Healthy BBQ Essentials for a Better Summer Cookout 🔥

BBQ season is one of the best parts of summer — and it can absolutely be healthy, too. With a few smart swaps, you can build a cookout menu that feels fresh, satisfying, and full of flavour without relying on overly processed sauces, sugary sides, or heavy mains. A healthy BBQ doesn’t have to mean giving up your favourites — it just means incorporating whole foods more often. 🌿

What makes a BBQ healthier?

A healthy BBQ starts with the same basics as any balanced meal: quality protein, fiber, good fats, and plenty of colour. Instead of building your plate around refined buns, sugary sauces, and heavy sides, aim for a mix of protein, fresh vegetables, fiber-rich sides, and flavourful condiments made with simpler ingredients.

Healthy BBQ essentials we love

A great BBQ spread doesn’t need to be complicated. These are some of the best healthy essentials to keep on hand for a summer cookout:

• Burgers made with quality ingredients.
• Fresh vegetables like grilled zucchini, peppers, mushrooms, and salad greens.
• Simple condiments that add flavour without a lot of extra fuss.
• Better-for-you sides like bean salad, broccoli salad, and fresh slaw.
• Healthy snacks and starters like veggie trays, hummus, and fruit.

Our Simply Goodness favourites

When you want flavour without the fuss, our Simply Goodness products are BBQ season staples.

Our Simply Goodness Pickles bring the perfect tangy crunch to burgers, sandwiches, and picnic plates. They’re a simple way to add bold flavour and a little zip to your summer spread.

Our Simply Goodness BBQ Sauce is another customer favourite, especially when you want that classic smoky-sweet BBQ taste without overcomplicating your ingredient list. It’s great on burgers, grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, and anything else that needs a little summer flavour.

Build a better burger 🍔

Burgers are a BBQ classic, and they can absolutely fit into a healthy eating pattern. Start with a good-quality patty, then build it up with fresh toppings and smart condiments.

Try adding:

• Leafy greens
• Tomato
• Onion
• Avocado
• Pickles
• A spoonful of Simply Goodness BBQ Sauce
• A lighter bun or lettuce wrap
• OR deconstruct the burger entirely with no bread or wrap

The result is a burger that feels satisfying, flavourful, and more balanced. And if you’re serving a crowd, setting out a burger bar makes it easy for everyone to customize their plate.

Healthy BBQ sides and extras

The sides are where a BBQ can really shine. Instead of relying only on chips and creamy salads, try mixing in a few fresh, colourful options that still feel festive.

Some great ideas include:

• Grilled corn (or veggie skewers) with herbs
• The Good Kitchen’s Bean Salad – available in store!
• The Good Kitchen’s Chickpea Feta Salad – available in store!
• The Good Kitchen’s Broccoli Salad – available in store!
• Maple Drizzled Fruit Salad (stay tuned for this recipe!)
• Summar Kale Salad (stay tuned for this recipe!)
• Plant Based BBQ salad recipe (below)

You can also include healthy packaged products from our shelves, like better-for-you crackers, dips, dressings, and other picnic-friendly favourites that make summer entertaining easier.

BBQ season can still be healthy

Summer food is meant to be enjoyed, and healthy eating should never feel restrictive. BBQ season can be healthy because it naturally invites fresh ingredients, outdoor movement, relaxed meals, and more time spent with people you love. When you focus on balance instead of perfection, it becomes much easier to stay nourished.✨

Vegan BBQ Salad 🌿

You can eat more plants, and still have your burger or steak as the main fyi 😉
I got the bones of this recipe from The Happy Herbivore, but have made some additions and substitutions over the years:

 -          Org Romaine Hearts

 -          Org Corn

 -          Org Black Beans

 -          Jicama

 -          Diced Tomatoes

 -          Diced Red Onion

 -          Avocado

 -          Cilantro

 -          Vegan Mayo

 -         BBQ Sauce of Choice

 -      Tortilla Strips or crushed Tortilla chips

*Optional* Brown Rice for protein combining and extra fiber.

It’s this easy:

Thin slice the romaine and add everything else on top (save the avo, cilantro, and tortilla strips for later. Add 3 heaping tbsp of vegan mayonnaise and layer in your BBQ sauce to taste.  Toss well, and top with sliced avocado, cilantro, and tortilla strips. I make this one at home every summer and it’s a fiber rich, nutrient dense accompaniment to any grilling season main. (If you are staunchly carnivore, top with BBQ chicken breast.)

Shop the BBQ essentials

Ready to build a healthier summer cookout? Shop some of our favourite BBQ must-haves here:

• Simply Goodness Pickles
• Simply Goodness BBQ Sauce
• Burgers and grill-ready proteins
• The Perfect Chip to pair!

Save 10% on our Summer BBQ Bundle in stores from June 24 to Aug 4!

Want to learn more about how to make mindful choices, balance your plate, and enjoy real food that tastes great? That’s where our Lifewatchers 8 week course comes in! Check out our fall sessions here!