Is It Called “Grilling” or “Barbecue”? Turns Out, It May Depend on Where You Live (2024)

August 09, 2022

Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association Reveals Which States Say “Grilling,”

and Which Declare “Barbecue”

What do you call a backyard cookout? For years, a debate has often flared up: Do you call it “Grilling,” or is it a “Barbecue”?

Turns out, according to the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA), it all depends on where you live.

By definition, according to HPBA, “Barbecue” is the act of cooking low and slow over a number of hours, such as a flavor-dripping pork shoulder in your smoker for half a day at 225 degrees. “Grilling” is cooking fast and hot over direct flame. Think burgers and corn on the cob on a gas grill for a neighborhood gathering.

“Despite the definition – like ‘ketchup’ or ‘catsup,’ ‘sweet potatoes’ or ‘yams,’ ‘coke’ or ‘pop’ – people call it what they want,” said Emily McGee, director of communications for HPBA. “However, also like ‘coke’ and ‘pop,’ we wanted to look deeper and find if there are patterns in where the phrases are used.

“Using Google search data, we found the regional differences are as sharp as the sear marks in a perfectly grilled filet mignon,” McGee added.

· Most of the Midwest and Rocky Mountain states call it “Grilling”

· In much of the South and Western states, it’s “Barbecue”

· The Northeast is firmly in the “Grilling” camp

· Florida flips the script, calling it “Grilling” despite nothing but “Barbecue” states in its region

· Only Kentucky and Virginia – holding the line among various regions – show up as equally saying “Grilling” or “Barbecue”

Curious where your state lands? Here’s the full list:

· Alabama

Barbecue

· Alaska

Grilling

· Arizona

Barbecue

· Arkansas

Barbecue

· California

Barbecue

· Colorado

Grilling

· Connecticut

Grilling

· Delaware

Grilling

· District of Columbia

Grilling

· Florida

Grilling

· Georgia

Barbecue

· Hawaii

Barbecue

· Idaho

Barbecue

· Illinois

Grilling

· Indiana

Grilling

· Iowa

Grilling

· Kansas

Barbecue

· Kentucky

Tie

· Louisiana

Barbecue

· Maine

Grilling

· Maryland

Grilling

· Massachusetts

Grilling

· Michigan

Grilling

· Minnesota

Grilling

· Mississippi

Barbecue

· Missouri

Barbecue

· Montana

Grilling

· Nebraska

Grilling

· Nevada

Barbecue

· New Hampshire

Grilling

· New Jersey

Grilling

· New Mexico

Grilling

· New York

Grilling

· North Carolina

Barbecue

· North Dakota

Grilling

· Ohio

Grilling

· Oklahoma

Barbecue

· Oregon

Barbecue

· Pennsylvania

Grilling

· Rhode Island

Grilling

· South Carolina

Barbecue

· South Dakota

Grilling

· Texas

Barbecue

· Tennessee

Barbecue

· Utah

Grilling

· Vermont

Grilling

· Virginia

Tie

· Washington

Barbecue

· West Virginia

Grilling

· Wisconsin

Grilling

· Wyoming

Grilling

For tips and recipes for your next grilling or barbecue, visit WhyIGrill.org.

About the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA)

The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA), based in Arlington, Va., is the North American industry association for manufacturers, retailers, distributors, representatives, service firms and allied associates for all types of barbecue, patio and hearth appliances, fuels and accessories.The association provides professional member services and industry support in education, statistics, government relations, marketing, advertising and consumer education.

Is It Called “Grilling” or “Barbecue”? Turns Out, It May Depend on Where You Live (2024)

FAQs

Is It Called “Grilling” or “Barbecue”? Turns Out, It May Depend on Where You Live? ›

By definition, according to HPBA, “Barbecue” is the act of cooking low and slow over a number of hours, such as a flavor-dripping pork shoulder in your smoker for half a day at 225 degrees. “Grilling” is cooking fast and hot over direct flame.

What is the difference between grilling and barbeque? ›

In short, grilling means to cook over a fire, hot and fast. Barbecuing refers to cooking over a low flame and much slower, and smoking means to also cook low and slow, whilst also using the smoke produced by the barbecue to cook the food.

What is considered grilling? ›

In the United States, the use of the word grill refers to cooking food directly over a source of dry heat, typically with the food sitting on a metal grate that leaves "grill marks." Grilling is usually done outdoors on charcoal grills or gas grills; a recent trend is the concept of infrared grilling.

Why do people call grilling barbecue? ›

The English word barbecue and its cognates in other languages come from the Spanish word barbacoa, which has its origin in an indigenous American word.

What qualifies as a barbecue? ›

barbecue, an outdoor meal, usually a form of social entertainment, at which meats, fish, or fowl, along with vegetables, are roasted over a wood or charcoal fire. The term also denotes the grill or stone-lined pit for cooking such a meal, or the food itself, particularly the strips of meat.

What are the three types of grilling? ›

Virtually all cooking on gas and/or charcoal grills can be divided into three cooking methods: direct, indirect or combo. As the names imply, the difference between the methods is determined by where the food is placed in relation to the fire. The DIRECT method cooks foods with the direct heat of the flame.

What is grilling also known as? ›

By definition, according to HPBA, “Barbecue” is the act of cooking low and slow over a number of hours, such as a flavor-dripping pork shoulder in your smoker for half a day at 225 degrees. “Grilling” is cooking fast and hot over direct flame.

Does grilling count as BBQ? ›

Although barbecuing and grilling both refer to cooking food outdoors over a heat source, they aren't interchangeable terms for the same cooking technique. The most important factors that differentiate the two are the type of heat used and the total cook time.

What is the first rule of grilling? ›

Patience is the First Rule of Grilling

Avoid over-manipulating your food, and allow it to rest before serving.

What does it mean when someone grills you? ›

Sometimes, to grill means to ask a person really intense questions, like when you suspect them of doing something wrong and you want to make them confess the truth. Ever seen a film where a police officer puts a bright light in a criminal's face and screams, “Did you do it?” That's how you grill someone.

What do Mexicans call a barbeque? ›

noun. el asado. to have a barbecue hacer un asado.

What is the American word for grilling? ›

If you grill food, you cook it using strong heat directly above or below it. American English: broil /ˈbrɔɪl/

What do you call someone who grills? ›

griller in American English

1. a person who grills food, esp. as a cook in a restaurant. 2. an appliance for grilling food.

What's the difference between barbecue and grilling? ›

Essentially, grilling means cooking over fire, in a hot, fast method. Barbecuing and smoking cook low and slow. One thing all of the methods have in common is the ability to cook all of them using your charcoal or gas grill.

What is the Webster's definition of barbecue? ›

: to cook over or before an open source of heat (as hot coals) 2. : to cook in a highly seasoned sauce. barbecuer noun. barbecue.

What makes something a BBQ? ›

In North America, pitmasters BBQ foods by roasting or smoking them over wood or charcoal at low temperatures for several hours, transforming whole roasts and tough cuts into tender, succulent pieces of meat. Because the cooking process, equipment, and meals are so entwined, they're all referred to as BBQ.

What is the difference between a grill and a barbecue pit? ›

Essentially, grilling means cooking over fire, in a hot, fast method. Barbecuing and smoking cook low and slow. One thing all of the methods have in common is the ability to cook all of them using your charcoal or gas grill.

What are the 3 types of BBQ? ›

In the American tradition, there are four prominent BBQ regions: Kansas City, Carolina, Memphis, and Texas. These four barbeque styles represent the most recognized regional renditions of smoked meat.

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