
Probably the most quintessential sensations of summer are the smell of a grill, relaxing on the beach, and diving into the pool, based on a brand new survey.
The nationally representative survey of two,000 American grill owners found that grilling scents (87%), time near the water (68%), and pool hangs (68%) top the list of iconic summer feelings.
So it’s not surprising that the vast majority of Americans (80%) agreed cooking outside is one among the fun of the season.
This yr, respondents said they’ve been looking forward to one of the best things of summertime for 4 months on average.
And a few of the activities they’ve been anticipating probably the most are soaking in as much time outside as possible (66%) and hosting backyard parties and cookouts (46%), with Gen Z being particularly stoked about backyard cookouts in comparison with other generations (59%).
Conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Tyson Foods, the poll found that summer is the favourite time of yr for greater than a 3rd of Americans (36%), including greater than half (52%) of Gen Z.
And seeing how grillers are hoping to get probably the most out of the summer months, greater than half (53%) are working on leveling up as grill masters this yr.
Hoping to not heat up the home in the course of the hottest months of the yr (52%) and having fun with time spent outdoors (52%), almost two out of three respondents (61%) plan to grill meals at the least once every week in the course of the summer.
And most (69%) also said they’re motivated to cook outside just because they enjoy all of the smells wafting off the grill.
Seeing what Americans have cooking up this summer, classics like hamburgers (82%) and hot dogs (73%) are popular, together with fancy fare like steaks (74%) and seafood (36%).
A 3rd (33%) even said they wish to toss literally anything that’s “grillable” on the grill.
Grillers reported they’ve already spent three hours within the last month consuming grilling content in hopes of improving their skills, and seeing where they’re focusing their attention, grill masters need to perfect their ribs (28%), grilled chicken (27%) and brisket (25%) recipes this summer.
Two-thirds (67%) of Americans are planning to be more budget-conscious this summer. With funds top of mind, most of those trying to in the reduction of spending (74%) are planning to cook more meals at home this summer, relatively than dining out, as a way to save a little bit of money.
One-in-five (22%) need to spend less on food this summer. And looking out at how they’ll pull this off, many are shopping in bulk (42%), meal prepping (39%), and trying recent recipes (39%), while the bulk (77%) are keeping a watchful eye on food prices.
The Fourth of July might be dubbed the largest grilling event of the yr, and greater than half (56%) of Americans plan on grilling this Fourth of July.
Independence Day menus will feature the classics this summer, and hamburgers (68%), hot dogs (60%), and grilled chicken (45%) might be the preferred important dishes per the survey.
Alongside those, potato salad (56%), chips (51%), and baked beans (50%) are the favourite sides.
Many even said they’d be let down if their Fourth of July gathering was missing classics like hot dogs, hamburgers, and chicken (49%).
And activities-wise, they’d be bummed if their Fourth of July party was missing fireworks (42%), great music (34%) or outdoor games (21%).
TOP FOURTH OF JULY MAIN DISHES
- Hamburgers (68%)
- Hot dogs (60%)
- Grilled chicken (45%)
- Ribs (35%)
- Sausages (30%)
- Kebabs (18%)
- Pulled pork (16%)
- Pork chops (15%)
TOP FOURTH OF JULY SIDES
- Potato salad (56%)
- Chips (51%)
- Baked beans (50%)
- Deviled eggs (37%)
- Coleslaw (33%)
- Mac and cheese (33%)
- Fruit salad (31%)
- Broccoli salad (14%)
MOST ICONIC SUMMER SENSATIONS
- The smell of a grill (87%)
- Spending time on the beach or lake (68%)
- Swimming in a pool (68%)
- Driving with the windows open or the highest down on a automotive (58%)
- Going to fairs or festivals (52%)
- Staying up late at night (49%)
- The smell of sunscreen (45%)
- Chasing fireflies (24%)
Survey methodology:
Talker Research surveyed a nationally representative sample of two,000 Americans who own a grill; the survey was commissioned by Tyson Foods and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between June 4 and June 9, 2025.

