15 Healthy Recipes for Your Labor Day Barbecue

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If you have big BBQ plans for your day off on Monday, let us help you plan your menu. From mains to sides to drinks, here are healthy and delicious recipes for a fantastic end-of-summer picnic.

Main Dishes

Inside-Out Cheeseburgers
via Eating Well

Because what’s a good barbecue without a burger? These ooey-gooey patties are stuffed with two kinds of cheese—and still clock in at under 300 calories a pop.

At-Attention Grilled Chicken
via Taste of Home Recipes

If chicken’s more your bag, try this technique for grilling a whole bird. Spoiler: It includes inserting a can of beer inside the body cavity. (Seriously.)

Chickpea Burgers & Tahini Sauce
via Eating Well

Even the most diehard carnivore wouldn’t miss the meat in these veggie burgers, which are served in whole-wheat pitas and topped with nutty tahini. The instructions say to cook on a skillet, but we think they’ll hold up just fine on the grill.

Grilled Halibut Steaks
via Taste of Home

Say goodbye to summer with some seriously tasty seafood; the simple sauce lets the fish really shine. Tip: Swap the butter for Smart Balance to cut the fat.

Shrimp-and-Plum Kabobs
via Eating Well

The plums add some sweetness while the jalapeños add some heat. The marinaded shrimp are just plain delicious.

Sides

Mom’s Easy Healthy Baked Beans
via Clean Cuisine

Baked beans are practically a staple. This recipe swaps sugar for agave and omits the fat-loaded bacon. The secret ingredient? Liquid smoke.

Chipotle-Lime Grilled Corn-on-the-Cob
via Be Well Philly

The only way to make one of the best barbecue sides even better is to add a little bit of fresh lime and smokey chipotle.

Macho Gazpacho
via Food Network

Add a some gusto to your main course with a spicey treat that’s easy and quick to make.

Heirloom Tomato and Grilled Zucchini Salad
via Be Well Philly

The Greek-yogurt-based dressing for this yummy salad adds flavor and thickness without a ton of fat.

Desserts

Peach Raspberry Pie
via Eating Well

Nothing’s more American than pie. This one uses whole-wheat flour and reduced-fat sour cream to make the indulgence a tad less guilty.

Grilled Peaches with Gingersnaps
via Allrecipes.com

You’ll want to keep the grill fired up for dessert with this super easy, super yummy recipe that clocks in at about 150 calories.

Watermelon-Jalapeno Ice Pops
via Cooking Light

We’re betting kids and adults will eat these popsicles right up.

Drinks

Watermelon-Mint Lemonade
via Be Well Philly

An easy-peasy pink lemonade that’s sure to refresh. (Add some vodka for the over-21 crowd.)

Raspberry Spritzer
via Eating Well

What do you get when you combine some frozen raspberries with some seltzer? A totally awesome guilt-free beverage.

Watermelon-Gin Fizz
via Be Well Philly

Because every good party should have a signature cocktail, here’s one your guests will remember.

>> Get more Be Well Philly recipes here.