There’s something about summer that makes everything feel just a little bit better. Maybe it’s the longer days, the promise of a weekend beer garden (even if it’s gluten-free and full of froth), or the fact that food just tastes better when cooked over fire.
As a coeliac, I’ve had my fair share of side-eye at BBQs—usually while turning up with my own foil-wrapped sausage like I’m smuggling something suspicious. But once you learn how to master the gluten-free BBQ, summer quickly becomes the best season of all.
☀️ Sunshine Makes Food Taste Better (That’s Just Science)
Summer is nature’s excuse to slow down and enjoy the moment. Whether you’ve got a fancy BBQ setup or a disposable grill on a patch of grass, food cooked outdoors just hits differently. There’s less pressure, fewer pots to wash, and more chance to actually enjoy what you’re eating—without a single breadcrumb in sight.
🍖 What’s on the Grill: Gluten-Free BBQ Winners
There’s no reason a gluten-free BBQ should feel like a compromise—if anything, it’s a chance to show off. With a bit of planning and the right ingredients, the grill becomes your personal playground of smoky, sizzling goodness. Here are some of my top gluten-free BBQ champions:
- 🍔 Homemade BBQ Burgers: Just mince, onion, seasoning, and maybe a dash of gluten-free tamari. Grill and serve with GF buns, lettuce wraps, or even grilled mushrooms.
- 🐖 Pork Belly Strips: Low, slow, and indulgently crispy. A marinade of garlic, smoked paprika, honey, and cider vinegar turns these into sticky slabs of joy.
- 🐓 Chicken Wings: Toss in gluten-free BBQ sauce or spice rub and grill until the skin crisps up.
- 🌭 Gluten-Free Sausages: Check the label, then grill until blistered. Serve with caramelised onions and GF mustard.
- 🥔 Baby Potato Skewers: Boiled, skewered with rosemary, and grilled. Great with garlic mayo.
- 🫑 Stuffed Peppers: Fill halved peppers with rice, veg, cheese and herbs. Wrap in foil and grill slowly.
- 🧀 Halloumi or Feta Parcels: Halloumi goes straight on the grill. For something fancier, wrap feta with tomatoes, olives, and herbs in foil.
- 🥩 Steak: Season, sear, and serve with herby butter or mustard. Enough said.
- 🍍 Grilled Fruit: Pineapple, peaches or bananas—grilled and drizzled with syrup or dusted with cinnamon.
- 🍗 Chicken Thighs or Drumsticks: Marinade in GF peri-peri, jerk, or lemon & herb. Juicy and full of flavour.
- 🫓 GF Flatbreads or Wraps: Warm them on the grill with garlic oil—perfect for stuffing or mopping up sauce.
- 🥗 Gluten-Free Pasta Salad:
No BBQ is complete without a cold pasta salad on the side—and yes, it can absolutely be gluten-free. The key is using a high-quality gluten-free pasta that holds its shape and doesn’t fall apart after boiling. I highly recommend Rummo Gluten-Free Pasta—it keeps its texture beautifully, even when chilled.
⚡ And Then the Thunder Rolls In…
I love a good summer storm. That moment when the air goes thick and quiet before it bursts into thunder and rain? Magical. There’s something oddly cosy about hiding under a gazebo with a plate full of grilled food while the sky rumbles around you.
It’s summer drama at its finest—plus the smell of rain hitting warm ground is almost as good as the smell of sausages.
🍹 Don’t Forget the Drinks & Sauces
BBQs aren’t just about what’s on the grill. I always bring my own sauces (because gluten hides in the weirdest places), and a few safe drinks. Most ciders are gluten-free, and there are more GF beers on the market now than ever—though finding one you actually like is still a journey.
Bonus tip: I keep a mini “BBQ survival kit” on standby with:
- My own set of tongs (cross-contamination is no joke)
- Foil trays
- Gluten-free ketchup & mustard
- A clearly labelled dessert I can actually eat
🌿 Summer’s Just Built Different
Between the sunshine, the wild weather, and the smell of grilled food, summer always reminds me to enjoy the little things. Especially when those little things come wrapped in tin foil and taste like freedom.
So yes—summer is my favourite season. And not just because I get to eat outside more often, but because it proves that living gluten-free doesn’t mean missing out. If anything, it means I get first dibs on the good stuff.
💬 Over to You
What’s your go-to gluten-free BBQ dish? And do you love a thunderstorm as much as I do, or are you running for the indoors with a soggy burger in hand?
Let me know in the comments—or tag me on Threads at @the_gf_table!
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