This content has been archived. It may no longer be relevant
No other cooking method is as relaxing and as rewarding as grilling at home.
Grilled meat often takes on complex flavor profiles with the perfect texture for mouthwatering meals.
The problem with some grilled meats, particularly many of the popular pork and beef cuts, is that they’re high in fat and pack loads of calories.
This can make it difficult to stay healthy when you grill every other night.
If you want to grill more but want to keep it healthy, we have some tips that you’re going to want to see.
Here are the best healthy meats to grill at any time of year.
Switch Beef Burgers to Turkey
Turkey, while similar in flavor profile to chicken, is much richer, giving it an intense taste that is perfect for burgers.
If you love making burgers but want a healthier option, switch out the ground beef in your recipe for ground turkey.
For the healthiest option, choose ground turkey meat from the breast.
It contains less fat than the darker meat from legs and wings.
Turkey is prone to drying out when cooked on a grill.
You can overcome this by adding a little olive oil to the ground mix before forming it into burgers, or use any heart-healthy oil like Canola, Corn, Soybean, or Sunflower oil.
Try Grilling More Fish
Fish is an excellent substitute for poultry or red meat when cooking on the grill.
You can go for something subtle like salmon which is rich in healthy omega-3 oil, or tuna if you’re looking for something more flavorful that is rich in healthy protein.
Tuna steaks are an excellent replacement for beef and the flavor will surprise you.
To get the best results from tuna, use steaks around two or three inches thick.
If the tuna was frozen fresh, completely thaw it before cooking.
Brush it with oil using a Silicone Basting Brush and add salt and pepper before cooking.
Sear the sides dark for around 45 seconds to 1 minute per side.
The result will be a beautiful medium steak with an unforgettable flavor.
Lemon-based sauces or even something tropical like mango salsa are excellent for pairing with Tuna steaks.
Tenderloin is a Healthier Pork Cut
Pork chops are a favorite during the grilling season, but they’re also high in fat.
If you want to cut calories without compromising flavor, you can choose pork tenderloin for your outdoor meal.
Because of the fat difference, tenderloin has less than half the calories of chops when comparing equal weights.
This Traeger Grills Pork and Poultry Rub will impart delicious honey and apple flavors.
Pork tenderloin should be cooked to 65°C or 145°F at the thickest part of the meat.
You can use any meat probe to check your meat on the grill.
This ThermoPro TP16S is a great choice if you want reliability on a budget.
Use Flank Steak Instead of Tender Cuts
Flank steak isn’t the most tender steak cut, but it is one of the healthiest with just 10 grams of fat and 260 calories per 5 ounces serving.
Flank steak is great when
Season the steak with this Traeger Grills Beef Rub for a sweet and spicy kick.
Flank steak should be cooked medium-rare for the best flavor.
The internal temperature at the thickest part of the meat should be 57°C or 135°F.
Be sure to sear the exterior and finish the steak away from direct heat and let it rest for at least five minutes before slicing and serving.
Healthy Cooking on Your Grill Can be Flavorful
You can choose healthy meats to grill and still get an amazing flavor.
With a few smart choices, you can grill whenever you want, without any of the guilt.