Safety first when it comes to firing up the barbecue

Is there anything more joyful than the aroma of a sizzling barbecue wafting through your neighbourhood on a sunny summer's day? 

It's that time of year when we dust off our BBQs and cook up some summer vibes with food, family and fun. While enjoying your time outdoors, it is important to keep on top of your BBQ food safety. To help guide you through this summer season, Safefood has all you need to know to cook with confidence on the BBQ.  

To highlight the need for safety while enjoying the BBQ weather, Ireland has launched Safe2Eat, part of a major EU-wide campaign empowering consumers with science-backed food safety information to make smarter, safer food choices. 

Led by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Safe2Eat has expanded from 18 to 23 countries in 2025, with Safefood representing Ireland as part of this growing European initiative. 

Here is a recipe for 'Citrus summer chicken' that is sure to be a hit.  Just follow the preparation steps for a delicious, safe and healthy outdoor treat.  

Citrus summer chicken

Zing up your chicken for the BBQ with this easy marinade. Marinades are a great way to introduce flavour to meats without adding a lot of extra calories.

Servings

4

Preparation Time

 60 mins

Cooking Time

 30 mins

Total Time

 1 hours 30 mins

Course

 Main

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts

• Zest and juice of 1 orange

• Zest and juice of ½ lime

• 1-inch of fresh ginger

• 2 cloves of garlic, peeled and crushed

• 1 tablespoon of olive oil

• Small bunch of coriander, chopped

• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Method

1. Place the zest and juice of the orange and lime in a bowl. Peel the ginger, grate it finely and add it to the bowl along with the garlic

2. Whisk in the olive oil and then stir in the chopped coriander and black pepper

3. Using a large knife chop each breast in half. Add to the marinade and make sure that each portion is well coated

4. Cover with clingfilm and place in the fridge for at least 1 hour. For a better flavour marinate the chicken overnight

5. Cook the chicken over a hot barbeque for 25 to 30 minutes, turning it frequently and basting the meat with the marinade

6. Barbeque meats must be cooked thoroughly to protect yourself and others from food poisoning. If you have a meat thermometer, take the chicken off the heat and insert the thermometer in the thickest part. The chicken is ready when the thermometer reaches 75 degrees.

Trish Twohig, director of food safety with Safefood, says:  "As someone who works year-round to promote safe food practices, I'm proud that we at Safefood are supporting Safe2Eat — a major EU-wide campaign led by the European Food Safety Authority that empowers consumers with science-backed food safety information.

"Through this and beyond, we’re here to help ensure your guests are in safe hands every time you serve. Below are the most common mistakes I see every year at summer BBQs, and what you can do to avoid them." 

Clean your BBQ before you start 

First things first — give your BBQ grill a good clean. Do this by scrubbing the metal rack of your BBQ with an oven cleaner or a damp brush dipped in bread soda. Always rinse with hot soapy water afterwards. Light your barbecue well in advance. If you are using a charcoal BBQ, the flames should have died down before you start cooking.

Defrost frozen foods the night before

If you plan on having any frozen food, make sure they are fully thawed before you start cooking. Do this by defrosting them the night before on a plate on the bottom shelf of your fridge. Keep them there until you are ready to cook. If you are on the go, keep them in a cool box until you are ready to cook.

Cook your BBQ meat thoroughly 

BBQ foods like chicken, burgers, sausages and kebabs must be cooked thoroughly to protect yourself and others from food poisoning. You will know when your food is well cooked when it is piping hot, has no visible pink bits and the juices run clear. Using a meat thermometer will help check that meat is safe to eat. To use a meat thermometer, take your food off the heat and insert a clean thermometer probe into the thickest part of the meat or poultry, checking that the temperature reaches 75°. Make sure to clean your meat thermometer between uses with hot soapy water or a disposable disinfectant wipe.  Steaks on a BBQ can be cooked to preference as harmful bacteria are on the outside only and not in the centre. 

Store your side dishes in the fridge 

 If you are serving any side dishes, like salads or coleslaw, keep them in the fridge until you need them. Same goes for any sauces you plan on having. Store these foods on the top shelf of your fridge away from any raw food.

Update your grilling techniques 

When cooking on the BBQ, turn food regularly while also moving it around on the grill. This ensures all sides are cooked evenly. When cooking, try not to cook the food too close to the coal. This will prevent charring of your food.

Stay clean to avoid cross-contamination 

Keep your hands, utensils and surfaces clean to help avoid cross-contamination. Wash your hands regularly with hot soapy water before and after handling food. Always use different utensils, like spatulas or tongs, when handling raw and fresh food. Clean as you go by washing surfaces and chopping boards with hot soapy water.

Store and use your BBQ leftovers 

As you start to pack up your BBQ, take leftovers inside to cool as you don’t want to leave them outside in direct sunlight or where insects could get at them. Any leftovers should be covered and allow to cool completely before putting them into your fridge. Leftovers should be in the fridge within two hours of cooking and used within three days. When reheating BBQ leftovers, only do it once and until they are piping hot. If you are unsure about the safety of any leftovers, throw them out.

For more information on how to BBQ safely this summer, visit safefood.net