You want to start a barbecue, but do not want to eat too many calories? Then you've come to the right place. We show you low-calorie barbecue ideas that are mega delicious!
Summertime is barbecue time! But at the barbecue the weight loss resolutions are quickly thrown overboard.
Who wants to be the killjoy at the barbecue who starts counting calories? When you sit with friends in the park or garden and enjoy the beautiful weather, you should not have a guilty conscience with every bite.
That's why preparation pays off. If you know exactly what ends up on the grill and finally on the plate, you can save yourself a lot of calories.
Greasy sausages, chops, high-calorie sauces and the like usually end up on the grill. Quickly 800 calories are eaten, which cancels out many previous efforts.
But it doesn't have to be. There are low-calorie grilling ideas, too. And don't worry: low-calorie grilling is much more than just a piece of zucchini or a green salad.
Our favorite healthy grilling ideas can be found here.
With just a few simple tricks you can escape the fat trap!
What distinguishes low-calorie barbecue ideas
In low-calorie barbecue ideas try to combine cleverly. If you replace meat 1:1 with feta, you can not save calories. Feta contains a whopping 260 calories per 100 grams.
However, if you mix it with cucumber, tomato and olive to make a Greek salad, it is very filling and saves calories in total.
Several different dishes end up on the table. Instead of a piece of meat and a baguette, it's a colorful mixed skewer with salads.
Low-calorie grilling ideas are an easy indulgence that adds plenty of variety to your plate. Push sausages, steak, potato and pasta salad to the side. Now it's getting really tasty!
Here is a small overview of how calorie-rich the classics are.
Calories per 100 grams:
- Bratwurst (about 1 sausage) contain 310 calories.
- Spare ribs come in at 221 calories.
- Grilled cutlet with marinade 180 calories.
- Potato salad with mayonnaise 160 calories.
- Pasta salad with mayo 200 calories.
With these 9 grilling hacks, you can cut calories
Are you ready to take your barbecue to the next level? With these little tricks, you can save a lot of calories and put low-calorie barbecue ideas into action.
#1 Replace sausage with chicken
Dear meat tigers, it does not always have to be meat. You can also get along very well without it. And I'm not just telling you this as a vegetarian. There are many alternatives that help you save calories.
If you still feel like it, you can replace classics like sausages, neck steaks and the like with lower-calorie options. How about turkey, chicken or beef?
Calories per 100 gram
- Turkey steak 112 calories
- Chicken 116 calories
- Rump steak (beef) 135 calories
To prevent lean meat from becoming dry during grilling, you should marinate it beforehand. To save calories, do without the skin on turkey and chicken. It consists mainly of fat and is a real calorie bomb.
Beef is naturally lower in fat and therefore contains fewer calories. Those who like to grill beef should opt for rump steak or steaks from the rump.
It's best to make skewers, so the meat doesn't make up the biggest part of the meal. Put a lot of vegetables between the pieces of meat and save yourself a lot of calories.
#2 Fish instead of meat as low calorie grill idea
Fish can not be missing from a barbecue. It is a very good alternative for those who do not eat meat and those who want to save calories. Fish also has the advantage that it is less heavy in the stomach and you do not feel so stuffed after the meal.
Low-calorie and delicious from the grill are trout and sea bream. They can be stuffed especially well. Use chili, lemon, rosemary and other fresh herbs.
Fish is best prepared in the grill tongs. This way it is guaranteed not to fall apart when turned. If you do not have fish tongs, then you can use Prepare trout also in aluminum foil!
Calories per 100 gram
- Salmon trout 141 calories
- Dorade 127 calories
- Shrimp 99 calories
- Haddock 91 calories
- Cod 90 calories
Tuna and salmon contain more calories. However, they are healthy because of their essential unsaturated fatty acids and can be combined well with a conscious diet.
With fish go particularly well jacket potatoes and green salad.
For all fish fans: How to grill king prawns properly!
#3 Try tofu
If you are looking for a vegan low-calorie barbecue idea, you should try tofu. It comes to 100 grams just 76 calories.
The firm curd from the soybean is a very good low-fat substitute for meat and can be enhanced with a wide variety of marianades. Whether on a skewer, as a thicker slice directly from the grill - with herbs tastes grilled tofu just wonderful.
