Summer is the perfect season to cook outdoors for picnics, pool parties, and camping trips. Few aromas are more enticing than a steak or veggie kebabs cooking over an open flame. But did you know that outdoor grills cause an average of 10,600 home fires each year, sending 19,700 people to the ER?1
Before you tie on that apron and fire up your backyard kettle, take a moment to review these tips to help keep family, friends, and yourself safe during a cookout:
TYPE OF MEAT | MINIMUM INTERNAL TEMPERATURE (in degrees Fahrenheit) |
---|---|
Beef (except ground beef) | 145 °F; then allow the meat to rest 3 minutes before cutting it |
Fish/shellfish | 145 °F |
Ground meats | 160 °F |
Ham, uncooked (fresh or smoked) | 145 °F; let rest 3 minutes |
Ham, cooked (to reheat):
|
|
Lamb | 145 °F; let rest 3 minutes |
Pork | 145 °F; let rest 3 minutes |
Poultry, all types and cuts (breasts, drumsticks, legs, thighs, whole, wings) | 165 °F |
Veal | 145 °F; let rest 3 minutes |
Now that you’ve prepped and fireproofed your outdoor cooking area, get ready, get set, grill! And here’s an easy chicken salad recipe to get you started!
Serves 6, total prep time: 30 minutes
Nutrition data per serving (not including garnishes): 210 calories, 13 grams fat (2 grams saturated fat), 263 milligrams sodium, 5.8 grams carbohydrate (0.4 grams dietary fiber), 17 grams protein
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References
1https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Data-research-and-tools/US-Fire-Problem/Home-Grill-Fires
2https://www.kingsford.com/how-to/how-to-put-out-your-charcoal/
3https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/
4https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/242415/grilled-chicken-peach-and-arugula-salad/
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