Fill the propane tanks. Grab the bag of charcoal. Stock up on cedar planks and wood. Regardless of what fuel your grill runs on, we’re heading into prime BBQ season and it’s time to get ready to fire it up! Of course, getting the grates seasoned and the flame stoked is the easy part when you’re managing food allergies. Finding a list of scrumptious and safe dishes to cook on the open flame may take a little more work. We’ve got a few ideas to get you started.
Dairy-Free Mexican Street Corn
Corn on the cob is a summer staple. Grilling the corn kicks things up a notch, sure, but cutting those kernels from the cob and whipping up creamy, spicy, smoky Mexican street corn is really upping your game. Can you do it and keep it safe for your dairy allergic friends and family? Yes. With recipes like this one from Strength and Sunshine, you can turn your grilled corn into a rockstar of a dish that’s free from dairy and egg.
Brighten Up Your BBQ Chicken
There’s just something about citrus flavors that yells sunshine and summer. Why not take a bit of that brightness to kick up your grilled chicken game? This citrus BBQ recipe from Food Network uses a blend of orange, lemon, and spices to brighten up a traditional homemade barbeque sauce. Even better, it’s free of the top 9 allergens.
Soy-Free, Dairy-Free Dressed-Up Steak
There’s grilling steak and then there’s grilling a flavorful, prepped cut of beef that makes your taste buds sing. Unfortunately, the latter often involves ingredients that use milk and soy. Then there’s this recipe from Real Simple Good that builds great flavor on a base of vinegar, coconut aminos, and oil. There’s also this twist from Paleo Running Momma that converts dairy-free, egg-free, wheat-free marinated grilled flank steak into scrumptious tacos if you’re looking for a unique twist on things.
Egg-Free Potato Salad
Potato salad and summer BBQs go hand-in-hand. Yet for folks with egg allergies its traditional forms are a big no. From the diced egg some recipes include to the generous heaps of mayo used to hold it all together, egg-allergic friends and family are passing by the bowl. This recipe from Hurry the Food Up, on the other hand, skips the mayo – traditional variants, as well as the egg-free vegan alternatives. This Vegan Potato Salad uses a healthy dose of seasonings and sweet to create a creamy, lush potato salad.
Allergy-Aware Cole Slaw
Cole Slaw is another regular feature for traditional BBQ spreads. And yet, it’s also another dish that allergy guests will need to skip. Most recipes call for mayonnaise as a base for the creamy dressing that pulls the cabbage and other elements together. Some recipes skip the mayo in favor of buttermilk or other dairy ingredients. This version from Easy Peasy Foodie, however, skips both egg- and milk-laden elements to create a creamy, crisp dish that is also allergy-friendly.
Sweet & Smoky Watermelon
Don’t turn the grill off just because the main course is done. Slice up that juicy, sweet watermelon and kick it up a notch by grilling those wedges before serving it. Sure, you could just straight up grill the watermelon for a little twist, or you could really up your game with this recipe from Two Peas and Their Pod that uses honey, mint, and lime to turn a simple summer fruit into a game-changing dessert. Skip the optional feta cheese to keep this a dairy-free dish.
Peaches and More
When you think about grilling, you’re probably focusing on main course meals and not desserts. Yet your grill can churn out some pretty spectacular desserts like the watermelon recipe above. Want other options? Keep experimenting with fruit.
Some, like this grilled peach recipe from For the Love of Gourmet finish off the dish with a hearty scoop of vanilla ice cream. If you’re avoiding milk, you’ve got an ever-growing list of dairy-free ice cream options in the freezer section of your grocery store. Grab your favorite and use it to top off peaches, pineapple, or bananas.
