Utah Skips The Burger Craze And Goes Straight For Carne Asada

If you were expecting Utah's favorite thing to throw on the grill to be a hamburger or a steak, think again.

According to a new report from Innerbody Research, Utah's top grilled food isn't either of those. It's carne asada, putting the Beehive State in good company with Arizona and Nevada, where Southwestern flavors reign supreme.

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The report analyzed Google Trends search data from all 50 states and the District of Columbia over the past year to determine what Americans are searching for when they fire up the barbecue. It's worth noting the study measures search interest rather than what's actually cooking on backyard grills, but it still paints an interesting picture of regional tastes.Utah's choice makes perfect sense. Whether it's a family reunion, a neighborhood cookout, or a weekend gathering after a day in the mountains or the desert, marinated beef sizzling over hot coals has become a familiar sight. Carne asada has quietly earned a place alongside burgers and hot dogs as one of the unofficial foods of a Utah summer.

Around The Nation, Burgers Still Reign

Nationwide, burgers remain the king of the grill, while various steak cuts claimed the top spot in 18 states. But Utah bucked the trend, leaning into the flavors of the Southwest instead. The report says the popularity of carne asada reflects the longstanding culinary influence of northern Mexico and the American Southwest, where grilling is just as much about gathering with family and friends as it is about the food itself.

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The study also found Americans are expanding their grilling horizons. Grilled corn is one of the country's fastest-rising barbecue favorites, while chicken continues to gain popularity as families look for affordable alternatives to beef.

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So if your Fourth of July menu includes carne asada tacos, burritos, or simply a plate of grilled marinated beef with all the fixings, congratulations. You're not just making dinner—you're helping uphold Utah's grilling reputation. And honestly, that's a title the Beehive State wears pretty well.