the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, when the Founding Fathers penned the Declaration of Independence, they might as well have included a line about the self-evident truth that most Americans would celebrate the Fourth of July with barbecue. Back in 1776, John Adams predicted that Independence Day would be celebrated for generations with fireworks, parades, and food. While there’s less cannon fire nowadays, many of these traditions have stuck, including barbecue, which can be traced back to the early 1800s.
The Early Days of Fourth of July Barbecues
In the early 1800s, Fourth of July was initially commemorated with political rallies. To attract attendees, party leaders held city-wide barbecues in town centers, creating unity over shared meals. For the new American colonists, who hailed from Europe, barbecue was a new cooking technique adopted from the West Indian island of Hispaniola. Derived from the Spanish word “barbacoa,” barbecue evolved from a traditional meat dish now associated with Mexican cuisine, like enchiladas rojas with barbacoa.
To feed the entire community, whole oxen or hogs were barbecued. Today, Americans continue to enjoy similar feasts of beef and pork with European-named foods like hamburgers and frankfurters.
Evolution of Independence Day Celebrations
The first Fourth of July celebration with fireworks took place in 1777 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Following the War of 1812, annual celebrations spread to include rural communities. By 1870, Congress declared July 4th a federal holiday, ensuring that Americans from coast to coast could celebrate Independence Day.
As the U.S. population grew during the 20th century, and with the July 4th holiday allowing time off, celebrations started to shift from community-wide barbecues to private backyard cookouts, especially as more Americans adopted home grills.
Modern Fourth of July Barbecues
Today, 70% of American households own a grill, according to the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association. A recent survey by the organization found that July 4th is the most popular day of the year to barbecue in the U.S., with 58% of Americans doing so. While many still grill steak, harking back to the early oxen barbecue, our modern diet is a fusion of flavors from around the world. Along with the usual suspects, it’s common to find vegetarian options like veggie skewers and international influences on the grill.
The Shift in Barbecue Cuisine
Initially, barbecuing was prominent in the South, while cities like Philadelphia and Boston celebrated Independence Day with turtle soup. Today, the entire nation looks forward to Fourth of July barbecues, often including at least one hot dog. Since its introduction to the U.S. in the 1860s, most Americans have replaced bowls of hot soup with hot dogs for the holiday. According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, around 150 million hot dogs are consumed on July 4th, making it the second most popular food to eat at a barbecue.
Global Influence on Barbecue Trends
Google Trends indicates that searches for Japanese barbecue sauce and Korean-style barbecue have risen as much as 2,000% between 2019 and 2024, highlighting the rise of these global trends. Unlike traditional American versions, Asian barbecue sauces incorporate ginger, sesame oil, and rice vinegar for a sweet and salty flavor. To complement the rich meat and combat the historically sweltering temps, tangy cold foods like German potato salad, Italian deviled eggs, and Dutch coleslaw have also become modern-day favorites.
Looking Ahead
While there will always be challenges to face and improvements to make, the Fourth of July remains a time to celebrate how far we’ve come. So, as you gather with friends and family this Independence Day, remember the rich history and diverse influences that make our barbecues a unique and cherished tradition. Here’s to the next 248 years of progress and celebration!
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