The secrets to the ultimate healthy barbecue

“I love the primordial thrill of making fantastic food of glowing embers and flickering flames,” says barbecue chef Jamie Purviance, author of Weber's Greatest Hits. “Great barbecue naturally connects people and creates good vibes.”

It’s a feeling most of us know well – balmy nights, a backyard full of smoky scents and flavours, the delicious sound of the grill sizzling. It’s a classic Australian experience, bringing people together in a warm and festive atmosphere.

A barbecue might feel like a party, but it doesn’t have to be a big indulgence. Themis Chryssidis, Accredited Practising Dietitian and spokesperson for the Dietitians Association of Australia, says there are plenty of ways to make your feast healthier. There’s one big key: vegetables.

“For me barbecues are about variety, but that shouldn’t just be a variety of different types of meat. We need to think outside the square a little more,” Themis says.

“Try to make sure there is that fresh and colourful element. You might have a fresh salad on the side, and char grill some other vegetables too. The principle of barbecues is to still think about portions and variety.”

To put together the perfect barbecue, we asked Themis and Jamie for their best advice.

Burgers and red meat

It’s the barbecue classic – sizzling steaks and burgers. Choosing leaner cuts of meat, and trimming off the excess fat, is an easy way to make your feast healthier. As a bonus, it also reduces the chance of flare ups on the barbecue.

Look for choice or select grades of beef, and choose loin or round cuts of red meat and pork. "Of course, things like porterhouse steak or fillets can come at a higher cost. We can get around that by making sure we only have small portions – so a 100 g serve, not a 300 g rib eye,” Themis says.

If you love burgers, a good option is to buy extra lean ground beef (or chicken, turkey or legumes like chickpeas and lentils) and make your own. It’s easier than you think, and they’re likely to be healthier than many pre-made patties.

Pro barbecuing tips

For deliciously juicy burgers, Jamie advises cooking with the barbecue lid down. “This reflects heat onto the top of each patty, meaning the burgers are cooking on both sides,” he says.

“Also, closing the lid restricts the amount of air getting to the fire and eliminates a lot of potential flare-ups. The lid also keeps the grilling grate hot enough to sear the surface of each patty properly, and speeds up the overall cooking time.”

Chicken and turkey

Go beyond red meat – think succulent chicken with ginger and honey, or turkey seared with Moroccan spices. “Chicken breast and turkey breast are really good options for the barbecue,” Themis says. “Just like with red meat, make sure the focus is on lean cuts of meat and portion control too.”

Choose breast meat over the fattier dark meat (legs and thighs). A good trick is to remove the skin first – the skin soaks up all the juices and fat while it’s cooking.

Pro barbecuing tips

Boneless pieces will be thin enough to grill over direct heat. But pieces with bones take longer to cook, so you’ll need both direct and indirect heat. “Otherwise, the surface will burn to a crisp before the meat at the bones has lost its pink colour,” Jamie says.

“You can start grilling bone-on parts over direct heat to brown the outer surfaces and then finish the parts over indirect heat. Or, you can start the parts slowly over indirect heat and finish them over direct heat for a final crisping of the skin.”

To prevent flare-ups, it’s usually best to begin with indirect heat. This is particularly true for cooking wings. “The wingtip has almost no meat, so just cut it off before grilling,” Jamie adds.

Fish

Fish and smoky flavour were made for each other. Grill up a side of salmon, mackerel, trout or herring, flavour it with lemon, dill and pepper, and you’ve got yourself a feast. Fish is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which can help support your heart health, brain function and mental health.

Don’t forget seafood – throw together some barbecued prawns with salsa verde, or treat yourself to fresh calamari with chilli and lime.

Pro barbecuing tips

To avoid fish sticking to the grate, Jamie suggests brushing the fillets evenly with oil before cooking. “But don’t overdo it," he says. "If the fish is dripping with oil, you will probably get flare-ups."

Then it’s all about the heat. “Get your grate hot and clean enough that it will dry the watery surface of the fillets quickly so they can brown. Once they begin to brown on a clean grate, they begin to release. Don’t touch any fillet until it's browned and ready to turn.”

Jamie advises grilling the first side for a little longer than the second. “An extra few minutes – with the lid closed – will help the fillet to release from the grates more easily.”

Grilled vegetables

Veggies are essential for a nourishing meal, and grilling them is a great way to bring out their rich flavour. “Personally I love char grilling asparagus, onion and leek,” Themis says. “Throwing capsicums and zucchini on the barbecue works beautifully as well, and marinated eggplant and mushroom are great options.”

Try a simple marinade of olive oil, balsamic vinegar and a little salt and crushed black pepper – it goes deliciously with mushrooms, pumpkin or eggplant. Fill up your plate, or get some skewers and make colourful vegetable kebabs.

Pro barbecuing tips

Choose thicker spears of asparagus, which tend to have more flavour and are ideal for the grill. “Peel the bottom two inches with a vegetable peeler to ensure even cooking,” Jamie says.

For the perfect grilled capsicums, choose ones with relatively straight sides, so they have better contact with the grates. “Many recipes also call for blackening whole capsicums on the grill. Doing so allows you to then cover and steam them, which loosens their skins and makes peeling quick and easy.”

Vegetarian alternatives

A good barbecue can be every bit as delicious for vegetarians. You can get plenty of different tasty veggie burgers and sausages at the supermarket, made with filling ingredients like chickpeas, lentils, soybeans and sweet potato. Or you could grill up some marinated tofu, slices of haloumi, or big Portobello mushrooms, eggplant or pumpkin. There are lots of ways to get juicy texture and flavour, so everyone can enjoy the feast.

Sauces and marinades

Simple ingredients like olive oil, mustard, lemon juice and fresh herbs and spices can give you incredible flavour, without all the extra salt, sugar and fat often found in bottled sauces.

“Try to make marinades yourself, because that’s the best way to control the amount of salt and sugar you’re putting into it,” Themis says. “A simple marinade of balsamic vinegar and olive oil works really well.

“Dry spice rubs, with spices like cumin, coriander and smoked paprika, are another good option for nice toasty flavour. You can also make some beautiful herb condiments, like sauces with fresh herbs and capers and little pickles. Yoghurt and olive oil with a little pinch of salt and some lemon zest is a great little condiment to have with meat."

Pro barbecuing tips

Marinades are best used with foods that cook quickly, like vegetables – otherwise you risk it burning. This is especially true for marinades that contain sugar or honey, like many Asian-style combinations. To marinate meat, brush it gently to lock in moisture and smoky flavour, and drain off any excess before cooking.

Salads and sides

Finally, freshen up your barbecue with colourful salads. Take some leafy greens and get creative with ingredients like almonds, strawberries, blueberries, chickpeas, brown rice, quinoa, low-fat feta and lots of fresh or roasted veggies.

For some nutritious sides, try sweet potato chips, grilled corn on the cob, spicy couscous and wholegrain, seeded breads. Swap the soft drink and beer for a refreshing beverage of sparkling water flavoured with lemon and lime. And for a naturally sweet dessert, try grilling fruits like sliced pineapple, nectarines, plums and peaches – the sugars caramelise with the heat, bringing out a delectable flavour.

Jamie Purviance’s latest cookbook, Weber’s Greatest Hits, is published by Murdoch Books and available now.