Here’s What You Need to Know About Grilled Fast Food
Updated: Jun. 04, 2019
Are your favorite grilled fast food menu items actually coming from, well, a grill? We found out once and for all.
Many fast food restaurants step up their grilled menu offerings for summer. But are the grill marks you see on the food really from sizzling on a grate over an open flame? It’s no secret that stylists utilize tricks of the trade to make food appear more appetizing in commercials, but what about in real life? Turns out, you might not be getting grilled meat at all—here’s why.
Psst! Ensure this summer season is your best yet with these grilling hacks.
Faking the char:
For consumers, it’s often about visual perception over the actual taste when it comes to grilled fast food. Food stylist Claudia Ficca shared with Thrillist that: “It’s important to see the grill marks [on food products] because that is what makes it ‘grilled.’ Even if the brand uses a smoke flavor and doesn’t actually grill the meat, in advertising and on packaging the grill marks work as a visual cue for the consumer.”
A lot of the frozen meat that ends up in chain restaurants goes through a branding machine that applies near-perfect grill marks onto the product before it’s frozen and packaged. These pre-made grill marks save time for line cooks in the kitchen, but give the same visual appearance to customers. (But did you know that grill marks aren’t all they’re hyped up to be? Here’s why.)
This philosophy extends past fast food menus to the frozen section of the grocery store, too. Many frozen foods are treated by the same branding process.
Next time you’re hitting the drive-thru, try these healthy alternatives.
The real grillers:
Not all fast food restaurants use grill stamps on their patties. Burger King, for example, is one of the largest chains that flame-grills their beef—and has been doing so since 1954.
As for chicken, in a report by Fast Company, the only restaurant found to actually grill their poultry in-house was Chick-fil-A for their Grilled Chicken Sandwich. (This is why the Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich is so dang good.)
Grilled Huli Huli Chicken
I got this grilled chicken recipe from a friend while living in Hawaii. It sizzles with the flavors of brown sugar, ginger and soy sauce. Huli means "turn" in Hawaiian. This sweet and savory glaze is fantastic on pork chops, too. —Sharon Boling, San Diego, California
Cola Burgers
A friend who's an excellent cook shared this hamburger recipe with me, and it has since become a family favorite. The unusual combination of cola and French salad dressing added to the ground beef gives it fabulous flavor. The mixture is also used as a basting sauce on the moist burgers. -Melva Baumer, Millmont, Pennsylvania
Easy Grilled Corn with Chipotle-Lime Butter
Grilling corn in the husks is so easy. There's no need to remove the silk and tie the husk closed before grilling. Just soak, grill and add your favorite flavored butter. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Grilled Sausage-Basil Pizzas
We love basil recipes, and these easy little pizzas are a wonderful change of pace from the classic cookout menu. Let everybody go crazy with the toppings. —Lisa Speer, Palm Beach, Florida
Grilled Zucchini Salad with Mediterranean Dressing
This grilled zucchini salad with Mediterranean salad dressing is the perfect side dish. I also like to add summer squash, when it's in season, for a variation, or crumbled goat cheese when I want creaminess. —Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
15-Minute Marinated Chicken
Whenever I serve this grilled chicken to family and friends, which is quite often, I'm bound to be asked for the 15-minute marinade recipe. It's a fast and tasty meal that I'm happy to share with others. —Pam Shinogle, Arlington, Texas
Grilled Corn Hummus Tostadas
This recipe is a combo of Mediterranean and Mexican cuisines, giving it a unique taste. Avocado and hummus may sound like a weird mix, but they really go together well. —Lauren McAnelly, Des Moines, Iowa
Grilled Chicken Salad with Blueberry Vinaigrette
When it comes to grilled chicken recipes, we love this refreshing salad in the summer. The real star here is the vinaigrette made with blueberry preserves and maple syrup. It goes great with a fresh baguette and a frosty glass of minted lemonade. —Susan Gauthier, Falmouth, Maine
Aloha Burgers
I love hamburgers and tropical fruit, so it just seemed natural for me to combine them. My family frequently requests this unique Hawaiian pineapple burger recipe. It's a nice change of pace! —Joi McKim-Jones, Waikoloa, Hawaii
Grilled Cauliflower Wedges
