There’s no better way to celebrate the joys of summer than by firing up the grill. Whether you’re a seasoned pitmaster or a backyard barbecue newbie, grilling offers a delicious opportunity to gather with friends and family, enjoy the outdoors and indulge in mouthwatering meals. But what exactly are Americans’ grilling habits during this beloved season? We conducted a nationwide survey in partnership with Talker to uncover the stats behind summer’s favorite pastime, and the results are sizzling hot!

From juicy steaks and smoky ribs to vibrant chicken skewers and grilled hot dogs, the possibilities are endless. So, grab your tongs, light the coals and get to grilling! But first, explore the grilling habits that make summer cookouts unforgettable.

More than a third (36%) said summer is their favorite time of year, with Gen-Z (52%) respondents agreeing the most. In the summer, 80% of Americans agree that cooking outside is one of the season’s joys and that when they think about summer the smell of a grill comes to mind (87%). This year, they’re most looking forward to spending as much time as possible outside (66%), including hosting backyard parties and cookouts (46%). Gen-Z is particularly excited about backyard cookouts (59%) or having cookouts at the park (59%).

Zooming in a bit more into grilling recipes, more than half (53%) of grill owners want to improve their outdoor cooking skills, including improving their ribs (28%), grilled chicken (27%) and brisket (25%) recipes and estimate they’ve already spent three hours in the last month consuming grilling content as prep work.

For those attending or hosting an Independence Day party, the most popular main dishes will be hamburgers (68%), hot dogs (60%) and grilled chicken (45%). Potato salad (56%), chips (51%) and baked beans (50%) are the favorite Fourth of July sides.

*Data collected from a survey conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Tyson Foods from June 4 to June 9, 2025, with a nationally representative sample of 2,000 Americans who own a grill.