Grilling, BBQ, cookout, picnic…whatever you like to call it, eating outdoors in the summer is a perfect way to enjoy nature while spending time with family and friends. Celebrate National picnic month by taking your meal outside for a fun meal everyone can enjoy. From hamburgers and BBQ chicken to grilled veggies and salads to watermelon and pineapple the options are endless when it comes to creating the perfect outdoor meal.
Food safety tips when eating outside this summer:
Time & temperature
- Keep hot food above 140°F
- Keep cold foods below 40°F
- Perishable food items should not be left out more than 2 hours at room temperature. If it is warmer than 90°F, do not keep perishable items out longer than 1 hour.
Check temps with a food thermometer
- The only way to ensure food is safely cooked is to measure the internal temperature before removing food from the heat source.
- 145°F – Beef, pork, veal and lamb steaks, chops, and roasts, and fish or shellfish
- 160°F – Ground beef, pork, veal and lamb, and eggs
- 165°F – chicken and turkey breasts, legs, thighs, wings, ground or whole
Use different coolers for drinks and perishable food items
- Store perishable foods in a separate cooler from drinks to reduce the frequency of opening and increasing temperature inside the cooler.
Avoid cross-contamination
- Use clean platters and utensils for cooked food. Do not reuse ones used for raw meats.
- If individuals with allergens are present, ensure food safety by designating bowls, platters, and serving utensils as allergen-free and do not use for any other foods.
Out of the box inspiration:
- Think beyond burgers and hotdogs, try plant-based proteins or other foods you typically wouldn’t grill
- Portobello mushroom ‘burgers’
- Pesto & mozzarella pizza
- Grilled fish tacos
- Try untraditional picnic salads
- Caprese salad
- Watermelon and avocado salad
- Bean salad
- Marinate and grill your vegetables for a new flavor dimension
- Balsamic zucchini sticks
- Grilled romaine lettuce
- Mexican street corn
- Fire up your dessert
- Grilled pineapple rings
- Peach halves with ice cream
- Choose heat-friendly dips
- Salsa
- Pesto
- Guacamole
- Hummus
Want to look like a rock star at your next social get-together and/or outdoor picnic? Bring Honey Garlic Chipotle Chicken – this tasty recipe is courtesy of Performance Health & Fitness member, Kelly Potter (thank you, Kelly!). Pro Tip: bring the chicken to your outing marinated and ready for the grill master, or cook in advance and cut into easy to share chunks.
Honey Garlic Chipotle Chicken
serves 4
- 4 oz chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- Juice from 1 lime
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 cloves garlic
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 16 oz of chicken breast (or try with chicken thighs, drumsticks or wings)
- (optional / garnish) all natural peanut butter
Blend all ingredients until smooth. Marinate chicken for at least 30 minutes, but preferably overnight. Grill until cooked thoroughly. Feeling adventurous? Try drizzling peanut butter on the chicken once cooked (shown in the photo).
