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Home » How to Start » Food Shopping

A “Real Food” Cookout


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There’s no reason a “real food” diet should stop anyone from having a fabulous backyard BBQ, cookout, camping trip, or picnic this summer. Sure, preparing lots of “real food” from scratch can be more work than the store-bought junk, but the satisfaction of knowing you just fed the neighborhood kids an approved “100 Days of Real Food” meal unbeknownst to them is very much worth it. We hosted an annual street-wide event in our backyard over the weekend, and I loved watching my girls have tons of fun with their little friends while at the same time knowing we didn’t have to succumb to the usual party junk food (store-bought pizza and cake) to have such a good time.

What We Served at Our Cookout

  • Cheeseburger sliders – These junior-sized patties were assembled in advance using h “permanent markers” and filling it up themselves. The first thing my 4-year-old did the minute the party started was run over to the juice so she could write her name on a cup (pictured) and fill it up!
  • Snow Cones – These shaved ice treats can easily be turned into a whole food dessert if you omit the sugary processed syrups that are usually squirted on top. For our “syrup” I like to slightly dilute organic frozen juice concentrate (like orange, apple, and grape) and put it in our own squeeze bottle instead! It works perfectly.

Other Cookout, Picnic, and Camping Ideas

On the Grill

  • Grilled vegetable kabobs
  • Organic grass-fed hot dogs (made by Applegate)
  • Grilled whole-wheat pizzas
  • Locally raised pork tenderloin
  • Locally raised pork or beef ribs

Sides/Salads

  • Fruit kabobs
  • Whole-wheat pasta or macaroni salad
  • Egg salad
  • A mixed up cobb salad
  • Caprese salad
  • Quinoa salad
  • Pimento Cheese

Snacks

  • Whole-wheat muffins
  • Whole-wheat zucchini bread
  • Granola bars
  • Whole-wheat banana bread

Treats

  • Frozen smoothie pops
  • Fruit juice popsicles
  • Banana ice cream or PB&J smoothies in little cups

Check out these school lunch posts for more portable picnic ideas (for kids and adults!):

  • School Lunches I
  • School Lunches II
  • School Lunches III

Lastly, if you'll be celebrating a birthday at your summer party check out these candy-free party favor ideas as well. Please also share your ideas in the comments below!

In other news, we’re thrilled that our story was recognized by one of Rachael Ray’s bloggers. :)

As always, thanks for your support!

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9.4K shares

About Lisa Leake

Lisa is a wife, mother, foodie, blogger, and #1 New York Times Best-selling author who is on a mission to cut out processed food.

Comments

  1. Carolyn says

    May 25, 2019 at 5:21 am

    Kettle Brand no longer does baked potato chips.

    Reply
  2. Linda says

    April 21, 2017 at 7:16 pm

    I love to serve deviled eggs when I have cookout.

    Reply
  3. Robin says

    May 30, 2016 at 1:37 pm

    Great tips! The only thing I would do differently is freeze some of the apple juice in ice cube trays and use in place of ice. Cold juice and not watered down at all! Thank you for all the great ideas.

    Reply
  4. Elena @ Wholesome Style says

    August 31, 2014 at 4:31 pm

    This is full of great ideas. I did not realize the Kettle chips vs Lays "situation." As a (rare) treat my son always asks for the Lays potato chips which I will sometimes allow. I will have to steer him towards the Kettle chips from now on, since they always seem to be in the aisle as well. Have a great holiday!

    Reply
  5. jenny says

    May 31, 2014 at 8:00 am

    Thanks for great ideas! I was getting overwhelmed trying to plan a cookout that somehow balances what i now eat (real food & GF) and what extended family and most friends eat (junk & processed!). I see it can be done.

    Reply
  6. Elizabeth says

    May 30, 2014 at 6:40 pm

    Love these ideas! Can't wait for my next backyard bbq :)

    Reply
  7. peggy says

    July 01, 2013 at 4:41 pm

    We will also be having a salad with black beans, edemame, corn, and sweet red pepper at our 4th of July celebration. Trying to ease the extended family into healthier eating one delicious dish at a time.

