What activities come to mind when you think of a warm weekend afternoon spent with friends? The options often feel endless when the weather is nice, but grilling is likely somewhere on your list.
A staple in many cultures, grilling gives us some of our most memorable meals. While the traditional foods associated with grilling are tried and true, what would happen if we were a little more health conscious about the quality of our plate? Keep reading for grilling methods that will leave you satisfied and healthy!
Veggies
Grilled vegetables aren’t a groundbreaking discovery, but all the different kinds of veggies you can grill may surprise you. Corn on the cob, asparagus, bell peppers and onions are classics, but have you ever tried grilled eggplant, squash, zucchini, artichokes, portabella mushrooms or even cauliflower?
When seasoning your veggies, you may go the traditional route and use seasonings like salt, pepper and garlic powder, but we encourage you to venture outside those spices. You can even use your favorite all-purpose seasoning!
Fruits
The words “fruit” and “grilling” aren’t typically used in the same sentence, but who doesn’t want to combine two great things?
First, pick your fruit — the firmer the better! Some of the best fruits for grilling are peaches, plums, pineapples and watermelons. Next, choose your grilling method: Put the fruit directly on the grill in large chunks, or thread the fruit on a skewer to make fruit kabobs! Either way, be sure to carefully watch your fruit, grilling for about two to four minutes on each side depending on the temperature of your grill.
Once you’ve infused your fruits with that wonderful grilled flavor, you can enjoy the fruit as is or drizzle your choice of yogurt over it!
Protein
Grilling is easily one of the most well-known ways to enhance the natural flavors of proteins, but how can you make it healthy? Usually, fattier proteins taste the best grilled, but they can also be less beneficial to our health. Try opting for healthier proteins, such as fish (e.g., salmon, tilapia, cod), chicken breast, and leaner cuts of beef and pork like top sirloin, tenderloins and ground beef.
Flavor could be a concern with opting for a healthier protein, but the best trick to keep your proteins flavorful and tender is to marinate them! Marinating can be a 30-minute endeavor or done for up to an entire day depending on what protein you’re using. Here’s an example of a quick and tasty chicken fajita marinade. Simply whisk up the following ingredients and marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to two hours:
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil (or oil of your choice)
- 3 cloves of garlic
- 2 tablespoons of lime juice
- 1 teaspoon of cumin
- 2 teaspoons of salt
- 1 teaspoon of chili powder
The tradition of grilling is one that resonates with many, and it should be enjoyed in whatever manner you choose. But with a few tweaks, you have the ability to get the nutrients you need from healthy foods without sacrificing on flavor. Implement some of these techniques on your grilling days, and you’ll feel good about going back for seconds!
by Davon Randolph