Skip to content

Top Navigation

Cooking Light Cooking Light
  • Recipes
  • Holidays
  • Cooking 101
  • Healthy Living
  • Shop
  • News
  • Good.Food.Fast
  • CL Diet

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Register/Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Email Preferences
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Logout
Pin FB

Explore Cooking Light

Cooking Light Cooking Light
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 31-Day Healthy Meal Plan

      Our 31-day calendar of meals and tips shows you how to cook more and love it with fun, family-friendly meals that come together quickly and deliciously. Read More Next
    • Dinner Tonight: Quick and Healthy Menus in 45 Minutes (or Less)

      Hundreds of delicious recipes, paired with simple sides, that can be on your table in 45 minutes or less. Read More Next
    • Our Favorite Healthy Air Fryer Recipes

      Who ever said that chicken wings, doughnuts, and pizza couldn't be healthy? Read More Next
  • Recipes

    Recipes

    See All Recipes
    • Breakfast & Brunch
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Drinks
    • Recipe Makeovers
    • Quick & Healthy
    • Diabetic
    • Gluten-Free
    • Vegetarian
    • Cooking Light Live
  • Holidays

    Holidays

    See All Holidays
    • New Year, New You
    • Super Bowl
    • Valentines
    • Easter
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
  • Cooking 101

    Cooking 101

    See All Cooking 101
    • Essential Ingredients
    • Cooking Techniques
    • Meet the Chef
    • Cooking Resources
    • Budget Friendly
    • Smart Choices
  • Healthy Living

    Healthy Living

    See All Healthy Living
    • Weight-Loss
    • Health
    • Fitness
    • Home
    • Travel
    • Nutrition 101
  • Shop
  • News
  • Good.Food.Fast
  • CL Diet

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Register/Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Email Preferences
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Logout
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

CookingLight diet CookingLight diet
  1. Home Chevron Right
  2. Recipes Chevron Right
  3. 20 Healthier Grilling Recipes That Earn Top Marks From Our Readers

20 Healthier Grilling Recipes That Earn Top Marks From Our Readers

October 16, 2008
Skip gallery slides
Pin
Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
When avid home cooks give a recipe five stars, you know it's going to be good.
Start Slideshow

1 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Shrimp With Grilled Citrus and Leek Relish

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Shrimp With Grilled Citrus and Leek Relish

Drew Curren, chef-partner of Elm Restaurant Group in Austin, cooks both the shrimp and the relish on a grill at his Texas restaurant. If the weather is mild enough for you to grill, live-fire cooking makes this dish even more delicious, adding a hint of smoky flavor. Roll the citrus between your palm and the cutting board before slicing and juicing—it crushes the pulp a little and makes it easier to extract juice. The 16-20 count for shrimp refers to how many shrimp make a pound, which is helpful since the designations “medium,” “large,” and “extra-large” can vary from market to market. A quality, fruity, and grassy olive oil is best here to bring a touch of velvety richness to the dressing.

1 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Caribbean Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Grilled Pineapple Salsa

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Caribbean Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Grilled Pineapple Salsa

We cut the tenderloin in half before grilling for a nicely charred crust and a juicy inside in half the time. Traditionally, jerk seasoning is meant to be spicy, but we found the heat to be moderate and not overwhelming in this dish. Fresno chiles look like red jalapeños, and are slightly milder than green jalapeños. The grilled pineapple salsa is a fantastic accompaniment for the pork, well balanced between sweet pineapple, tart lime, pungent onion, and fragrant cilantro. The salsa would also work well with grilled chicken or fish. Serve with ice cold Red Stripe Jamaican lager for a full-on island meal experience.

2 of 20

3 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Orange-Sesame Asparagus and Rice

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Orange-Sesame Asparagus and Rice

This recipe is intended to give you extra pork for dinner later in the week. If you'd rather not make the extra pork, simply use one pork tenderloin (instead of two), and halve the marinade; the rest of the recipe will work for four servings. The soy sauce and fish sauce in the marinade amplify the meatiness of the pork, while the brown sugar and maple syrup offer sweet notes to balance while also helping the pork brown quickly in the grill pan as the sugars caramelizes on the ridges.

3 of 20

Advertisement

4 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Grilled Individual Hawaiian Pizzas

Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell
View Recipe: Grilled Individual Hawaii Pizzas

Here's a super simple grilled pizza your kids will love. Don't feel like grilling? No problem: Bake them. Cook the dough on a hot pizza stone at 500° for 4 minutes, add toppings, and bake an additional 8 minutes or until done.

4 of 20

5 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Grilled Chicken and Soba Noodles With Miso Vinaigrette

Credit: Photo: Justin Walker; Styling: Carla Gonzalez-Hart
View Recipe: Grilled Chicken and Soba Noodle with Miso Vinaigrette

The vinaigrette doubles as a sauce for the noodles and a glaze before the chicken hits the grill. The noodle mixture and the chicken can also be made a couple of days ahead.

5 of 20

6 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Grilled Chicken With Tomato-Avocado Salad

Credit: Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Grilled Chicken with Tomato-Avocado Salad

For less heat in the dish, use regular chili powder in place of chipotle chile powder.

6 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Andrew Zimmern's Grilled Lamb

Credit: Photo: Christopher Testani
View Recipe: Grilled Lamb

If you grill over coals, choose natural hardwood charcoal, as Zimmern does, to infuse meat with smoky flavor.

