Father's Day is one of the first holidays of the summer in the US and as such, usually calls for a barbecue. We expect burgers, brats, beer, and all the fixings when we're grilling out for dad. But these days, lots of dads are either on doctor's orders to eat healthier or are choosing to keep fit and healthy all on their own. Now that doesn't mean there's no room for a splurge on a day of celebration—there's nothing like a juicy burger—but it's nice to be able to mix in some healthy options as well. A barbecue is actually the perfect occasion to experiment with healthier preparations. Grilling is fairly fool-proof, doesn't require a ton of added oil or fat, and automatically adds flavor to just about any food.
More from MamásLatinas: 30 Ways to celebrate Father's Day without spending a dime
There's honestly no end to the number of different dishes you can grill up this Father's Day. From veggies to dessert—you could even make the entire Father's Day meal on the grill. And while grilling is a great opportunity to create healthier fare for the dad in your life, less fattening barbecued foods are also a nice change of pace. You'll probably be eating the same burgers and hot dogs at barbecues all summer long so why not introduce some better-for-you options for the grill now? We promise dad won't be disappointed with these healthy, grilled dishes for Father's Day.
Spicy grilled salmon tastes like barbecue.
Replace some of the meat at your Father's Day barbecue with this spicy grilled salmon and no one will bat an eye. It's flavored with creole seasoning and marinated with soy sauce, brown sugar, hot sauce, and spices, so it's packed full of the sweet and spicy flavors that scream barbecue.
Get the full recipe from African Bites.
Grill up a healthier cut of pork.
Pork tenderloin is one of the leanest cuts of pork available and because it's white meat, it just so happens to soak up flavors incredibly well and it cooks up quicker on the grill than say ribs or bone-in pork chops. Try marinating it in a combination of lots of garlic, herbs, mustard, and honey for a simple, but sure-to-please Father's Day protein.
Get the full recipe from Creme de la Crumb.
Juicy beer can chicken is always a winner.
Beer can chicken is super easy to prepare on the grill and once you remove the skin, it's an incredibly healthy protein to serve up at your Father's Day barbecue. Just season the bird how you like it, prop it up on an open can of any beer and let it cook upright on the grill for about an hour and a half and you'll have enough tender, juicy, flavorful chicken to feed the family.
Get the full recipe from Cooking Light.
This shrimp and corn combo is a nice change of pace.
You can cook up an entire shrimp dinner in a foil pack on the grill for Father's Day to minimize prep so you can actually enjoy time with the family while still making everyone a delicious and nutritious meal. Shrimp and corn on the cob can cook together in a flavorful mixture of citrus juices, ginger, and garlic and be ready to eat in less than 20 minutes. Yum, yum!
Get the full recipe from My Recipes.
Portobello burgers are the best vegetarian barbecue option.
If your family has gone plant-based but you're not into bland, store-bought veggie burgers and don't want to spend all of Father's Day grinding up grains and veggies to make your own, try grilling up portobello burgers instead. Portobello mushrooms are thick and meaty, so you can marinate them to infuse them with flavor and stack them on a bun with your favorite burger toppings.
Get the full recipe from Skinnytaste.
Grilled watermelon is amped up with feta cheese.
Watermelon and feta is a tried and true combination, but grilling the watermelon just a bit first makes it extra special. Tossed in citrus juices and mint, this light and easy side dishes is perfect alongside grilled proteins and is sure to wow your Father's Day guests.
Get the full recipe from Chowhound.
Grilled Caesar salad is unexpected and dad-friendly.
Sometimes it's as difficult to get dad to eat salad as it is to get the kids to do it. But when you quickly grill romaine to bring out the flavor and serve it up with toasty, grilled bread and a zesty, cheesy homemade Caesar dressing, you just can't go wrong.
Get the full recipe from Fine Cooking.
Surprise everyone with these savory sweet potatoes.
Potatoes of all varieties are some of the easiest vegetables to grill because they are so sturdy. We love the idea of seasoning sweet potatoes with Latin spices, like cumin and chili powder, and letting them goat crispy and charred on the grill. It's the perfect side dish for Father's Day.
Get the full recipe from Add a Pinch.
Replace potato chips with grilled salt and vinegar potatoes.
If dad is a big fan of salt and vinegar potato chips, he's going to flip over these grilled salt and vinegar potatoes. Plus, they're really simple to make. You just partially cook the potatoes in vinegar, let them dry out a bit and then toss them on the grill and finish with some olive oil, salt and pepper. They are so tangy and delicious.
Get the full recipe from Serious Eats.
Keep it classic with grilled corn.
Corn on the cob is an old standby at barbecues and picnics, but instead of simply boiling it, try grilling it this Father's Day. It's just as easy as boiling, but the kernels stay nice and plump and juicy when you leave the husk on and they steam to perfection. Grilled corn also looks really impressive when you pull it off the grill, so it makes any celebratory dinner feel a bit more special.
Get the full recipe from Foodie Crush.
Grilled pineapple with lime dip adds a tropical feel to your barbecue.
Lightly sweetened with brown sugar and enhanced with honey and lime juice, sweet, tropical pineapple makes for the perfect grilled dessert. The pineapple gets slightly soft on the grill and all of the sugars caramelize on the grill to create a truly decadent flavor. Dipped in a simple lime cream cheese dip, it's the perfect ending for your Father's Day barbecue.
Get the full recipe from Taste of Home.
Grilled peaches topped with ice cream are a real treat.
Even when you drown them in browned butter and top them with ice cream, grilled peaches for dessert are still healthier than brownies or cake. The peach flavor is complemented with vanilla, honey, and cinnamon, which also pairs perfectly with rich vanilla ice cream to create a healthier dessert that feels a lot like an ice cream sundae.
Get the full recipe from Half Baked Harvest.
Grilled fruit pizza looks super-impressive.
Grilled fruit pizza looks and sounds pretty fancy, but it's actually quite simple to prepare. A variety of fruits and store-bought flatbread are quickly charred on the grill, a quick herbed ricotta is spread on the bread and then it's topped with fruit for a delicious and refreshing dessert.
Get the full recipe from The Chunky Chef.
Have family-style dessert with these grilled dessert nachos.
To make these banana split grilled dessert nachos, you'll grill up all the fruits you typically see in a banana split and then layer them with homemade cinnamon-sugar nacho chips and top the whole mess with chocolate chips. It's totally indulgent, but still relatively healthy and an absolute blast to share with your family.
Get the full recipe from Two Healthy Kitchens.
Boozy grilled bananas are a sweet ending to the perfect Father's Day.
Glazed with a combination of rum and molasses, simple grilled bananas make a rich-tasting dessert to serve dad on Father's Day. The bananas soften up to a luxurious texture on the grill and the sauce makes them feel extra-special. While delicious as is, served up with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, this grilled dessert is spectacular.
Get the full recipe from A Family Feast.
