BBQ Burger Trends 2023

As BBQ season approaches, it's important to keep up with the latest trends to ensure your menu is fresh, exciting, and appealing to your customers. At Americana, we have been keeping an eye on the latest BBQ trends – read on to find out more!

As concerns over the cost-of-living crisis grow and purse strings tighten, leveraging upcoming menu trends is the best way for operators to stay competitive and drive a profit. Our latest research illustrates the opportunity for operators to support their sales by pursuing trends, during the current economic climate. For example, street food continues to see large market growth (+85%^[1]).

[1] Lumina Intelligence July 2022

Burgers continue to reign supreme

One of the key trends we've noticed is that burgers continue to be one of the most popular choices on menus. 87% of consumers report eating a burger at least once a month^[1]. A good burger is an essential part of any summer BBQ menu, and we're seeing a shift towards more creative and diverse burger options. From vegan and vegetarian burgers to indulgent loaded burgers with fun and flavoursome toppings, there's something for everyone. The caveat to this is that it has to be quality and value for money. At Americana, we offer the best premium range of high-quality gourmet burger buns to help you create the ultimate burger experience for your customers.

[1] Street Food Survey on behalf of Americana August 2022

Get creative with flavour combinations

Another trend we're seeing is the use of more global flavours in BBQ cooking, an easy way to create a great summer menu. From Korean BBQ to Chipotle, there's a growing interest in exploring new and exciting BBQ flavours from around the world. This presents a great opportunity to upgrade your core burger menu by experimenting with the addition of a few new marinades, spices, and sauces to create unique and flavourful BBQ dishes that will keep your customers coming back for more and keep your ingredients list and burger recipes simple.

Healthy BBQ options are on the up

We're seeing a rise in demand for healthier summer BBQ options. Chicken burgers and other lean meats, seafood, and grilled vegetables are becoming increasingly popular as customers look for lighter and more nutritious BBQ options. The beauty of our Americana buns is that we’ve got the range to complement any filling flavour, shape or size. Consider pairing our Gourmet buns with barbequed vegetable skewers, lean chicken breasts, and fresh seafood options, making it easy for operators to capitalise on this trend.

Sustainability is growing in importance

Finally, sustainability is an increasingly important consideration for customers, and we're seeing a growing interest in eco-friendly BBQ practices. From using biodegradable plates and utensils to sourcing locally produced ingredients like our Americana buns which are made in the UK, there are many ways to make your summer BBQ menu more sustainable.

Find out more about our sustainability journey here

For more menu inspiration, check out our recipes here: https://www.americana.co.uk/recipes/