Summer 2021 BBQ Trends

In 1952, Weber introduced the first barbeque in the United States under the name of George’s Barbeque Kettle. The introduction of the outdoor grill would soon create a new way of cooking. 70 years later, innovative products and recipes are pushing the boundaries of the classic cookout.

From March 1-May 31, 2021, Americans spent nearly $1.8 billion dollars on grilling equipment and accessories. The pandemic has encouraged people to stay closer to home and outdoor eating has been one way to venture outside the home and try new foods.

Move Over Meat

2021 is the year of grilled vegetables and vegetables taking over the center of the plate. Vegetarians, vegans and flexitarians grill vegetables for the sweetness and smokiness that fire-cooked imparts. Everywhere you turn there’s a blog post, an article or a new book on how to grill veggies. While you may be used to grilling peppers, zucchini or corn, people are grilling new vegetables that you would never have imagined, like snap peas, brussels sprouts, and okra. You’ll see cauliflower spit-roasted like a chicken, or large mushrooms grilled like a steak.

With the rise in plant-based meat alternatives, vegetarians or flexitarians can now purchase almost any type of plant-based meat or seafood cut. Barveque offers wood-smoked, soy-based pork substitute products. Green Rebel Foods offers Asia’s first plant-based whole cut steak. Looking for a chicken substitute? Look no further than Rival Foods and the Live Kindly Collective. Seafood lovers can find whole-muscle cut plant-based seafood.

Even fruit lovers can get their favorite sweet and savory dishes with the unexpected flavors and textures of fruit. From Asian pears, jackfruit and watermelon – these fruits are taking center stage on the grill. Don’t be surprised to find a grilled fruit in one of your summer cocktails on top of a rooftop bar.

Don’t Forget the Spice!

Spice rubs you may have never heard of are being used to spice up grilled food. Move over Garam masala and Za’atar. Make way for Dukkah (an Egyptian seasoning made from sesame, nuts and other seeds and spices) – used for fish and potatoes. Or Panch Phoron – a Bengali blend made from black cumin, black mustard, fennel and onion seed. This year, you’ll find African and Middle Eastern rubs and spices not only at your favorite local restaurant, but also at your local grocer. The lack of availability to travel over the last 18 months and the desire to explore will drive grillers to try new and exotic flavors.

While many food trends start in Europe and travel to the United States, our friends in European countries tend to look to the US for their BBQ flavor inspirations. According to Trilogy Essential Ingredients, Inc, Mintel found that spicy, smoky and savory flavors combined is the most desirable combination in 2021. Sweet & savory, spicy & savory, and sweet & salty round out the top four.

Grilling Alternatives

As consumers take advantage of their outdoor spaces and explore outdoor cooking, they’re also looking to expand their tools beyond that of the classic grill. Smokers and pizza ovens have been particularly popular during the pandemic; more time at home has given people more time to learn how to use them and manage the longer cook times needed, especially for smokers. Traeger, a category leader of the wood pellet grill, uses pill-shaped pieces of wood consumers can use to smoke, roast, braise, bake, or barbecue. It brings all of the opportunities for indoor cooking outside.

The grill master in your home will be able to experiment more than ever before. Whether it’s charcoal, gas, wood, pellet or a smoker, grilling your food can give you more options than ever before. And 70 years after the first grill was introduced to the marketplace, the innovations in grilling just keeps coming. So this summer enjoy those grilled avocados, smoked queso fundido and grilled watermelon hams!