• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Start Here
  • Recipes
  • Blog
    • School Lunches
    • Slow Cooker
    • Budget Tips
    • Food Allergies
    • Special Diets
    • Videos
  • About
    • Our Story
    • Real Food Defined
    • Meal Ideas & Resources
  • Shop
    • My Cookbooks
    • Meal Plans
    • Amazon Favorites
  • Free Resources
  • Start Here
  • Recipes
  • Blog
    • School Lunches
    • Slow Cooker
    • Budget Tips
    • Food Allergies
    • Special Diets
    • Videos
  • About
    • Our Story
    • Real Food Defined
    • Meal Ideas & Resources
  • Shop
    • My Cookbooks
    • Meal Plans
    • Amazon Favorites
  • Free Resources
Home » Blog » A “Real Food” Cookout

A “Real Food” Cookout

 Updated: September 23, 2019    Lisa Leake    38 Comments

9.4Kshares
  • Facebook6.8K
  • Pinterest2.6K
  • Email

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.

Here’s what we served:

  • Cheeseburger sliders – These junior-sized patties were assembled in advance using locally raised ground beef and were the perfect size for kids!
  • Honey whole-wheat buns – Great Harvest makes dinner rolls with their 5-ingredient 100% whole-wheat bread recipe that we love, and they happen to be the ideal size for sliders.
  • Watermelon slices
  • Potato chips – Deep-fried foods are not part of our “real food” diet so we love that Kettle Brand offers REAL baked potato chips made with only three ingredients. Their version is light-years ahead of the potato flour concoction that Lay’s tries to pull off as baked chips.
  • Popcorn – I’ve said it a thousand times…thank you popcorn for being whole-grain! And when you serve it in fun little bags (that I found at Party City) the kids don’t even notice the popcorn they’re chowing down on isn’t caked in the usual refined oils and salt.
  • Apple Juice – After checking four different stores I was not satisfied with the juice box options that were available. When serving my children apples, applesauce or apple juice I prefer for it to be organic since apples are on the dirty dozen list. The only organic juice boxes I could find had added sugar, which is totally not necessary! So I just put a jug of 1-ingredient unfiltered organic apple juice with some ice in a big glass beverage dispenser. As it turned out the kids loved writing their names on cups with “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:
(Please alsoshare your ideas in the comments below!)

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
  • Tomato, corn & black bean salad/dip
  • Whole-grain crackers or pretzels
  • Sliced veggies with tzatziki sauce
  • 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.

In other news, we’re thrilled that our story was recognized by one of Rachael Ray’s bloggers. Please follow the link and click “like” if you like this too!
http://blog.rachaelray.com/index.php/2011/05/19/100-days-of-real-food-could-your-family-do-it/

As always, thanks for your support!

9.4Kshares
  • Facebook6.8K
  • Pinterest2.6K
  • Email

Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link, your cost will be the same but 100 Days of Real Food will automatically receive a small commission. Your support is greatly appreciated and helps us spread our message!

Category: Convincing Others, Food, Shopping

Previous Post: « Why We Avoid Artificial Ingredients
Next Post: Charlotte Giveaway: $40 Gift Certificate to Santé »

Other Posts You Might Like

  • Other “Real Food” Blogs
  • Real Food Tips: Buying “Real Food” from a Mainstream Supermarket
  • FREE “Real Food” Meal Plans
  • “Real Food” Condiments: Do They Exist?

About Lisa Leake

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

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Carolyn

    May 25, 2019 at 5:21 am

    Kettle Brand no longer does baked potato chips.

    Reply
  2. Linda

    April 21, 2017 at 7:16 pm

    I love to serve deviled eggs when I have cookout.

    Reply
  3. Robin

    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

    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

    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

    May 30, 2014 at 6:40 pm

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

    Reply
  7. peggy

    July 1, 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

    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)

      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

    July 7, 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

    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

    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

      July 4, 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

    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

      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

    June 6, 2012 at 9:09 am

    Thanks for the tips! Love the Target idea!

    Reply
    • Jamie26

      June 6, 2012 at 9:11 am

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

      Reply
  14. Melissa

    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

    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
    • Amy

      July 1, 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
    • 100 Days of Real Food

      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

        July 1, 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.

        Reply
  16. Rhonda

    September 1, 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

    September 1, 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

    July 2, 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

      July 12, 2011 at 2:28 am

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

      Reply

more comments

1 2 Next »

Tell us what you think by leaving a comment below! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

For security, use of Google's reCAPTCHA service is required which is subject to the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

I agree to these terms.

Primary Sidebar

Lisa Leake

Hi, I'm Lisa Welcome to my blog about cutting out processed food! Learn more →

Join 2 Million Followers

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
100 Days of Real Food On A Budget

Real Food is More Affordable Than You Think

All 100 recipes in my latest cookbook (#3 in the series!) are $15 or less to make.

Learn More

Popular Posts

85 Snack Ideas for Kids (and Adults)!

Great tips for making a green smoothie

How to Make a Perfect Green Smoothie

School Lunch Roundup!

Footer

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

About

  • Our Team
  • Partner with Us
  • Contact
  • Speaking Engagements

Policies

  • Comment Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy

Quick Links

  • Free Resources
  • Start Here
  • Recipe Index
  • Blog
  • Our Team
  • Partner with Us
  • Contact
  • Speaking Engagements

Copyright © 2010 100 Days of Real Food · All Rights Reserved · 100 Days of Real Food® is a registered trademark of Leake, LLC.