Healthy Cookout Menus

Pork Tenderloin with Spicy Guava Glaze

Rubbing lean pork tenderloin with a fragrant spice mixture before grilling infuses flavor into the meat. Then, instead of a traditional barbecue sauce, brush the pork with a sweet glaze of guava paste, vinegar, and jalapeño pepper to add a tropical note to your barbecue. To carry out your island theme, serve the pork with rice and a mango salsa.

Recipe: Pork Tenderloin with Spicy Guava Glaze

Sizzling Grilled Steak

Satisfy the steak and potato crowd with this easy grilled menu that's ready in about 40 minutes. A California Cabernet Sauvignon is the perfect wine to pair with the steak, and it you want to offer an easy dessert, homemade Peach Ice Cream will make everyone happy.

Menu: Sizzling Grilled Steak

Jerk Pork Tenderloin with Pineapple-Rum Relish

Jerk seasoning originated in the Caribbean and is used a either a marinade or rub for grilled meats. The blend of cinnamon, allspice, thyme, black pepper, and habañero pepper give the seasoning its characteristic sweet heat. The fruit relish balances the heat and is a colorful addition to the plate. Serve the pork and relish with steamed rice and fresh greens for a truly unique barbecue meal.

Recipe: Jerk Pork Tenderloin with Pineapple-Rum Relish

Hoisin and Bourbon-Glazed Pork Tenderloin

Pork tenderloin is the leanest and most tender cut of pork–a 3-ounce portion has about the same amount of fat as a 3-ounce skinless chicken breast. Grilling tenderloin over wood chips and basting in a sweet-and-spicy glaze puts the flavor over the top. Invite some friends over and serve the pork with Tomato Relish, Spring Giardiniera, Rosemary-Roasted Mashed Potatoes, and Grasshopper Ice Cream Pie.

Recipe: Hoisin and Bourbon-Glazed Pork Tenderloin

Kansas City Barbecued Chicken

Take a break from pork and sauce up some chicken with this sweet and spicy Kansas City-style sauce. This version has a nice balance of brown sugar and vinegar so the sauce isn't overwhelmingly sweet. Low-fat potato salad and crisp coleslaw make perfect accompaniments.

Recipe: Kansas City Barbecued Chicken

Beer-Can Chicken with Cola Barbecue Sauce

Cooking a chicken over a can of beer may seem kind of zany, but it really does add flavor to the chicken and helps keep it moist during grilling. To complement the hint of beer in the chicken, serve it with this unique sauce of cola, ketchup, and Worcestershire. You'll love this chicken with Sweet Potato Shoestring Fries and Fresh-From-the Garden Vegetable Salad.

Recipe: Beer-Can Chicken with Cola Barbecue Sauce

Carolina Pulled Pork with Lexington Red Sauce

Carolina-style barbecue features a thin, vinegar-based sauce that gives the shredded pork a tangy kick. Vinegar-based sauces are typically lower in sugar than sweet, tomato-based sauces, and here, the sauce is brushed on a bone-in pork shoulder, also known as Boston butt. Complete the menu with fresh tomato slices and grilled corn.

Recipe: Carolina Pulled Pork with Lexington Red Sauce

Barbecued Pork

If you're tired of the same ol' BBQ sauce, this pork is marinated and basted with a rich mixture of brewed coffee, molasses, spicy brown mustard, and vinegar. The coffee flavor is subtle, but adds a rich depth to the molasses and mustard. And as long as you're departing from tradition, why not replace baked beans with black beans and potato salad with grilled plantains?

Recipe: Barbecued Pork

Grilled Chicken with White Barbecue Sauce

Fans of white barbecue sauce love its tangy creaminess with just the right kick from both black and red ground pepper. This sauce is low in fat because it uses reduced-calorie mayonnaise, vinegar, and a splash of lemon juice. Create a hearty backyard menu by adding potato salad, a fresh lima bean-corn salad, and homemade ice cream.

Recipe: Grilled Chicken with White Barbecue Sauce

More Healthy Summertime Favorites

Stay fit, trim and cool with these healthy hot-weather recipes.

Healthy Diet