As Americans get ready to fire up their grills for July 4th celebrations, they’re also firing up their tastebuds — with global flavors that are reshaping the traditional holiday menu.
From Korean barbecue burgers to Turkish sausages and chipotle-infused taco toppings, Independence Day cookouts are now as international as the fireworks overhead.
And this isn’t just a foodie trend — it’s big business.
Spices and Condiments Are Booming
The spices and seasoning market in North America hit $3.93 billion in 2024, according to Research and Markets, and is forecast to grow at a compound annual rate of 5.1% into 2033, reaching $6.15 billion in 2033.
What’s driving that change? Adoption of flavors from a range of Asian, African, and Latin American cuisines. As America becomes more diverse, so are the palates of Americans as a whole, including those with long roots in the country.
The U.S. consumer base is more adventurous than ever, seeking out bold, new flavors on TikTok and other social media platforms.
How the July 4th Menu Is Changing
Gone are the days when hot dogs and ketchup ruled the grill. Here’s what’s hot this year — literally and figuratively:
Korean-Style Burgers
Americans are swapping out classic burger patties for ones seasoned with soy, garlic, sesame, and chili blends.
While some home cooks make their own Korean barbeque sauces from a base of fermented gochujang chili paste, there are now plenty of premade sauces available at major grocery stores, Trader Joe’s, and — of course — Amazon.
Looking for a gochujang chili paste? Chung Jung One O’Food offers a range of flavors, from mild to extra spicy. (Buy on Amazon) For a ready-to-go marinade, you can’t beat Bibigo’s Korean BBQ Marinade & Sauce. High quality and goes a long way. (Buy on Amazon)
Hot Honey on Everything
Once a niche product, hot honey is now mainstream. It’s being drizzled on grilled hot dogs, chicken wings, and corn on the cob for that sweet-heat kick.
Goes great on pizza fresh out of the outdoor pizza oven. (Speaking of which, the Ninja Pizza Oven is on sale for $199.95. That’s 33% off.)
Your local supermarket likely carries multiple brands of hot honey. But consider the most popular one out there, Mike’s Hot Honey, which is available for purchase on Amazon.
Italian Sausage Out, Turkish Sucuk In
Grillers are skipping Italian sausage and bratwurst in favor of sucuk, a spicy Turkish beef sausage with a bold garlic and cumin profile. It’s similar to European sausages, but comes with more of a kick.
Turkish sucuk is available at halal and South Asian markets across the U.S. in the freezer section, as well as a range of online retailers. Try Sahin Kayseri Kasap Sucuk, available for purchase on Amazon.
Street Tacos with Morita Pepper Salsa
Inspired by Mexico City street fare, backyard taco stations are going upscale with smoky-sweet morita chili salsas replacing store-bought varieties.
Quality and freshness are key with dried peppers. You can’t top the Rico Rico brand. Their morita chiles come in a resealable Kraft bag. Looking for more heat? Pair their morita peppers with their chile de arbol. All available on Amazon.
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