Top tips for hosting a healthy BBQ

Summer is the perfect time to reconnect with friends, get outside and enjoying a BBQ. To help inspire you we’ve put together our top tips for hosting a healthy BBQ this summer, check them out below!

1. Get adventurous and try something different.

• Try our beef koftas as an alternative to sausages. Wrap them up in a wholemeal wrap with plenty of salad or tabouli and a dollop of fresh tomato sauce.
• Instead of a plain burger, try our delicious lamb  and vegie meatballs, zucchini and turmeric salmon patties, or go meat free with a lentil burger  or sweet potato falafels. Serve with a minty yoghurt dip or guacamole.
• Make meat go further by making skewers. Alternate chunks of marinated meat with chunks of onion, capsicum, zucchini, or mushrooms – or just go with an all vegie skewer.

2. Summer is a great time to serve more vegetables, salads and wholegrains.  

Did you know that by eating less meat and more plant foods you will reduce your risk of cancer? Here’s some ideas for incorporating more fruit and veg into your BBQs:

• BBQ some vegetables: spray with olive oil and grill some corn cobs, big mushrooms, tomato and zucchini halves.
• Serve lots of salads like our  Greek salad, carrot and ginger salad, bean salad or Mexican salad.
• Include some wholegrains and legumes with our rice salad and rainbow vegetable salad and serve wholegrain or wholemeal bread, rolls or wraps.
• Finish the meal with a juicy and refreshing fruit platter or fruit salad. Serve with a bowl of natural yoghurt in place of cream or ice cream.

3. Food hygiene is really important in the summer heat.

 All food needs to be cooked prepared and stored safely, here’s our top food safety tips:

• Always wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 second before preparing or serving food.
• Wash all fruit and vegetables with clean water before use.
• Keep raw meat, eggs, and seafood separately from food that won’t be cooked.
• Avoid food contamination and never reuse a knife, plate or container that touched raw meat without washing.
• Don’t leave food out for longer than 2 hours. Return leftovers to the refrigerator or an esky with a temperature at or below 5^oC as soon as possible.
• Protect food from flies by covering with a net or tea towels.

Find more information on food preparation, handling and temperature control requirements  

Our top tips

• Choose lean cuts of meat like skinless chicken breast, 5-star mince, pork fillet and trim fat off chops and steak.
• Marinate it before you BBQ for flavour, to prevent it burning and to keep it juicy.
• Make your own marinades with olive oil, lemon juice and herbs and spices.
• What to avoid at your BBQ:
  • Burning or charring food
  • Fatty sausages and meat with fat around the edge
  • Burgers made with 2 or 3-star hamburger mince
  • Meat with visible fat
  • Bacon, frankfurts, hot dogs and other processed meats