7 Healthy BBQ Meal Ideas To Enjoy This Summer

Summer’s here, and that means one thing: BBQ season is officially on. But this year, we’re turning down the grease and turning up the goodness with 7 healthy BBQ meal ideas that don’t skimp on flavour or fun.

From vibrant grilled veg to protein-packed skewers and globally-inspired marinades, these recipes are sunshine-ready and guaranteed to impress. Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or just treating yourself alfresco, we’ve got everything you need to make your BBQ bold, balanced, and brilliantly satisfying.

7 Healthy BBQ Food Ideas

Think BBQs are all about burgers and bloating? Think again. These globally-inspired, good-for-you grill ideas bring bold flavours to the table, minus the heaviness. From zingy marinades to vibrant veg dishes that steal the spotlight, this is BBQ food that tastes as good as it makes you feel.

Let’s dive into the dishes that’ll make your BBQ the highlight of the summer—and keep things feeling light, fresh, and flavour-packed.

1. Marinate Before Cooking For Next-Level Flavour

The secret to BBQ greatness? It’s all in the marinade. Whether you’re cooking meat, fish or veg, a well-balanced marinade brings bold flavour, juicy texture and serious wow-factor to your grill game.

Just mix, coat, and let your ingredients soak up the goodness for at least an hour – or overnight if you’re planning ahead. Here are four of our favourite marinades to take your summer BBQ to the next level:

Honey Soy – Sweet, Tangy, Umami Perfection

Perfect for: Chicken skewers, aubergine steaks, halloumi slices.

• 2 tbsp honey
• 4 tbsp soy sauce
• Juice of 2 limes
• 2 crushed garlic cloves

Balsamic & Thyme – Herby, Sharp & Slightly Sweet

Perfect for: Portobello mushrooms, lamb chops, roasted courgette.

• 60ml lemon juice
• 2 tsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp chopped thyme
• 60ml balsamic vinegar
• 2 crushed garlic cloves

Tex-Mex BBQ Rub – Smoky Heat With a Hint of Sweetness

Perfect for: Cauliflower steaks, beef or tofu skewers.

• 2 tbsp linseed or olive oil
• 2 tbsp paprika
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tbsp cumin
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp oregano
• 1 tbsp tomato purée
• 60ml water
• 2 crushed garlic cloves

Indian Spice Yoghurt – Creamy, Punchy, and Full of Cooling Herbs

Perfect for: Chicken thighs, paneer cubes, sweet potato chunks.

• 2 tbsp Greek yoghurt
• 20g fresh coriander
• 20g fresh mint
• 1 tbsp garam masala
• ½ red chilli
• 2 tbsp sunflower oil
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• ½ tsp sea salt

Blend it all up for a smooth, flavour-packed marinade that doubles as a dipping sauce.

2. Dip, Drizzle, Repeat: Healthy Sauces That Bring The BBQ To Life

Every great BBQ deserves a great side sauce, or five. These homemade heroes are here to zhuzh up your grilled veg, protein and salads with bold, balanced flavours. Whether you’re spooning them onto burgers or using them as dips, these five sauces are guaranteed to bring colour and creativity to your summer spread.

Tahini & Lemon – Creamy, Zingy, & Ridiculously Versatile

This Middle Eastern-inspired sauce brings brightness and depth to grilled veg, fish or falafel. The yoghurt balances the tang while tahini adds that signature nuttiness.

Ingredients:

• 150g tahini
• 120ml water
• ½ cup lemon juice
• 100g natural yoghurt

Method: Mix everything together until smooth. Season with salt and a pinch of cumin if you like extra warmth.

Satay Sauce – Sweet, Spicy & Totally Addictive

A bold blend of peanut, coconut and chilli, this one’s made for drizzling over chicken skewers or dunking crunchy veg straight off the BBQ.

Ingredients:

• 100g crunchy sugar-free peanut butter
• 1 red chilli
• 120ml coconut milk
• 2 tsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tbsp kecap manis

Method: Combine ingredients in a small pan, heat for 2–3 mins, then cool before serving.

