Labor Day grilling is the one cookout of the year I want to keep simple — these eight Walmart picks have the whole cookout covered, and nothing costs more than $15.
1. Kingsford Original Charcoal Briquettes, 8 lbs – $7.92
Marked down from $9.99, this bag of Kingsford briquettes is 8 pounds of the charcoal that’s been lighting backyard grills for decades — made from North American ingredients and ready to cook in about 15 minutes. Under $8 for a full cookout’s worth of reliable heat is a deal, full stop.
Parting Thoughts: Down from $9.99, this is the bag that earns its spot in every Labor Day haul.
2. Expert Grill Charcoal Chimney Starter for Outdoors, with Safety Handle – $10.97
I ditched lighter fluid the summer I started using a chimney starter, and this galvanized steel Expert Grill model gets coals ready in 10 to 15 minutes using just charcoal and a fire starter — no fluid, no chemical smell. At $10.97, it pays for itself the very first cookout.
Parting Thoughts: One purchase that removes lighter fluid from the equation, permanently.
3. Expert Grill 3-in-1 Cold Grill Brush with Stainless Steel Scraper – $5.97
A gunked-up grate transfers last week’s residue straight onto this week’s food — this 3-in-1 brush handles cleanup with a stainless scraper, a wire brush side, and a reverse scrub pad designed to work on cool grates after the fire’s out. At $5.97 with 4.3-plus stars from over a thousand reviews, this is one of the easiest calls on the list.
Parting Thoughts: Under $6 for a cleanup tool this well-rated — it’s the thing you keep forgetting to buy until you need it.
4. Mainstays 3-Piece Stainless Steel Barbecue Grill Tool Set – $13.78
Spatula, tongs, fork — the three tools every grill station needs — stainless steel with black plastic handles, all for $13.78. You’ll find comparable sets at two or three times this price; this one gets the job done.
Parting Thoughts: Fourteen bucks for a complete grill-station toolkit is just straightforwardly good value.
5. Great Value Beef Burgers, 80% Lean/20% Fat, 3 lbs, 12 Count (Frozen) – $14.97
Twelve individually frozen 80/20 beef patties in a reclosable bag, ready to cook straight from the freezer — on the grill, in a pan, or under the broiler, no thawing needed. At $14.97 for a dozen, that’s just over a dollar a patty to feed a whole Labor Day crowd.
Parting Thoughts: At just over a buck a patty for twelve, this is the most practical protein pick on the list.
6. Oscar Mayer Bun-Length Wieners Hot Dogs, 8 Count Pack – $2.84
Some things just belong on a charcoal grill, and a bun-length wiener is near the top of that list — these Oscar Mayer hot dogs are made with chicken, turkey, and pork, no fillers or by-products, and they fit perfectly in a standard bun. At $2.84 for eight from the refrigerated case, the price-per-dog math is almost embarrassing.
Parting Thoughts: For less than forty cents a wiener, this is a Labor Day staple that doesn’t need justification.
7. Fresh Sweet Corn on the Cob, 4 Count – $3.48
The grill is already hot — these four pre-husked, pre-washed ears of sweet corn come from the refrigerated produce section and are ready to grill, steam, boil, or microwave straight away. At $3.48 for four ears, it’s the most effortless side dish on any Labor Day table.
Parting Thoughts: Fresh, already husked, and cheaper than almost anything else in this cart — obvious add.
8. bettergoods Korean Style BBQ Sauce, 12 oz – $3.94
Skip the pricey specialty bottle — this bettergoods Korean-style BBQ sauce brings sweet and savory flavor with a mild heat level and works as a marinade, glaze, or dipping sauce for chicken, beef, or pork. At $3.94 for 12 ounces and 19 servings, it’s a flavor upgrade that costs less than a fast food drink.
Parting Thoughts: A $3.94 bottle that makes whatever goes on the grate taste like you actually put in effort.
