A Tasty Guide to a Skinny Barbecue

Just because you are following a more calculated diet doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy a barbecue every once in a while. In fact, skinny BBQs can be just as tasty and fun as a regular one – it is all about knowing what foods to choose and what tricks to follow. You can discover all of this here, plus loads more!

Opt for Lean Meats 

Meat tends to be the star of the show when it comes to barbecues and this doesn’t have to change just because you are trying to cut down on calories. Instead, opt for lean meats – according to Brittany Smith of Men’s Journal magazine, this includes turkey breast, chicken breast, pork chops, and even sirloin steak. 

In general, you should specifically look out for cuts of meat that are labelled as lean. This is something you should do for ground meat as well. And, when buying chicken or turkey, request skinless cuts or remove the skin prior to grilling. 

There’s no need to miss out on the flavour with your lean meats. You can use marinades, rubs, and even brines to pump them full of flavour and have them taste better than any full-fat cut of meat!  

DIY Your Barbecue Recipes 

As mentioned, you can find lean ground meat. Therefore, you should really consider making your hamburgers instead of buying the store-bought versions. This way, you get to control how much meat is going into each burger and get to choose all the other ingredients as well. 

As an added bonus, homemade burgers taste a lot better. They are fresh and you can spice them up with your own personal blend of spices and herbs. This allows you to create some fun and interesting combinations. 

Make Your Own Barbecue Sauce 

The cornerstone of many barbecue recipes is the BBQ sauce. If you have ever read the label of store brands, though, you will quickly realize how calorie laden and unhealthy these sauces can be. Not to mention, they don’t taste all that great to begin with. 

Fortunately, Kristy J. Norton, chef and barbecue guru, has the perfect homemade alternative for you. Look up a great BBQ sauce recipe – one that is heavy on the flavour with ingredients such as apple cider vinegar, yellow mustard, and lots of spices. Instead of the sugar or honey use a zero calorie sweetener instead. You will immediately shave off dozens of calories, perhaps even more. 

Fill Up on Flavourful Veggies 

It is a shame that veggies are side-lined during barbecues – they are delicious when grilled. Also, marinating them in herbs and spices is a great way to kick up the flavour. As most veggies are low in calories, you can give yourself free rein and indulge a bit too!

There are plenty of options for you to choose from as well. If you want to go the traditional route, then Portobello mushrooms, tomatoes, courgette, and aubergine are great veggies to grill. If you don’t mind branching out a bit, parsnips, edamame, cabbage, and even okra are absolutely delicious.   

Ditch the Buns

Let’s face it, hamburger and hotdog buns don’t just add calories, they are pretty unhealthy carbs as well. This is why you may want to consider swapping them out of your barbecue. This can easily be done with lettuce wraps or sandwiching your meat between Portobello mushrooms. 

In case this feels a little out there for you, look for low-carb tortilla breads or even make your own. Many of these are made with chickpeas, spinach, etc. and as such are the healthier option too.

Create Portion Packets 

If your biggest concern is overeating, then there is a simple way to overcome this. Figure out how much you should eat in one sitting. Calculate the meat, veggies, etc. Once you have done this, marinate these ingredients in a low calorie but delicious marinade. 

Next, wrap them up in foil and throw them on the barbecue. Cook until done – if you want, you can finish the meat off by searing it on the bare grill. Voila! You have the perfect portion packet for you so that you now know just how much you should be eating. 

These are the top tips and tricks that you can follow to ensure that you have a barbecue that is low calorie but still delicious and a lot of fun. Now that you are aware of the basics, you can get as creative as you like!