Father's Day Feast: 4 International BBQ Styles to Try This Year (2024)

• ByInternational Fresh Market
• May 25, 2024

Nothing says, “It’s dad’s day!” like a bright spring day, gathered with his lifelong MVPs, the smell of grilled delights wafting through the air. By now, Father’s Day has near-universal appeal, inspiring families the world over to show their papa bear a hefty portion of appreciation for galvanizing the family unit’s backbone.

While most hardworking dads know what they love, why not make this Father’s Day even more memorable by introducing something new with these sensational international BBQ entries?

American BBQ Traditions

What makes BBQ ubiquitous with Americana is its distillation of numerous subregional contributions to the art and mastery of the flame, including Texas brisket, Kansas City ribs, Carolina pulled pork, and fan-favorites galore. American BBQ has also remained wide open to blending styles, as California hibachi and Tex-Mex cuisine firmly prove.

Most American BBQ favorites involve slow-cooking and smoking techniques (e.g., smoked Alaskan salmon and river trout), plus a hearty mix of earthy spices, including:

• Chili powders
• Garlic & onion
• Smoked paprika
• Black pepper and various salts

Spice options for lighter meats are generally wider open, emphasizing aromatic, almost floral flavors that include:

• Rosemary
• Sage
• Thyme
• Marjoram
• Celery seed

You can also find curated BBQ blends galore at our seasonings section.

Korean BBQ Favorites

It terms of cultural significance, perhaps none hold a candle to Korean BBQ, centered around thin meat slices and an emphasis on thoughtfully paired sauces and side dishes. Traditionally, Korean BBQ has also held a deep communal significance – a role nearly ubiquitous to virtually every ethnic BBQ experience.

Try your hand at one of the world’s most popular BBQ artforms and stoke dad’s inner flame with an authentic Korean grilling experience. Just a few staples (and careful attention to the heat and timing) are all it takes, including:

• Bulgogi, a hearty beef marinade with a touch of umami
• Galbi, a sweet and savory option
• Samjang, Korea’s sweeter, more sour answer to soy sauce
• Kimchi, a Korean classic fermented food that’s good for the heart and gut

Brazilian Churrasco Flavors

The Brazilians also take their grilling experience seriously (or as much one can, surrounded by your companheiros on the back patio!). One of the hallmarks of the Brazilian churrasco experience is an emphasis on large meat skewers, frequently turned on open flames to preserve the juices while still getting a thorough searing.

Some of the most popular Brazilian grilled staples include:

• Picanha, essentially a top sirloin variety of beef cuts
• An endless assortment of sausages
• Farofa, a toasted cassava flour mix
• Brazilian salsa, essentially festive combination of salsa standbys (tomato, onion, etc.) in a vinegar base

Traditional Europa and Middle Eastern Grilling

From Greek lamb gyros to traditional Halal foods, preferred grilling methods across the Europan subcontinent persist to this day. Middle Eastern BBQ particularly is known for its wide array of aromatics and spice-heavy marinades for dishes as versatile as:

• Kebabs, frequently marinated in a yogurt, garlic, and lemon base
• Shawarma, offering a generous challenge-to-reward ratio due to its simplicity and intriguing flavor profile, blending any or all of:
  • Cardamom
  • Cayenne
  • Coriander
  • Cumin
  • Paprika

Also don’t forget the side dishes and staples that, for many traditional Middle Eastern and Greek foods, often themselves take much of the limelight:

• Pita bread
• Tabbouleh
• Hummus

Hosting a BBQ Event to Remember This Father’s Day!

Try your hand at the grill this year, and fire up your family’s spirits on Father’s Day with any of these ethnic BBQ sensations! At International Fresh Market, we prove that you don’t need to go far to bring a world of taste to your plate.

When it comes to those who support us through and through, nothing says “I love you!” like a dash of novelty to create an unforgettable family holiday experience. For help sourcing these and any other ethnic foods/ingredients and American staples, stop by our massive Naperville international marketplace.