This summer, head outside to cook up healthy recipes on the grill. Each one features lean protein and other good-for-you ingredients.
31 Healthy Grilled Recipes to Make for Dinner
Updated on Aug. 31, 2024
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Lemon-Basil Grilled Shrimp & Couscous
The basil and lemon in this dish complement each other so nicely. Using fresh ingredients really makes a big difference. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
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Salmon Salad
Our lovely salmon salad is a wholesome and quick meal that doesn’t hold back on flavor.
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Farmers Market Street Tacos
I love going to my local farmer's market and seeing what fresh produce is in season that I can throw into a taco. Use whatever fresh veggies they have; I promise it will be delicious. —Ralph Jones, San Diego, California
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Tequila-Lime Steak Salad
This recipe is one of my family’s Fourth of July favorites. The adults can make margaritas from the rest of the tequila! —Laura Wilhelm, West Hollywood, California
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Pork Kabobs
Juicy and easy to prep, these pork kabobs are a tasty addition to the weekly lineup or for entertaining guests with minimal time in the kitchen.
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Chicken Souvlaki
Loads of lemon and garlic give this easy chicken souvlaki a punch. Pair it with pita and tzatziki for a quick and tasty meal!
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Shrimp Kabobs
These grilled shrimp kabobs make a colorful addition to any barbecue platter. Using Italian salad dressing as the marinade is a brilliant way to add flavor without any extra prep!
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Grilled Lime Chicken
A wonderful citrusy marinade makes this grilled lime chicken tangy and tasty. A few hours before dinner, simply marinate the chicken for a fuss-free meal later on. —Lisa Dougherty, Vacaville, California
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Grilled Zucchini Salad with Mediterranean Dressing
This zucchini salad with Mediterranean dressing is the best side dish. I also like to add summer squash for a variation, or crumbled goat cheese when I want some extra creaminess. —Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Grilled Stone Fruits with Balsamic Syrup
Get ready to experience another side of stone fruits. Hot off the rack, these grilled nectarines practically melt in your mouth. —Sonya Labbe, West Hollywood, California
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Grilled Mahi Mahi
Instead of grilling the usual hamburgers or chicken breasts, prepare this grilled mahi mahi and reel in raves! —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
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Grilled Asparagus
Tender, with a delicious barbecue flavor, this grilled asparagus makes a perfect side dish for grilled meats. Don't know how to cook asparagus on the grill? Just place the stalks on a double skewer. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
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Flat Iron Steak Salad
My steak salad with avocado and radishes is a big plate of summer deliciousness. I sometimes add dried cranberries and cherry tomatoes, but you can customize it to suit your tastes. —Marla Clark, Albuquerque, New Mexico
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Hawaiian Beef Sliders
Sweet and savory with just a hint of heat, these dynamite burgers are packed with flavor. The combination of pineapple and bacon may sound unusual, but you'll find they're a perfect match. —Mary E. Relyea, Canastota, New York
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Grilled Vegetable Platter
This recipe is the best of summer in one dish! These pretty veggies are perfect for entertaining. Grilling brings out their natural sweetness, and the easy marinade really perks up the flavor. —Heidi Hall, North St. Paul, Minnesota
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Grilled Buttermilk Chicken
I created this recipe years ago after one of our farmers market customers, a chef, shared the idea of marinating chicken in buttermilk. The chicken is easy to prepare and always turns out moist and delicious! I bruise the thyme sprigs by twisting them before adding them to the buttermilk mixture; this releases the oils in the leaves and flavor the chicken better. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
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Grilled Squash
Grilled squash is a quick and easy side dish for those wonderful days of late summer and early fall. Pair it with your favorite grilled meats, or broil it later in the season (when it's too cold to grill) and serve it alongside your entree of choice.
