It’s time for your friend’s BBQ, but are you the person who says no to most of the food because of a special diet? Having a certain diet can be a bit awkward and no one wants to be the killjoy of the party. So then what are you to do when the awkward diet comes onto the scene? Well, just because you only eat certain foods or can’t eat specific things, doesn’t mean you are going to ruin the BBQ vibe. An awkward diet can make for an awesome BBQ with these recipes.
Seafood
For this list, we've left out the classics like steak, chicken, ribs, and other types of meat. But that doesn’t mean your next BBQ can’t still feature some protein. It might just come in a different form. Seafood is a great way to add a bit of variety to the grill for people on an awkward diet. Clams, oysters, and octopus might not be the first things you think about when grilling, but these very easy recipes will help you add a little flair to your next BBQ without too much effort.
Grilled clams
Image: bon appetit
Grilled octopus
Image: Cooking LSL
Grilled oysters
Image: bon appetit
Veggies
You can’t go wrong with throwing some veggies on the BBQ. There are the standards like grilled peppers or corn, but there are also many ways to be creative when grilling that will help any person who is on an awkward diet.
Grilled romaine lettuce
Simple, yet effective. Throw on some lettuce, add some dressing, and you have a nice twist to the classic romaine salad.
Image: Simply recipes
Tamarind squash & halloumi skewers
Image: BBC Good Food
Charred baby aubergine & toasted quinoa salad
Eggplant, or aubergine, is quite the versatile veggie. You can grill it in so many ways it doesn't even look like itself any longer. One variation is a salad.
Image: BBC Good Food
Italian-style eggplant sausages
Next, there is the sausage variety. If you saw this picture without the title would you ever guess these were eggplants? Crazy, right?
Image: Chubby Vegetarian
Grilled miso glazed Japanese eggplant
Last is the classic grilled steak variety of eggplant, with a Japanese twist. You could probably have an eggplant-only bbq, but we know there’s so much more to choose from.
Image: Recipe Tin Eats
Grilled artichokes & polenta with blistered tomatoes and pesto
Image: Feasting At Home
Black bean burgers
If you like the look of a bbq classic, this black bean burger recipe will satisfy the needs of meat lovers and those on awkward diets.
Image: Pink Troll Kitchen
Barbecued fennel with black olive dressing
For something a little different try taking some fennel and putting it on the grill. You won’t regret the sweet and charred flavors of this dish.
Image: BBC Good Food
Smoky grilled sweet potatoes with cilantro & lime
For another taste of something sweet and savory, try the sweet potato. Grilled sweet potatoes with a splash of lime are an excellent side dish for all tastes.
Image: Kitchen Treaty
BBQ portobello sliders
If eggplant sausages or black bean burgers are not your thing, maybe you could give mushrooms a try. A portobello mushroom cap, grilled, seasoned, and put on a bun is another substitute for meat that will leave you and your bbq friends wanting more.
Image: Love And Lemons
Fruit
Fruit on the grill? Really? Yes. And it’s delicious. You can try these recipes for dessert or as part of the meal, but either way, while you have the bbq fired up, make sure you throw some fruit on there. Even the pickiest eaters on the most awkward diets will not be able to resist the deliciousness that is grilled fruit.
Honey-rum grilled bananas
Image: Taste of Home
Grilled peaches with honey and yogurt
Image: skinnytaste
Vegan jackfruit pulled ‘pork’ sandwiches
When you think of fruit, jackfruit may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but it is widely known in Southeast Asia as a versatile fruit for both sweet and savory dishes. If you can get your hands on some give this recipe a try for an alternative to pulled pork.
Image: Rootiful
Grilled avocado with tomato-basil salsa
Image: Food And Style
No more shame in your BBQ game. Now that you have explored all the things that your BBQ can offer, there’s no reason you can’t go to or invite people over. No awkward diet is too awkward for the powers of the BBQ. Vive le BBQ!
