Must Try Summer Cookout Recipes

Perfect for Father's Day

Father’s Day weekend coming up means backyard cookout season is officially in full swing. Here are a few of my latest favorites— recipes that bring big flavor and brilliant color, easily and healthfully. They are perfect for celebrating Dad, or enjoying any weekend throughout the season, and are sure crowd-pleasers. Enjoy!

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Chili-Lime Pork and Mango Skewers With Avocado Mash

Photo by Tom McCorkle for The Washington Post

Colorful, grilled skewers of chili-seasoned pork loin, fresh mango and red onion are served over buttery, mashed avocado and sprinkled with lime and cilantro for a flavorful, festive and healthful way to enjoy meat on the grill.

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Sweet-Tart Slaw With Fig Dressing

Photo by Stacy Zarin Goldberg for The Washington Post

This gem-colored slaw of red cabbage, carrot, onion and sunflower seeds has a luscious, punchy dressing that gets its sweetness healthfully from dried figs, which are whirred in a food processor with cider vinegar and extra-virgin olive oil. Together, these ingredients add just the right flavor balance to brighten a BBQ-sauce-slathered protein or burger or to enliven a summer salad spread.

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Mixed Berry Shortcake

Photo by Deb Lindsey for The Washington Post

This recipe is a mixed-berry version of a summer favorite: strawberry shortcake. Simple tweaks make it better-for-you and add delightful taste dimension. The tender-inside, crisp-outside biscuits are made with a blend of whole-grain and all-purpose flours, and with oil instead of butter. Top the berries with a blend of lightly sweetened, vanilla-scented whipped cream and Greek yogurt; the latter adds a pleasant hint of tartness.

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