Is Grilling Healthy? Healthy Grilling Ideas from Famous Dave's

A table is set with a healthy grilled selection of vegetables and chicken.Grilling is a great time, both for cooking and enjoying the grilled food. If you need to relax and have a good time with friends or family, grilling is a great idea. When you plan on having a grilled meal, most people think of comfort foods that make you feel good but might be rough on your midline. There are steps you can take to make sure your next grilling considers healthy choices. Keep reading to learn Famous Dave’s suggestions for healthy grilling ideas.

Buy Lean Cuts of Meat

Cheeseburgers and hot dogs are tasty grilling regulars, but you have other options. Consider chicken or fish as both of these options tend to have less fat and more nutrients you need. If you just need a burger, check out the packages that offer lower fat content (such as a 93/7 marking, meaning 7% fat). 

Grilling Up the Veggies on the Side

The more veggies you eat, the more balanced your diet will become. Try adding veggies such as corn, peppers, onions, tomatoes, or zucchinis to your grill. Try chopping some of these up and making a vegetarian kabob. 

Get Creative with Other Healthy Alternatives

There are so many more grilling options beyond red meat. Play around and get creative with some meals that you like cooking inside - try them on the grill. For instance, have you tried cooking a pizza on the grill? Check out the internet for some more inspiration.

Choose Gas Instead of Charcoal

Healthy grilling ideas go beyond the food you cook. Many doctors agree that cooking meats on a charcoal grill can expose you to cancer-causing molecules. Once the fat drips into the charcoal flames, the compounds combine with the smoke that then attaches to your meat. You can reduce the risks by trimming off as much fat as you can from your meats and using a gas grill. 

Take the Time to Marinate Your Meats

Marinated meats just taste better. There is so much more flavor in food soaking in amazing BBQ sauces or even getting a spicy dry rub. Good news - marinating can make grilling healthier. Marinating meats can help prevent harmful chemicals from attaching to your food. Think of it like adding a protective coat that tastes great!

The Right Spot for Healthy Grilling Options

Take the advice above and have fun. Making a few small changes can make all the difference. If you miss eating grilled food this winter, stop by your local Famous Dave’s. We have quality meats cooked to perfection by experienced chefs that follow our tested traditions. Our signature sauces and dry rubs will add the flavor you love to round out your dining.

Check out your local Famous Dave's to enjoy tasty options today!

Smokin' Deals Every Week at Famous Dave's

We all could use a break during the week. Between work, school, errands, and more, it can feel like the “go, go, go” mentality never ends. There’s no shame in wanting to break up the monotony by skipping out on making a home cooked...

Diet Friendly Grilling Recipes for Christmas

The holidays are here and this often means that your diet is thrown out the window in favor of sugar cookies and hearty meals with friends and family. Plenty of people love the idea of indulging all their cravings during the festive season. However,...

Spend Thanksgiving with Famous Dave's

Thanksgiving is known as the holiday meant to look back on everything you’re thankful for. Families, friends, and distant relatives gather around the table, enjoy a large home cooked meal, and share memories of good times and “back in...

Throw a Famous Dave's Catered Halloween Party

Halloween is just around the corner now and it’s time you started planning for any parties you might be throwing. Let’s get spooky! With the help of Famous Dave’s, you can make your Halloween party everyone’s favorite event...

Our Guide to Grilling

Grilling and hosting a BBQ is a fun and delicious way to entertain and feed your guests. However, there’s more to it than simply turning on the grill and hoping for the best. Instead, there is outdoor bbq and grilling advice to review that...

Labor Day Weekend: The Ultimate BBQ Recipes

Labor Day Weekend is the perfect excuse to throw a barbecue, so why not go all out this year? With the grill fired up you can cook up some of your favorites and maybe even try out some new dishes too. On the 4th of July, we brought you our round-up...

Tips & Tricks: The Best Way to Grill

The summer season will always provide the perfect opportunity to try some new bbq dishes and grill outdoors. From enjoying the sunshine with friends to just soaking in the beautiful day in front of you, grilling is a pastime that brings everyone...

The Side Dish Always Completes the Main Dish

No BBQ is complete without the proper side dish. Whether you’re looking to host a large backyard event or just sitting down with close friends and family, it’s important to have options for everyone. If you’re stumped on what to...

