The weather’s hot, and you’re feeling lazy. But you feel guilty if you get takeout a few times a week, knowing you can feed your loved ones healthier, more delicious food, all for a lower price tag as well!
However, it may be understandably too hot to turn on the oven or even operate the stove. To help you out, here are 7 healthy and delicious grill recipes you can cook for your family this summer.
1. Grilled Chicken, California Style
Chicken is always a good meat to have when you’re eating healthy, especially when it’s the breast. Not only can you do a lot with it, but it barely has any fat, which means this meat hardly has anything fatty in it.
Ingredients
You’ll need 3/4 cups balsamic vinegar, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 2 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, some salt, and black pepper.
To put together the dish, you’ll need 4 chicken breasts, 4 slices avocado, 4 slices mozzarella, 4 slices tomato, and 2 tablespoons basil (garnish) and balsamic glaze.
Method
Get a small bowl and whisk everything from the first paragraph of ingredients together. Marinate your chicken breasts in it for at least 20 minutes. The longer you marinate, the more flavor they’ll have.
Once you’re done marinating, put your grill on medium-high. Grill the chicken for about 8 minutes per side. Then, put the ingredients from the second paragraph onto the chicken, cover the grill, and cook for 2 minutes.
Garnish with the basil and balsamic glaze.
2. Grilled Tilapia
Tilapia is an excellent fish for those who don’t like seafood since it doesn’t really have a taste. This recipe is sure to win everyone over.
Ingredients
The ingredients are 4 tilapia fillets, 2 tablespoons honey, 2 ears corn (shucked), 2 tablespoons cilantro, 1/4 cup olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Method
Preheat your grill to high and prepare 4 foil boats for the tilapia fillets. Place each one on the foil and brush them with the honey. Then, add the rest of the ingredients on top.
You’ll need to grill the tilapia fillets for about 15 minutes. Keep an eye on them to make sure you don’t take them out too early or that they don’t burn.
3. Grilled Zucchini
If you have any vegetarians coming over for dinner, this can be a nice dish to prepare for them. It can also be a good way to get your daily greens in.
Ingredients
You need 2 zucchinis (sliced), 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest, 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, and basil leaves (torn).
Method
Put your grill on medium-high. Mix together the zucchinis with all the ingredients (except red pepper flakes and basil). Place the zucchini slices onto the grill and cover it. After 3 minutes, open the grill, flip the slices, and cook for another 3 minutes.
When done, remove from the grill and garnish with the basil and red pepper flakes.
4. Foil Packet Steak
Love to eat steak? Then here’s a better way to indulge!
Ingredients
You’ll need a steak (thin strips), 1/4 cup soy sauce, 3 cloves garlic (minced), 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, a handful of green beans (trimmed), and 1 tablespoon cilantro (chopped).
Method
Combine the soy sauce, garlic, sesame seeds, and sesame oil. Reserve 1 tablespoon and marinate the steak strips in the rest of the sauce. Toss the green beans in the reserved sauce and marinate both for at least 30 minutes.
Preheat your grill and prepare 2 large pieces of foil. Put the steak strips on 1 piece, the green beans on top, and cover the entire thing with the second piece of foil. Get a tight seal by folding it over the first piece.
Grill the packet for 4 minutes on each side. Once you take it off the grill, pierce it with your fork so the steam’s let out. Then, open the packet and garnish with the cilantro.
5. Grilled Cabbage Steaks
This may sound like one for the vegetarians, but in fact, it’s for people who eat meat! However, this is a healthier grill recipe that ensures you get your daily greens.
Ingredients
You’ll need a head of cabbage (cut into steak sizes), olive oil, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. For the toppings, you’ll need crumbled bacon, crumbled blue cheese, chopped green onions, and ranch dressing.
Method
Put your grill on medium-high heat and brush your cabbage “steaks” with olive oil. Then, season it with the ingredients listed above. You’ll want to grill each steak for around 5 minutes per side.
After you’re done grilling, add the toppings and serve.
6. Caprese Pizza
Who says pizza has to be nasty and greasy? You can easily make a tasty but healthy pizza for your family at home!
Ingredients
For a quick pizza, grab some pizza dough, 1/2 cup marinara sauce, 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/2 of a large tomato (sliced), and julienned basil.
Instructions
Follow the instructions on your store-bought pizza dough to grill it to perfection. Then, pull it out and put all of the ingredients on it, except for the basil.
Put the pizza back onto the grill on low. Take the pizza out when the cheese is nice and melted. Finish it off by garnishing with the julienned basil.
If you’re interested in using pizza stones, read more here about which ones are best to use with your grill.
7. Grilled Salmon
This is another simple recipe that tastes great, is impressive, and isn’t bad for you either. For seafood lovers, this is a great way to indulge without sacrifice.
Ingredients
You need 4 salmon fillets, 4 tablespoons butter, salt, pepper, 1/2 cup lime juice, 1/4 cup honey, 2 garlic cloves (minced), and 2 tablespoons cilantro (chopped).
Method
Season your salmon fillets with the salt and pepper, then grill them, flesh side down first. Flip them after 8 minutes, then cook for another 6 on the other side.
As you let your fillets rest, make the sauce in a saucepan. Add together all the rest of the ingredients (except for the cilantro) over medium heat. The sauce is done when the butter is completely melted and everything is well mixed.
Take the sauce off the heat and add the cilantro. Stir and pour over the fillets, and serve.
Escape the Heat with These Grill Recipes
By using these grill recipes, you won’t have to suffer in the sauna you call a kitchen. Instead, bust out your grill, and have a few nice cookouts in the backyard. Use it as an excuse to spend some quality time with your family and friends!
If you’re all about being healthy, then check out our article on the best diet plans!
