Bill W. Brazil Blog: How to Throw a Low-Carb Barbecue Party

Thursday, August 30, 2018

How to Throw a Low-Carb Barbecue Party—With 20 Recipes

As we move toward September, we might be thinking of Labor Day parties or fall tailgating weekends—events perfect for a barbecue spread. But when you’re eating Primal, keto or otherwise low-carb, traditional barbecue fare isn’t always the ideal choice. Even when you’re throwing a party centered on grilled meat, it’s all too easy for carbs to sneak into the mix. Buns, pasta salads, chips, cheese and crackers, beer, sweet tea, sodas and desserts often make up the bulk of a typical buffet. So, what’s a Primal type to do (or serve)? Here’s how to throw a low-carb barbecue feast everyone will love.

Drinks

Avoid high sugar drinks like juice, soda and tonic, and keep the ice chest filled with refreshing, sugar-free or low-sugar beverages.

Sparkling water, either plain or flavored
Sparkling water with flavored ice cubes
Low sugar kombucha
Unsweetened ice tea
Cold brew coffee

Appetizers

Skip the chip and cracker aisle when shopping for a low-carb barbecue party. Instead, serve platters of cheese and nuts, raw vegetables with dip, and protein-rich appetizers.

Spicy Chorizo Keto Stuffed Jalapeños
Marinated Olives and Nuts
Chipotle Lime Avocado Bacon Dip
Almost Deviled Eggs
Bacon Wrapped Hot Dog Bites

Side Dishes

Side dishes at a barbecue can be carb-loaded landmines. Instead of standard barbecue fare like pasta salad, potato salad, fruit salad and corn, load up the buffet up with crunchy coleslaw, colorful green salads and grilled or roasted vegetables.

Don’t ruin healthy low-carb salads with salad dressing or mayonnaise made from unhealthy industrial seed oils and sugar. Instead, whisk together homemade salad dressings. Better yet, make low-carb life easier by keeping Primal Kitchen® dressings and marinades and Mayo varieties on hand.

Keto Cole Slaw
Sausage and Veggie Skewers
Roasted Vegetable Salad
Baby Kale Rainbow Salad
Grilled Kale
Sesame Ginger Slaw

Meats

The most obvious way to avoid carbs at a barbecue is to serve hamburgers and sausages without buns. Even better, serve grilled meat that doesn’t need a bun, like steak, ribs or pork roast.

But beware of carbs lurking in the rubs, marinades and sauces that flavor meat. Sugar is usually the culprit. Read labels to avoid store bought rubs and marinades with sweeteners, or make your own rubs and marinades at home (or use any of the Primal Kitchen® Marinades).

Lime and Basil Marinaded Beef Kebabs
Low Carb BBQ Ribs
Coconut Marinated Short Ribs
Charcoal Roasted Pork Loin
5 Steps to the Perfect Steak

Condiments

Just try hosting a barbecue without ketchup, and wait for the outcry. Luckily, now there’s Primal Kitchen® Unsweetened Ketchup, Spicy Brown Mustard and Mayo to the rescue. Condiments that pack tons of flavor with very few carbs, like pickles, sauerkraut, and hot sauce, are also a must.

Desserts

A bowl of brightly colored berries (perhaps with unsweetened whipped cream on the side?) is an easy summer treat. If you’re willing to put in a little more work, then serve a decadent low-carb dessert.

Keto Coffee Popsicles
Keto Cheesecake Parfait
Avocado Matcha Dairy Free Ice Cream

Feeling inspired yet? Share your favorite barbecue fare below.