There’s nothing better than firing up the grill and enjoying long, warm summer afternoons with your nearest and dearest. Getting into the swing of BBQ season doesn’t have to mean derailing your diet, though. These Weight Watchers-friendly recipes are yummy and skinny, clocking in at under seven points each. You can enjoy sizzling grill favorites, flavorful potato salad, and even a summer-themed cocktail and still stick to your diet.
1. Chicken Kebabs
These chicken kebabs are a Weight Watchers heavy hitter with zero points per serving, tons of fragrant spices, and a serving of seasonal vegetables to give you that nutritional kick. Plus, they come together in a flash, going from your kitchen to the picnic table in just about half an hour. Tender chicken breast cubes get a glow-up from black pepper, garlic powder, cumin, and creamy yogurt. Then, you can skewer them side-by-side with zesty red onion, bright bell pepper, and zucchini and serve with some juicy summer tomatoes and crisp cucumbers.
2. Lemon Bars
I love these sunshine-colored lemon bars because they have a huge hit of tangy citrus flavor, sweetness, and a creamy texture that’s the perfect post-meal treat. Plus, each serving will only set you back five points. The whole thing comes together with a decadent graham cracker crust that’s the perfect complement to the filling and comes together in a snap. The key is to use fresh lemon and lemon juice for authentic flavor with fewer calories.
3. Chicken Burgers
Forget the beefy burgers at your next BBQ and reach for these chicken ones instead. Each patty has one Weight Watchers point and is packed with tender ground chicken, savory bread crumbs, and finely chopped onion for a bit of texture and taste. A sprinkle of paprika lends a rich smokiness to the burgers, and you can add salt and pepper to your liking. Plus, these burgers cook up gloriously on the grill, and you can amp up the nutritional benefits of your meal with some crisp veggies on top.
4. Spinach and Cheese Hand Pies
These hand pies make the ideal portable cookout food. I love packing them for picnics or making a quick batch at home to reheat at my destination. Plus, they’re kid-friendly and taste a bit like cheese and spinach dip, just without all of the additional calories. At four points each, you can snack without guilt, and each hand pie is full of gooey cheese, spinach, and a hint of spice from the red pepper. This is a super versatile recipe you can make for easy lunches on the go or when you’re craving something savory and cheesy but don’t want to order in.
5. Potato Salad
What’s a BBQ without potato salad? Most traditional varieties are calorie bombs, but this gem is only three Weight Watchers points and brings all of the comfort food flavors you’d expect from summer’s favorite creamy salad. You can even enjoy the bacon crumbles on top while still keeping within your daily points. Reduced-calorie mayonnaise and zippy Dijon mustard bring red potatoes to life, and some fresh green onion on top provides contrast and additional flavor. Yum!
6. Watermelon Martini
Bottoms up! If you want to watch your waistline, set the beer aside and stir up this summery three-point watermelon martini instead. It’s full of delicious, sweet watermelon flavor, bright mint, and a hint of lemon juice, and it makes the ultimate cool drink by the pool. The gin will give you a hit of juniper, and if it’s a bit too tart for you, you can add a bit of Stevia for some sweetness. Omit the gin, and you’ll have a fantastic mocktail.
7. Blackened Fish Tacos
These fish tacos come in at just five points per tasty serving, and they’re one of my favorite ways to break up the burger boredom at the BBQ. Tender blackened mahi-mahi filets seasoned with black pepper, parsley, oregano, cayenne, paprika, ginger, and cumin rest on a bed of hearty wheat tortilla. Top it all with crunchy white and red cabbage, homemade pico de gallo, and a dollop of yogurt sauce. The creaminess of the yogurt balances out the spicier filets and tart pico de gallo perfectly.
8. Crescent Roll Veggie Pizza
This recipe is a classic that’s been around since my childhood. Whenever I bite into a piece of it, I get a big hit of nostalgia in addition to the flavorful, buttery crescent roll, creamy topping, and diced vegetables. At four Weight Watcher points per serving, it’s a cookout star that kids and adults will love. Plus, it’s easy to put together with pre-packaged, reduced-fat crescent roll dough, cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, a sprinkle of ranch seasoning, and the veggies of your choice.
9. Mud Cake
Take one bite of this decadent, chocolatey mud cake, and you’ll have a tough time believing it’s only two points per serving, but it’s true. This sweet treat is a guilt-free pleasure that makes the perfect addition to your August BBQ, and you won’t miss the traditional, calorie-laden ingredients. Instead, there are a few smart swaps in there, with applesauce making up the bulk of the base and a bit of freshly brewed coffee to add a rich mocha element to the dish.
10. Strawberry Pie
Celebrate the best summer fruit with this three-point strawberry pie crowned with ruby-red, super sweet, seasonal strawberries atop a creamy filling and a crunchy crust. The key to this pie’s decadent and skinny deliciousness lies in the addition of zero-sugar strawberry Jell-O, which lends a silky texture that pairs perfectly with an easy, flaky, homemade crust.
11. Green Tea Beef Kebabs
Matcha powder gives these beef kebabs a sophisticated flavor, and at five points apiece, you can enjoy them while still fitting into all of your summer clothes. Plus, they’re super easy to put together, with tender cubes of beef tenderloin marinated in soy sauce, lemongrass, furikake, ginger, and matcha. Chopped scallions add color and texture to the dish, and the result is better than anything you could order for takeout.
12. Smoked Chicken Legs
Six-point smoked chicken legs are bound to be a crowd-pleaser at your next cookout. Each drumstick gets a generous marinade of rich brown sugar, paprika, pepper, and garlic powder before being cooked to perfection on the grill. Reserve a little extra sauce to brush over the legs as they sizzle to meaty perfection before serving.
13. Jiffy Corn Casserole
Creamy cubes of corn casserole are the perfect BBQ side dish and pair dreamily with any main course. I love this dish because it’s seven points per serving and celebrates the fresh bounty of summer corn. It’s also a picnic fave and comes together in no time. Start off with some Jiffy Corn muffin mix, add in creamed corn for texture and flavor, then pop in some fresh-off-the-cob corn, Greek yogurt, unsweetened apple sauce, and freshly grated cheddar cheese. The sharpness of the cheddar plays perfectly with the natural sweetness of the corn.
This summer you can have your BBQ favorites and stick to your daily points too, with these easy Weight Watchers recipes that the whole family can enjoy. Once you see how quickly they come together, they’re sure to be a regular part of your summertime celebrations.
