If you’re anything like me, you know the best way to bond with your dad is over a flaming hot grill. Cooking up charred, choice cuisine is the ultimate way to spend a sunny Father’s Day. While grilled fare can be deceptively high in calories, these ten options deliver big on taste while still keeping the celebration skinny. Plus, we have options for meat-eaters, vegetarians, and everyone in between, so nobody will go hungry or bust their diet. Fire up the grill and serve one of these Weight Watchers classics to celebrate your dad in style this year.
1. Chili’s Margarita Grilled Chicken
This copycat recipe runs circles around the original, and it’s super Weight Watchers friendly at just one point per serving. I like to pair it with an easy, homemade pico de gallo made of juicy ripe tomatoes, fiery jalapeño peppers, corn, onion, bright cilantro, and zesty lime juice. Stevia powder is an excellent counterbalance to tart lime and lemon juice and pairs beautifully with succulent grilled chicken. If you love your Chilis but don’t want to spend the money or calories on their iconic dish, try this version on for size.
2. Weight Watchers Grilled Shrimp
I love grilled shrimp because they cook in a flash and are always packed with plenty of intense flavor. This three-point version will be a hit at your Father’s Day barbecue, with an unexpected and delicious marinade made with apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, red pepper flakes, sage, and lime juice that plays up the juicy, mild flavor of fresh shrimp. Paired with chunks of chopped bell pepper and onion, this dish is a complete meal. I like to use different colored bell peppers for visual interest, but you can certainly clear out your crisper with anything you have on hand.
3. Perfectly Grilled Mango
Get your five fruits and vegetables in with this fantastic grilled mango recipe that’s the ideal companion to heavier Father’s Day fare. You can have as much as you want at zero points per serving. The key is choosing mangos that are ripe but firm enough to stand up to the grill and pairing them with fiery spices for a delicious contrast. I use a combination of vinegar, black pepper, paprika, and lime to complement the sweetness of the tropical fruit. Sprinkle a bit of chopped cilantro over the dish at the end for a bit of freshness and a beautiful presentation.
4. Grilled Cauliflower Steaks
This two-point dish is perfect for the vegetarians at your party, but meat-eaters will love it too. Plus, you’ll get a hefty dose of Vitamin C and plenty of potassium and magnesium from each enticing serving. Cauliflower is one of the most versatile veggies around because it’s robust enough to mimic a steak, but you can also toss it in a stir-fry or make cauliflower rice. In this recipe, thick cauliflower slices get a liberal drizzle of olive oil, garlic powder, hot paprika, salt, and pepper. I like to sprinkle nutritional yeast and fresh parsley on at the end for a rich, umami flavor that complements the cauliflower like a dream.
5. Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken Burrito
Treat your dad to an upgraded version of Taco Bell’s famous grilled chicken burrito for a fraction of the calories and points. At three Weight Watchers points per serving, it’s a summertime winner that invokes all of the original flavors guilt-free. Chipotle sauce and creamy, cool avocado pair delightfully with juicy grilled chicken breast, mozzarella cheese, juicy tomato, crisp lettuce, and cabbage. A bit of taco seasoning and a touch of salt and pepper tie it all together. Plus, you don’t even need a plate, making clean-up a breeze.
6. Vegan Kebabs
Even if you indulge in meat, it’s good to embrace the veggie side from time to time. You’ll get a galaxy of nutrients and enjoy new flavor profiles. These vegan kebabs are just two Weight Watchers points per serving, and they are so intensely flavorful that you’ll never miss the meat. A combination of soy sauce, mustard-marinated seitan chunks, and BBQ-seasoned veggies makes for a healthy and hearty meal. I like to use button mushrooms, zucchini, beets, and cherry tomatoes, but you can use any combination of vegetables that you have on hand.
7. Weight Watchers Pork Burgers
If you want a break from the beef, these four-point pork burgers fit the menu nicely. The secret taste weapon is sugar-free, light barbecue sauce, which gives the burger patties a layered, smoky note but still lets the other condiments of your choice shine. You’ll also need breadcrumbs, a bit of minced garlic, onion powder, egg, and salt and pepper. The result is a scrumptious patty ready for all your favorite fixin’s.
8. Weight Watchers Turkey Burgers
Turkey burgers are a smart way to enjoy traditional cookout fare while staying within the limits of your diet, and this two-point recipe is one of the best I’ve found. Plus, it’s super simple with shortcut ingredients that give you less time in the kitchen and more quality time with your dad. You’ll need extra lean ground turkey, the store-bought salsa of your choice, panko breadcrumbs, reduced-fat shredded mozzarella, chili powder, and salt and pepper to taste. The combination of bold flavors and creamy mozzarella cheese in every bite is an inspired one. I like to press a ball of mozzarella cheese into the middle of each burger for a delightful cheesy surprise, but you can also incorporate it throughout.
9. Spinach and Asiago Beef Burgers
This recipe takes your humble burger and elevates it to elegant new heights with the addition of sharp, nutty Asiago cheese and nutrient-packed spinach. At six Weight Watchers points per burger, they’re a great way to enjoy red meat this Father’s Day. I start with lean ground beef for all the flavor, but less fat, plus chopped fresh spinach, diced onion, panko breadcrumbs, and freshly grated Asiago cheese. I also add a bit of cottage cheese into the mix to amp up the cheesy flavor and lend a luscious finish to each burger. The result is ultra-juicy, full-flavor burgers with a yummy serving of vegetables in each patty.
10. Chipotle and Lime Chicken Burgers
Lime and chipotle is a tried-and-true combination that is sure to take your Father’s Day celebration to the next level. These two-point burgers highlight each flavor perfectly and keep the points low while doing it. Using ground chicken as a base is a smart way of eliminating saturated fat while still staying stocked up on flavor, and diced jalapeño pepper and ground chipotle pepper seasoning bring the heat and tons of flavor. I like to add a bit of green onion for freshness and presentation, and use a combination of lime juice and zest for maximum flavor.
This Father’s Day, treat your dad to something special while sticking to your diet goals. These ten recipes are dad-approved, with robust flavors that will make your cookout a huge success. Try them, and you’ll discover one or more new favorites.
