The most quintessential sensations of summer are smelling a grill, relaxing at the beach, and diving into a swimming pool, according to a new survey.
The nationally representative poll of 2,000 American grill owners found that time near the water (68%) and pool hangs (68%) top the list of iconic summer ‘feels’—with the scent of cooking over the grill (87%) coming in at number one.
So it’s not surprising that the things they’ve been anticipating the most are soaking in as much time outside as possible and hosting backyard parties and cookouts—with Gen Z being particularly stoked about backyard cookouts (59%) compared to the average of every generation (46%).
Not heating up the house during the hottest months and enjoying time spent outdoors means that almost two-thirds of respondents (61%) plan to grill meals at least once a week during the summer—and 69% said they’re motivated to cook outside because they simply enjoy all the smells wafting off the grill.
Conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Tyson Foods, the poll found that more than half (53%) are working on leveling up their grill-master skills this summer.
Grillers reported they’ve already spent three hours in the last month consuming grilling content in hopes of improving their skills—and said they are hoping to perfect their ribs (28%), grilled chicken (27%) and brisket (25%) recipes this summer.
Asking what they’ve been cooking so far this summer, classics like hamburgers (82%) and hotdogs (73%) are prevalent, but also fancy fare like steaks (74%) and seafood (36%).
One- third of respondents said they’re likely to toss literally anything that’s “grillable” on the grill.
The Fourth of July was the biggest grilling event of the year for 60% of those polled. Independence Day menus were planned to feature the classics—along with side dishes that included potato salad (56%), chips (51%) and baked beans (50%) as the favorites.
Half of those polled said they would be “let down” if their Fourth of July gatherings were missing the burgers, dogs, or wings—but, we hope the grillers threw on a couple veggie patties if they weren’t sure about the tastes of all their guests.
TOP 4th OF JULY MAIN DISHES
Hamburgers (68%)
Hot dogs (60%)
Grilled chicken (45%)
Ribs (35%)
Sausages (30%)
Kebabs (18%)
Pulled pork (16%)
Pork chops (15%)
TOP SIDES
Potato salad (56%)
Chips (51%)
Baked beans (50%)
Deviled eggs (37%)
Coleslaw (33%)
Mac and cheese (33%)
Fruit salad (31%)
Broccoli salad (14%)
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MOST ICONIC SUMMER SENSATIONS
The smell of a grill (87%)
Spending time at the beach or lake (68%)
Swimming in a pool (68%)
Driving with the windows open or the top down on a car (58%)
Going to fairs or festivals (52%)
Staying up late at night (49%)
The smell of sunscreen (45%)
Chasing fireflies (24%)