St. Patrick's Day BBQ Recipe Tips

St. Patrick’s Day is a celebration full of history and traditions. Dating back to the 9th century, the Roman Catholic feast day of St. Patrick is still observed by the people of Ireland every year on the 17th of March. But did you know the...

Guide to Making Your Homemade BBQ Sauce

One of the reasons why Famous Dave’s has become, well, famous, is because of the incredible BBQ sauce that we serve. While we cannot tell you all of our secrets about our award-winning BBQ sauce, we can share some recipes and tips for making...

Tips for Cleaning and Maintaining Your BBQ Smoker

There’s nothing quite like a barbecue for bringing friends together and celebrating delicious flavors. The quality of the ingredients has a role to play, but the way you cook your food and look after your grill are also essential. In this...

Return to Work celebration at Famous Dave's

There is no denying that the past year or so has been incredibly difficult for employees and businesses worldwide. Consequently, it is important to show some appreciation for everything your employees have had to go through and the loyalty they have...

Guide To Having A Family Rib Cook-Off

Nothing beats a tasty BBQ, and what better way to enjoy BBQ food than a family rib cook-off? If you’ve never held a cook-off before you’re probably wondering where to begin. To help you plan an amazing event, check out these five ideas...

Pick the Perfect Menu for Your Graduate's Party

With your graduate’s time in high school coming to a close, it is time to party! You have so many options to explore with the party to give them a last get-together with friends and family before everything changes. If you are on the lookout...

How to Throw a Great Outdoor Party in Winter

This year has been a tough time for seeing people. The many social distancing guidelines are important to keep people safe, but they also might have left you feeling disconnected. Luckily, during the summer getting together while being responsible...

How to Throw an Outdoor Halloween Party

The leaves have begun to change and the days are starting to end earlier. You know what that means, right?  It is getting spookier out there! Halloween draws closer, along with all the fun and excitement that go with it. The 2020...

Top 4 Tips for Fall Outings with Famous Dave's

With the recent shift in weather and the kids heading back to school (or maybe heading to their laptops for digital school), fall is finally here for the year. Some people feel the slightly cooler breeze and run indoors. Avoid that urge! Fall...

Top 5 Tips for How to Prep Your Grill for the Season

After a long winter and despite much social distancing, it is time to dust off your grill. If you have found that you put off firing up your grill for the season, you are not alone. But now is the time to start it up for you and your family to enjoy...

8 Tips for Safe Winter Grilling: Do's and Don'ts

At this point, we have had a few snowfalls, the cold has been here for months, and spring is still a distant goal. Despite the weather, many die-hard barbequers have a craving that only the grill can satisfy. For our hardiest of friends, grilling is...

Can BBQ Meals be Healthy? [Benefit List Included]

Have you made any nutrition-related New Year’s resolutions? Are you counting calories or cutting carbs? There are many benefits of eating barbeque meals that go beyond the amazing flavors. We consider many nutritional needs when creating our...

Famous Dave's BBQ Honors Veteran's Day

Recognizing people for their contribution is a vital part of Famous Dave’s. We wouldn’t be where we are today without the many honors, awards, and recognition we have received throughout the years. We also wouldn’t be here as a...

Famous Dave's BBQ Honors Veteran's Day

Recognizing people for their contribution is a vital part of Famous Dave’s. We wouldn’t be where we are today without the many honors, awards, and recognition we have received throughout the years. We also wouldn’t be here as a...

Welcome to Our New Website!

We've added great new features and updated our content to bring you the most up to date information about our company.  Check back often for updates.

Operation Barbeque Relief

Famous Dave's is proud to be a Hall of Fame member for Operation Barbeque Relief A non-profit response team providing hot meals to those in need after disaster strikes The mission of Operation BBQ Relief is to provide compassion and to...
Sink Your Teeth Into This!
Like Free Stuff? Sign Up For Rewards!
Download our app and earn "BONES" for each visit, receive exclusive offers, and get a FREE burger or sandwich just for signing up! OR join the Famous Nation to receive news, offers, and a tasty gift for your birthday!
Best Ribs
"Dougfest" 2013
Best BBQ
2006 - 2017
Best Cuisine
"Taste-Fest" 2015
Best Vendor
"Taste of the Town" 2015
855-586-2708