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Memorial Day has come and gone, meaning the unofficial start to summer is here. As days get longer (and warmer), barbecue season is in full swing. And a backyard barbecue does not need to be a calorie-fest. This year, instead of grilling high-fat burgers, opt for barbecue skewers that allow you to bring the flavors from cooking over fire to leaner, healthier recipes.
Read on for our favorite low-fat barbecue skewer recipes to make this summer.
1. Barbecue Chicken Skewer
Chicken is a popular barbecue alternative to red meat because it is high in good-quality protein and easy to grill. And cooking it on a skewer makes for a simple meal that requires very little prepwork.
This Mediterranean style recipe just requires a few extra ingredients: green bell pepper, red bell pepper, onion and a delicious homemade marinade. Get the full recipe from Delicious Meets Healthy.
2. Barbecue Shrimp Skewer
Even more low fat than the chicken skewer recipe, making shrimp skewers is an easy way to have a delicious meal. Shrimp is high in protein, antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids - which is known to aid in weight loss.
You can easily make shrimp skewers using shrimp, olive oil, lemon, garlic and parsley. Get the recipe from Dinner At The Zoo.
3. Barbecue Mushroom Skewers
Mushrooms are a flavorful vegetable that also happen to be high in fiber, protein and antioxidants. Plus, they have no fat content and are extremely low in calories, making them the perfect alternative to a hamburger.
Mushroom skewers have become increasingly popular because they’re so healthy and easy to make. We love this recipe from Food Network.
4. Barbecue Vegetable Skewer
Instead of focusing on a single vegetable, grilling a mixed vegetable skewer can deliver a ton of extra vitamins and nutrients to you. Depending on which vegetables you use, this type of skewer can contain tons of vitamin C, vitamin B, vitamin D, iron or magnesium.
We found a recipe that uses zucchini, squash, tomatoes, pineapple and pepper, making the skewers high in vitamin C, potassium, folate and antioxidants. Learn how to make them from All Recipes.
