Healthy BBQ side dishes
Southwestern Corn
Nothing goes better with BBQ than a side of corn with some Southwestern flair. For this light side dish that’s high in Vitamin C, you’ll need:
- 2 cups of corn kernels
- 1 14-ounce can hominy (it’s Mexican corn found in the “international” aisle of the grocery store)
- 1 small red bell pepper, diced
- 1 small green pepper, diced
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Heat the oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the peppers and corn, stirring occasionally for 3 to 5 minutes until tender. Stir in the chili powder, cumin and salt and let it cook for 30 seconds before adding in the hominy. Let it cook for 2 more minutes while stirring.
Southwestern Vegetable Kebabs
For another Southwest-inspired recipe that’s perfect with your BBQ, you’ll need:
- 2 ears of corn on the cob, husked
- 1 medium sweet or red onion, cut into 12 wedges
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into 12 (1-inch) chunks
- 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into 12 (1-inch) chunks
- 1 green bell pepper, cut into 12 (1-inch) chunks
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of seasoned salt
- 1 teaspoon of chili powder
- 1/2 a teaspoon of sugar
Thread the corn and bell peppers, alternating between them, onto 12-inch metal kebab skewers. Brush the vegetable evenly with the olive oil and then combine all of the seasonings together and sprinkle over both sides of the vegetables for even coverage. Wrap each of the kebabs heavily with aluminum foil and keep refrigerated for 4 hours. Place them on the grill over medium coals for 10 minutes or until evenly cooked on both sides.
Simple Bean Salad
This has got to be one of the easiest and healthiest side dishes you can make. You’ll need:
- 1 large can of mixed beans
- 1 small can of garbanzo beans
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 clove of fresh garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon of dried basil
- A dash of salt to taste
Combine all of the ingredients together in a bowl with a lid; shake to ensure that the ingredients are evenly combined and let chill for at least one hour before serving.
