Meijer to sell more than 5 million pounds of beef for Memorial Day weekend barbecues

Ground chuck leads the pack, with premium steak cuts battling for second place

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May 26, 2016, 03:30 ET

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., May 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Memorial Day is the first warm-weather holiday of the year in the Midwest, but it's also the unofficial kick off of the summer grilling season. Meijer stores throughout the Midwest have been exceptionally busy leading up to the holiday weekend, with customers purchasing more than 5 million pounds of beef this week alone.

"Memorial Day is one of the three biggest grilling days of the summer," said Jerry Suter, vice president of meat at Meijer. "Frequently, we'll see some of our largest sales volumes on grilling items prior to Memorial Day weekend, as many of our customers view it as the kick off to summer grilling season. Not just in food, but also in grilling staples, such as charcoal, lighter fluid, meat thermometers and grill accessories."

Grilling is big business. For example, during the summer grilling season, Meijer will ship an estimated 190 truckloads of Kingsford Twin Pack Charcoal to its stores and will sell more than 5 million ounces of lighter fluid.

Meijer also sells more Certified Angus Beef than any retailer in the country. This includes 80 cuts of beef, 12 varieties of ground beef and five different types of hamburger patties. While ground chuck is by far the leading seller for barbecuing, top sirloin filets and beef strip steaks are the most popular choice cuts.

To make sure your beef grilling experience is a success, Meijer experts say to follow these four simple rules:

Start with a hot grill. Whether you prefer gas or charcoal, a hot grill allows you to sear the meat, locking in juices and flavor.
Use tongs, not forks. If you pierce the meat while it's cooking, you may let the juices out, which can make your steak dry.
Buy and use a meat thermometer. Do you have that relative who likes their meat really rare or really well done? Use a meat thermometer to prevent a repeat trip to grill when everyone else has begun eating.
Don't rush greatness. For the best taste, let your steak rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

To view an infographic detailing Meijer beef facts and grilling tips, please visit http://newsroom.meijer.com/infographics.

About Meijer: Meijer is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer that operates 225 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin. As a pioneer of the "one-stop shopping" concept, Meijer stores have evolved through the years to include expanded fresh produce and meat departments, as well as pharmacies, comprehensive apparel departments, garden centers and electronic offerings. For additional information on Meijer, please visit www.meijer.com. Follow Meijer on Twitter @twitter.com/meijer and @twitter.com/meijerPR or become a fan at www.facebook.com/meijer.