Sausages are the most appreciated BBQ products in Austria
There is usually no need for a special occasion. Around 60 percent of those surveyed grill because it is fun and sociable.
Whether classic sausages, juicy steaks, crispy burgers or vegetarian alternatives, there is something for every taste when it comes to grilling. Grilled sausages (1st place), pork (2nd place) and vegetables (3rd place) are the most commonly grilled meats in Austria. However, the trend is increasingly moving towards vegetables and chicken.
33.5 kilograms of pork, 13 kilograms of chicken and 10.3 kilograms of beef and veal - that's what Austrians eat per person per year. Sausage is also regularly on the table in Austria. The most popular is ham, followed by extra sausage, frankfurters, knackwurst and liver sausage.
The grill is fired up most often in Upper Austria and Salzburg. 41 percent of those surveyed grill at least once a week in summer. This puts the region above the Austrian average (35 percent).
Grilled meat and sausages are particularly popular in Upper Austria. An average household bought 6.1 kilograms of grilled meat and 8.1 kilograms of sausages last year. Specifically, 76 percent of those surveyed grill sausages, 78 percent usually grill pork and 54 percent chicken. Minced meat, such as cevapcici, is also part of a grill for 40 percent of households surveyed in Upper Austria. Vegetables are grilled for 72 percent.
Austria is also the European champion in the organic sector: with an organic share of around 27 percent of agricultural land, Austria is the leader in the European Union. Chicken is more popular with women than with men. Men prefer to grill pork and beef.
But no matter who is grilling, the quality of the ingredients is what counts. "The quality of the meat is particularly important when grilling," emphasises AMA Marketing Director Christina Mutenthaler-Sipek. "Whether it is beef, pork, veal or poultry, if a product bears the AMA seal of approval, it is a food of tested quality with a traceable origin." One important quality feature, for example, is the colour of the meat. Aged beef has an intense red colour, pork should be a strong pink, veal a delicate pink and lamb a strong light red. Extra tip: take the meat out of the fridge an hour before eating it, then it will cook more evenly and the juice will stay in the meat.
Women in particular like to grill vegetables and meat-free alternatives. Vegetables such as zucchini, peppers, potatoes or mushrooms are ideal for grilling. In Austria, for example, zucchini are grown on 189 hectares. The cultivation area is therefore as large as around 265 football fields.
Bread and pastries are the most popular side dishes, with 83 percent often eating pastries when barbecuing. Fresh salads are often eaten by 75 percent, and potatoes are a side dish for 69 percent when barbecuing.
People in Vienna like to grill: 36 percent of respondents in the eastern region (Vienna, Lower Austria, Burgenland) heat up the grill at least once a week in summer. This puts the region just above the Austrian average (35 percent). Sausages are just as popular in Vienna as grilled meat. On average, around 5.5 kilograms of grilled meat and 5.2 kilograms of sausages were bought per household in 2023. 68 percent usually grill pork and 61 percent chicken. Minced meat, such as cevapcici, is also part of a barbecue in Vienna for 36 percent of households surveyed. Vegetables are put on the hot grill for 63 percent.
Lower Austrians like to grill: 36 percent of respondents in the eastern region (Vienna, Lower Austria, Burgenland) heat up the grill at least once a week in summer. This puts the region just above the Austrian average (35 percent).
Sausages are just as popular in Lower Austria as grilled meat. On average, around 6.0 kilograms of grilled meat and 6.6 kilograms of sausages were bought per household in 2023. 68 percent usually grill pork and 61 percent chicken. Minced meat, such as cevapcici, is also part of a barbecue in Lower Austria for 36 percent of households surveyed. Vegetables are put on the hot grill for 63 percent.
Tyrol likes to grill: 32 percent of respondents in the West region (Tyrol and Vorarlberg) grill at least once a week in summer. However, this region is slightly below the Austrian average (35 percent). In western Austria, sausages are more popular than grilled meat. On average, around 5.7 kilograms of grilled meat and 8.2 kilograms of sausages were bought per household in Tyrol in 2023. 66 percent usually grill pork and 60 percent chicken. Minced meat, such as cevapcici, is also part of a barbecue in Tyrol for 28 percent of households surveyed. Vegetables are put on the hot grill in 73 percent.
Carinthia likes to grill: 29 percent of respondents in the southern region (Styria and Carinthia) grill at least once a week in summer. However, this region is slightly below the Austrian average (35 percent). In Carinthia, grilled meat is more popular than sausages. On average, around 7.0 kilograms of grilled meat and 5.5 kilograms of sausages were bought per household in 2023. 81 percent usually grill pork and 51 percent chicken. Minced meat, such as cevapcici, is also part of a barbecue in Carinthia for 28 percent of households surveyed. Vegetables are put on the hot grill in 66 percent.
The people of Vorarlberg like to grill: 32 percent of those surveyed in the western region (Vorarlberg and Tyrol) grill at least once a week in summer. However, this region is slightly below the Austrian average (35 percent). In western Austria, sausages are more popular than grilled meat. On average, around 6.8 kilograms of grilled meat and 9.1 kilograms of sausages were bought per household in Vorarlberg in 2023. 66 percent usually grill pork and 60 percent chicken. Minced meat, such as cevapcici, is also part of a barbecue in Vorarlberg for 28 percent of households surveyed. Vegetables are put on the hot grill for 73 percent.
Styria like to grill: 29 percent of respondents in the southern region (Styria and Carinthia) grill at least once a week in summer. However, this region is slightly below the Austrian average (35 percent). In Styria, sausages are more popular than grilled meat. On average, around 5.2 kilograms of grilled meat and 7.5 kilograms of sausages were bought per household in 2023. 81 percent usually grill pork and 51 percent chicken. Minced meat, such as cevapcici, is also part of a barbecue in Styria for 28 percent of households surveyed. Vegetables are put on the hot grill in 66 percent.
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