Potato salad, coleslaw and butter-drenched corn may be summer barbecue staples, but they're not exactly healthy dishes. Paired with fatty meats and potato chips, you've got the makings of a high-kj meal, void of any notable nutrients.
But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy a good ol' Aussie BBQ. To up the health-factor of your next backyard bash—without ditching your favourite mains—try some of these healthy side dish recipes. They're all packed with health-protective nutrients and will keep you satiated all afternoon (even after a dip in the pool!). Plus, they're far more flavourful than those mayo-smothered salads—promise.
Photograph by Mitch Mandel
Watermelon Salad
Nothing elevates a summer barbecue quite like a mouthwatering side of watermelon. This 10-minute recipe has just 610 kilojoules per serving and is packed with vitamin A and lycopene, a cancer-protecting carotenoid that gives watermelons their red hue. Meanwhile, the feta cheese and olive oil lend the dish a fresh Mediterranean flavour.
Photograph by Mitch Mandel
Black Bean & Tomato Salsa
The black beans in this delicious salsa are packed with fibre, which binds to cholesterol in the digestive system and removes it from the body. Tomatoes, like watermelon, are a rich source of lycopene, and they're also rich in vitamin C, which is essential for strong hair and healthy skin. To pack even more nutrition into this healthy side dish, pair it with crunchy vegetables (think: red capsicum, cucumbers and celery) instead of salty tortilla chips.
Get the full recipe here!
Photograph by Mitch Mandel
Grilled Jalapeno Tuna Bruschetta
Add some crunch to your next BBQ—without breaking out the chip bowl—with this light bruschetta recipe. Grilling the bread gives it a desirable toasty texture, the crisp celery, onion and chilli offer mouthwatering flavour, while the tuna provides omega-3 fatty acids, which contribute to heart and brain health.
Get the full recipe here!
Photograph by Mitch Mandel
Apricot Grilled Prawns
Grilled prawns are brightened with apricot preserves in this fruity, summery recipe. The unique blend of preserves, soy sauce, garlic and fresh ginger (which has compounds that aid digestion and lower inflammation) creates a sweet and savoury flavour palette that pairs perfectly with your favorite BBQ staples. Like other meats, prawns are rich in protein, which takes longer to digest than fats or sugars—so it will help you stay satiated until your next meal.
Get the full recipe here!
Photograph by Andrew Mccaul
Cucumber Salad with Barbecued Steak Skewers
Have an appetite for beef? These bite-sized skewers served with cucumber ribbons and an Asian-inspired sauce provide an ideal way to savour it without overindulging. Red meats like skirt steak contain all the amino acids your body needs, which are crucial for building muscles and tissue, and may even prevent skin conditions like acne. However, some red meats are high in saturated fat, which may contribute to heart disease risk when eaten in excess. With only 428 kilojoules per serving, this healthy side dish is a smart way to bring red meat—and some international flavour—to your next barbecue.
Get the full recipe here!
Photograph by Mitch Mandel
Mesquite-Barbecued Corn on the Cob
Corn topped with salt and butter is, well, sort of boring. To spice up the classic summertime staple, this recipe calls for sizzling flavours like mesquite and spring onions. The final product not only has loads of flavour, but it also serves up lutein and zeaxanthin, two phytochemicals that accumulate in the eye to filter out damaging blue light.
Get the full recipe here!
Photograph by Mitch Mandel
Portobello Caps Stuffed with Chilli Polenta and Cheese
Love the flavour of meat, but trying to cut back and eat more veggies? This is about to become your new favourite side dish. Grilled Portobello mushrooms offer the same umami (aka savoury) flavour as meat, and are simply irresistible topped with mozzarella, provolone, polenta and garlic. This dish is also a low-kilojoule source of potassium, phosphorus (important for bone strength), and B vitamins, niacin and folate (important for nervous system function), making it a must-try.
Get the full recipe here!
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