Favorite Healthy CookOut Recipes
As soon as the weather warms up, we eat all of our meals outside as much a possible! And with the heat, our desire to cook inside (especially to use the oven) decreases significantly. If you're not aware, my husband and I recently started up our Weight Watchers (WW) journey again, so we are focused on heathier choices that are low in points, but don't taste like health food. In honor of the upcoming holiday cookout weekend, I put together a list of our tried and true and most favorite cookout recipes that will please the entire crowd! Your health minded guests will be thrilled, and all of the others will have no idea their plates are filled with good-for-you grub!
Entrees
Shrimp Rolls
serves 4
This is hands down, my husbands #1 absolute favorite recipe, summer or not! The fresh lemon juice and tarragon make these shrimp rolls extra special, and no one will guess they're lightened up with yogurt!
Ingredients
4 C cooked shrimp, chopped (I usually cook my shrimp in a skillet, but the char of grilling them would be amazing!)
1/4 C light mayonnaise
1/4 C plain nonfat yogurt
1 T lemon Juice
1 T chopped fresh tarragon
4 hot dog rolls, toasted *if tracking points, light hotdog buns are only 2 points each!
Directions
Mix together the shrimp through tarragon and divide between the 4 rolls.
Grilled Chicken with Corn and Basil
serves 4
This is not a recipe I created, but we make this all summer long!
Ingredients
1 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
3 fresh ears of sweet corn
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
⅓ plain nonfat yogurt
low fat milk or almond milk
¼ cup shredded fresh basil
Directions
In small bowl combine olive oil and paprika. Brush corn and chicken with oil mixture. Season with salt and pepper. Grill directly over medium heat for 12 to 15 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink (170 degrees F), turning once.
Carefully cut kernels from cob by firmly holding the corn at the top (using a kitchen towel to grip, if necessary) and slicing downward with a sharp knife. Transfer to bowl; stir in yogurt. Season with additional salt and pepper. Stir in milk to desired creaminess. Slice chicken breasts. Serve with corn; sprinkle shredded basil.
adapted from a recipe by Better Homes and Gardens
BURGERs And Dogs
Looking to go traditional at your next backyard BBQ? Here are lightened up versions of your favorite classics that will satisfy your craving and still leave you points for dessert!
Laura's Lean Beef 96% fat free. 4 oz burgers are only 2 points!
Hebrew National 97% fat free hot dogs - only 1 point each!
Applegate Naturals Turkey Dogs - 2 points each!
If you want the absolute best lightened up burger you've ever tasted, check out Lite Cravings Animal-Style Burgers. Her skinny special sauce is to die for!
SIDES
Apple Slaw
makes 4 cups
This would make a perfect side for the shrimp rolls or a delicious topping for your grilled hotdog! Sweet and tangy, this is our go-to slaw for any cookout!
For the slaw:
2 apples, julienned
2 cups cabbage, finely shredded
1 carrot, julienned
2 green onions, sliced thinly
For the creamy maple dijon dressing:
3 tablespoons plain non fat Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons maple syrup
2 teaspoons dijon mustard
1 small clove garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste
directions
Mix the apples, cabbage, carrot and green onions and toss in the mixture of the yogurt, cider vinegar, maple syrup, dijon mustard, garlic, salt and pepper.
recipe from Closet Cooking
Potato, Tomato, and Corn Salad
serves 4
If potato salad is one of your favorite cookout sides, you have to try this version! Jam packed with flavor and non of the heavy calories, this will be a major winner with your guests!
Ingredients
12 ounces small baby potatoes, halved
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 cup fresh corn kernels (about 2 ears)
1 ½ teaspoons thinly sliced garlic
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 cup halved grape tomatoes
⅓ cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 ounce fresh Parmesan cheese, shaved (about 1/4 cup)
Directions
Place potatoes in a medium saucepan; cover with water. Bring to a boil. Cook 10 minutes or until tender; drain.
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add corn and next 3 ingredients (through pepper) to pan; sauté 2 minutes. Add potatoes and tomatoes to pan; cook 1 minute. Top with cilantro and cheese.
adapted from Cooking Light
Watermelon Blueberry Salad
serves 12
I made this for a 4th of July picnic years ago, and now it is mandatory at every future cookout! While watermelon and blueberries are sweet enough on their own, the addition of mint simple syrup makes this fruit salad so extra special!
Ingredients
1/4 C granulated sugar
1/4 C water
3 mint sprigs
zest and juice of 1 lemon
pinch of salt
4 C blueberries
6 C cubed watermelon
Directions
Bring sugar and water to a simmer in a saucepan. Remove from the heat, add mint sprigs and steep 10 minutes. Discard the mint; add the zest and juice of 1 lemon and a pinch of salt. Toss with blueberries and watermelon. Let stand 15 minutes. Top with chopped mint.
Adapted from Food Network Magazine
Desserts
Lemon Berry Cobbler Cake
serves 14-18
A recipe all my own, this is our new favorite go-to for summer entertaining! Yes, it requires the use of an oven - but trust me - it's worth it!!!
Sweet and gooey and loaded with flavor, you can find this delicious and easy recipe here!
Apple Pie Wontons
makes 14-16 wontons
This is a brand new recipe I developed this week and we can't stop eating them! They are way faster to make and lighter than a traditional apple pie! The crispy, flaky wontons are the perfect paired with the soft, caramelized apple filling. You can use any fruit you'd like, but nothing says "good ol' American summer" like an apple pie! If you're tracking WW blue points like us, you can have THREE of these for 1 point!!!
Ingredients
2 apples, cored and diced - I used pink lady apples
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
wonton wrappers (square or round works) - if you're keep tracking of WW points, Nasoya brand is 3 wrappers for 1 point!
fat free whip cream, optional but delicious
Directions
Sauté your diced apples in a skillet over medium heat until apples soften and caramelize a bit. You can add a bit of water to the pan to help soften the apples more quickly. Add in cinnamon and ginger.
Scoop one tablespoon of apple filling into the center of each wonton. Dip your finger into water and trace the outline of your wrapper with your wet finger. Fold as desired:
Fold Over
Purse
Place wontons into air fryer and cook at 375F for 1-2 minutes or until wontons bubble and brown. You can also bake them if you do not have an air fryer. Here is the air fryer we have and LOVE!
Top with whipped cream if desired and enjoy!
Beverages
Find the most delicious infused water ideas here! No one will miss the sugary drinks with these flavor-packed recipes!
Is your mouth watering yet? I hope you find some inspiration here for your next cookout or even just a week night meal! If you try a recipe, let me know! I love hearing from you and getting your feedback! Don't forget to subscribe at the bottom of the page so you never miss an opportunity to be inspired! And make sure to follow along on Instagram for extra recipes, healthy tips, and entertaining ideas all year long!
xoxo, L
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