    Reply
  8. Brooke Pillow says

    August 14, 2012 at 3:45 pm

    I am very passionate about eating "real food" and have always tried to do that as much as possible with my kids; however, as the years have passed I have gotten lazy about it. Reading your blog has totally inspired me to "start over"!!! We love fresh guacamole and salsa....now what do we eat it with???

    Reply
    • Assistant to 100 Days (Jill) says

      August 25, 2012 at 10:27 pm

      Hi Brooke. How about the whole wheat tortillas? https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2010/05/26/recipe-whole-wheat-tortillas/. Jill

      Reply
  9. Erica says

    July 07, 2012 at 5:12 pm

    Oh I wish I would have seen this post before today. I just ran to the store and grabbed processed junk for my daughters birthday party tomorrow. Time got away from me and I was just looking for quick and easy (which all of your options are).
    I am so used to just grabbing chips and juice boxes, eating real food is something I am still learning. It's not second nature for me.

    Reply
  10. fitfoodiele says

    June 18, 2012 at 12:50 pm

    soooo glad i found you! i'm totally interested in eating as clean as possible. i'm currently training for a body buildind competition, but i will definitely be staying on track with my diet after it's over. i'm a follower of yours for sure!

    Reply
  11. Kelly says

    June 17, 2012 at 6:12 pm

    I looked at the potato chips you mentioned and they contain citric acid, which I recently read online was a hidden form of MSG. Have you heard of this? Also wondering about the oil used. I had read online that neither of those are good "real food" oils. Thoughts?

    Reply
    • 100 Days of Real Food says

      July 04, 2012 at 11:33 am

      Yes, those chips are more of a treat in our family, but we feel it's a better choice (albeit not a perfect choice) when compared to some of the deep-fried options. I hope that helps!

      Reply
  12. Kristina says

    June 15, 2012 at 5:05 am

    Im going to do a backyard BBQ for my son's 2nd birthday with these real food ideas. Quick question, I noticed a picture of you fruit kabobs and was wondering how on earth you were able to cut the fruit into various shapes?? I know you used the cookie cutters, but for the life of me I can't figure out how to do it myself without having a lot of waste. Thanks so much in advance

    Reply
    • 100 Days of Real Food says

      June 25, 2012 at 10:03 pm

      I just answered your question on another post, but wanted to leave it here too. We eat the waste we just don't serve it to guests.

      Reply
  13. Jamie26 says

    June 06, 2012 at 9:09 am

    Thanks for the tips! Love the Target idea!

    Reply
    • Jamie26 says

      June 06, 2012 at 9:11 am

      oops I meant to write this on the lunch idea page!

      Reply
  14. Melissa says

    May 21, 2012 at 7:26 pm

    I know the juice dilemma, and when I had pretty much given up I spotted it at my local Commissary here in TN. Hansen's makes "Junior Juice" (skip the "Junior Water", it has added sugar) But the organic juice comes in Apple and Berry Medley - 100% juice and no added sugar! Now if I could just get my 15mo to drink it without squeezing the box we'd be perfect :)

    Reply
  15. Stephanie says

    May 21, 2012 at 6:07 pm

    Out of curiosity...are there any tortilla chips that you would recommend? I know corn is one of the worst as far as GMO's are concerned. Aside from that, Tostitos boast that they are all natural with no preservatives. There is, I think, only 3 ingredients in their tortilla chips.

    Reply
    • 100 Days of Real Food says

      May 27, 2012 at 4:14 pm

      Yes, tortilla chips are only 3 ingredients, but most of them are deep fried in refined oil so unfortunately I don't know of any "approved" ones off the top of my head.

      Reply
      • BetsyD says

        July 01, 2013 at 2:57 pm

        You can make these so easily by just taking tortillas, brushing with a little olive oil, cutting into wedges and baking or broiling on a cookie sheet in the oven for a few minutes. Easy, delish and inexpensive. Must better than store bought.

