Gluten Free Grilling: BBQ Tips for a Safe and Delicious Father’s Day

If you are planning to celebrate dad with some gluten free grilling this June, you need to know BBQ tips for a safe and delicious Father’s Day. This is critical so that the day isn’t ruined by someone getting glutened and subsequently sidelined from the festivities.

For those dads that are new to the gluten-free lifestyle, consider gifting them with some new grill grates, grilling tools, or even an apron to get a jump start on celebrating their special day safely and with style.

If you are looking for some tips on how to safely do a gluten-free cookout for Father’s Day, read on to learn more.

The No Bread Equals No Gluten Myth

One of the most common misconceptions is that as long as you are not grilling gluten-filled bread on the grill, the food is gluten free. Why is this not true? Because gluten is more than just bread. Gluten is actually found in barley, rye, and wheat grains, but can also be hidden in additives found in some grilling marinades, seasonings, BBQ sauces and processed meats.

For this reason, it is important to either properly clean or replace grill grates before serving up gluten-free food to a person with a condition like celiac disease in which they must live a strictly gluten-free lifestyle for medical reasons.

Top 10 BBQ Tips for a Gluten Free Father’s Day

Many people may wonder just how to get started with gluten free grilling this June, so we’ve put together these tips to help keep your loved ones safe and allow everyone to enjoy the meal and the company:

1. Clean the grill thoroughly. It can be best to start with the basics when it comes to prepping for a cookout. So, let’s begin with the grill. If you have a charcoal, gas, or wood pellet grill, it is essential that you thoroughly clean the grill grates before using them to eliminate any gluten residue. Depending on what cleaning method you choose (because there are many) and if you are cooking for someone with celiac disease or gluten intolerance, you may want to simply replace the grill grates with new ones that can then become your designated gluten-free set now and for the future.
2. Clean grilling tools and accessories. Whether it is a wire tray used to grill seafood, the grill spatula used to flip burgers, or even the branding tool used to burn your favorite team’s logo on burgers or sandwiches, those must be free of gluten contamination as well. If the implements are dishwasher safe, it is wise to clean the grates by hand with hot water and soap and then also put them through a dishwasher cycle in an effort to get rid of any gluten remnants. But, again, another option is to buy a new set of grilling tools and accessories and make them a designated gluten-free grilling set.
3. Use new brushes and basters. For utensils such as a brush that is for adding BBQ sauces or basters that are used to squeeze in some additional flavor, it may be safer to buy a new set. Because of the way these tools are made, it can be easy for gluten particles to hide on the utensils, which could pose a serious danger for those who are gluten-free.
4. Use gluten-free grilling seasonings and marinades. Even seasonings and marinades can contain gluten, and this includes pre-seasoned or pre-marinated meats. The best way to ensure that any flavoring you are using is gluten-free is to find seasonings and marinades that are certified gluten-free or find recipes you can make yourself at home. If homemade marinades contain an ingredient that could have previously been cross contaminated with gluten before use, it is better to buy a new package or bottle of that ingredient for your BBQ recipe.
5. Make sure what you are grilling is gluten free. While we can see where people might think meats, seafood, and even plant-based options are inherently gluten free in the packaging bought at the grocery store, this is not always the case. For example, some meats may already contain a seasoning or marinade that is not gluten-free, making it unsafe for those living a gluten-free lifestyle. Look for seafood that could contain gluten due to light breading, hotdogs that may contain gluten, or stuffed jalapeno poppers that could have traces of gluten.
6. Have gluten-free buns available for hotdogs and hamburgers. We offer gluten-free hotdog buns online, but they may also be available in the freezer section of your local grocery store. Remember, when putting a hamburger patty or hotdog meat on a bun, your tongs or utensil of choice may touch the bun in doing so. For this reason, it is important to have a dedicated gluten-free tool to avoid cross contamination with regular buns.
7. Offer some gluten-free sides. Make sure you offer some gluten-free sides to go with the BBQ. To keep things more straightforward, consider serving slices of watermelon or cut up fruit that have been cut in a gluten-free space and is served in a clean bowl with a clean serving utensil. To elevate your game to include a pasta or potato salad side, take care to use certified gluten-free ingredients in making them.
8. Cook gluten-free items first. If you do not have a designated set of gluten-free grill grates and instead choose to clean them before cooking, make sure to cook all gluten-free items first. When finished, place the food items on a clean and clearly labeled tray or platter away from other dishes that contain gluten.
9. Select gluten-free toppings. Whether it is mustard, ketchup and relish for your hot dogs, mayo and pickles for your burger, or a little horseradish for your BBQ meats, it is important to ensure these toppings are gluten-free as well or they can compromise the integrity of the dish. It may be best to offer squeezable versions of these toppings to avoid cross contamination with utensils, but even still it is necessary to keep the gluten-free toppings away from the gluten-filled food. If they are not separated, a person who accidentally touches the squeezable mayo bottle to their gluten-filled hamburger bun has then contaminated the product.
10. Plate gluten-free foods safely. Consider lining a tray with a clean layer of foil before placing gluten-free food on it to ensure there is no cross contamination. Then make sure to label the tray gluten-free, particularly if you are serving gluten-filled items on a separate tray.

And, of course, don’t forget to offer some gluten-free dessert as well. Afterall, Father’s Day is a celebration! Offer some gluten-free chocolate chip or snickerdoodle cookies or slice up a certified gluten free lemon poundcake to top with ice cream and fresh fruit.

Celebrate the men in your life with gluten-free grilling and our BBQ tips for a safe and delicious Father’s Day. Make it a day he will always remember!