Make the Perfect Paleo Dishes for July 4th

Need some July 4th dish inspiration? Try some of our recommended Paleo-friendly recipes including skewers, turkey burgers and some tasty side dishes to bring to the barbecue.

The July 4th BBQ can be that time of year that comes complete with highly processed foods, lots of refined carbohydrates and sugary treats. Now that you are adopting a Paleo lifestyle, you can swap some of your less than healthy go-to’s for Paleo-friendly recipes that will leave you feeling light and energized rather than tired and depleted. Begin with some easy swaps and tips, and then try some of these great recipes. They are flavorful, nutritious and unique; leaving your guests pleasantly surprised that a Paleo BBQ could be so delicious.

Nuts and Snacks

Forget the potato chips and corn tortillas, there are plenty of healthier options right in the produce section. Try making kale chips, Brussel sprout chips or mushroom chips: just season with salt, pepper and any other spices, lightly coat in extra virgin olive oil and roast in the oven until crispy.

Nuts are very versatile and can be seasoned with herbs to give them an extra kick. Try combining almonds, rosemary, salt and ghee and toasting the mixture in a saucepan over medium heat.

Make Your Own Sauce

Combine a small can of tomato paste with a finely diced apple, chili powder, hickory smoke spice, pepper, paprika, garlic powder and cayenne pepper. Simmer the mixture on medium/low heat for 30 minutes, blend with an immersion blender and you have your own Paleo-friendly BBQ sauce. Combine equal parts of honey and apple cider vinegar (to measure ½ cup) can be used in place of the apple.

Meat On A Stick

Skewers are fun, colorful and Paleo-friendly. Mix and match proteins to make things more interesting -  think of combinations such as shrimp, bacon and freshly made sausage. Add your favorite flavor-enhancing vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, onion or tomatoes. Sprinkle on some of your favorite seasoning blend and no one will miss the hotdogs.

Wrap Things Up

We all love biting into a burger with both hands, and you can still do that on a Paleo diet. Use lightly steamed kale, cabbage leaves or romaine to wrap your burger for a crunchy bun alternative. You could also grill up large Portobello mushroom caps and use those instead of burger buns. Better yet, grill up your burgers and make them the buns by sandwiching your toppings in between two thin patties; or grill ¼” slices of sweet potato as your grain alternative. Get creative and experiment with avocado, crispy roasted vegetable chips and  bacon (of course!!!) – the choices are endless.

Creative Sides

The Paleo diet includes fermented vegetables because they boost your immune system, increase your antibodies, help to regulate your appetite and reduce sugar and refined carbohydrate cravings. Try out some naturally fermented sauerkraut, pickles and kimchi as your burger or sausage toppings.

Salads are often an after-thought at a traditional BBQ, but serving something fun and filling can be a crowd pleaser. Try combining nutritious and flavorful ingredients, for both taste and texture. Skip the processed salad dressings and make your own with olive oil and Dijon mustard. Bacon is a great addition to add flavor and crunch to salads and is easy to cook on the grill, too.

Grill Something Sweet

Ever try grilling fruit? Turns out it is delicious and Paleo-friendly. Grilled peaches with coconut cream and walnuts, or grilled watermelon with balsamic dressing are just some examples of the creations you could create. Many fruits will work on the grill, even bananas, apples and figs. 

Chef Pete Servold has a collection of recipes in his book, Paleo By Season, that are perfect for your 4th of July BBQ – with a focus on all the ingredients available during this season in your area. We also featured the best way to cook your steak for the perfect piece of meat every time!

For added inspiration, take a look at some of my favorite BBQ recipes from around the web:

The Perfect Burger from PaleOMG

Hawaiian Turkey Burger from Against All Grain

Cilantro Lime Chicken from Savory Lotus

Lamb Skewers from The Nourished Caveman

Smashed Steak Skewers from NomNom Paleo

Spicy Grilled Shrimp from Our Paleo Life

BBQ Teriyaki Salmon from Life Made Full

Grilled Cauliflower Steaks from Two Peas and Their Pod

Grilled Artichokes from The Kitchn

Grilled Peach Salad from Fed and Fit

Grilled Pineapple from Love Love Thing

Herb Potato Salad from Primal Palate

Jersey Style Deli Tuna Salad from Balanced Bites

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