It’s Official: This Is the Most Popular Barbecue Sauce in America

What’s on the menu for your Memorial Day cookout? We are ready to make an educated guess, thanks to brand-new data from one of the largest grocery delivery platforms. 

Instacart recently disclosed its key Memorial Day statistics, highlighting how Americans celebrate the unofficial beginning of summer. The San Francisco-based platform shared its relevant Memorial Day report with Food & Wine, revealing diverse preferences for grilling favorites across the country. 

“Americans definitely have strong opinions when it comes to barbecue, so it’s no surprise we’re seeing such distinct regional favorites for Memorial Day foods,” Instacart trends analyst Alex Orellana tells Food & Wine. “These choices aren’t just about what tastes good — they tell a broader story about regional cultures and how communities come together around their favorite foods.”

Let’s dig into the saucy details.

Beyond the grill: sauces and sides that define Memorial Day

Across the country, bottled barbecue sauce remains in high demand. Among all the sauces ordered on Instacart in 2024, classic Sweet Baby Ray’s emerged as the most-ordered of the bunch, followed by Kraft, Bachan’s, and Stubb’s. (For this report, Instacart says it excluded private label and store-brand bottles.) 

It’s no surprise that favorite sauces vary by region — Bachan’s Japanese Barbecue Sauce is the most beloved on the West Coast, Instacart says, while consumers in the Lone Star State overwhelmingly order Texas-style Stubb’s sauce.

“In the Midwest, bratwurst tops the list, likely a nod to the region’s love for hearty, grill-ready meats. In the South, particularly in states like Tennessee and Georgia, back and spare ribs lead the way, which aligns with the area’s deep-rooted barbecue traditions,” Orellana explains. “Meanwhile, in Oregon, veggie sausages are a favorite, reflecting the state’s plant-forward and eco-conscious mindset.”

We’re no stranger to a plant-forward Memorial Day lineup—from herbaceous potato salad to carnitas jackfruit tacos, there are countless ways to plan a meatless cookout. (And I’m sure your vegetarian friends would appreciate it.) 

When it comes to other Memorial Day fare, Instacart reports that it isn’t just about the main course: Folks are loading up their plates with classic coleslaw (an overwhelming favorite in 19 states), followed by pasta salad (18 states) and potato salad (14 states). 

How America grills: state-by-state standouts

When it comes to grilled favorites, some regions are more likely to find common ground on their top picks. 

Bratwurst is a clear favorite across middle America, reigning supreme in digital carts from Ohio to Colorado. Filet mignon is most cherished in Florida, while Instacart-delivered celebrations in Alaska are most likely to feature country-style ribs. Texans prefer their skirt steak fresh off the grill, while saucy baby back ribs hold the highest affection in the South. 

To gather this data, Instacart’s research team analyzed orders from May 24 to May 26, 2024, aiming to pinpoint the “unique” favorites by region. Here’s where things become a bit complex: They determined the share of customer orders for each meat category, then calculated the percentage difference in orders for the entirety of 2024. Researchers identified meat categories that saw an increase of 25% or more during that weekend and calculated both the relative and absolute difference, along with the national average. As a result, they identified the most “uniquely popular” meat by state. 

It’s also worth noting that this data only accounts for individuals who order their groceries via the delivery app — but we’re confident it can still provide insights into broader purchasing patterns. If you’ve ever tasted the difference between sweet Kansas City barbecue and tangy Carolina-style ribs, there are sharp variances between the regions.