With lockdown saying goodbye to the UK and the warm weather over the horizon, now the most perfect time to pull out the BBQ and spend time with your loved ones. However, whilst you’re enjoying the warmth altogether around the grill, food safety should always be your first priority. Here are some tips on how to handle and cook chicken to serve to you and your guests.

The Food Standard Agency (FSA) have suggested that over half of those avid BBQ enthusiasts never consider that they could give themselves or their friends and family food poisoning. However, studies have shown that food poisoning actually doubles during summer months, thus it’s imperative to be careful and cautious knowing the risks.

Ever wondered how to BBQ chicken? Once you’ve marinated it with your preferred products, simply pop it onto the warm grill and you’re good to go. However before you even consider handling the meat, it’s important to consider your surroundings, are you working in a clean space? Do you have access to an array of utensils for both cooked and uncooked meats?

How To Handle Meat Safely

It might be easier said than done, but the way raw meat is stored is actually crucial to steer clear of food poisoning. It’s vital that you store raw meat separately from other foodstuff prior to cooking, which includes using different utensils, tongs, chopping boards and so on for raw and cooked meats. 

Using a disposable barbecue? They usually take a little longer to heat up and cook food, especially chicken. Make sure that burgers and chicken and completely cooked through by simply cutting into it to establish whether or not they are steaming all the way through. Here you should also check whether the juices of the meat run clear, if not then it should continue being cooked. Speaking of raw chicken, if you’re one to watch raw chicken, don’t. Washing meat can actually splash germs, which spreads harmful bacteria to hands, clothes and work surfaces. Leave the bacteria killing to the BBQ as cooking will kill it completely.

Moreover, if the chicken is charred on the outside and you think it’s cooked, think again! Ever wondered how to long to cook chicken on a BBQ? Charred meat doesn’t mean it has completely cooked through. Always be sure to turn the food regularly and check your burgers and chicken before serving. Simply do this by cutting into it to make sure the meat isn’t pink. If it is, pop it back onto the barbecue and continue grilling. 

So there you have it! Simple tips to help you cook chicken safely in a barbecue. Always be sure to take into consideration that handling it the wrong way can cause more harm than good. Once you’ve followed the tips above you’ll be on your way to making those dream barbecues you’ve always longed for.