
Grilled corn is just one of many options for vegetarian grilling. — Getty Images
Grilling is usually for meats, but with their high fat content and cholesterol, they may not be ideal as the center of your diet. If you love that fresh-off-the-grill taste but want to stay healthy, these vegetarian recipes could be just what you've been looking for.
Sign up for the AARP Health Newsletter.
1) Oriental Tofu, Onion and Mushroom Kebabs by Antony Worrall Thompson: For an easy weeknight dinner, make this low-fat dish and serve with rice. Just marinate the tofu, onion and mushrooms, thread them onto skewers and grill. Dinner-on-a-stick always makes a fun main course for al fresco dining. Per serving: 242 calories, 8g fat, 28g carbohydrates
2) Grilled Fresh Figs on Rosemary Skewers by Marie Simmons: These easy grilled figs can be served in many ways: appetizer, sweet marinade or dessert. Rosemary stems serve as the skewers for the figs, making them visually appealing and sustainable. Per serving: 113 calories, 0g fat, 30g carbohydrates, 1g protein, 2g fiber
3) Grilled Wild Mushrooms, Radicchio and Sprouts Sandwich by Linda Zimmerman: Make lunch low-fat and delicious with this recipe. A great alternative to meat sandwiches, this sandwich is high in fiber and can be assembled easily on a cooler summer day. Try other toppings like fresh basil, tomatoes or spinach for even more nutrition and flavor. Per serving: 55 calories, 1g fat, 11g carbohydrates, 3g protein, 6g fiber
4) Southwestern Quinoa Tabbouleh by Crescent Dragonwagon: Spice things up with a colorful, high-fiber Southwestern dish. It can be made in under an hour and is great for picnics or potlucks, warm or cold. Jalepeño and poblano peppers add spice to this dish but are cooled by refreshing tomatoes, cilantro and corn. Per serving: 293 calories, 7g fat, 50g carbohydrates, 12g protein, 18g fiber
5) Smoky Eggplant Purée by Greg and Lucy Malouf: Try this great appetizer for a Mediterranean twist. Serve with thin flatbread as a dip, or even as a topping for a sandwich. The recipe calls for roasting the eggplant on an open stove flame, but grilling will likely achieve similar results. Per serving: 53 calories, 2g fat, 8g carbohydrates, 2g protein, 4g fiber
6) Grilled Zucchini and Pepper Salad With Cilantro and Cumin by Victoria Blashford-Snell and Brigette Hafner: Here's another salad ideal for a summer potluck. It brings sweet and fresh flavors together: honey, cilantro and lemon accenting tomatoes, zucchini and bell peppers. The marinade can be made up to three days ahead and the salad should be served at room temperature. Per serving: 306 calories, 25g fat, 23g carbohydrates, 5g protein, 6g fiber
7) Grilled Corn by Christopher Idone: Grilling corn gives it an unparalleled deep, smoky quality. Try this recipe, which uses chiles, thyme and cilantro to bring a savory spice to it. If you don't have a food processor, a mortar and pestle can most likely be substituted for combining the herbs, and mixed with the butter in a blender until smooth. Per serving: 316 calories, 18g fat, 39g carbohydrates, 7g protein, 4g fiber
8) Grilled Tofu With Flame-Wilted Spinach by Steven Raichlin: This Asian-inspired tofu dish is sweet with honey and oranges, but tart with balsamic vinegar, brought together for complex flavor. It can be prepared easily in one to two days, or even the night of a party — just allow at least two hours for the tofu to marinate. Per serving: 501 calories, 24g fat, 36g carbohydrates, 42g protein, 10g fiber
9) Cherry Tomato Skewers With Fresh Basil by Diane Morgan: This Italian-inspired appetizer can be made in less than 15 minutes, making it a good choice for last-minute picnics or a simply prepared lunch. Try serving with fresh mozzarella as a salad for a more filling take on this recipe. Per serving: 121 calories, 10g fat, 7g carbohydrates, 2g protein, 2g fiber
10) Grilled Artichokes by Steven Raichlen: This fiber-filled recipe counts on olive oil, lemon, garlic and parsley to accent the flavor of grilled artichokes. If you are planning on grilling other things when making this recipe, be sure to put the artichokes on first, as they will probably need more time to grill than your other dishes. Per serving: 214 calories, 17g fat, 15g carbohydrates, 4g protein, 7g fiber
You may also like: Cutting back on meat can lengthen your life.
Topic Alerts
You can get weekly email alerts on the topics below. Just click “Follow.”
Manage AlertsProcessing
Please wait...









Tell Us WhatYou Think
Please leave your comment below.
You must be signed in to comment.
Sign In | RegisterMore comments »