The Average American Hosts 4 Barbecues Every Summer, And Attends 5 More, Survey Finds

Summer in the U.S. is defined by barbecues, road trips, and outdoor gatherings — and new data reveals just how central grilling culture is to the season.

According to a recent survey of 2,000 Americans, the average person expects to attend five barbecues and host four of their own this summer. The poll, conducted by Talker Research on behalf of SpartanNash, uncovered key trends in cookout preferences, generational differences in food choices, and what activities and flavors make for the perfect summer gathering.

Two-thirds of respondents (66%) said that summer grilling season is their favorite time of year, and 27% admitted they look forward to next years cookouts even when its not summer. Gen Z, in particular, said summer wouldnt feel complete without at least one barbecue.

The study found that the ideal cookout has around 11 guests, and 64% of respondents agreed that showing up empty-handed is a faux pas — bringing something to share is expected. When it comes to whats on the grill, the top staples include hamburgers (77%), hot dogs (65%), chicken (55%), steaks (54%), ribs (46%), and bratwurst (25%).

Sides play a big role, too. Potato salad (60%), corn on the cob (54%), baked beans (53%), and watermelon (48%) ranked as the most popular, but preferences varied by generation. Mac and cheese, for instance, was favored by 53% of Gen Z and 47% of millennials, compared to lower numbers among older generations.

As for activities during the cookout, card games (27%), cornhole (26%), and swimming (24%) topped the list. Others mentioned horseshoes, frisbee, badminton, and even beer pong as cookout favorites.

The survey also found that many attendees embrace specific cookout roles. Twenty-two percent like to take charge of side dishes as the “sides supervisor,” 20% opt to work the grill as the “grill master,” while others gravitate toward drink duty or dessert coordination.

“Summer is the perfect time for cookout favorites – from a brat with all the toppings to a table full of sides, salads and other barbecue staples,” said Erin Storm, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of SpartanNash. “With a variety of grilling staples, sides and brats, were excited to give grill masters a one-stop destination to explore bold, new flavors and create the ultimate summer grilling experience.”

Flavor experimentation is also popular: 77% of respondents said they enjoy trying new flavors at cookouts. Barbecue flavor (61%) was the most preferred, followed by garlic (34%), smoky flavor (30%), teriyaki (25%), honey (25%), and brown sugar (24%).

Bratwurst habits were also explored. Forty-three percent of Americans eat brats at least once a month, but only 13% prefer them plain. Toppings such as mustard and sauerkraut remain popular among baby boomers, while Gen Z is leaning more toward cheese and peppers.

Grilling remains the dominant method for cooking brats (52%), followed by open fire (13%) and smoking (11%).

“Its clear that grilling season brings people together, whether its to enjoy classic summer staples or to discover new, unexpected flavors,” said Storm. “While the ingredients for the best summer ever might look a little different from cookout to cookout, our goal is to offer fresh, fun and unique options for every picnic table all summer long.”