Curated by:

Vie Nutritionist
Coach Carly Cameron

Summer BBQ season is upon us, which means quality time with family and friends, and hopefully some really great food and drinks too. Whether you are hosting, or bringing something to a potluck, we know it can be tricky to find that perfect recipe. So, we asked Chandler Vie Coach, and Nutritionist, Carly Cameron to pull together some of her go-to BBQ recipes. These salads, sides, desserts and drinks are unique, flavorful, and full of whole, natural ingredients. Because who says BBQ’s can’t be delicious and healthy?

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– Salads –

Grilled Chicken & Asparagus Pesto Pasta

Grilled Chicken and Asparagus Pesto Pasta is perfect for summer. Grilling the chicken and asparagus adds a ton of flavor. Serve it warm or cold. This delicious salad is great as a side dish or as the main course! Want to make it vegetarian? Skip the chicken and add more grilled asparagus or cannellini beans. If you’re gluten-free, try using a chickpea pasta.

Courtsey of RecipeRunner.com. View recipe here.

Chinese Chicken Salad

This Chinese chicken salad is healthy, savory, refreshing and delicious! Hearty enough to enjoy as a main course, it also makes a flavorful side dish. Make extra and save it for lunch during the week (just hold off on adding the dressing and wonton strips). Play with the ingredients and try adding Mandarin orange slices, water chestnuts,  snap peas or red bell pepper.

Recipe courtesy of Confetti and Bliss.  View full recipe here.

Greek Cucumber Tomato Salad

The aroma from the fresh cucumbers, parsley and crunchy green peppers is almost as good as the taste itself.  Get a little fancy by adding some kalamata olives or roasted red peppers. You can also add protein such as chicken or beans. Or bulk it up with cooked orzo or bowtie pasta. There are so many options with this salad!

Courtesy of BugetBytes.com. View recipe here. 

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– Sides –

Avocado Corn Salad

This crowd-pleasing Avocado Corn Salad is a bright and feel-good salad that’s loaded with grilled corn, creamy avocado, cherry tomatoes, and a dressing that makes the ingredients pop with flavor. This recipe has a short list of ingredients but it really doesn’t need anything more. It is an easy, excellent salad. Serve as an appetizer with chips or as a side to the main dish. 

Recipe courtesy of Natashaskitchen.com. View recipe here. 

Watermelon Sticks with Coconut Lime Dip

Healthy fries! These easy Watermelon Sticks are a fun and delicious snack perfect for the summertime. They’re gluten-free, vegan, and kid-friendly. Added bonus, they take very little time to make! 

Recipe courtesy of Abbeyskitchen.com. View recipe here. 

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– Desserts –

Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Pita Chips

Sweet and healthy at the same time, this fruit salsa is made with fresh fruit and scooped-up with a crunchy homemade pita chip. Grab yourself some strawberries, mango, kiwi and a big bowl, and you are ready to make this easy dessert! 

Recipe courtesy of whatmollymade.com. View recipe here. 

Grilled Peaches with Honey & Ice Cream

This summer dessert recipe is a favorite because it only requires a few ingredients and is ready to serve in no time at all. Tender, juicy peaches are grilled and topped with cinnamon, honey and ice cream. The warm peaches with creamy, cold ice cream is such a devine combination.

Recipe courtesy of Gimmesomegrilling.com. View recipe here. 

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– Beverages –

Strawberry Mojito Mocktail

This non-alcoholic and low-calorie mocktail recipe is inspired by the Strawberry Mojito. Simply add fresh strawberries, mint, and lime juice to a glass and muddle together. Then fill the glass with ice and pour seltzer overtop. Stir and garnish with more strawberries, mint, and lime slices. Easy and so refreshing on a hot summer day!

Recipe courtesy of theschmidtywife.com. View recipe here. 

Texas Ranch Water

Ranch Water is a simple, Texas-style margarita without all the sugar. This naturally low-calorie cocktail is ultra-refreshing and doesn’t weigh you down. It consists of three simple ingredients: Tequila, Topo Chico Sparkling Mineral Water, and fresh lime juice. And it’s seriously foolproof. You can alter the amounts of the ingredients to suit your taste or calorie goals. Add a little cranberry juice for an extra pop of flavor!

Recipe courtesy of fromvalerieskitchen.com. View recipe here. 

Do you have a favorite summer BBQ recipe to share?

Please leave a comment below!