Is there anything better than kicking back outside on a sunny day with your favorite people nearby, the grill fired up and the irresistible smell of burgers, steaks and barbecue filling the air? Grilling is one of America’s favorite pastimes, and with outdoor grills in about 65% of households, it’s easy to see why. There’s just something about that sizzle of a steak hitting the grill and the anticipation of that first delicious bite.
While many of us reach for classic favorites like juicy burgers and all-American hot dogs, you might be surprised to learn that grilling tastes vary from state to state. According to a recent study from Innerbody, Americans aren’t all putting the same foods on their grills. Some places can’t get enough of chicken wings, others fire up the grill for carne asada and some even have a surprising love for grilled onion rings (which, honestly, might need to make their way onto my next cookout menu).
Read on for the most popular grilled food in every state, and see if your go-to grill order made the list.
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How did this report determine the most popular grilled food in every state?
To uncover America’s favorite grilled foods, Innerbody analyzed Google Trends search data from the 50 states and Washington, D.C. The team started with a huge list of grilling favorites and looked at searches like “grilled rib eye” and “how long to grill corn” to make sure the results captured true grilling interest—not just general food cravings.
From there, they narrowed down the list to 57 popular grilled foods across categories like beef, chicken, pork, seafood, fruits and vegetables to find each state’s top pick.
What is the most popular grilled food in each state?
Not every state is known for burgers! Here’s what Americans are slapping on the grill.
- Alabama: Chicken wings
- Alaska: Flank steak
- Arizona: Carne asada
- Arkansas: Burgers
- California: Tri-tip
- Colorado: Rib-eye steak
- Connecticut: Cod
- Delaware: New York strip
- Florida: Chicken wings
- Georgia: Porterhouse
- Hawaii: Shrimp
- Idaho: Pineapple
- Illinois: Skirt steak
- Indiana: Chicken breast
- Iowa: Chicken breast
- Kansas: Mushrooms
- Kentucky: Peppers
- Louisiana: Tuna steak
- Maine: Sausage
- Maryland: Flank steak
- Massachusetts: Sausage
- Michigan: Burgers
- Minnesota: Green beans
- Mississippi: Chicken wings
- Missouri: Chicken wings
- Montana: Rib-eye steak
- Nebraska: Zucchini
- Nevada: Tri-tip
- New Hampshire: Sausage
- New Jersey: Filet mignon
- New Mexico: Rib-eye steak
- New York: Skirt steak
- North Carolina: Hot dogs
- North Dakota: Burgers
- Ohio: Chicken breast
- Oklahoma: Chicken legs
- Oregon: Flank steak
- Pennsylvania: Hot dogs
- Rhode Island: Cod
- South Carolina: Oysters
- South Dakota: Zucchini
- Tennessee: Chicken wings
- Texas: Onions
- Utah: Carne asada
- Vermont: Sausage
- Virginia: Tuna steak
- Washington: Flank steak
- West Virginia: Eggplant
- Wisconsin: Burgers
- Wyoming: Steak
Was there a clear winner across the country?
While burgers ranked No. 1 nationwide as the top grilled food of interest, steak stole the spotlight across much of the country. The study found that 17 states preferred a steak cut over any other grilled food, showing that plenty of Americans crave a perfectly grilled piece of beef.
Following close behind were chicken breasts, highlighting Americans’ continued love for another classic grilling favorite. Seafood fans also made their preferences known, with shrimp and lobster emerging as the top grilled seafood choices, while corn claimed the top spot among produce.
What states love grilling the most?
Minnesota came in first for the biggest grilling fans in the country, followed by Wisconsin and South Carolina. Minnesota’s love for the grill might come as a surprise to some, but the state is known for its outdoorsy vibes during warm-weather months.
Neighboring Wisconsin’s strong showing also makes sense, with its famous love for backyard cookouts and bratwurst. Meanwhile, South Carolina’s spot on the list may be tied to its deep barbecue traditions, where slow-cooked meats and outdoor cooking are woven into the state’s food culture.
Were there any big surprises?
Yes, quite a few! The biggest surprise was seeing pineapple on this list as the sole grilled fruit. I’ll admit, I’ve never thought to throw pineapple on the grill, but its natural sweetness and juicy texture apparently make a smoky, caramelized flavor combination that’s hard to resist.
Corn also made a major splash this grilling season. After analyzing search data from the three weeks leading into summer, Innerbody found that corn was the fastest-rising grilled food in 23 states, including California, New York, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
But perhaps the most unexpected finding was that Texas—a state famous for barbecue and meat—ranked among the states with the least grilling interest. Plus, grilled onions took the top spot there! Who would have guessed?!
Source:
- Innerbody.com: “What’s on the Grill? America’s Top Grilled Foods”
The post This Is the Most Popular Grilled Food in Each State appeared first on Reader's Digest.
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