Eve Davies

Summer has finally arrived in the UK, and with that, so has BBQ season. But if the thought of more chargrilled meats and multipack buns fills you with dread, we’ve got you covered with some of the tastiest BBQ alternatives. 

We get it, cooking in the glorious weekend sunshine or a balmy evening breeze is the pinnacle of summer. But don’t worry! If desired, you can cook and enjoy these meals outdoors. Call it BBQ with a twist.

Whether you’re veggie, kosher, or a meat-lover, we’ve got all palates accounted for. Not to mention, all ingredients can be sourced from your local supermarket at affordable prices!

Salmon burgers

Had enough beef for one summer? Thinking of cutting down on red meat consumption? Salmon burgers could be the alternative you’ve been looking for.

These patties can be made with skinless salmon, Thai red curry paste, coriander, ginger, and soy sauce. Topped with a zesty lime Greek yoghurt sauce and a brioche bun, this recipe is sure to level up your BBQ game. In just 30 minutes, you can cook these amazing burgers from scratch and feed a group of four.

With high protein and the additional hit of omega-3, how can you say no?

Pasta salads

Everyone knows salads are a popular summer dish. The hot weather zaps our appetites and leaves us craving something cool to eat. Adding a rich source of carbohydrates to your salad gives you a much-needed energy boost on sweltering days.

Image courtesy of Eve Davies.

Remember to get creative! Pasta salads come in various flavours and include a wide range of ingredients. Personally, I love anything beetroot, partly because it turns everything pink. Blending a beetroot pasta sauce is an easy way to boost the nutrient content of your pasta dish since it’s rich in fibre, iron, and vitamin C.

Moreover, a pasta salad is great when you need to use up the straggling veggies in your fridge. A lone pepper, a random radish, or an opened, half-full tin of sweetcorn – chuck them all in.

Mezze Platter

On this mezze platter, the Mediterranean meets the Middle East and creates the ultimate summer vibe. It’s a perfect light lunch, especially if you want to reduce your meat intake, and can easily be made vegetarian.

“Don’t forget pita bread or crisp breads for scooping up those dips!”

We recommend a platter comprised of falafels, hummus, olives, figs, whipped feta, and plenty of veggie sticks. Don’t forget pita bread or crisp bread for scooping up those dips!

If you’ve got time to spare and are feeling brave, you can try making your falafels and dips from scratch. But if you need a quick meal, supermarkets feature popular veggie alternatives in their summer ranges. We recommend Aldi’s The Deli falafels, which are available in Mediterranean, Moroccan, and sweet potato pakora flavours. Their caramelised onion and red pepper hummuses are also a super tasty addition to a platter!

Fresh, nutritious, and oh-so delish, this platter is the perfect BBQ alternative that will leave you energised rather than battling a food coma.

Paella

A one-pan wonder, paella is a summer staple. You can enjoy it from a beachfront restaurant in Barcelona, or the comfort of your back garden.

“It’s a seafood lover’s dream come true.”

Paella rice, a Schwartz mix, peppers, peas, prawns, chicken, and chorizo – throw it all in! And, if you’re pushing the boat out, why not add some squid rings or mussels? It’s a seafood lover’s dream come true.

Image courtesy of Eve Davies.

If there is one purchase you won’t regret this summer, it’s an authentic paella pan. You can find one online for under twenty quid which will hold enough paella to feed an average household five times over. It’s worth splashing out for! That said, a normal frying pan should suffice for smaller portions.

Refrigerate any paella leftovers and reheat them for lunch for the next few days to ensure that nothing is wasted.

Nachos

Best shared between family and friends, nachos are the pinnacle of picky bits. They won’t have you slaving away in the kitchen for hours, due to their minimal prep and cooking time.

“If you can’t get enough heat, add some jalapeños!”

Top your tortilla chips with guacamole, sour cream, salsa, and beef chilli for a delicious, protein-packed meal. By cooking a bean chilli, you can make this dish veggie and substitute the sour cream to make it vegan. Alternative toppings include bacon and melted cheddar. If you can’t get enough heat, add some jalapeños!

Image courtesy of Eve Davies.

If you’re on a health kick, swap out processed tortilla crisps for thin slices of baked sweet potato (made in the air fryer for extra crispiness) or homemade pitta chips.

If you’ve had enough of buns and burgers, try out these brilliant BBQ alternatives. We promise they are worth the hype!

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Featured image courtesy of Lee Myungseong on Unsplash. Image license here. No changes were made to this image. 

Eve is 22 years old and lives in Swansea. She has recently graduated from Cardiff University with a BA in English Literature. Eve's main interest is in lifestyle writing, particularly health, food, and travel.

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