Fourth of July food preferences: Are hot dogs or hamburgers more popular?
While many people will be celebrating the red, white and blue for the All-American holiday, a food debate can spark definite opinions. Recently, Instacart examined Fourth of July food preferences to determine which is more popular, hot dogs or hamburgers. Did team hot dog or team hamburgers earn top billing?
During holiday celebrations, food takes top billing. Even if the kids cannot wait for the Fourth of July fireworks and the adults might appreciate a great cocktail, the whole event would not be complete without a full spread.
In addition to the salads, snacks, and desserts, the main event is often food cooked on the grill. Hot dogs and hamburgers are popular choices for the All-American holiday. While the grill master might have perfected that juicy hamburger or knows how to avoid the char on a hot dog, the reality is that some people will only choose one protein to place in those buns.
Recently, Instacart looked at its purchase data to examine Fourth of July food preferences. Since a hot dog or a hamburger is better with a bun, the bun sales data was used to crown the winner.
According to bun sales, 30 states ordered more hot dog buns than hamburger buns. From California to New York, the hot dogs have it. While Florida, South Carolina, and Oregon are team hamburger.
While there was a clear winner, Instacart did notice that many purchased both hot dog and hamburger buns. Maybe the real answer is that Fourth of July food preferences are enjoying a double plate.
Although the bun data might divide people with their food preferences, another interesting piece of information could be more controversial. When it comes to condiment sales, an unlikely purchase won by a landslide.
Commenting on the condiment data, Laurentia Romaniuk, Instacart’s Trends Expert said, “What’s a hot dog or a burger without the sauce? One thing is for sure, Americans love their condiments. We took a look at how much sales spike for, what we would argue, are the four main condiments: ketchup, mayo, mustard, and relish. Relish sales beat all others by a long shot, growing by 79% the week of the 4th — most likely because ketchup, mayo, and mustard are more common kitchen staples, whereas relish is more likely to be purchased for festive BBQs.”
Even if relish might not be the most common choice, the purchase data says that party hosts want to ensure that all the options are covered. Whether it is condiment customization, a well-stocked table, or just having that relish once in a while, the biggest takeaway might be to ensure that the shopping list covers all the basis.
Fourth of July is right around the corner. From party pre-planning to that last minute purchase, Instacart can help complete that to-do list and let the host focus on the fun of enjoying the moment.