Your Memorial Day Cookout Is Going To Cost You
This weekend kicks off a couple of my favorite seasons of the year. First, Memorial Day weekend means the beginning of summer. Pool time, beach time, late afternoon golf time, all of these are MY time. And second, Monday means Memorial Day cookout and the official start of the grilling season. And this year, you better plan for some cost increases.
How Much Is Your Memorial Day Cookout Increase?
As someone once told me, “You can be upset, but you can’t be surprised.” Think about it. Does anything cost the same-much less cheaper-than it did a year ago? Of course not. Especially when it comes to food, right? Unless your trips to the grocery store are a lot different than my family’s, when I tell you the cost of your Memorial Day cookout is 10% more expensive this year than last, you’re shrugging in disgusted acknowledgment.
What Memorial Day Cookout Items Are Most Expensive?
For starters, a shocker. If I was to tell you to beware of the cost of…RELISH this year? I know, right? According to WCNC, the cost of relish is up nearly 50% since Memorial Day 2023. And if you’re thinking of grilling burgers for your Memorial Day cookout, get ready to fork out a few extra shillings. The cost of hamburgers, year to year, is up around 14%. Ouch. The good news is, if you do go with burgers, you can go ahead and get the buns to go with them. The cost of those has only increased around 1% since last Memorial Day.
What Memorial Day Cookout Item Won’t Kill Your Wallet?
As the advertising jingles and cliches remind you there’s nothing more American than the hot dog. And if you’re Memorial Day cookout plans include grilling a frank or two, good news. The cost of beef hot dogs has remained relatively stable in the last year. One can assume the buns are on the same level as their hamburger brethren.
America's Favorite Foods On The Grill
Burgers (45%)
(Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
Chicken (43%)
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Hot Dogs (43%)
(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Steak (40%)
(Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
Ribs (32%)
(Photo by Dylan Rives/Getty Images for SOBEWFF®)
Fish (29%)
(Photo by China Photos/Getty Images)
Vegetables (28%)
(Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Shellfish (24%)
(Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)
Fruit (24%)
(Photo by Brian Ach/Getty Images for Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi)
Meat substitutes (Plant-based burgers, tofu, etc.) (22%)
(Photo by Adam Berry/Getty Images)