Yoghurt & Dill – Cool, Herby & Perfect With Grilled Fish or Veg

Think of this as your BBQ’s cooling sidekick. It’s light, creamy and cuts through smoky flavours beautifully, especially with salmon or roasted courgette.

Ingredients:

• 150ml Greek yoghurt
• 2 tsp honey
• 2 tbsp chopped dill
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard

Method: Mix well and chill until ready to serve.

Red Pepper & White Bean Dip – Creamy, Smoky, High in Fibre

Packed with plant-based protein and punchy paprika, this one doubles as a dip or a spread. Ideal with flatbreads or grilled tofu.

Ingredients:

• 2 roasted red peppers (peeled)
• 400g canned cannellini beans
• 1 crushed garlic clove
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley

Method: Blend everything until smooth and season to taste.

Carrot, Ginger & Cumin Dip – Earthy, Sweet and Lightly Spiced

A root veg twist on traditional hummus. Roasting the carrots brings out their natural sweetness, while cumin and ginger add warmth and depth.

Ingredients:

• 500g carrots, peeled
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp Greek yoghurt

Method: Roast chopped carrots at 180°C with oil and cumin until soft. Leave to cool, then blend with remaining ingredients for a silky, flavourful dip.

3. A Lighter Coleslaw That Still Packs a Punch

It’s fresh, it’s crunchy, and it’s got a herby zing that regular mayo slaw could only dream of. This yoghurt-based version is packed with colour and texture, making it the perfect side for grilled meats, veggie skewers or stuffed pittas. Even better? It holds up like a champ in the fridge, so you can make it ahead of time and focus on the BBQ.

Ingredients:

• ½ small red cabbage, shredded
• ½ small white cabbage, shredded
• 2 carrots, grated
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley or coriander
• 1 tbsp chopped mint
• 2 tbsp toasted pumpkin seeds

For the dressing: 

• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 100g natural yoghurt
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Method:

1. Whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil and yoghurt to make the dressing.
2. In a large bowl, toss the shredded veg and herbs with the dressing until coated.
3. Finish with toasted seeds just before serving for extra crunch.

4. Veggies That Deserve A Starring Role On The BBQ

Forget sad side salads, these BBQ veggies are here to steal the spotlight. With a bit of prep and the right flavours, you can turn aubergines, mushrooms and even leeks into smoky, satisfying centrepieces.

A quick tip: Use pierced foil or a grill basket to keep things tidy and prevent veg from slipping through the grates. Then, all you need is a handful of fresh ingredients and a punchy dressing to create these winning skewer combos.

Vegetarian Skewer & Sauce Combos to Try

Cherry Tomato, Courgette, Red Onion & Halloumi

• Dress with a zesty Mediterranean herb vinaigrette.
• Salty halloumi holds up beautifully on the grill, while the tomatoes burst with sweetness. Add lemon juice, olive oil, oregano and garlic for a classic sunshine flavour.

Green Pepper, Paneer, Red Onion & Aubergine

• Drizzle with a curried yoghurt dressing.
• This skewer brings Indian-inspired warmth with cooling mint and spice. Blend Greek yoghurt, garam masala, lemon juice and a touch of chilli for a bold twist.

Leek, Aubergine & Red Pepper

• Brush with a sticky-sweet teriyaki glaze.
• The aubergine soaks up flavour like a sponge, while leeks go beautifully caramelised. Teriyaki adds sweet-savoury richness that pairs perfectly with jasmine rice or noodles.

Red Onion, Button Mushroom, Courgette & Red Pepper

• Coated in creamy peanut satay sauce.
• Hearty mushrooms and crisp courgette get a flavour upgrade from a punchy, nutty satay. Ideal with flatbreads and a crunchy slaw on the side.

