Washington, D.C., May 21, 2015 — Memorial Day marks the start of the official grilling season and once again, the classic hot dogs and hamburgers are expected to be among the top meat choices on Americans’ grills.
Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, Americans are expected to eat seven billion hot dogs, or 818 per second, during that period. Hot dog manufacturers estimate that nearly 40 percent of hot dogs are sold during the summer grilling season.
According to data from the Beef Checkoff, almost half of consumers (46.3%) say they’re most looking forward to eating beef this summer grilling season, with hamburgers being the most popular choice. For both hamburgers and hot dogs, the major holiday weekends are the biggest drivers of consumption as Americans are expected to eat more than 100 million pounds of ground beef alone over Memorial Day weekend and the number jumps to nearly 150 million pounds during the Independence Day weekend. Americans eat more than 150 million hot dogs over the Independence Day weekend as well.
“When the weather is warm and the grill is fired up, the smells, sounds and tastes of grilled burgers, hot dogs and other meat and poultry make them almost irresistible,” said Janet Riley, senior vice president of public affairs at the North American Meat Institute. “Grilled meat and poultry are classic parts of American culture that people savor every summer.”
The North American Meat Institute (NAMI) and partner organization National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (NHDSC) have numerous resources for those looking for more information about the meats that will go on the grill this summer. They include videos on how hamburgers and hot dogs are made as well as tips on how to properly use a meat thermometer to ensure their meats are cooked to the proper internal temperature. The NHDSC also has tips on proper hot dog etiquette and a wide range of recipes for summer grilling.