Despite the changeability of the Great British summer, BBQ season is finally here and 42% of Brits say they are set to host or attend at least 2-3 BBQs this year.
As people gather in back gardens for a rare opportunity to enjoy dining al fresco, hosts are ensuring they cater for non-meat eaters this summer, as last year more than 1M people decided to adopt a plant-based diet in the UK. What’s more, searches for Vegan BBQ ideas have increased by 28% in the last month, so offering a plant-based alternative is a must.
Plant-based pioneers, Planted, have shared the top BBQ trends for summer 2024 so you can serve up a tasty, yet healthy treat.
Top BBQ trends for 2024:
1. ‘Swicy flavours trend’ – The rise of ‘swicy’, or sweet and spicy, flavours pairs with the ongoing food movement towards more diverse, exciting taste experiences. Two in three people say that they are open to trying new global cuisines. African cuisine products have seen a rise of 13% in the past five years, and East Asian cuisine products have risen 5%.
2. Rise of the plant-based BBQ – People want to eat or offer meat-free options – be it plant-based meat alternatives, or simply ways of using vegetables more creatively. In fact, Tesco is currently seeing an increase in demand for meat-free ingredients and whole cuts with plant-based steaks and chicken up by 20 per cent.
3. Sustainable BBQs and ‘green grilling’ – Sustainability is at the forefront of many people’s minds, and this is translating into the way we approach outdoor cooking, with some eaters saying that they are willing to spend 9.7% more, on average, for sustainably produced or sourced goods. In 2024, the emphasis on sustainable practices in BBQ is set to grow; this includes the use of eco-friendly fuel sources, such as charcoal made from sustainable wood or even alternative fuels like compressed coconut shells.
4. Make your BBQ dishes social media ready – as 16% of 25-34 year olds admit to hosting BBQs as a source of social media content and factor that appears to out weigh the cost of putting a BBQ on as 19% don’t know how much they spend on their ‘do’.
5. Loyalty to local – People are also concerned with choosing products that use local ingredients for their BBQs, with more than half of them stating that they actively look for them. Additionally, honesty and transparency of ingredients was chosen most often by shoppers as the most important thing to consider when purchasing food.
For those looking to reduce their meat consumption, or keen to introduce more plant-based foods into their diet, then check out Planted’s delicious range. With scrumptious skewers ideal with a summer salad, or on the BBQ or a totally on trend Asian inspired dish with hoisin duck, Planted’s range is very versatile and there’s something for everyone to enjoy this summer.
A group of food labels
(Planted Chicken Skewers, Planted Chicken Lemon and Herb and Planted Duck Hoisin)
Planted’s products are all produced in Switzerland, made with no nasties and no additives using a delicious combination of peas, sunflower, salt, water and naturally, a healthy dose of vitamin B12 through fermentation to create plant-based meats. They include dietary fibres whilst containing all essential amino acids to ensure they are a high-quality source of protein. Available to purchase at Tesco.