Tips For Healthy Grilling and Barbecuing

There is something inaugural about the first day of fall. We welcome the crisp air after the sweltering days of summer and find ourselves outside to soak up the vibrant autumn colors. There is nothing like a fall barbecue to kick off the season! Growing up, my family would often do potlucks and picnics at parks, bringing an assortment of foods to grill. The smell of charcoal filled my youthful, foodie heart with joy and anticipation. It is amazing how certain smells and memories of tasty foods stick with us even as adults (or is that just me??)

As you fire up your grills, here are some tips to keep in mind to ensure an enjoyable and safe experience:

 

• Food Safety – There are some basics to keep in mind when planning a meal where you will use an outdoor grill. A big one is knowing your internal temperature goals with cooking. The chart below provides a summary internal temperature MINIMUM for all types of meats, poultry, and fish that are often associated with food-borne illness.

You will want to avoid keeping cooked food in the temperature danger zone for more than 4 hours at a time (between 40-140 ֯F). Any sides, entrees, or prepared foods should go back into the refrigerator after 4 hours to avoid risk of food-borne illness.

• Cooking Oils – Did you know there are more optimal oils to use when cooking with a high heat flame or temperature provided by a grill? This is because of the smoke point, or the temperature that will cause oil to burn and smoke vapor. Some suitable options would be refined avocado oil, safflower oil, refined coconut oil or grapeseed oil. When you cook oils beyond their smoke point, bitter and unpleasant flavors and even carcinogenic (cancer causing free radical) compounds can accumulate. So it is a good idea to make some swaps if you are cooking with low smoke point oils, like olive oil, which is better suitable for light sauteing or making dressings/spreads.

 

• Safety When Cleaning – skip the wire brush when cleaning your grill! The reason being is a recent concern has risen due to the little spokes breaking off and getting lodged into your food. You can try to eliminate your need for this by oiling the racks well enough beforehand. You can also use half an onion, balled tinfoil, or a portable steamer to help degrease your grill racks safely.

Last tip: ENJOY your yummy foods and the community they bring you and your company. Grill season only lasts so long, so soak it up while you can!