Smart tips for dining al fresco.

From beach bashes to backyard barbecues, eating outdoors is a great way to spend time with family and friends. Just be sure to follow the food safety guidelines below to help avoid foodborne illness when you’re grilling and dining al fresco.

Pack and transport wisely.

• Place cold foods in a cooler with ice or frozen gel packs and keep them at 40°F or below.
• Store drinks in one cooler and perishable foods in another. This helps avoid exposing perishables to warm air when opening and closing the cooler to replenish drinks.
• Keep coolers holding perishable foods closed and try to limit the number of times they’re opened.
• Raw meat, poultry, and seafood should be securely wrapped and separated from other items to prevent cross contamination.
• Wash fresh fruits and vegetables before packing them in a cooler.

Prepare with care.

• Always marinate foods in the refrigerator and never on the kitchen counter or outdoors.
• Cook foods to their recommended temperatures, using a food thermometer to check.
• Fish and whole cuts of beef, pork, lamb, and veal should reach an internal temperature of 145°F.
• Ground beef should reach 160°F, and poultry and precooked meats 165°F.
• Grilled items can be kept hot by moving them to the side of the grill rack, away from the coals.

Prevent cross contamination.

• Be careful about how you handle foods and the items they touch.
• Throw out marinades and sauces that have touched raw meat juices, which can contaminate cooked foods.
• Don’t reuse platters, plates, or utensils. Have clean items ready for removing food from the grill and serving.

Serve at proper temperatures.

• Never let your foods remain between 40°F and 140°F for more than two hours, or more than one hour if outdoor temperatures are above 90°F.
• Keep cold, perishable foods at 40°F or below until serving time.
• Keep hot foods at or above 140°F.

Publix offers a variety of delicious grilling recipes to help you plan your next gathering. Try our Aji Verde Pork Skewers with Grilled Corn, Cheesy Cheddar Bacon Sausage Grillers, and more.

See recipes

Sources:

Handling Food Safely While Eating Outdoors. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). March 5, 2024.
Grilling Food Safely. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Last updated June 19, 2017.