Grilling can be a fresh and nutritious way to cook, especially when you move beyond the standard fare and get creative with summer produce. Fruits and vegetables are packed with beneficial vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients, while naturally avoiding the harmful compounds that can form when grilling processed or fatty meats. The grill can enhance flavors so even the most die-hard meat eaters will be satisfied. With the abundance of peak fruits and vegetables, summer is a great time to embrace plant-forward eating.
- Juicy steaks: The vegetable kind! Trade traditional cuts of meat for a thick slice of eggplant, cauliflower, or portobello mushroom. When grilled, these hearty vegetables develop a smoky flavor and tender texture that feels substantial and satisfying. Marinate them in your favorite meat marinade, and/or pair with a savory sauce or topping to create a main dish.
- Sizzling salad: Leafy greens may not be the first thing that comes to mind for the grill, but a quick char adds sweetness and crisp edges that transform salads into something special. Nutrient-rich greens provide vitamin C and vitamin A to support immunity and your overall health. Try grilled romaine hearts with chickpeas, charred butter lettuce with a simple vinaigrette, or grilled Little Gem lettuce and asparagus tossed with blood orange, lemon, and feta.
- Carrot dogs: Looking for a creative alternative to hot dogs? Carrots are sources of beta-carotene and fiber, and when marinated in soy sauce and spices before grilling, the humble carrot becomes a tasty alternative to the traditional processed, meat-based hot dog. Serve them in a bun with your favorite toppings for a smoky twist on a summer classic.
- Un-fried fries: Save the oven fries for winter and try grilling your fries outdoor this summer. Simply slice potatoes in wedges, toss with olive oil, and cook directly on the grill, or for more crunch, set a cast-iron skillet over the flame. Sweet potatoes and other root vegetables make nutrient-packed alternatives that pair perfectly with vegetable steaks.
- Sweeter endings: How do you make fruit sweeter without adding sugar? You grill it! Grilling caramelizes the natural sugars in fruit, giving them a deeper, richer, and more complex flavor. Most fruit can be grilled, but for best success avoid overripe fruits and cut in larger pieces than you might for snacking. In addition to our grilled cinnamon honey peaches, try grilling watermelon drizzled with a balsamic glaze, pineapple slices with a dollop of honey Greek yogurt, or even a grilled banana dressed up as a split.
This summer, turn off the oven and fire up the grill instead. Enjoy the nostalgia of a summer barbecue — but change it up this year with a new, plant-forward flair!