Ranked: Cheapest stores to shop for burger ingredients in Charlotte

Ranked: Cheapest stores to shop for burger ingredients in Charlotte

If you're planning to grill a burger for the Fourth of July this year, it will likely cost you more.

Why it matters: High beef prices have a number of people considering cheaper proteins from chicken, pork and turkey, Axios' Kelly Tyko reports. Higher prices also extend to traditional toppings like tomatoes.

State of play: Our team visited seven stores in Charlotte on June 29. Each of us shopped for the same seven ingredients to craft a classic burger. These prices are not based on store specials or loyalty program prices.

Caveat: Some items — from the size of ketchup and mustard bottles to the number of cheese slices — varied depending on the grocer. Overall, we tried to keep this as uniform as possible (with the exception of Kraft cheese slices, everything is private label).

Flashback: The last time our team tracked the cost of a burger, it was for Labor Day in 2024. Lidl had the cheapest offerings at $16.74. Nearly two years later, the low-cost German grocer is still the cheapest option, but the cost of a burger has risen to $20.39.

From most to least expensive:

Publix: $28.66

  • 80% Ground beef chuck: $7.33/lb
  • American cheese slices, 16-count: $5.26
  • Hamburger buns, 8-count: $2.34
  • Head of iceberg lettuce: $2.17
  • Beefsteak tomatoes: $2.99/lb
  • Ketchup, 32 oz: $2.99
  • Yellow mustard, 14 oz: $2.79
  • Bread and butter pickle chips, 16 oz: $2.79

    • Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios

    Harris Teeter: $25.22

  • 80% Ground beef chuck: $7.49/lb
  • American cheese slices, 16-count: $4.99
  • Hamburger buns, 8-count: $2.49
  • Head of iceberg lettuce: $1.29
  • Beefsteak tomatoes: $2.49/lb
  • Ketchup, 24 oz: $1.89
  • Yellow mustard, 20 oz: $1.99
  • Bread and butter pickle chips, 16 oz: $2.59

    • Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios

    Walmart: $25.03

  • 80% Ground beef chuck: $7.23 for one pound
  • Kraft American cheese slices, 24-count: $4.68
  • Hamburger buns, 8-count: $1.48
  • Head of iceberg lettuce: $2.28
  • Beefsteak tomatoes, 2-pack: $3.97
  • Ketchup, 24 oz: $1.47
  • Yellow mustard, 20 oz: $1
  • Hamburger dill chips pickles, 32 oz: $2.92

    • Photo: Alexandria Sands/Axios

    Trader Joe's: $24.52

  • 80% Ground beef chuck: $6.49/lb
  • American cheese slices, 12-count: $3.49
  • Hamburger buns, 8-count: $2.99
  • Head of iceberg lettuce: $1.99
  • Beefsteak tomatoes: $1.29 each
  • Ketchup, 20 oz: $2.49
  • Yellow mustard, 20 oz: $1.79
  • Bread and butter pickle chips, 24 oz: $3.99

    • Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios

    Food Lion: $22.52

  • Ground beef chuck: $5.99/lb
  • Kraft American cheese slices, 24-count: $4.69
  • Hamburger buns, 8-count: $2.29
  • Head of iceberg lettuce: $0.99
  • Beefsteak tomatoes, 4-pack: $3.49
  • Ketchup, 20 oz: $1.59
  • Yellow mustard, 20 oz: $0.99
  • Bread and butter pickle chips: $2.49

    • Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios

    Aldi: $21.19

  • 80% Ground beef chuck: $5.79/lb
  • Kraft American cheese slices, 24-count: $4.68
  • Hamburger buns, 8-count: $1.19
  • Head of iceberg lettuce: $2.55
  • Beefsteak tomatoes: $1.95 for bag of two
  • Ketchup, 20 oz: $1.79
  • Yellow mustard, 20 oz: $0.95
  • Bread and butter pickle chips, 24oz: $2.29

    • Photo: McKenzie Rankin/Axios

    Lidl: $20.39

  • Ground beef chuck, 1 lb: $7.99
  • American cheese slices, 16-count: $1.75
  • Hamburger buns, 8-count: $1.19
  • Head of iceberg lettuce: $2.29
  • Beefsteak tomatoes: $2.15
  • Ketchup, 20 oz: $1.49
  • Yellow mustard, 20 oz: $0.98
  • Bread and butter pickle chips:$2.55

    • Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios