- Categories:
- Food & Beverage
- Tags:
- American foodCooking
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Week starting with the Last Sunday of January
- Holiday emoji:
- 🥩
National Meat Week kicks off every year on the last Sunday of January, inviting enthusiasts to celebrate all things carnivorous for eight glorious days. Prepare your grills, ovens, and smokers for a week of feasting on flavorful cuts. Join the celebration by trying new recipes, visiting local butcher shops, or hosting a backyard BBQ.
Want to sponsor National Meat Week? Learn how
Expected National Meat Week Deals
As National Meat Week approaches, expect a flurry of promotions from major grocery chains and specialty butchers. In previous years, retailers like Kroger and Publix have offered discounts on prime cuts, while online meat delivery services such as Omaha Steaks and ButcherBox typically roll out special bundles and free shipping. Local restaurants, especially steakhouses like Ruth’s Chris Steak House and BBQ joints like Famous Dave’s, often feature limited-time meat platters or combo deals. Keep an eye out for promotions from brands like Certified Angus Beef and Snake River Farms for premium options. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as January approaches.
Platform Guide for National Meat Week
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalMeatWeek. Share mouth-watering photos and videos of your favorite meat dishes, from sizzling steaks to slow-smoked ribs.
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalMeatWeek. Create short, engaging videos showcasing your cooking process, taste tests, or meat-themed challenges.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalMeatWeek. Share recipes, cooking tips, and invite friends to join your virtual or in-person meat week celebrations.
National Meat Week Hero
Adam Perry Lang
History of National Meat Week
National Meat Week is for feasting on meat, that’s simple enough. However, it’s not just any feasting, it is synchronized feasting! You read that right. Meat Week is a serious business of indulging in juicy and flavorful meat, and to do that, a Captain is assigned to each city that is participating. The Captain prepares a list of all the restaurants that will be visited throughout the week. There is no prerequisite for selecting a restaurant, but the focus is on good ol’ American barbecue. Seven restaurants are chosen — one for each day.
Individuals and groups who join will eat together, enjoy great food, and take photos. At times awards are also given in some cities to the top restaurants. Usually, on the last night of Meat Week, everyone gathers at someone’s house and ends the festivities there with a BYO BBQ-style cookout. When the last day of Meat Week falls on Superbowl Sunday, the festivities are amplified.
Around 15-20 cities take part in the week-long festival, each with its own ‘chapter.’
Los Angeles, Washington, DC, Tallahassee, New York, and Baltimore are now the longest-running chapters. In 2005, Chris Cantey and Erni Walker created this delectable holiday. The event began in Tallahassee, Florida, but quickly spread to other towns.
Participating chefs and the restaurants they work at are challenged to cook their best on these nights. The grill is fired up and meat is seared, smoked, and cooked to perfection. The side dishes also need to be just right; baked beans, fries, and coleslaw to name a few.
National Meat Week timeline
Scientists surmise this was the earliest date of man discovering how to smoke meat.
William Pynchon becomes the country’s first meatpacker, shipping packed pork to the West Indies.
Chris Cantey and Erni Walker begin Meat Week in Tallahassee, Florida.
Another Meat Week celebration begins within the virtual game “Fallout 76.”
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Meat Week
Local butcher shops can host tasting events or offer ‘Meat Week’ bundles featuring various cuts and marinades. Restaurants, especially steakhouses and BBQ joints, can introduce special menus or daily meat features throughout the week, encouraging patrons to explore different preparations. Grocery stores can create prominent displays for specialty meats, cooking tools, and sauces, perhaps even offering cooking demonstrations. Food trucks could launch a limited-time meat-focused menu item to capture the spirit of the week.
National Meat Week FAQs
When is National Meat Week?
National Meat Week in 2027 starts on Sunday, January 31, concluding on Sunday, February 7. This annual observance always kicks off on the last Sunday of January.
How much meat does the average American consume?
Recent data indicates that per capita meat consumption in the U.S. remains robust, hovering around 225 pounds per year. This includes a diverse intake of chicken, beef, and pork, reflecting varied dietary preferences.
What are the most popular types of meat in the U.S.?
While chicken holds the top spot, beef and pork also enjoy immense popularity in the United States. The versatility and cultural significance of these meats ensure their continued presence on dinner tables nationwide.
What are some popular cooking methods for meat?
From the high heat of grilling to the low and slow approach of smoking, meat can be prepared in numerous delicious ways. Other common methods like stewing, broiling, and deep-frying also offer unique results for meat enthusiasts.
National Meat Week Activities
List your restaurant
If you own a restaurant that specializes in steaks and other types of cooked meat, get it registered for the next Meat Week. Why not surprise yourself - perhaps yours could be the next best dish?
Sign up to become Captain
If you have what it takes to lead a hungry army of people to the best restaurants in your area, sign up to become a captain on the official Meat Week website. There’s nothing better than getting recognized for having good taste!
Have a cookout at home
If your area does not celebrate Meat Week, take celebrations outdoors and have a cookout for your friends and family. It’s a great way to bond and also celebrate this scrumptious week together.
5 Myth-Busting Facts About Meat
Meat is the best protein
Meat is a high-quality protein that nourishes our bodies with the complete amino acids needed for maintaining health.
More protein content than dairy
At 25 grams per three ounces, meat has more protein content per serving than dairy.
Meat is great for weight watchers
Eating meat makes us stay fuller for longer, meaning that our food cravings and hunger pangs will be at bay for longer periods.
Meat diets get a bad reputation
Research has proven that consuming animal protein is more beneficial for aiding weight loss than plant-based protein.
A great source of Vitamin B12
Meat is the ultimate natural source of Vitamin B12.
Why We Love National Meat Week
We love meat
Need we say more? What’s not to love about meat? Juicy, flavorful, rubbed with the right spices and seared to perfection, the possibilities are endless.
Meat Week is fun
Holidays serve to break the routine and the humdrum of daily lives. Meat Week is a fun interactive activity that brings people together for the love of meat.
Trying out new things
Meat Week is a great opportunity to find new restaurants in your area, or try meat dishes that you may have never tried before. Not only that but it’s a celebration that brings people together!
National Meat Week dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | January 26–February 2 | Sunday–Sunday |
| 2026 | January 25–February 1 | Sunday–Sunday |
| 2027 | January 31–February 7 | Sunday–Sunday |
| 2028 | January 30–February 6 | Sunday–Sunday |
| 2029 | January 28–February 4 | Sunday–Sunday |
Social Media Tips for National Meat Week
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