Backyard grilling remains one of America’s most cherished culinary traditions. However, the flavors Americans are bringing to the grill are evolving. A new YouGov survey conducted on behalf of Kikkoman Sales USA, Inc. reveals that while consumers continue to rely on familiar grilling techniques, many are increasingly interested in experimenting with globally inspired flavors.

Regional Grilling Differences

The survey suggests that Americans are balancing long-standing cooking traditions with a growing interest in exploring new flavors, cuisines, and culinary experiences. Among outdoor cooks, confidence behind the grill is fueling experimentation with new cuisines and flavors.

At 74%, American BBQ is the leading flavor that consumers enjoy; however, flavor exploration is expanding beyond traditional barbecue profiles. Americans expressed interest in trying a variety of grilled food flavors in their outdoor cooking, with leading flavors being Mexican and Latin American at 57%, Mediterranean at 47%, and Japanese/teriyaki at 44%.

The survey also reveals regional differences in preparation and cooking styles. Regular use of teriyaki as a marinade among teriyaki users for outdoor cooking is most prominent in the South at 63%, while glazing is most prominent in the Northeast at 46%.

Experimenting with New Flavors

As consumers experiment with new flavor profiles, marinades and sauces often serve as the bridge between familiar grilling habits and new flavor experiences. The survey suggests that sauces and marinades are often the gateway to flavor experimentation. Rather than changing what they grill, consumers are changing how they flavor it.

Nearly one-quarter (22%) of Americans always marinate foods. Teriyaki is often used to add flavor to grilled foods across a variety of proteins and vegetables, with chicken (85%), beef (63%), and vegetables (50%) as the most common pairings.

Whether it’s for a casual weekend get-together, a family reunion, a neighborhood cookout, or Labor Day, outdoor cooking remains deeply connected to these gatherings and celebrations. Among Americans who grill or cook outdoors, the top three most common outdoor cooking occasions are family gatherings (43%), special events and holidays (40%), and weekends (39%).

Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.