With summer on the horizon, Brits are getting set to eat outdoors – and now the nation has spoken: BBQs beat picnics when it comes to the UK’s favourite al fresco food setting, according to new research.
The study from margarine brand FLORA reveals that almost two thirds (61%) of people look forward to firing up the BBQ this summer, compared to 33% who prefer to lay down their picnic blanket.
Taking the lead as the UK’s grill aficionados, 69% of Geordies say they prefer BBQs to picnics, the highest proportion of any city, crowning Newcastle the nation’s BBQ capital. This compares to almost half of people from Leicester (46%) who prefer picnics over BBQs, the highest across the country.
Citing their reasons for preferring to BBQ, Brits say they can be more adventurous with their cooking (23%) as well as finding barbies more sociable (58%). Despite spending more time than ever at home, it appears many are also happy being homebodies, with 35% saying they love to cook for friends and family in their own house.
BBQs are not only for meat lovers, with over one in ten (13%) preferring BBQs to picnics because they find it’s easier to put plant-based options on the grill.
Reasons Brits prefer BBQs to picnics:
| Reason for preferring a BBQ | Percentage |
| Food is tastier and more flavoursome | 36% |
| The joy of cooking food for loved ones rather than eating shop-bought sandwiches | 35% |
| Sitting on the floor is a big no-no for many, with almost a quarter opting for the comfort of a garden chair over a plaid rug | 24% |
| Peeved picnickers said public spaces are too noisy/busy | 18% |
| A hatred for eating warm sandwiches | 14% |
| It’s easier to put plant-based options on the menu | 13% |
| All-weather grillers praised BBQing for being a year-round activity | 12% |
When looking at what Brits expect to be on the grill, burgers are the top BBQ staple according to three-quarters (75%) of respondents; however, some might be leaving them to cook for too long as over a third (36%) think burnt food is synonymous with a British BBQ. Revealing other key components, almost half (45%) say they think of men congregating around the grill, while one in five (20%) say dads cracking jokes their kids find cringeworthy is what they think of most when they think of BBQs. Further perpetuating the stereotype that Brits are grill rookies, a third (31%) also say struggling to light the coals is typical BBQ conduct.
For those in team picnic (33%), health and convenience are key reasons for preferring to get the hamper out. Almost a third (32%) revel in the fact that picnics are less effort, stating that BBQs involve too much prep and cleaning. The same number (32%) also say it’s easier to be healthy at a picnic, while budget-conscious Brits state that picnics allow them to use food staples they already have in their kitchens (26%).
Picnics are also perfect for plant-based diets, with one in ten (13%) claiming they find it easier to include these dishes in a picnic when compared to a BBQ.
For the social media obsessed, picnics are deemed to be more Instagrammable (4%), while eco-conscious Brits say that BBQs emit too much CO2 (19%).
To check out FLORA’s range of spreads and to search for Flora BBQ and picnic recipes, please click here: https://www.flora.com/en-gb/flora
