5 Healthy Sides to Make You the Hit of the BBQ

July 19, 2018

We love grass-fed burgers and grilled chicken as much as anyone, but when it comes to cookouts, we’re all about the sides. Salads, grilled vegetables, slaw—piling our plates with colorful, fresh, delicious sides fills us up and keeps us energized for that swim/Frisbee game/playing with kids/insert other fun summer activity here.

Here are some awesome healthy sides you can whip up in no time that you and your fellow BBQ-ers will love.

Baby Kale Rainbow Salad
Kale, red cabbage, carrots, walnuts, blueberries—this crunchy, flavor-packed salad is like a who’s who of superfoods. And just when you thought it couldn’t get any more colorful, then you toss it in Primal Kitchen’s luscious Lemon-Turmeric Vinaigrette. No guilt about using a bottled dressing here, since it’s made with healthy avocado oil and anti-inflammatory superstar turmeric.

Right now, Primal Kitchen is offering Clean Plates readers a special deal: Buy their Pantry Kit for $34.95 (which includes their luscious mayo, Balsamic Vinaigrette/Marinade, Ranch Dressing and Avocado Oil), and you get a full jar of ketchup FREE. Just add the Pantry Kit and the Ketchup to your cart and use the code CLEANPLATES at checkout.

Grilled Watermelon Skewers with Feta & White Bean Salad
You’ve got the grill going, why not add some watermelon to it for an unexpected twist? With sweet fruit, salty feta, creamy white beans and peppery arugula, this dish is not only a party in your mouth, it’s also packed with nutrients.

Spiralized Zucchini Noodles with Lime Avocado Mint Sauce
Take a break from heavy pasta salads with this vegetable-based version. Healthy fat from the avocado will keep you full, and the mint and lime make it super-refreshing. The recipe serves 1 as a main dish, but you can multiply it out as many times as you like and serve it as an unexpected side.

Sweet and Spicy Slaw
Just a few simple yet strategic ingredients (hello, peach nectar and hot sauce) come together to make this sophisticated, crowd-pleasing dish that transforms humble cabbage into a gourmet treat. You’ll never think about dumping that gloopy deli slaw on your plate again.

Maple-Tahini Grilled Sweet Potatoes
It’s no secret that we’re obsessed with tahini, so we love this recipe, which combines the sesame-seed paste with grilled sweet potatoes (another fave). The best part? Your paleo and vegan guests will both love this dish. Bye-bye, boring potato salad.

Hungry for more?