipe for barbecued squid with charred lemon and caper dressing is really quick and easy to make, but it tastes delicious and looks really impressive. The simple charred lemon and caper dressing works well with the fresh squid in this protein-rich recipe.

Lamb koftas with kale salad

Make your own lamb koftas in minutes then whack on the BBQ and serve with a super-green salad for a delicious low-carb dinner.

Thai-style turkey burgers

Looking for a low-fat alternative to a beef burger? These flavour of these healthy turkey burgers is kicked up a notch with the Thai-inspired addition of ginger and chilli. Serve with salad instead of in a bun to keep them really healthy.

Tender spring onions with charred romesco

This recipe for tender spring onions with charred romesco makes a great vegan alternative for the BBQ.