Summer is finally here and every weekend is an opportunity to get the grill out and make some delicious meals for your family. You can even cook on the grill for dinner during the week to make the most of warm weather so summer lasts even longer.
Barbecues are a family affair that can be enjoyed by everyone, including the kids. Although hot dogs have long been a staple because they are easy to prepare and satisfy even the pickiest eaters, there are other options.
Whether you just want to mix things up or introduce healthier foods into your child’s diet, the key is to find recipes kids will love without sacrificing flavor or fun. We’ve found several recipes that don’t take long to prepare and are easy for children to eat.
Most of the recipes can be cooked on the grill too so children can get involved and learn to make things themselves. It’s never too early to help kids learn to prepare food and become more self-sufficient. Barbecuing is a fun way to teach important skills such as food safety and how to cook different proteins. If your kids are simply wanting to play grill then check out this article on the top toy grills!
If you’re relatively new to grilling too or you’re just looking for ideas to get you started included cost effective grills we recommend checking out our article on the best grills for your money. Grilling is something in many placed that can be enjoyed year round and you and your kids are sure to enjoy it!
With the kid recipes information below, you’ll even get ideas on how to incorporate vegetables into a recipe without making it obvious to get in nutrition without any arguments. We’ll examine how to modify recipes and make them suitable for children of all ages.
Green Macaroni and Cheese
Add a twist to classic mac by incorporating some greens like kale and spinach into the mix. This adds in some veggies but also has the bonus of turning the entire dish green! Kids are sure to enjoy unique colors they’ve never seen before and will be eager to give it a try.
Ingredients
- 2 cups of greens (kale or broccoli)
- 1 teaspoon oil (coconut or olive)
- 5 cup milk
- ½ cup cheddar cheese (shredded or grated)
- 2 cups macaroni noodles
- Salt (to taste)
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Saute the greens in a pan with a little bit of oil.
- Bring water to a boil in a pot.
- Boil the pasta according to the instructions on the box.
- Once the greens are cooked, puree them in a blender with a ½ cup of milk.
- After the pasta is cooked, sprinkle in the cheese and allow it to melt.
- Add in the butter and milk and stir the macaroni to combine.
- Add in the sauteed greens and mix until it is evenly distributed.
- Sprinkle some salt to taste.
- Eat and enjoy!
Rainbow Fruit Kabobs
Grab a variety of fruits and stick them on skewers to make a rainbow of deliciousness. If you’re short on time, buy pre-cut fruits or even canned. Alternate fruits to make a variety of patterns and colors. Depending on the fruits you use, these skewers can also be grilled and served with whipped cream. It’s basically a fruit salad but the stick makes it more likely kids will eat it.
Ingredients
- 25 pieces cubed pineapple
- 25 strawberries, de-stemmed
- 25 pieces of cubed cantaloupe or mandarin orange segments
- 25 pieces of kiwi fruit or honeydew melon
- 50 large blueberries
- 25 skewers (bamboo or plastic)
Instructions
- Clean the skewers and make sure there are no splinters if using wooden ones.
- Cut the fruit up into bite-size chunks.
- Begin by skewering a strawberry.
- Next, skewer the pineapple.
- After that, add in kiwi or honeydew.
- Add the cantaloupe or oranges.
- Finally, add several blueberries to the pointed end to hold everything in place.
Mini Mushroom Sliders
These cute little sliders will cook in no time because the patties are so tiny. Teach your kids how to grill by letting them flip the burgers. They’ll have no idea there are mushrooms incorporated into the beef. Make a double batch and freeze them for later because these are sure to be a hit.
Ingredients
- 1 sweet onion, diced
- A ½ pound of white mushrooms, chopped (if using canned, drain and dry)
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon of sea salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- American cheese slices, cut to size
- Burger toppings as desired (lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard)
Instructions
- Chop onions and mushrooms separately or pulse in a food processor.
- Use a paper towel to dry onions and mushrooms.
- Put the beef, soy sauce, salt and pepper to a bowl.
- Add the dried and chopped mushrooms and onions to the bowl with the beef.
- Use your hands to gently combine the mixture so the vegetables are evenly dispersed.
- Divide the mixture into small portions and form them into mini patties that are about 2.5 inches in diameter.
- Cook on the grill until medium or medium-well.
- Put them on slider buns with a slice of cheese and the desired toppings.
Mini Mushroom Sliders
These cute little sliders will cook in no time because the patties are so tiny. Teach your kids how to grill by letting them flip the burgers. They’ll have no idea there are mushrooms incorporated into the beef. Make a double batch and freeze them for later because these are sure to be a hit.
Ingredients
- 1 sweet onion, diced
- A ½ pound of white mushrooms, chopped (if using canned, drain and dry)
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon of sea salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- American cheese slices, cut to size
- Burger toppings as desired (lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard)
Instructions
- Chop onions and mushrooms separately or pulse in a food processor.
- Use a paper towel to dry onions and mushrooms.
- Put the beef, soy sauce, salt and pepper to a bowl.
- Add the dried and chopped mushrooms and onions to the bowl with the beef.
- Use your hands to gently combine the mixture so the vegetables are evenly dispersed.
- Divide the mixture into small portions and form them into mini patties that are about 2.5 inches in diameter.
- Cook on the grill until medium or medium-well.
- Put them on slider buns with a slice of cheese and the desired toppings.
Thai Chicken Satay on a Skewer
Most kids love chicken and peanut butter is a favorite of many young ones. Combine the two and broaden their palate by making these chicken satay skewers. They can be quickly grilled and then dipped into the smooth peanut-based sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 pound of chicken fillets or breasts, sliced into pieces
- 3 tablespoons of smooth peanut butter
- 16 ounces full-fat coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- Juice of 1 lime
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped
- 2 teaspoons ginger, minced
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped finely
- Skewers (metal or wood)
Instructions
- Slice the chicken up into thin strips.
- Combine the cumin, cilantro, ginger, brown sugar, and garlic along with 8 ounces of coconut milk into a plastic bag.
- Add the chicken and marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour. If you don’t have time, you can skip this step and serve plain grilled chicken.
- Once the chicken is ready, thread it onto the skewers.
- Cook the chicken thoroughly over medium heat on the grill for 10-15 minutes. Turn at least once so they cook evenly and become slightly brown.
- Prepare the satay sauce by combining peanut butter, the remaining 8 ounces of coconut milk, soy sauce, honey, and lime juice in a blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- Dip the chicken skewers into the peanut sauce and enjoy.
Grilled Apricots with Maple Syrup and Butter
Fruit is easy to grill and cooks quickly over high heat. It also caramelizes the sugars and makes it taste extra sweet. Those looking for a healthier dessert will appreciate this recipe which is quick and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
- 3 tablespoons butter or ghee
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6-8 ripe apricots, cut in half and pitted (substitute peaches or plums if apricots are unavailable)
- Mint leaves (optional)
- Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream
Instructions
- Cut the fruit in half and remove the pit.
- Cook the maple syrup or honey along with the butter until it is melted.
- Drizzle or brush on the honey or maple syrup onto the cut side of the fruit.
- Put a bit of butter or ghee onto the grill.
- Place the fruit, cut side down, onto the grill over medium heat.
- Cook for 5-8 minutes until cooked completely and lightly charred.
- Brush the top with the remaining sweet syrup mixture.
- Allow to cool completely before serving.
- Top with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
- Garnish with mint leaves.
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