Must-Try Healthy Grilling Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest grill option? ›

Grill veggies or fruit

You can still enjoy that grilled flavor you love and reduce your cancer risk by trading meat for veggies, veggie burgers, or fruit, all safer choices because they won't produce HCAs and PAHs, says Sweener. They also add vitamins, minerals and fiber.

Trim fat and moderate grill temperature.

Buy skinless poultry or remove the skin before eating. Trim away any visible fat beef, pork, or chicken. Trim any excess poultry skin that may cause the grill to produce high flames and burn the meat. Avoid grilling meats over open flames and/or at high temperatures.

Flank steak is a great (and cheap) example—low in fat and calories compared to other steaks, while also being rich in protein (23g per serving) and iron. While not ideally tender, a lean meat like flank steak can be softened up with a marinade consisting of Worcestershire, soy, or chili sauce.

Grilling isn't just a tradition, it also can be one of the healthiest ways to cook. There's no oil to add extra fat and calories; no heavy breading or frying to weigh grilled meat down.

Benefits of Gas Grilling

To achieve a healthy style of grilling, using gas over charcoal is a really smart decision. Besides the benefits of avoiding the cancer-causing carcinogens, gas grilling is more convenient, ready at any time, and easier to clean up.

When cooking over high heat, especially an open flame, you are exposed to two main carcinogens: heterocyclic aromatic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Studies show HCAs and PAHs cause changes in DNA that may increase the risk of cancer.

It's no secret that fried food absorbs a ton of fat - making it extremely bad for your heart. On the other hand, grilling ensures most of the fat drips off, thereby reducing the fat content. Arko Ahmed, the owner of the clothing line SYAN, explains why he prefers grilled food.

Brisket is BBQ royalty and one of the hardest and toughest meats to smoke. It takes many hours, dedication and each brisket has a journey and a story to tell.

What is the easiest meat to grill? ›

Chicken is the go-to option and holy grail of any grill experience. If you are looking for the best and easiest meat to grill—chicken thighs are just the meat cuts you need. Talk to experienced grillers and they will tell you that this part of the chicken, especially with the skin left on, is superior to any other cut.

Grilling with charcoal is associated with an increased cancer risk. That doesn't mean you can't enjoy this summer favorite. There are ways to reduce the risk and make your next hot-off-the-grill meal safe, healthy, and delicious.

Which is why protein lovers should focus their attention on chicken breasts. The breast is the leanest part of the chicken, which means it has the fewest calories, but the most protein. A skinless, grilled chicken breast, which is approximately 172 grams, contains 54 grams of protein.

Gas or electric grills may pose a lower risk of introducing carcinogens in foods than charcoal grills. Charcoal itself is not a carcinogen, but cooking with charcoal has been linked to two types of cancer risks. First, charcoal grills tend to cook at very high temperatures.

To achieve a healthy style of grilling, using gas over charcoal is a really smart decision. Besides the benefits of avoiding the cancer-causing carcinogens, gas grilling is more convenient, ready at any time, and easier to clean up.

Grilling is a healthy way to cook food for several reasons. Grilling exposes food to less heat than other cooking methods, such as frying or baking. This means that the food retains more of its nutrients and antioxidants.

Cooking on a griddle is generally healthier than grilling. Griddles allow excess grease and fat to cook off foods rather than dripping onto an open flame like with grilling. Griddle cooking avoids the charring that can produce harmful compounds when fat drips onto the fire.