5. Lean Doesn’t Mean Lacking: Healthy Cuts That Still Sizzle

You don’t need fatty cuts to enjoy a proper BBQ feast. With the right prep, lean meats can be juicy, flavour-packed and full of flair. Whether you’re building skewers or plating up protein-packed mains, these cuts are lighter but just as satisfying.

Chicken Breast – Quick, Lean & Brilliant for Marinades

Flattening chicken breasts with a rolling pin helps them to cook faster and more evenly on the grill. Let them marinate for at least an hour to lock in flavour. Try the satay sauce above for its sweet, spicy kick.

Want to mix it up? Slice the chicken into chunks and thread onto skewers with veg like red onion and courgette for a balanced dish.

Steak or Pork Fillets – Hearty, High-Protein and Full of BBQ Potential

Go for lean sirloin or pork tenderloin and slice into thin steaks or strips. Marinate in the Tex-Mex rub from earlier, then grill until just cooked. Serve with tangy coleslaw, baked sweet potatoes, or wrapped in lettuce for a lighter take on tacos.

Healthy Burgers – All The Flavour, None of the Fuss

Make your own burgers with 5% fat beef mince and skip the bun to keep things light. Top with avocado, fresh tomato slices and a dollop of red pepper & bean dip instead of ketchup.

Pair with a crunchy slaw or grilled sweetcorn and you’ve got a feel-good classic that still brings the BBQ vibes.

6. Flame-Grilled Fish That Feels Fancy (But Isn’t Fussy)

BBQ fish is fresh, fast, and totally underrated. Whether you’re cooking fillets, grilling a whole fish or threading up seafood skewers, these healthy BBQ ideas are full of flavour and come together in minutes.

Salmon Fillets – Classic, Crowd-Pleasing, & Freezer-Friendly

Marinate salmon in a honey-soy mix for at least an hour, then grill skin-side-down until just cooked through. Pair with yoghurt & dill sauce and serve with roasted veg or a couscous salad.

Pro tip: make extra and flake leftovers into wraps or rice bowls.

Whole Trout, Mackerel or Salmon – For When You Want to Show Off

Feeling more confident? Grilling whole fish looks impressive, but is surprisingly easy. Just stuff the cavity with lemon slices and thyme, brush with oil, and grill for a few minutes on each side. The skin will peel away easily once it’s done—perfect for family-style sharing platters.

Seafood Skewers – Light, Quick, & Packed With Protein

Firm white fish like monkfish, cod, or haddock, or shellfish like king prawns work beautifully on the BBQ. Marinate and cut into 3cm cubes (or keep prawns whole), then thread onto skewers with peppers, courgette or red onion. Soak wooden skewers first to stop them from charring, and grill just until the fish is opaque and lightly golden.

7. Get the Kids on the Grill Team

Want to turn BBQ night into a family win? Get your kids involved in the prep! Letting them design their own skewers is a fun way to give them some food freedom, and it works wonders for fussy eaters. When they’ve had a hand in building it, they’re much more likely to eat it (veg included!).

Set out bowls of pre-chopped ingredients like cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, halloumi cubes, chicken, peppers, and let them mix and match. Bonus points if you let them give their creations names like “Veggie Volcano” or “BBQ Beast Mode.”

It’s creative, confidence-boosting, and a great way to build kitchen skills while making memories.

Ready To Fire Up Your Healthiest BBQ Yet?

Healthy BBQs don’t have to mean bland burgers or limp salads. With bold marinades, colourful skewers and fresh flavour-packed sides, you can create a spread that’s balanced and barbecue-worthy. Whether you’re cooking for picky eaters, flexing your foodie skills, or just soaking up the sunshine, these tips are here to help you do it with ease.

Want more recipe inspiration? Check out the Gousto Cookbook for bold summer dishes, quick prep ideas and everything you need to make this BBQ season your best one yet. Or sign up today and get your first box packed with fresh ingredients, chef-designed recipes and everything you need to bring your BBQ ideas to life—delivered straight to your door.