While everyone's Fourth of July menu might look a little different, it's not outrageous to assume there will be a pack of dogs on the grill—or at least, so I thought. Apparently, not everyone is on the glizzy train.
Instacart just released a definitive ranking of the top 10 foods for Fourth of July cookouts, per last year's sales, and in a shocking twist, hot dogs did not make the list.
So what did crack the top 10? Yellow corn saw a 380% increase in purchases, while charcoal (which, yep, you'll need for grilling) also shot up in sales by 222%. Potato salad came in third as the most popular dish with 177% increase.
Top 10 most popular food purchases for the Fourth of July:
1. Yellow corn
2. Charcoal
3. Potato Salad
4. Baby Back Ribs
5. Hot Dog Buns
6. Canned Baked Beans
7. Bratwurst
8. Frozen Beef Burgers
9. Watermelons
10. Beef Patties
"As we gear up for Fourth of July celebrations, we’re diving deep into Americans’ strong culinary preferences for the holiday," Instacart wrote in a statement. "From the smoky aroma of a backyard barbecue to the fresh crunch of a ripe watermelon, certain items see a significant spike in popularity as Independence Day approaches. Let’s take a look at the insights drawn from Instacart’s purchase data, reflecting the nation’s festive food habits."
While, sure, hot dog buns made the list, without actual mention of the dogs themselves. Instacart argues, however, that the glizzy versus hamburger preference is largely based on geography. States in the Southeast, Northwest, and Northern New England seem to prefer burgers to hot dogs. Other states, including Washington DC, favor hot dogs.
Condiment preferences are also based on location. Ranch dressing dominates the Midwest while hot sauce commands much of the West Coast. Mayo, however, has fans in the Northeast and Northwest. As for what’s in the Fourth of July coolers this year, light lagers, hard seltzers, vodka, and canned cocktails will reportedly reign supreme, per Instacart’s data.