Probably the most quintessential sensations of summer are the smell of a grill, relaxing on the beach, and diving into the pool, based on a brand new survey.
The nationally representative survey of two,000 American grill owners found that grilling scents (87%), time near the water (68%), and pool hangs (68%) top the list of iconic summer feelings.
So it’s not surprising that the vast majority of Americans (80%) agreed cooking outside is one among the fun of the season.
This yr, respondents said they’ve been looking forward to one of the best things of summertime for 4 months on average.
And a few of the activities they’ve been anticipating probably the most are soaking in as much time outside as possible (66%) and hosting backyard parties and cookouts (46%), with Gen Z being particularly stoked about backyard cookouts in comparison with other generations (59%).
Conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Tyson Foods, the poll found that summer is the favourite time of yr for greater than a 3rd of Americans (36%), including greater than half (52%) of Gen Z.
And seeing how grillers are hoping to get probably the most out of the summer months, greater than half (53%) are working on leveling up as grill masters this yr.
Hoping to not heat up the home in the course of the hottest months of the yr (52%) and having fun with time spent outdoors (52%), almost two out of three respondents (61%) plan to grill meals at the least once every week in the course of the summer.
And most (69%) also said they’re motivated to cook outside just because they enjoy all of the smells wafting off the grill.
Seeing what Americans have cooking up this summer, classics like hamburgers (82%) and hot dogs (73%) are popular, together with fancy fare like steaks (74%) and seafood (36%).
A 3rd (33%) even said they wish to toss literally anything that’s “grillable” on the grill.
Grillers reported they’ve already spent three hours within the last month consuming grilling content in hopes of improving their skills, and seeing where they’re focusing their attention, grill masters need to perfect their ribs (28%), grilled chicken (27%) and brisket (25%) recipes this summer.
Two-thirds (67%) of Americans are planning to be more budget-conscious this summer. With funds top of mind, most of those trying to in the reduction of spending (74%) are planning to cook more meals at home this summer, relatively than dining out, as a way to save a little bit of money.
One-in-five (22%) need to spend less on food this summer. And looking out at how they’ll pull this off, many are shopping in bulk (42%), meal prepping (39%), and trying recent recipes (39%), while the bulk (77%) are keeping a watchful eye on food prices.
The Fourth of July might be dubbed the largest grilling event of the yr, and greater than half (56%) of Americans plan on grilling this Fourth of July.
Independence Day menus will feature the classics this summer, and hamburgers (68%), hot dogs (60%), and grilled chicken (45%) might be the preferred important dishes per the survey.
Alongside those, potato salad (56%), chips (51%), and baked beans (50%) are the favourite sides.
Many even said they’d be let down if their Fourth of July gathering was missing classics like hot dogs, hamburgers, and chicken (49%).
And activities-wise, they’d be bummed if their Fourth of July party was missing fireworks (42%), great music (34%) or outdoor games (21%).
TOP FOURTH OF JULY MAIN DISHES
- Hamburgers (68%)
- Hot dogs (60%)
- Grilled chicken (45%)
- Ribs (35%)
- Sausages (30%)
- Kebabs (18%)
- Pulled pork (16%)
- Pork chops (15%)
TOP FOURTH OF JULY SIDES
- Potato salad (56%)
- Chips (51%)
- Baked beans (50%)
- Deviled eggs (37%)
- Coleslaw (33%)
- Mac and cheese (33%)
- Fruit salad (31%)
- Broccoli salad (14%)
MOST ICONIC SUMMER SENSATIONS
- The smell of a grill (87%)
- Spending time on the beach or lake (68%)
- Swimming in a pool (68%)
- Driving with the windows open or the highest down on a automotive (58%)
- Going to fairs or festivals (52%)
- Staying up late at night (49%)
- The smell of sunscreen (45%)
- Chasing fireflies (24%)
Survey methodology:
Talker Research surveyed a nationally representative sample of two,000 Americans who own a grill; the survey was commissioned by Tyson Foods and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between June 4 and June 9, 2025.







