Grilling without aluminum foil: This is how vegetables, cheese and Co. succeed even without aluminum
You can easily grill vegetables, cheese or meat without aluminum foil. We have summarized the alternatives for you.
Grilling without aluminum foil
When grilling, you often use aluminum foil to protect the food to be grilled from harmful hydrocarbons or to grill it gently. Since aluminum is harmful to your health and the environment, you should avoid aluminum if possible.
- Aluminum can dissolve on contact with acid and salt. You should therefore never wrap marinated meat or vegetables in aluminum foil. Even acidic fruit or vegetables must not be wrapped in aluminum foil.
- Fish, meat and vegetables therefore only need to be seasoned in aluminum foil after grilling.
- Aluminum can get into food. The metal has a negative effect on the nervous system, fertility and bone structure in humans. The weekly aluminum content should not exceed one milligram per body weight.
Replacement for aluminum foil - How vegetables, cheese and Co. succeed
Alternatives for aluminum foil are available in large quantities. These are not only healthier for your well-being, but also environmentally friendly and sustainable.
- Banana leaves, cabbage, chard, rhubarb or vine leaves can be used for grilling. If you get firm leaves, you should blanch them briefly before use. This variant is well suited for grilling cheese, fish and meat. Even beginners cannot go wrong with it.
- You can grill bananas in banana leaves.
- Baking paper and parchment are suitable for grilling potatoes and fish. First brush the paper with cooking oil. In this case, do not grill potatoes and fish too hot to prevent them from drying out.
- If you don't want to wrap your food in paper or banana leaves, you can, for example, skewer it on wooden skewers and grill it directly over the fire.
- A long-lasting and sustainable variant are grill bowls made of enamel or stainless steel as well as pans and woks made of cast iron.
- You can use grill grids when grilling fish and meat. You should oil them well beforehand so that the food does not stick to the grill.
- If you have nothing against a natural wood aroma, then wrap your food in grill paper made from natural wood.
- Grill planks and grill boards are mostly made of beech or cedar wood. To get a good grill result, they have to be watered for one hour before grilling.
Correct grilling has to be learned. In our next practical tip on barbecuing, we have summarized how you can grill with ease and without any problems: 10 tips for perfect grilling.