If you’re planning to fire up the grill here in West Texas this Fourth of July, good news: your cookout is technically cheaper than it was last year…by a whole 30 cents. Hey, in this economy, we’ll take the win!
The Report
According to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual report, the average Independence Day cookout for 10 people across the country will cost $70.92 this year. That’s a slight dip from 2024’s $71.22, averaging just over $7 per person. It’s not exactly a windfall, but it is the first year-over-year price drop in a while.
And here in West Texas, where we like our beef big and our servings bigger, that number may feel a little…optimistic.
What’s on the Menu?
The AFBF came up with their total using a pretty standard party menu: ground beef, chicken breasts, pork chops, hamburger buns, cheese slices, potato salad, pork-and-beans, potato chips, cookies, ice cream, strawberries, and lemonade. No mention of brisket, ribs, or ice-cold Lone Star beer—so let’s just say the Lubbock version of this cookout might run a bit higher, especially if you’re smoking a brisket, feeding your cousins, your cousin’s cousins, and that neighbor who always “just happens to be walking by.”
Still, the small dip in price is better than nothing, especially since the report notes that inflation and supply issues have kept some prices “stubbornly high.” Ground beef and chicken are steady, but items like chips, buns, and ice cream are still giving wallets a workout…