Lean Summer Grilling Ideas

Summer is officially here and if you haven’t brought out the grill yet, it’s time to. Barbeque is great for both singles and groups alike. And if you’re looking to lose a few pounds, barbecues are a great way to do it.

Firstly, you’ll want to choose lean cuts of meat. Sausages and ribs may be tasty but they are also quite fatty. Instead opt for chicken, learn pork and even lean homemade burgers. Fish and grilled veggies are great options too.

Secondly, you’ll want to make sure that all fat is trimmed off the meat as much as possible.

And finally, you’ll want to add side dishes that are both satisfying but healthy. Go crazy with salads and vegetables. You can also make lean pasta and potato salads.

Here are a few ideas:

Lean chicken skewers

Cut several chicken breast into small square pieces. Cut a selection of vegetables like red onions, peppers, mushrooms and anything else you may like! Then skewer them onto a barbecue skewer, grill and enjoy.

For extra taste you can marinade the meat before hand. Here’s a great simple recipe that works great with pork, chicken or turkey:
* 1 cup crushed pineapple
* 1/3 cup soy sauce
* 1/3 cup honey
* 1/4 cup cider vinegar
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 teaspoon ginger powder
* 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Instructions:
Combine all ingredients. Place in an airtight dish or freezer bag. Place meat in the marinade and let sit, refrigerated, for up to four hours. Remove meat from bag. Grill and enjoy!


And here’s a great marinade for lean steak and lamb:
*  4 ounces Guinness Stout at room temperature
*  1 teaspoon crushed garlic
*  1 ounce soy sauce
*  1 tablespoon finely chopped sweet yellow onion
*  1 teaspoon finely chopped shallots
*  1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
*  1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Instructions:
Combine all ingredients. Place in an airtight dish or freezer bag. Place meat in the marinade and let sit, refrigerated, for twenty to thirty minutes. Remove meat from bag, sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper. Grill to desired doneness.

Homemade marinades are a great calorie-saving option as many commercial barbecue sauces are loaded with fat and sugar.

For salads a simple vinegar and lemon dressing is light and will save you calories. Grilled corn on the cob without butter is tasty and good for you too. The same goes for new potatoes, just add a few herbs and little lemon and you won’t miss the butter!

Barbecues can actually be a great way to eat if you stick to lean proteins with plenty of veggies and a few carbs without added fat.

And finally here are a few practical tips to help you make the most of your summer barbecue days.

Clean It.

There’s nothing that’ll destroy a barbeque than a dirty grill. Whether you’re using charcoal, gas or wood to fuel your grill the grill can get dirty. One of the easiest ways to keep it clean is to burn off the stuck on food and use a grill scrubber to scrape off the ashes. Make sure you get the grill good and clean or you’ll be eating the ashes.
The belly of the grill should be cleaned too. Coals can become coated with food and ashes and won’t function properly. Your grill won’t get as hot as it should and the burnt food can alter the taste of your next meal.

Prepare It.

Before you set out to barbeque anything, it’s important to know the internal temperature it must meet to be safe to eat. A good meat thermometer will tell you what you need to know.

It also helps to have a grill that tells you what temperature you’re cooking at. That way you can gauge how long your meat will be on the grill and know when to check it for doneness.

Just like preheating an oven, it’s important to get the grill heated before you place the food on it. Otherwise the food will stick and you’ll end up with a mess. Fish and veggies are particularly prone to sticking to grill bars.

Barbequing on your grill is like learning to cook anything. It’s a bit of trial and error. As long as you follow these basic steps and have fun, it’s all good. Happy grilling!