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Herbed Pork Chops
Herbs are a fast and flavorful way to dress up pork. Plus, they make the chops look so pretty on a platter. I prepare these year-round as a way to capture the taste of summer. —Dianne Esposite, New Middletown, Ohio
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Tomato, Avocado and Grilled Corn Salad
With ripe tomatoes, fresh basil and grilled corn, this bright salad tastes just like summertime! —Angela Spengler, Tampa, Florida
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Grilled Steak Pinwheels
I've been serving this recipe to family and friends for 20 years and very seldom do I have any leftovers. We try to keep the house cool, so we grill out often. —Mary Hills, Scottsdale, Arizona
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Grilled Pattypans
Just a few minutes and a handful of ingredients are all you’ll need for this scrumptious side dish. Hoisin sauce and rice wine vinegar give grilled pattypans Asian flair. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Chicken Ole Foil Supper
These Mexi-style chicken packets can be assembled ahead of time and frozen if you like. Just thaw them overnight in the fridge, then grill as directed. I like to serve them with warm tortillas and fresh fruit on the side. —Mary Peck, Salina, Kansas
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Grilled Basil Chicken and Tomatoes
Relax after work with a cold drink while this savory chicken marinates in an herby tomato blend for an hour, then toss it on the grill. It tastes just like summer. —Laura Lunardi, West Chester, Pennsylvania
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Cilantro Lime Shrimp
A quick garlicky lime marinade works magic on these juicy shrimp. They come off the grill with huge flavors perfect for your next cookout. —Melissa Rodriguez, Van Nuys, California
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Tuna Teriyaki Kabobs
I love to barbecue but don't always want a heavy dinner. These are perfect in the spring, and you'll have room for dessert! —Holly Battiste, Barrington, New Jersey
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The Ultimate Fish Tacos
Savor these delicious paprika-spiced mahi mahi tacos with a tangy twist of salsa verde and fresh vegetable toppings in just 30 minutes.
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Grilled Zucchini
Set aside some room on the grill for zucchini. This side cooks quickly, and grilled zucchini pairs well with everything from barbecued chicken to tropical pork skewers.
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Grilled Cabbage
If you're only eating cabbage in coleslaw, you're missing out! Grilled cabbage is the secret to transforming the crunchy leaves into sweet, tender bites. Here's how to grill cabbage so it turns out perfect, every time.
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Lime-Cilantro Shrimp Skewers
My friend gave me this grill-friendly recipe. The combination of lime, cilantro and soy sauce gives these shrimp skewers a memorable taste reminiscent of tropical cuisine. To make it a main dish, serve the skewers with rice or couscous. —Theresa Dibert, Cynthiana, Kentucky
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Orange Apricot Couscous Chicken
I love all the bright flavors in this recipe. The orange juice, curry powder, feta and mint really jazz up the rest of the ingredients! Once the ingredients are assembled, this recipe comes together in no time. Large cubed peaches or nectarines can be used instead of apricots. —Margee Berry, White Salmon, Washington
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Steak Salad
This classic steak salad recipe features a perfectly cooked, well-seasoned steak atop a hearty mix of greens and toppings. It's a nutritious and quick dinner perfect for any night of the week.Healthy Grill Recipes FAQ
What’s the healthiest type of grill: gas or charcoal?
One potential downside of grilling is the possibility of charring, aka the blackening of foods from burning, which can create harmful chemicals called heterocyclic amines (HCAs). Since gas grills allow you to have more control over the temperature, using one can make it easier to avoid charring. Another simple solution to sidestep charring is to use a meat thermometer. This helps you remove the food as soon as it reaches a safe internal temperature instead of letting it linger and blacken.
What are the healthiest oils to grill with?
Since grills can get very hot, the healthiest oils are those that have both the highest smoke point and the lowest amount of saturated fats, such as avocado, canola and safflower oils. Coat the grill grates and the food itself with a small amount of oil (i.e., enough to cover without excess dripping off). This helps prevent sticking and internal fats and water from escaping. By limiting drippings, you also lower the chances of smoking, which can leave another harmful chemical, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), on your food.
What are the best healthy sides for a meal on the grill?
Fruits and vegetables are an excellent complement to grilled proteins such as meat, poultry and fish. Why? Two reasons. First, they produce zero harmful chemicals even if they’re heated to a very high temperature. Second, they’re loaded with antioxidants, natural compounds that fight back against byproducts that might be produced from charring or smoke.
Your best veggie options are portobello mushrooms, winter and summer squashes, eggplant, bell peppers, onions, corn and potatoes. Great fruits for grilling include apples, pears, peaches, pineapples and plums.
