Memorial Day weekend is the official opening of the summer cookout season. Thanks to inflation, your cookout is going to cost you a lot more than it did last year.
How much more will firing up the barbecue cost in 2022? Check out our breakdown of 14 foods and drinks you need for any great cookout. All cost increases come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index.
Earn cash back on everyday purchases with this rare account
Want to earn cash back on your everyday purchases without using a credit card? With the Discover®️ Cashback Debit Checking account (member FDIC), you can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month!1
With no credit check to apply and no monthly fees to worry about, you can earn nearly passive income on purchases you’re making anyway — up to an extra $360 a year!
This rare checking account has other great perks too, like access to your paycheck up to 2 days early with Early Pay, no minimum deposit or monthly balance requirements, over 60K fee-free ATMs, and the ability to add cash to your account at Walmart stores nationwide.
Don’t leave money on the table — it only takes minutes to apply and it won’t impact your credit score.
Apply for a Discover Cashback Checking account today
Hot dogs
You can’t really have a cookout without hot dogs, especially if there are kids involved. Unfortunately, the price of those red-hots is boiling over. Hot dogs currently cost 5.35% more than they did last year.
Ground beef
Good ground beef for hamburgers is fatty and rich, but the rising cost of such meat might give you indigestion. Ground beef costs 5.5% more this year than it did last year.
Ice cream
Surprisingly, you won't be paying much more for deliciousness this year. Ice cream is only up 0.24% over last year. In other words, we can still all scream for ice cream.
Get a protection plan on all your appliances
Did you know if your air conditioner stops working, your homeowner’s insurance won’t cover it? Same with plumbing, electrical issues, appliances, and more.
Whether or not you’re a new homeowner, a home warranty from Choice Home Warranty could pick up the slack where insurance falls short and protect you against surprise expenses. If a covered system in your home breaks, you can call their hotline 24/7 to get it repaired.
For a limited time, you can get your first month free with a Single Payment home warranty plan.
Soft drinks
Fill a cooler with ice and toss in cans of soda, and let your guests serve themselves. Or, if you are on a tight budget, maybe you should suggest guests bring their own refreshments. Soft drinks are 4.08% more expensive this year than last year.
Rolls
Good news: hot dog and burger rolls have an increase in price under 1%. You won't have to feel guilty about eating extra carbs with these surprisingly low prices.
Trending Stories
Cookies
Cookies are easier to serve and eat than slices of cake, so they’re a no-brainer for a cookout. You'll also love to hear that cookies are only 0.81% higher in price this year compared to last year.
Chicken
Grilled chicken is a juicy, charred-tasting alternative to burgers and dogs. We were shocked to see that chicken prices are only 2.1% higher this year compared to 2023. Run to the store and get some chicken.
Potatoes
Toss whole potatoes on the grill to bake, or slice them, toss them with oil and salt, and wrap in foil to put on the grill to roast. Potatoes have always been an affordable staple, and they are even cheaper this year. Potatoes have decreased in price by 2.69% this year, making your cookout even more affordable.
Tomatoes
Nice juicy tomato slices make your burger better. However, you may consider substituting them for something else this year. Tomato prices are up 5.57% this year compared to last.
Stop overpaying when you shop online
Shopping online has its perks. It's super convenient, but it can be time consuming to find the best deals. Instead of hunting for coupon codes (that don't always work!) and opening tons of browser tabs comparing prices, you can try Capital One Shopping.
Capital One Shopping makes saving money effortless. Just add the browser extension and when you check out, it'll scour the internet for coupon codes to help you save cash. And before you check out at 25+ major retailers, Capital One Shopping will notify you with a friendly pop-up if the item you're buying is available cheaper somewhere else.
Capital One Shopping is free to use and won't show you ads. Add it today and stop overpaying!2
Lettuce
A crisp lettuce leaf makes your burger taste refreshing. Lettuce will taste even better this year because it is 0.63% in price compared to last year.
Ketchup and mustard
Ketchup and mustard can add flavor to your hamburgers and hot dogs, but this year, you can’t enjoy them without also enduring the bitter taste of higher costs. Condiments as a category are 2.66% more expensive than last year.
Pickle relish
Pickle relish is the key to a great hot dog, and this year you will pay up for that invaluable ingredient. Relish is 2.12% more expensive this year than last year.
Bottom line
Surprisingly, your Memorial Day cookout shouldn't cost too much more this year than it did last year.
While some item's prices did increase significantly in price, many items saw little to no increase, making your Memorial Day Weekend plans affordable and enjoyable,
Since the whole point is to gather family and friends, hosting a cookout remains the winning, affordable Memorial Day Weekend plan.
Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Current Offer
$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
Benefits
- Low spend threshold for its welcome offer — $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
- Cell phone protection benefit (subject to a $25 deductible)
- Can redeem rewards at an ATM for literal cash
Drawbacks
- Foreign transaction fee of 3%
- No bonus categories
- Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
- $0 annual fee.
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
Author Details