Survey reveals the most iconic sensations of summer

The astir quintessential sensations of summertime are nan smell of a grill, relaxing astatine nan beach, and diving into nan pool, according to a caller survey. 

The nationally typical study of 2,000 American grill owners recovered that grilling scents (87%), clip adjacent nan h2o (68%), and excavation hangs (68%) apical nan database of iconic summertime feelings.

So it’s not astonishing that nan mostly of Americans (80%) agreed cooking extracurricular is 1 of nan joys of nan season.

This year, respondents said they’ve been looking guardant to nan champion things of summertime for 4 months connected average.

And immoderate of nan activities they’ve been anticipating nan astir are soaking successful arsenic overmuch clip extracurricular arsenic imaginable (66%) and hosting backyard parties and cookouts (46%), pinch Gen Z being peculiarly stoked astir backyard cookouts compared to different generations (59%).

Conducted by Talker Research connected behalf of Tyson Foods, nan canvass recovered that summertime is nan favourite clip of twelvemonth for much than a 3rd of Americans (36%), including much than half (52%) of Gen Z.

And seeing really grillers are hoping to get nan astir retired of nan summertime months, much than half (53%) are moving connected leveling up arsenic grill masters this year. 

Hoping to not power up nan location during nan hottest months of nan twelvemonth (52%) and enjoying clip spent outdoors (52%), almost 2 retired of 3 respondents (61%) scheme to grill meals astatine slightest erstwhile a week during nan summer.

And astir (69%) besides said they’re motivated to navigator extracurricular simply because they bask each nan smells wafting disconnected nan grill. 

Seeing what Americans person cooking up this summer, classics for illustration hamburgers (82%) and basking dogs (73%) are popular, on pinch fancy fare for illustration steaks (74%) and seafood (36%).

A 3rd (33%) moreover said they for illustration to flip virtually thing that’s “grillable” connected nan grill. 

Grillers reported they’ve already spent 3 hours successful nan past period consuming grilling contented successful hopes of improving their skills, and seeing wherever they’re focusing their attention, grill masters are looking to cleanable their ribs (28%), grilled chickenhearted (27%) and brisket (25%) recipes this summer.

Two-thirds (67%) of Americans are readying to beryllium much budget-conscious this summer. With finances apical of mind, astir of those looking to trim backmost spending (74%) are readying to navigator much meals astatine location this summer, alternatively than eating out, successful bid to prevention a spot of money.

One-in-five (22%) are looking to walk little connected nutrient this summer. And looking astatine really they’ll propulsion this off, galore are shopping successful bulk (42%), repast prepping (39%), and trying caller recipes (39%), while nan mostly (77%) are keeping a watchful oculus connected nutrient prices.

The Fourth of July could beryllium dubbed nan biggest grilling arena of nan year, and much than half (56%) of Americans scheme connected grilling this Fourth of July. 

Independence Day menus will characteristic nan classics this summer, and hamburgers (68%), basking dogs (60%), and grilled chickenhearted (45%) will beryllium nan astir celebrated main dishes per nan survey.

Alongside those, murphy crockery (56%), chips (51%), and baked beans (50%) are nan favourite sides.

Many moreover said they’d beryllium fto down if their Fourth of July gathering was missing classics for illustration basking dogs, hamburgers, and chickenhearted (49%).

And activities-wise, they’d beryllium bummed if their Fourth of July statement was missing fireworks (42%), awesome euphony (34%) aliases outdoor games (21%). 

TOP FOURTH OF JULY MAIN DISHES

1. Hamburgers (68%)
2. Hot dogs (60%)
3. Grilled chickenhearted (45%)
4. Ribs (35%)
5. Sausages (30%)
6. Kebabs (18%)
7. Pulled pork (16%)
8. Pork chops (15%)

TOP FOURTH OF JULY SIDES

1. Potato crockery (56%)
2. Chips (51%)
3. Baked beans (50%)
4. Deviled eggs (37%)
5. Coleslaw (33%)
6. Mac and food (33%)
7. Fruit crockery (31%)
8. Broccoli crockery (14%)

MOST ICONIC SUMMER SENSATIONS 

1. The smell of a grill (87%)
2. Spending clip astatine nan formation aliases reservoir (68%)
3. Swimming successful a excavation (68%)
4. Driving pinch nan windows unfastened aliases nan apical down connected a car (58%)
5. Going to fairs aliases festivals (52%)
6. Staying up precocious astatine nighttime (49%)
7. The smell of sunscreen (45%)
8. Chasing fireflies (24%)

Survey methodology:

Talker Research surveyed a nationally typical sample of 2,000 Americans who ain a grill; nan study was commissioned by Tyson Foods and administered and conducted online by Talker Research betwixt June 4 and June 9, 2025.