{"id":361367,"date":"2026-07-04T22:07:18","date_gmt":"2026-07-04T22:07:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/361367\/"},"modified":"2026-07-04T22:07:18","modified_gmt":"2026-07-04T22:07:18","slug":"where-to-shop-for-fourth-of-july-cookout-deals-in-fort-worth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/361367\/","title":{"rendered":"Where to shop for Fourth of July cookout deals in Fort Worth"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"The<\/p>\n

The classic Fourth of July popsicle, Bomb Pops at H-E-B in Fort Worth on June 30, 2026.<\/p>\n

Ella Gonzales<\/p>\n

egonzales@star-telegram.com<\/p>\n

An estimated 62 percent of Fourth of July patriots<\/a> plan to celebrate America\u2019s 250th birthday with a cookout, barbecue or picnic this year. With beef prices continuously rising<\/a>, how much will that cost?<\/p>\n

The annual American Farm Bureau Federation Fourth of July cookout survey<\/a> estimates a four percent price increase from last year. In 2025, the AFBF found that a 10-person cookout cost $70.92. In 2026, they estimate it will be $73.82.<\/p>\n

Last year, the Star-Telegram price checked a 25-item grocery list equipped for a 10-person barbecue and found that the cheapest option was $56.61 from WinCo<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This year, we price checked the same 25-item Fourth of July list at seven well-shopped stores in Fort Worth on Tuesday, June 30, ahead of the holiday. Of course, we checked the staples like hot dogs, watermelon and corn on the cob, but also some specialty items like red, white and blue popsicles.<\/p>\n

We found out that a 2026 Fourth of July cookout featuring those same 25 items for 10 people cost $97.95 from WinCo. Aldi was a close second, but did not carry five of the items we checked. Overall, WinCo was found to be the cheapest based on total basket price, but let\u2019s take a look at the numbers in depth.<\/p>\n

\"Festive Festive apple pies and cookie cakes at H-E-B in Fort Worth on July 30, 2026 ahead of the Fourth of July holiday. Ella Gonzales egonzales@star-telegram.com Methodology<\/p>\n

To gather the data, our team created a shopping list of 25 Fourth of July BBQ items, based on Star-Telegram\u2019s 2025 survey, AFBF\u2019s 2026 list and Instacart\u2019s 2026 Insights for Independence Day<\/a>.<\/p>\n

At all seven stores, we looked at the lowest prices which really just ended up being each store\u2019s generic brand. To make all the data consistent, we compared items that were the same value in weight.<\/p>\n

However, there are a few specifics you should know.<\/p>\n

For all items, we did not record their sale price (even if they were on sale) but rather their standard price so that we can keep accuracy and consistency ahead of the holiday.All prices recorded are not member prices.We focused on the lowest price for each item, not the brand. For example, instead of always checking \u201cKraft American Cheese,\u201d we recorded the cheapest available brand at each store. As a result, item brands vary by store, but only the lowest-priced option is listed.We broke down cost per ounce, pound or count for all items because available sizes varied between stores. The cost per size is labeled by item (e.g.: 1 pound ground beef, 10 ounce relish).If a store is not listed under an item, it is because that item was not in stock when we went shopping.Produce prices for the tomato and onion are per pound. Corn on the cob came in packs of four. And the watermelon and iceberg lettuce were prices for each. (H-E-B was the only store that didn\u2019t have full sized watermelons. The price shown is for a personal size).Aldi did not carry Coors or White Claws, so we jotted down the price for a 12-pack of 16-ounce Shiner bottles and a 12-pack of Vista Bay seltzers.<\/p>\n

Lastly, it\u2019s important to know which Fort Worth locations we shopped at.<\/p>\n

Aldi: 8977 Tehama Ridge Pkwy., Fort WorthH-E-B: 3451 Heritage Trace Pkwy., Fort WorthKroger: 3300 Texas Sage Trail, Fort WorthTarget: 301 Carroll St., Fort WorthTom Thumb: 2400 W. 7th St., Fort WorthWalmart: 2245 Jacksboro Highway, Fort WorthWinco: 8968 Tehama Ridge Pkwy., Fort Worth \"Grocery Grocery stores in Fort Worth stock up with USA themed merchandise ahead of America\u2019s 250th birthday. Ella Gonzales egonzales@star-telegram.com Which Fort Worth grocery store has the cheapest prices?<\/p>\n

Note: This is not a scientific study, but it is a real reflection of items\u2019 prices at grocery stores in Fort Worth on June 30, 2026.<\/p>\n

Out of the seven stores, we found that WinCo has the best deals. Ranking the seven stores from most expensive to least expensive, we found the 25-item baskets were cheapest at:<\/p>\n

WinCo: $97.95Walmart: $100.61Target: $110.80H-E-B: $114.03Kroger: $119Tom Thumb: $140.15<\/p>\n

Aldi only carried 20 of the 25 items we price-checked on June 30, which made the basket total cheaper than the rest, coming out to $75.90. The missing items were baked beans, charcoal, corn on the cob, hot dogs and watermelon.<\/p>\n

\"Ketchup Ketchup and mustard selection at Kroger in Fort Worth on June 30, 2026. Ella Gonzales egonzales@star-telegram.com How do Fort Worth grocery store prices compare?Which Fort Worth grocery store has the cheapest hot dogs?<\/p>\n

WinCo wins for cheapest hot dogs, with a whopping 78 cents for an 8-pack. During our data analysis, we also found that WinCo had the cheapest price for 10 out of the 25 items.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s which stores had the best deals:<\/p>\n

WinCo had the best prices on grilling mains, meats, cheese, buns and produce.Walmart is a good option for prepared sides like potato salad and baked beans, and also paper products.H-E-B also had good deals on potato salad and alcoholic beverages.Aldi is the best-priced option for condiments and alcoholic beverages (though they may not have the best selection), frozen treats and apple pie. \"Charcoal Charcoal for the Fourth of July holiday at Kroger in Fort Worth on June 30, 2026. Ella Gonzales egonzales@star-telegram.com Have grocery prices risen since the Fourth of July in 2025?<\/p>\n

Since shopping at Fort Worth Grocery stores in late June 2025 for a 10-person cookout, we can confirm that 2026 is more expensive.<\/p>\n

As noted earlier, we found the cheapest 25-item basket came from WinCo for $56.61 in 2025. In 2026, WinCo was also cheapest, but cost $97.95.<\/p>\n

According to our analysis, the biggest price gaps are for alcoholic products, bakery apple pie, watermelon and charcoal.<\/p>\n

Some data analysis in this story was conducted using AI. For more information on how the Star-Telegram and McClatchy newsrooms are using AI, go here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Related Stories from Fort Worth Star-Telegram<\/p>\n


\n \"Profile
\n <\/a><\/p>\n

Ella Gonzales<\/a><\/p>\n

Fort Worth Star-Telegram<\/p>\n

Ella Gonzales is a service journalism reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. She is part of a team of local journalists who answer reader questions and write about life in North Texas. Ella mainly writes about local restaurants and where to find good deals around town.\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The classic Fourth of July popsicle, Bomb Pops at H-E-B in Fort Worth on June 30, 2026. Ella…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":361368,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[116,118,117],"class_list":["post-361367","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-fort-worth","tag-fort-worth","tag-fort-worth-headlines","tag-fort-worth-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/361367","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=361367"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/361367\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/361368"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=361367"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=361367"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=361367"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}