There is now a huge range of vegan fried foods in the supermarket. But beware: many are real calorie bombs. Better look twice before you buy any of them.
They're tasty, but if you're looking for true low-calorie grilling ideas, they're less so.
A little grilled cheese is of course allowed if you don't like tofu. But please not too much. Halloumi grilled cheese contains 380 calories per 100 grams. So better use it sparingly.
Mmmhh delicious: vegan barbecue recipes!
#4 Vegetables are a low calorie grill idea
Peppers, corn and zucchini are already true classics on the grill. But also tomatoes, asparagus, artichokes, onions or eggplants can complement your barbecue.
If you have a charcoal grill in use, make vegetable skewers, so zucchini and Co do not end up in the coal. Or use a special grill for vegetables.
Super tasty and low calorie vegetables from the grill
- Zucchini
- Tomatoes
- Onion
- Sweet potato
- Potato (preferably pre-cooked)
- Eggplant
- Mushrooms
- Radish
- Asparagus
- Carrots whole (be sure to precook)
- Corn
- Beet in slices about 0.5 cm thick
You'll love these vegetable skewers!
#5 Save calories with the right salads
Side dishes are at least as big a calorie bomb. Potato salad, pasta salad, baguette and the like can add a lot to your calorie account.
But you'll save even more if you prepare one of these salads instead of potato salad. That's how many calories they have per 100 grams (including marinade):
- Tomato salad 50 calories.
- Cucumber salad with sour cream 40 calories
- Green salad 41 calories
Instead of baguette you could use a Bulgur salad with fresh vegetables prepare.
#6 Ban mayonnaise
Potato salad or pasta salad with mayonnaise? Or mayonnaise as a dip? Better not - the white sauce has a lot to offer in terms of calories.
For salads, avoid mayonnaise and use vinegar, oil, mustard and a little vegetable stock instead. Also delicious: mix low-fat yogurt with vinegar.
Forgo ready-made marinades and mix yogurt, lemon (or vinegar), herbs to make delicious salad dressings.
If you need a dip, avoid ketchup and mayo. Try mustard or sour cream with garlic and salt instead.
#7 White bread is not a low calorie grill idea
Garlic baguette or a classic white bread with garlic butter quickly make their mark on the calorie account.
Half a store-bought grilled baguette contains 330 calories. Replace it with jacket potatoes with fresh herbs. By the way, the potatoes go well with this homemade spice mixture quite wonderful.
#8 Grille healthy desserts
And to finish with a cake? Better not. There are so many delicious low-calorie barbecue ideas for a healthy finish.
You can put a lot of fruits on the grill.
Try Grilling watermelon. The heat from the grill makes the sweetness of the fruit come out even better. Also Peaches you can put on the grill or pineapple slices. All this has the advantage that your dessert remains very low in calories.
These fruits do well on the grill
- Banana
- Pear
- Melon
- Grapes
- Pineapple
- Mango (cut into pieces)
- Peach or apricot
- Figs
- Strawberries
- Oranges
- Kiwi (cut into pieces)
#9 Drink the right
And finally, I've collected a few low-calorie grilling ideas for drinks. Of course, you can enjoy a beer, but keep it to one. With half a liter you already take up 200 calories.
You should banish store-bought soda anyway. How about a homemade soda instead? Or have you ever heard of DIY iced tea syrup?
If you want to make it easier, you can use mineral or tap water and pimp it with oranges and mint. Simple, delicious, refreshing and low in calories.
By the way: If you drink a lot, you can save yourself many calories!
Our conclusion
It doesn't always have to be meat. Low-calorie grilling ideas can be so much more than just turkey or chicken - tofu and vegetables are the best examples. Vegetables in particular are very versatile and can be prepared differently every time with herbs and different marinades.
One thing is clear: If you take your time and cook yourself, you can keep your calorie account much lower. Store-bought sauces and ready-marinated steaks are true calorie bombs. Homemade tastes the best, especially when you know you can eat without remorse.
Enjoy it!
To browse further:
* Advertising & affiliate links: Our website is financed by advertising and affiliate links. As a partner of linked stores (e.g. Amazon) we earn from qualified sales.
Read more
