New research from pork brand Prairie Fresh finds that US consumer confidence in their barbecue skills often develops before core techniques fully take hold, highlighting how natural and rewarding grilling can feel even as key fundamentals are still being learned. The findings show Americans' confidence in their barbecue skills exceeds their actual competence by 32%, underscoring a confidence/competence gap between how grilling feels and how it is truly mastered over time.

The "State of Barbecue Report: Understanding America's Grill Gap," based on responses from more than 1,500 US adults who grill or barbecue, found that self‑reported confidence exceeds demonstrated understanding of essential barbecue skills, including safe cooking temperatures, preparation techniques and protein handling, by roughly one‑third, underscoring the disconnect between how barbecue feels and how it is learned over time. 

That dynamic reflects barbecue's defining traits of rewarding confidence early. While nearly 80% cannot accurately describe a smoke ring, three in four Americans say their barbecue rarely turns out worse than expected, reinforcing how quickly the grill can feel comfortable and successful even as deeper techniques continue to develop.

At the same time, the research shows that confidence becomes less consistent as complexity increases. Familiar methods such as gas and charcoal grilling tend to feel intuitive, while more advanced approaches including smoking and reverse searing introduce variables that require greater precision and control.

"Barbecue has always been about more than just the food. It is about bringing people together and creating experiences that feel rewarding," said Ozlem Worpel, vice president of marketing and innovation at Seaboard Foods. "Our research shows people feel confident, even when fundamentals are developing. That creates an opportunity to make barbecue more approachable by helping people build practical skills they can use at home."

To help close the competence gap, Prairie Fresh is introducing the Barbecue Personality Quiz, an interactive tool designed to help grillers discover their barbecue persona, better understand their approach and identify opportunities to improve. Based on research into how Americans grill today, the quiz provides personalized guidance, tips and tools to help consumers build confidence and skill.

Based on survey findings, the competence gap becomes even more visible when it comes to pork. Despite being one of the most popular proteins for barbecue, key findings show:

• More than 1 in 4 Americans avoid cooking pork altogether
• 3 in 4 self-described "confident" pork cooks still get the recommended safe cooking temperature wrong for grilling a pork tenderloin (145 degrees Fahrenheit with a 3-minute rest)

The research suggests consumers are not avoiding pork because they dislike it, but rather because they lack confidence in preparing it correctly.

As barbecue culture evolves, more consumers are experimenting with flavors and techniques, but without a solid foundation, that experimentation can widen the competence gap. The new Barbecue Personality Quiz aims to close that gap.

"What excites us is finding ways to take what we've learned from pitmasters and make it useful for everyday consumers," said David Eaheart, senior director, barbecue brand marketing at Prairie Fresh. "Our goal is to help people build on the confidence they already have and turn it into real skill."

Source: Prairie Fresh