This side is incredibly easy, yet is packed with flavor and looks like a dish from a five-star restaurant. The grill leaves the cauliflower cooked but crisp, and the red pepper flakes add bite. —Carmel Hall, San Francisco, California
Grilled Ribeyes with Greek Relish
The classic Grecian flavors of olives, feta cheese and tomatoes are a surefire hit. Combine them to complement a perfectly grilled steak, and it’s magic. —Mary Lou Cook, Welches, Oregon
Grilled Pineapple with Lime Dip
Serve this dish as an appetizer or a dessert—the choice is yours! If desired, the pineapple spears can be rolled in flaked coconut before grilling. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Grilled Chicken and Mango Skewers
The inspiration for this recipe came from the charbroiled chicken skewers I used to enjoy while strolling along Calle Ocho in Miami on Sunday afternoons. Feel free to garnish them with sesame seeds or spritz them with fresh lime juice. —Wolfgang Hanau, West Palm Beach, Florida
Grilled Vegetable Platter
The best of summer in one dish! This pretty grilled vegetable recipe is meant for entertaining. Grilling brings out their natural sweetness, and the easy marinade really kicks up the grilled vegetables' flavor. —Heidi Hall, North St. Paul, Minnesota
Quick Garlic-Lime Chicken
After tending the farm and growing our own produce, I don't have much time left for cooking. I've found this simple chicken dish ideal for hectic days. —Doris Carnahan, Lincoln, Arkansas
Grilled Halibut with Blueberry Salsa
Give halibut a new, summery spin. The salsa may seem sophisticated, but it’s really a cinch to prepare. —Donna Goutermont, Juneau, Alaska
Grilled Cranberry Pear Crumble
My husband loves it when I make dessert. Fruit crisps are easy and quick to prepare, so I make them often! I created this fall-flavored grilled version with fresh pears and items I had on hand. We loved it. —Ronna Farley, Rockville, Maryland
Quick Barbecued Beans
Baked beans are a simple, classic recipe, and cooking them on the grill adds great smoky flavor. —Millie Vickery, Lena, Illinois
Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus
My husband and I grill dinner almost every night, and I love grilling veggies for a side dish. I serve this grilled bacon wrapped asparagus recipe with meat and sliced fresh tomatoes for a wonderful meal. —Trisha Kitts, Dickinson, Texas
Herb & Cheese-Stuffed Burgers
Tired of the same old ground beef recipes? This quick-fix burger alternative, with its creamy cheese filling, will wake up your taste buds. —Sherri Cox, Lucasville, Ohio
Grilled Broccoli
I started using this grilled broccoli recipe in 1987 when I began cooking light. It's been a favorite side dish ever since. With its lemon and Parmesan flavors, it once took second place in a cooking contest. —Alice Nulle, Woodstock, Illinois
Mushroom Cheese Bread
This savory grilled bread is delightful with barbecued steak, baked potatoes and corn on the cob. For variation, we sometimes use half cheddar cheese and half mozzarella. —Dolly McDonald, Edmonton, Alberta
Grilled Tilapia Piccata
We aren’t big fish eaters, but a friend made this for us, and we couldn’t believe how wonderful it was! Now we eat it regularly. I love making it for guests because it’s simple, looks lovely and tastes restaurant-worthy. —Beth Cooper, Columbus, Ohio
Flank Steak with Cilantro & Blue Cheese Butter
I love the combination of the sweet citrus marinade and the strong tang of the blue cheese butter. And my kids just love flank steak. —Gwen Wedel, Augusta, Michigan
Grilled Jalapenos
When barbecuing for friends at home, I also use the grill to serve up hot appetizers. These crowd-pleasing stuffed peppers have a bit of bite. They were concocted by my son. —Catherine Hollie, Cleveland, Texas
Grilled Pork Tenderloins
We do a lot of outdoor cooking during the summer months, and this grilled pork tenderloin recipe is one my entire family loves. —Betsy Carrington, Lawrenceburg, Tennessee
Triple Tomato Flatbread
Tomatoes are the reason I have a vegetable garden, and I developed this recipe as a way to show off my garden's plum, sun-dried and cherry tomatoes. The dish is easy and will impress. —Rachel Kimbrow, Portland, Oregon
Grilled Asparagus
Tender, with a delicious barbecue flavor, this grilled asparagus makes a perfect side dish for grilled meats. Don't know how to cook asparagus on the grill? Just place the stalks on a double skewer. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Italian Sausage and Provolone Skewers
My husband made sausage and veggie kabobs when we didn't have buns to make classic sausage bombers. Grill ‘em up, then add cheese cubes. —Cindy Hilliard, Kenosha, Wisconsin