7 of 20

8 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Spiced Chicken with Grilled Peach Salsa

Credit: Photo: Jason Varney
View Recipe: Spiced Chicken with Grilled Peach Salsa

Purple scallions have a mild, sweet taste and a beautiful deep color. Substitute green onions if you can't find their purple cousin.

8 of 20

9 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Grilled Buffalo Chicken Tacos

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Grilled Buffalo Chicken Tacos

We took the finger-licking beauty of a Buffalo wing experience and wrapped it in a tortilla—because that's how you win a weeknight.

9 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Grilled Salmon With White Bean and Arugula Salad

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Grilled Salmon With White Bean and Arugula Salad

Ask for salmon fillets from the head end of the fish—the tail end is much thinner.

10 of 20

11 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Grilled Shrimp Caesar Salad

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Caesar Salad

The single anchovy fillet lends umami depth to the dressing without giving it any sort of strong fishy flavor.

11 of 20

12 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

2. Grilled Flank Steak Gyros

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock; Styling: Claire Spollen
View Recipe: Grilled Flank Steak Gyros

You can indulge your fast-food craving with a healthier sandwich that packs the same irresistible meaty-creamy combo you get from a street cart. 

For delicious meal planning made easy, join the Cooking Light Diet today.

12 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Grilled Chicken Salad With Strawberries and Feta

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Grilled Chicken Salad With Strawberries and Feta

Simple, beautiful, fast. The oil and vinegar in the marinade double as the base for a simple vinaigrette. Tame the bite of fresh red onion slices by soaking them in ice cold water for 10 minutes.

13 of 20

14 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Grilled Flank Steak with Chipotle-Orange Mojo

Credit: Photo: Christopher Testani
View Recipe: Grilled Flank Steak with Chipotle-Orange Mojo

Turn your kitchen island into a Mexican street food cart offering Carne Asada-style tacos. Fresh cilantro leaves, orange juice, and glorious bold-flavored spices unite to leave a lasting impression on your guests.

14 of 20

15 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Grilled Vegetable and Flank Steak Salad With Blue Cheese Vinaigrette

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Grilled Vegetable and Flank Steak Salad With Blue Cheese Vinaigrette

If you don't love blue cheese, try crumbled feta or grated Parmesan instead.

15 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Summer Herbed Grilled Shrimp

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Summer Herbed Grilled Shrimp

Our finishing touches—a hit of herbs, peppery olive oil, and tangy vinegar—make these shrimp the freshest, most irresistible appetizer. Leave the tails on so guests have a handle for these tasty bites.

16 of 20

17 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Mojo Grilled Chicken Breasts

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Mojo Grilled Chicken Breasts

The red onions develop a nice char on the grill, but they finish cooking and develop a depth and sweetness once left to steam. Drizzle any juices from the onion mixture over the grilled chicken.

17 of 20

18 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Ultimate BBQ Chicken

Credit: Photo: Caitlin Bensel
View Recipe: Ultimate BBQ Chicken

The secret to our best, juiciest chicken ever? It's in the skin. Grilling the meat with the skin on, then removing after cooking, actually leaves you with a succulent chicken breast that is more tender, tastier, and has less fat than a skinless, boneless breast. The best part? You'll save 183 calories, 3g sat fat, 26g sugar, and 854mg sodium over the traditional recipe, without losing any of the flavor.

18 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Turmeric Pork Chops with Green Onion Rice

Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez
View Recipe: Turmeric Pork Chops with Green Onion Rice

Our turmeric slathered pork chops may look polished, but don't let this quick weeknight supper fool you. It's complex flavor belies it's simple preparation. 

19 of 20

20 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Glazed Beef Skewers with Ginger Slaw

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Glazed Beef Skewers with Ginger Slaw

Have your little helpers mix up the glaze, while older kids can help skewer the beef.

20 of 20

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 20 Shrimp With Grilled Citrus and Leek Relish
2 of 20 Caribbean Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Grilled Pineapple Salsa
3 of 20 Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Orange-Sesame Asparagus and Rice
4 of 20 Grilled Individual Hawaiian Pizzas
5 of 20 Grilled Chicken and Soba Noodles With Miso Vinaigrette
6 of 20 Grilled Chicken With Tomato-Avocado Salad
7 of 20 Andrew Zimmern's Grilled Lamb
8 of 20 Spiced Chicken with Grilled Peach Salsa
9 of 20 Grilled Buffalo Chicken Tacos
10 of 20 Grilled Salmon With White Bean and Arugula Salad
11 of 20 Grilled Shrimp Caesar Salad
12 of 20 2. Grilled Flank Steak Gyros
13 of 20 Grilled Chicken Salad With Strawberries and Feta
14 of 20 Grilled Flank Steak with Chipotle-Orange Mojo
15 of 20 Grilled Vegetable and Flank Steak Salad With Blue Cheese Vinaigrette
16 of 20 Summer Herbed Grilled Shrimp
17 of 20 Mojo Grilled Chicken Breasts
18 of 20 Ultimate BBQ Chicken
19 of 20 Turmeric Pork Chops with Green Onion Rice
20 of 20 Glazed Beef Skewers with Ginger Slaw

Share options

Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message
Cooking Light

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • Cooking Light Diet this link opens in a new tab
  • Customer Service this link opens in a new tab
  • Advertise
  • Content Licensing
  • Sitemap

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en Español this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
Cooking Light is part of the Allrecipes Food Group. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Cooking Light may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.cookinglight.com

View image

20 Healthier Grilling Recipes That Earn Top Marks From Our Readers
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.