Steal This Aldi Grocery List For Your Labor Day BBQ

We never need an excuse to fire up the grill (it's very much an if the day ends in a "y" situation), so with Labor Day in our sights, it's a good idea to start stocking up on all those BBQ essentials. Happily, if you happen to live near one of Aldi's more than 2,680 outlets, we've got great news: it's got you covered for everything you need, including a handy pick-up service, ideal if you prefer ordering online or you just want to avoid the crowds.

If you've never tried Aldi before, you're in for a treat! Although it doesn't carry as many products as some bigger chains, there are plenty of goodies (and bargains) waiting to be snapped up at significantly low prices. We've put together a selection of choice must-haves for anyone feeding themselves or a whole party this Labor Day, so get your note-taking apps at the ready to write them all down. All prices and availability were correct at the time of writing but can vary depending on location and time. It's always worth confirming with your local Aldi store to ensure a product is in stock.

No BBQ can be considered complete without a burger or two, and if beef is your bag, this is one six-pack you'll want to get your hands on. They're frozen for easy storage, and at one-third of a pound, they're hearty enough for even the healthiest appetite. These patties also come unseasoned so you can have 'em as they come or gussy them up with herbs and spices. If you're quick, you might also get 16% off the usual price.

Buy Cattlemen's Ranch Unseasoned Black Angus Beef Patties for $10.45.

There are no nitrates, artificial colors, or preservatives in these tasty-looking beef franks from Aldi's Parkview brand. Instead, you get eight pre-cooked hot dogs that will save you time when the grill is rocking and keep your hungry guests happy. It's worth noting that hot dogs from Aldi brand Simply Nature are among several grocery store dogs that are 100% beef.

Buy Parkview Uncured Beef Franks for $4.95.

Millions of home cooks make their own burger patties for Labor Day BBQs, and if you want to join their ranks, Aldi has got you covered. This lean ground beef costs around $6.19 per pound and has a roughly 80% to 20% meat-to-fat ratio, which is spot-on for combining with your fave herbs or spices and turning into juicy burgers. Read up on our essential tips for grilling them to perfection.

Buy 80% Lean Ground Beef for around $13.93 per pack.

You need something crunchy to go with all those burgers and hot dogs, and we're big fans of these thick-cut Season's Choice French Fries. They contain no trans fat, so they're better for us and come in a handy 28-ounce bag. You can either cook your fries in the oven or deep fry them, and satisfied customers say they're deliciously soft on the inside with a crunchy exterior, just the way a good fry ought to be.

Buy Season's Choice Steak Cut French Fries for $3.19.

We love us a soft burger bun, and Aldi has a wide selection for Labor Day (and beyond). We were especially taken by these eight-packs of Kaiser buns, which, although they have that classic sweetness, don't contain any high fructose corn syrup. If you don't get through them all during your BBQ, use the leftovers for French toast — but cooked this way for faster results!

Buy L'oven Fresh Classic Kaiser Buns for $3.29.

Salsa is a key component of any good Labor Day cookout, but if you don't have time to rustle up your own, grab a jar or three of this — your taste buds will thank you later. It's on the chunky side, but if you prefer it smoother, just give it a blitz. While the mild flavor will please younger guests, add some hot sauce in a separate serving for those who like it with a little more kick.

Buy Casa Mamita Chunky Salsa for $2.85.

The colorful label was the first thing to catch our eye with this sauce, which is one of three varieties (Texas and Kansas City-style being the other two). We plan to slather it on all our barbecued meats like it's going out of fashion, but Burman's also makes a delicious dipping sauce (hello chicken nuggets), not to mention an amazing marinade.

Buy Burman's Memphis Style BBQ Sauce for $3.85.

We offered Sam Adams connoisseurs our selection of tasty lager dupes, but if you want a non-alcoholic alternative for your Labor Day get-together, make like an Aldi regular and pick up a 4-pack of root beer from Summit. It's made with real sugar and is practically guaranteed to zip you back to your childhood faster than you can say "the key to the best home-made root beer float is all in the glass."

Buy Summit Sparkling Non-Alcoholic Root Beer for $3.95.

We're down for anything that has even the slightest connection to peanut butter, so the moment we clapped eyes on these savory, nutty snacks, our hearts were lost. For a delicious experience, simply crunch down on a pretzel pillow and allow the creamy, sweet peanut butter to ooze onto your grateful taste buds. Repeat until the bag is empty. We recommend buying several at once, because we predict these fellas will fly.

Buy Clancy's Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels for $5.19.

No matter how big your BBQ plans for Labor Day, there is always room for dessert. This family-sized box brownie mix means that, at least in theory, you can bake enough for all your guests. Add this chewy addition to make them even more exciting, or perhaps add something crunchy to the mix if a new texture intrigues you. If by some miracle you have any brownie mix left over, you can keep it for the next time you assemble the fam.

Buy Baker's Corner Fudge Brownie Mix for $1.75.