A good, old fashioned cookout is one of the best parts of summer, but this year, you might consider rethinking your approach to the grill. Try focusing on fresh, wholesome foods and ingredients — without the sky-high prices.
One easy way to do that: Utilize a wholesale club, such as BJ’s Wholesale Club. Many of these members-only markets offer incredible value on everything you need for a summer barbecue, including huge selection of fresh and organic ingredient and top-of-the-line grills, patio furniture, and accessories. Once you stock up, we've got some ideas for what you should cook.
Go For Better Beef
Ditch the bad-for-you-stuff — hot dogs and sausages — and opt for lean beef patties and skirt steaks. Unprocessed red meats have plenty of iron, protein and B vitamins so you can feel good about what you’re consuming while upping your grilling game.
Pro tip: Marinate your meats for about 30 minutes prior to grilling to get the best, fresh taste.
Choose In-Season Vegetables
According to the USDA, seasonal produce like bell peppers, carrots, corn and zucchini are excellent grilling candidates. A perk of BJ’s wholesale club is that members can save up to 25% off regular grocery store prices. Feel good about having fresh, organic ingredients at a great price! Try this bangin’ corn recipe that will be an instant crowd-pleaser.
Pro tip: To ensure smaller veggie pieces don’t fall through the grate, DIY your own grill basket by folding a 24-inch long piece of foil in half and crimping the edges.
Grill Your Fruit (Seriously!)
Instead of plain ol’ guacamole to get the party started, try grilling your avocados! Grilling fruit (yes, avocado is a fruit!) is an easy skill to master. You want the grill just hot enough to create grill marks on the avocado, but not so hot that it'll melt it. Fill with pico de gallo or a corn salad and you’ll have an appetizer that is as pretty as it is delicious.
Pro tip: Grilled fruit skewers make a delicious, healthy dessert option.
Include Fish On The Menu
Cookouts don't need to be so meat-heavy. Grilled fish entrees can elevate the simplest backyard barbecues. One of the heartiest fishes, tuna, is a great source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and minerals. It’s also a leaner fish, which means it contains less unhealthy saturated fats. It's best-served medium rare, and cooking it at medium heat it is less likely to dry out. You could also try a marinade, like Wellsley Farms Thai sweet chili sauce, for an extra punch of flavor.
Pro tip: Cook fish on a bed of lemon to keep it from sticking to the grill.
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