BBQ Meals That Will Spice Up Your Summer
By Shondell Varcianna
June 03, 2016
Lifestyle
Share Facebook Tweet on Twitter Share with Email Share with LinkedIn Share with Pinterest
If summer is your favorite season, one of the activities you likely look forward to is a summer barbecue. You get to gather with your family and friends, enjoy the beautiful weather, and indulge in some entrees that you may only enjoy during this time of year. While you may have some barbecue meal staples, you and your loved ones could add a few new dishes to your menu this year. To make this summer’s barbecue even more memorable, here are a few dishes that can spice up the season.
Grilled Portabella Burgers
Burgers are often on the grill for a summer bbq, but if you’re hosting vegetarians, you’ll want to offer an option that is just as delicious. Grilled veggie burgers made from portabella mushrooms are a savory treat that even meat-eaters will love. You can marinate the mushrooms in a combination of flavored vinegar (pomegranate or tarragon go particularly well with mushrooms). Add a little brown sugar, salt and Worcesterchire sauce to the marinade, and leave it on the mushrooms for at least two hours. Grill the mushrooms for a few minutes on each side, then take them off the grill to cool. Place them on a hamburger bun and add all your favorite fixings for a meat-free burger that is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
Foil Pack BBQ Fajitas
Just because you’ve taken the grill out to prepare some of your summer meals doesn’t mean you have to stick to burgers and hot dogs. If you’re a fan of fajitas, you can spice up your summer by preparing this entrée on the grill. Fill a foil packet with onions and bell peppers, and add a little salt, pepper and liquid smoke. You can grill your favorite meat next to the foil packet (steak, chicken or tofu), adding a blend of barbecue sauce, taco seasoning and honey to the meat. Place a few tortillas on the grill for a few seconds, then assemble your fajitas for an easy, tasty treat the whole family will enjoy.
Grilled Salmon Salad
Summer is a great time to enjoy salads that are packed with the flavor of lots of tasty fruits and vegetables. Marinate a large piece of salmon with salt, white pepper, liquid smoke and tarragon. Place the salmon on the grill and start assembling your salad. For greens, you can use romaine lettuce, spinach or wilted kale. Add the greens to the grill in a foil packet for a few minutes, or simply toss them in a bowl while the salmon is cooking. Fruits like strawberries and mandarins add a bright flavor to the salad as well. After the salmon has been grilled on both sides, flake it with a fork and add it to the salad. Top the grilled salad with chopped walnuts and a simple dressing of lemon juice, olive oil, salt and black pepper. This guilt-free meal just might motivate you to try more grilled summer entrees.
Grilled Fruit
For dessert, add some fruit to the grill. Peaches, apples and pineapples all taste great grilled, and you can create a sweet marinate of honey, ginger, lime juice, raw sugar and vanilla extract to bring out the flavors of the fruit. Grill the fruit on both sides, brushing it with the marinade every few minutes. Remove the fruit from the grill and top it with chopped pecans and whipped cream or gelato for a sweet treat that is low in calories and big on flavor.
These are just a few of the delicious meals you can try when you get creative with grilling this summer. Whether you’re hosting a large crowd or you want to make something special for a small gathering, try these entrees for something delicious.
Picture from Frankieleon
Grilled Portabella Burgers
Burgers are often on the grill for a summer bbq, but if you’re hosting vegetarians, you’ll want to offer an option that is just as delicious. Grilled veggie burgers made from portabella mushrooms are a savory treat that even meat-eaters will love. You can marinate the mushrooms in a combination of flavored vinegar (pomegranate or tarragon go particularly well with mushrooms). Add a little brown sugar, salt and Worcesterchire sauce to the marinade, and leave it on the mushrooms for at least two hours. Grill the mushrooms for a few minutes on each side, then take them off the grill to cool. Place them on a hamburger bun and add all your favorite fixings for a meat-free burger that is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
Foil Pack BBQ Fajitas
Just because you’ve taken the grill out to prepare some of your summer meals doesn’t mean you have to stick to burgers and hot dogs. If you’re a fan of fajitas, you can spice up your summer by preparing this entrée on the grill. Fill a foil packet with onions and bell peppers, and add a little salt, pepper and liquid smoke. You can grill your favorite meat next to the foil packet (steak, chicken or tofu), adding a blend of barbecue sauce, taco seasoning and honey to the meat. Place a few tortillas on the grill for a few seconds, then assemble your fajitas for an easy, tasty treat the whole family will enjoy.
Grilled Salmon Salad
Summer is a great time to enjoy salads that are packed with the flavor of lots of tasty fruits and vegetables. Marinate a large piece of salmon with salt, white pepper, liquid smoke and tarragon. Place the salmon on the grill and start assembling your salad. For greens, you can use romaine lettuce, spinach or wilted kale. Add the greens to the grill in a foil packet for a few minutes, or simply toss them in a bowl while the salmon is cooking. Fruits like strawberries and mandarins add a bright flavor to the salad as well. After the salmon has been grilled on both sides, flake it with a fork and add it to the salad. Top the grilled salad with chopped walnuts and a simple dressing of lemon juice, olive oil, salt and black pepper. This guilt-free meal just might motivate you to try more grilled summer entrees.
Grilled Fruit
For dessert, add some fruit to the grill. Peaches, apples and pineapples all taste great grilled, and you can create a sweet marinate of honey, ginger, lime juice, raw sugar and vanilla extract to bring out the flavors of the fruit. Grill the fruit on both sides, brushing it with the marinade every few minutes. Remove the fruit from the grill and top it with chopped pecans and whipped cream or gelato for a sweet treat that is low in calories and big on flavor.
These are just a few of the delicious meals you can try when you get creative with grilling this summer. Whether you’re hosting a large crowd or you want to make something special for a small gathering, try these entrees for something delicious.
Picture from Frankieleon