When many people hear the word “summer,” an image of a grill emerges. Alongside sunny afternoons and time outdoors with family and friends, the grill is a summertime staple, providing good food and happy memories for years to come. A massive 3 in 4 Americans want to barbecue every week — a testament to the grill’s lasting impact on families nationwide.
Like all 2024 food trends, the grill has undergone some exciting changes. Learning about these trends can elevate your next cookout and keep your guests returning for second helpings.
Reasons to Break Out the Grill This Summer
A summer barbecue is the perfect opportunity to bond with family and reconnect with friends. Due to the social benefits, grilling is a regular pastime in the warmer months. However, breaking out the grill has health benefits, too. Grilling meats and vegetables can increase your vitamin intake. Grilled food is healthier than fried food and retains plenty of moisture because of the grill’s heat.
Grilling also gets you and your family outdoors. Simply being outside improves mental well-being and overall physical health. In a recent study, 92% of participants demonstrated consistent health improvements from engaging with the natural environment.
A cookout with family and friends is also a fantastic opportunity to socialize. It takes the formality out of entertaining, allowing people to connect naturally around the cooking area.
Exploring 2024 Grilling Trends
Taking inspiration from the latest barbecue trends is an excellent way to wow friends and family at your next cookout. The 2024 trends promise to take us on an exciting and delicious journey, with new recipes and flavors to try around every corner. There’s something for everyone this year, whether you’re a barbecue aficionado or a complete novice.
1. Sustainable Practices and Eco-Friendly Grilling
At least 65% of people want to make the right spending choices to live a healthy and sustainable life. The emphasis on sustainable practices extends to grilling, including eco-friendly fuel sources like charcoal made from sustainable wood. There’s also a growing trend toward reducing food waste and choosing foods with high-quality ingredients.
Many avid grillers want the same enjoyment from outdoor cooking while confidently making positive and sustainable changes. They’re paying more attention to where their food comes from and shifting to biodegradable or reusable utensils and plates.
2. Global Flavor Fusions
Food trends in 2024 are centered around diverse, global flavors. Each barbecue is an opportunity to embark on a world food journey, from sweet Italian sausage to smoky Mexican marinades and crunchy Asian slaws. Exotic flavors are on the rise. The only limitation is your imagination.
The fusion barbecue trend will likely last as grillers embrace a new culinary language. From Jamaican jerk chicken to Korean-style ribs, these unique cultural influences intermingle under the distinctive, smoky barbecue flavor.
3. Health and Wellness for the Family
Health and wellness is another global trend influencing today’s barbecue. From quality meats to fresh vegetables and salads, people want quality ingredients and healthy recipes they can trust. Meanwhile, meat will always be the star of any barbecue, with lower-fat options and organic, locally sourced sides.
Grilling is already a healthy cooking option, and people are looking for ways to make it even healthier, like grilled fruits and colorful vegetables. Marinades and salad dressings are changing as grilling enthusiasts look for low-sodium and sugar-free options.
4. Technology in Outdoor Grilling
Although some people remain grilling traditionalists, the mark of technology on barbecue culture is inevitable. Smart grills with temperature control features and mobile apps are increasingly popular. While there is an undeniable appeal in unplugging from devices, barbecue technology provides grilling precision, allowing outdoor cooks to experiment with temperatures and flavors. They can even control grill temperatures remotely.
Some innovations influence more than the grill itself. Remote smoke control makes the barbecue a more comfortable experience for cooks and guests alike. Many cooks are also experimenting with artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced recipes.
5. Creative Side Dishes and Grilling Experimentation
Culinary creativity is another booming trend, and barbecue enthusiasts are experimenting with different cooking techniques in 2024. While cooking at low temperatures for more extended periods is still a firm favorite, flame grilling, salt block grilling and plank grilling all appear on the barbecue scene.
Side dishes are also evolving from a supporting act to a place in the spotlight. Families are getting more creative with their sides, reinventing traditional foods like macaroni and cheese, grilling vegetables or trying unconventional salads. A renewed focus on creative side dishes speaks to the overarching healthy, holistic eating trend. Every item on the menu is receiving the same care and attention.
Tips and Tricks to Elevate Your Barbecue This Summer
With the latest trends, you can take your grilling game to a new level. The following tips and tricks can help spark your culinary imagination and leave your guests wanting more:
- Prepare the night before: Eliminate last-minute stress by completing as many tasks as possible the night before. To prevent sogginess, you can prepare salads in advance but keep the dressing aside until just before you serve. You can also chop your fruits and vegetables to save yourself time. Marinate your meats to ensure the flavors penetrate overnight.
- Start with the right tools: You can have all the ideas in the world, but you still need the tools to bring the best out of your barbecue. Ensure you have tongs, a food thermometer, a basting brush and a grill basket. Place a small table near your grill to keep all the tools handy.
- Experiment with marinades: A barbecue is only complete with a unique marinade. A marinade is the perfect opportunity to add your own flavor to every dish. Experiment with different marinades to create unique flavors that differentiate your cooking and stand out to your guests.
- Play with different sides: Sides are a great way to escape your comfort zone. Join the global fusion trend and consider incorporating side dishes from around the world.
- Retain moisture: Meat and vegetables can dry out if you barbecue them for long periods. Retain moisture by wrapping them in aluminum foil.
- Test and rest: Despite the latest technologies, you want to ensure your meat is done before serving it to your guests. Test chicken and pork by slicing into the meat. The meat is done if there is no pink and the juices run clear. When your meat is cooked, allow it to rest for a few minutes so the juices can move through it, making it more tender and flavorful.
- Clean your grill with flavor: You can keep your grill clean in between different meats and vegetables while adding some subtle flavor. Slice an onion in half and run the cut side along the hot grill.
Boost Your Next Barbecue With Premio Foods
Every good cookout begins with the right meat. From there, you can be as creative and experimental as you like with flavors. At Premio Foods, we’ve spent over 40 years making fine Italian sausage, embracing each new wave of trends. Today, we have over 40 sausage varieties ideal for your next barbecue, including world sausage flavors and chicken sausage with 60% less fat.
Try out some of our best grilling recipes and let us know what you think in the comments. Stock up for your next cookout with Premio Foods and find a store near you today!
