In this post, I’m going to be sharing all my favorite gluten free hamburger buns, gluten free hotdog buns, gluten free cookout sides, and so much more!
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With summer just around the corner, it’s time for the Memorial Day and 4th of July cookouts! Whether you’re gluten free, or you’re having a gluten free guest, sometimes it might seem overwhelming about what kind of cookout food is gluten friendly. But I’m here to help…
Gluten Free Cookout Foods
I think the hardest part about eating food from a cookout is you never know what kind of spices the person grilling the food might have put on the hamburgers, cheeseburgers, or even the hot dogs. [I always ask just to be safe]
A lot of spices are gluten free but some spice companies use anti-caking agents made from wheat starch and wheat flour – both contain gluten.
Gluten Free Hamburgers & Hamburger Buns
Pure beef that you buy in a package from the store is safe to consume if you have celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
Burgers that you make out of that 100% ground beef also will be gluten-free, assuming you don’t add gluten-containing ingredients or subject patties to gluten cross-contamination
For frozen beef patties, I look for it to say GF on the label. If I’m using frozen patties, I always use ‘Bubba Burgers‘ these burgers are 100% USDA choice chuck beef, with no fillers, additives, gluten free, and delicious!
Another option if you’re vegetarian and gluten free are Franklin Farms Original Recipe Veggie Burgers – I love these so much!
My favorite gluten free hamburger buns are the Trader Joe’s Gluten Free Hamburger Buns, if you have a Trader Joe’s near you – you need these for your cookout immediately!
I like to keep them in the refrigerator and lightly toast them when I’m about to use them and they taste just like a regular hamburger bun!
If you don’t have a Trader Joe’s near you, my other two hamburger bun options would be Udi’s Gluten Free Hamburger Buns or O’Dough’s Gluten Free Hamburger Buns. I can usually find both at Stop & Shop or Shaw’s.
If you’re the guest at a cookout, and there’s not gluten free hamburger bun options, the safest choice would just be to eat the hamburger without a bun, or use a lettuce wrap!
Most toppings will be naturally gluten free, Heinz Ketchup, Mustard, pickles, onions, lettuce, and tomato.
Gluten Free Hotdogs & Hotdog Buns
Most hot dog brands are gluten free, but it’s still very important to read the ingredients list, and check for gluten free labels.
Some hot dogs contain additives or other ingredients that contain gluten which means the hot dogs are no longer gluten free.
My favorite gluten free hot dog brands
- Kayem’s Fenway Frank Hot Dogs – these are hands down my favorite gluten free hot dog [these might be called Ballpark Franks if you aren’t in the Boston area]
- Bar S Classic Franks
- Nathan’s Famous Beef Franks
- Dearborn Plant Based Vegetarian Hot Dogs
- Teton Waters Ranch 100% Grass-Fed
For hot dog buns, it’s the same as my hamburger bun recommendations, I always use O’Doughs or Udi’s gluten free hot dog buns.
Trader Joe’s also makes gluten free hot dog buns, but I’ve never seen them or tried them before so I can’t speak on them. But I’m sure they’re delicious just like their GF hamburger buns.
Gluten Free Cookout Sides
Even though we’re limited to eating gluten free, I still think we have plenty of side options at a cookout. Especially if we’re making it, we can basically pick our favorite sides and just sub in the gluten free versions of it.
There’s always going to be the naturally gluten free options, like fruit bowls, salads [as long as the salad dressing is gluten free which many are].
Most french fries are gluten free as well as potato salads, again it just depends on how sensitive you are, some fries are fried in the same fryer as gluten containing foods, so there’s cross contamination. But at a cookout, it’s probably going to be frozen fries in an air fryer, which so long as the fries are labeled gluten free- you should be safe!
For potato salad, I just use my best judgment depending on the ingredients.
One of my favorite sides is pasta salad, I make it many times a week and for cookouts – all you have to do if use your favorite gluten free pasta – I use sweet potato noodles then after it’s done cooking, you drain the pasta, and in a large bowl or pan, drizzle it with your favorite italian dressing, I use Ken’s Lite Italian Dressing, and then sprinkle it with salad supreme! Mix it all together and serve warm or cold! It’s easy and delicious!
For quick and easy sides you can put out some chips and dip like Heluva Good French Onion Dip or salsa and chips.
Desserts for a Gluten Free Cookout
Most store bought desserts, like cupcakes and cookies will contain gluten, unless marked otherwise. So I always stay away from desserts at a cookout, I don’t want to risk being glutened!
But you can always make your favorite dessert using Betty Crocker’s Gluten Free quick box mixes. Because when we’re planning a cookout we don’t always have the time to make a gluten free dessert from scratch!
They’re delicious and she has a ton of options, like gluten free cookies, gluten free cupcakes, gluten free brownies, and gluten free cakes! I usually buy these at Publix or Stop & Shop!
So, now that we’ve gone over all there is to know about my gluten free cookout favorites, I hope it gave you some good ideas about what you want to have at your next cookout!
One of the best parts about summer are all the 4th of July parties and Memorial Day Cookouts, and we shouldn’t have to miss out just because we’re gluten-free!
Don’t forget to check out my blog post on gluten free beers for your cookout! 10 of the Best Gluten Free Beers
Happy Summer!
Information from this blog should not be treated as a substitute for professional assistance from trained medical, health, and wellness professionals. Please discuss any changes to your diet, medication, supplements, treatments, diagnoses, and physical activity with your doctor before taking any action as a result of information from this blog.