    • Amy says

      July 01, 2013 at 11:38 pm

      If you happen to live near a Trader Joe's, they have organic tortilla chips that are great! (and cheaper than you'll find other places too).

      Reply
  16. Rhonda says

    September 01, 2011 at 11:19 pm

    I've been trying various homemade ranch dressings this summer. So far I really like Carrie Vitt's recipe over at Deliciously Organic the best. Lisa, I hope you don't mind me mentioning Carrie's site. I didn't think you would mind since I first learned of her site from you. Both of you have wonderful recipes that have helped me rid the artificial junk from my family's diet!

    Reply
  17. Stephanie Amos says

    September 01, 2011 at 10:29 pm

    YES! Please share your homemade ranch dressing recipe! I've been stressing about that this week after looking at the ingredients in Hidden Valley Ranch that help the veggies go down for my girls!

    Reply
  18. Danyelle says

    July 02, 2011 at 5:52 pm

    We live on fesh pasta salads in the summer. I make my own dressings and we mix up the ingredients. Rotini with sauteed chicken, homemade ranch, fresh Matthews farmers market tomatoes, blanched broccoli, green onions with shredded sharp chedar is fab...I started experimenting with dressings a few years ago and rarely purchas them anymore!

    Reply
    • 100 Days of Real Food says

      July 12, 2011 at 2:28 am

      Would love to see some of your dressing recipes if you don't mind sharing!

      Reply
  19. Claire says

    June 07, 2011 at 5:17 pm

    I've been bringing home made cole slaw and potato salad to all our block parties recently since my CSA is leaving me with more potatoes and cabbage than we can eat. It's healthy, seasonal, local and almost free!

    Reply
  20. Tammy1409 says

    June 07, 2011 at 1:35 pm

    You have a 4-year-old named Sienna too???
    I live in Union County (NC) and LOVE your blog.
    Looks like we have more in common than just a passion for healthy, clean food!

    Reply
    • 100 Days of Real Food says

      June 07, 2011 at 8:56 pm

      How funny! We hardly know any other Sienna's and people always try to call her "Sierra" instead. Small world! :)

      Reply
    • Karla says

      July 01, 2013 at 2:38 pm

      I'm currently 6 months pregnant with my second daughter and Sienna is the name we've chosen for her. You don't know how happy I was to see the pic of your girl's little green cup. =)

      Reply
  21. Auburn Meadow Farm says

    June 07, 2011 at 11:24 am

    Could you not have potato chips fried in locally raised beef tallow?

    Reply
    • 100 Days of Real Food says

      June 08, 2011 at 12:56 am

      If you are thinking that would be something to make from scratch it sounds like a great idea for just our family one evening, but I was already jam packed just putting together what we had! In addition to the food I had a bunch of activities planned for the kids as well so I was happy to take shortcuts wherever I could!

      Reply
  22. Drisana says

    June 07, 2011 at 6:14 am

    Fabulous! This is perfect timing as I am preparing for my daughters 2nd birthday next month - I'm sure I can put a smashing spread together with these ideas! Thanks Lisa!

    Reply
  23. Sarah says

    June 07, 2011 at 12:56 am

    I'm cracking up! My daughter went to 2 events this past weekend. The menu? Pizza and sweets! I know the kids would have had so much more fun with this menu! Thank you for the great ideas!

    Reply
  24. Kristin says

    June 06, 2011 at 4:47 pm

    I love this!!

    Reply
  25. Michelle @ Turning Over a New Leaf says

    June 06, 2011 at 4:31 pm

    Nice spread! I host a weekly dinner club of sorts and I love exposing my college-aged friends to real food on a regular basis. :]

    Reply

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Meet Lisa! Lisa is a best-selling cookbook author, wife, mother, and passionate home cook. Lisa began blogging in 2010 and has created a community of millions of people who share her love of healthy living, real food ingredients, and family recipes.

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