One underappreciated perk of grilling is that a lot of things people regularly cook on the grill are naturally low-carb. This includes proteins like steaks, fish, chicken, and turkey as well as lots of fruits and vegetables. Grilling also tends to bring out the natural flavors of these foods in ways that other cooking methods can’t always do. For example, naturally occurring sugars in fruits and vegetables caramelize when grilled, giving the food an extra layer of sweetness without adding extra sugar. Keeping good oil, salt, pepper, and favorite spice blends on hand allows burgeoning grill masters to take the same basic proteins and vegetables and create radically different healthy dishes every time. It’s also possible to create an entire multi-course meal on a grill. Low-carb recipes designed for the grill are available for appetizers, main courses, side dishes, and even desserts.
Appetizers
- Grilled Shrimp: Shrimp, olive oil, salt, and pepper are all that’s needed for this delicious starter.
- Grilled Oysters With Compound Brown Butter: Grilled oysters make for an easy and delicious appetizer.
- Grilled Eggplant Rollups: Goat cheese and red bell peppers pair with eggplant for this low-carb appetizer that can be grilled ahead of time and served cold.
- Grilled Avocado With Cherry Tomatoes and Herbs: This recipe results in a very pretty dish that’s also a refreshing start to a summer meal.
- Grilled Eggplant Bruschetta: Eggplant takes the place of bread in this vegetarian appetizer that’s perfect for the grill.
- Grilled Sardines, Charred Lemon, and Chiles: This recipe depends on kitchen staples and canned fish, meaning that it’s the perfect thing to make for unexpected dinner guests.
Fish and Shellfish Main Dishes
- Lemon Grilled Salmon: Simple, fresh, and flavorful, this recipe just needs a simple salad or side dish as an accompaniment.
- Pesto Grilled Shrimp: The pesto adds a sophisticated twist to this family-friendly low-carb dish.
- Citrus Grilled Shrimp and Zoodles: No one will miss traditional pasta after they try this low-carb take that’s also keto and Whole 30 compliant.
- 20-Minute Tomato-Basil Grilled Fish Foil Packets: Since this dish is absolutely delicious and requires practically no cleanup, it’s the perfect dinner recipe!
Meat-Based Main Dishes
- Grilled Asparagus and Steak Fajita Roll-Ups: You won’t even miss the tortillas with this flavorful dish.
- Grilled Tri-Tip With Peppers and Onions: Need a recipe for a crowd? This well-seasoned tri-tip works well.
- How to Grill Steak Perfectly Every Time: Brush up on a classic recipe to ensure a beautiful steak.
- Grilled Keto Burger With Horseradish Sauce: Give your burgers a kick with this low-carb makeover.
Poultry-Based Main Dishes
- Mediterranean Grilled Chicken Breasts: Move meal prep outside by grilling up a batch of these flavorful chicken breasts to use as a low-carb main dish all week long.
- Sriracha Ranch Chicken: It’s easy to customize the heat level of this dish by adding or subtracting the amount of sriracha sauce used in the marinade.
- Hasselback Fajita-Stuffed Chicken: A classic potato dish gets a spicy low-carb makeover by replacing the potatoes with chicken breasts and adding some fajita-inspired elements.
- Grilled Turkey With Lime and Cilantro: It’s easy to fall into a rut if you cook chicken a lot, but switching things up with turkey can make for a nice change of pace.
Vegetarian Main Dishes
- Grilled Vegetable Salad With Olive Oil and Feta: The use of healthy fats helps make this vegetarian dish filling enough for a main course.
- Grilled Celeriac Steak: Celery root is a creamy root vegetable that turns velvety when grilled.
- Marinated Vegetable Kebabs on the Grill: If you’re feeding a crowd with different dietary requirements and palates, it’s easy to make everyone happy with this recipe.
- Grilled Halloumi Salad: Try a low-carb take on a classic Greek dish featuring warm cheese.
- Grilled Chipotle Lime Cauliflower Steaks: Chipotle powder adds smokiness to this vegetarian twist on grilled steak.
Side Dishes
- Grilled Vegetable Salad With Olive Oil and Feta: The use of healthy fats helps make this vegetarian dish filling enough for a main course.
- Grilled Celeriac Steak: Celery root is a creamy root vegetable that turns velvety when grilled.
- Marinated Vegetable Kebabs on the Grill: If you’re feeding a crowd with different dietary requirements and palates, it’s easy to make everyone happy with this recipe.
- Grilled Halloumi Salad: Try a low-carb take on a classic Greek dish featuring warm cheese.
- Grilled Chipotle Lime Cauliflower Steaks: Chipotle powder adds smokiness to this vegetarian twist on grilled steak.
Desserts
- Grilled Peaches: Fruit cooks beautifully on the grill, and this low-carb dessert recipe makes it possible to cook every course without ever stepping into the kitchen.
- Grilled Fruit Salad With Coconut Cream: Vegetarians and meat-eaters alike will enjoy this lactose-free, low-carb dish.
- Coconut Whipped Cream and Macadamia Grilled Pineapple Stacks: Pineapple cooks beautifully on the grill!