Savvy swaps to make your BBQ healthier

Summer is the perfect time to reconnect with friends, get outside (remember to be sun safe!) and enjoy a BBQ. To help inspire you we’ve put together our top swaps to make a healthier BBQ this summer.

1. Swap out snags

Instead of the sausages, try our beef koftas.  Wrap them up in a wholemeal wrap with plenty of salad or tabouli for a delicious and healthy meal.

2. Boost your burger game

Rather than serve up a plain beef burgers, try our lamb and veg meatballs in a wholemeal bun instead.  Or boost your omega-3 intake with our zucchini and turmeric salmon patties. 

3. Go meat-free

Did you know eating less red and processed meat and more plant foods will reduce your risk of cancer?  Why not try our sweet potato falafels, serve with a minty yoghurt.  Or break out the kebab sticks for a veg-packed meal.

4. Make friends with salad!

Say goodbye to the ‘side salad’ and hello to a signature salad that will be the star of the BBQ!  Our soy and ginger chicken noodle salad is refreshing table pleaser that has the tick of approval from our ambassador MasterChef winner Larissa Takchi.  If chicken isn’t our thing – substitute with tofu.

5. Other top BBQ 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, Frankfurt’s, hot dogs and other processed meats

6. Remember food safety is 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.

Read more on food safety.