Record beef prices are forcing many families to rethink Memorial Day grilling plans, but affordable pollo asado, pork, chorizo, and classic Mexican sides can still deliver a full backyard feast.
For many families across California and Los Angeles, Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer. It is also one of the biggest barbecue weekends of the year, with millions of Americans firing up grills for backyard cookouts, family gatherings, and neighborhood parties.
But in 2026, one staple of the holiday has become noticeably harder to afford: beef.
Prices for popular grilling cuts like skirt steak, flank steak, and arrachera have climbed sharply as cattle supplies remain tight nationwide. The same carne asada that once anchored affordable family cookouts is now a serious splurge for many households already dealing with high grocery bills, rising rent, and lingering inflation pressures.
That sticker shock is reshaping how families plan Memorial Day gatherings this year, especially in Latino communities across California where backyard asados are a major tradition.
Still, many families are finding ways to keep the celebration alive without overspending.
Memorial Day weekend is one of the busiest grilling holidays in the United States, second only to the Fourth of July. Industry surveys estimate that roughly 57% to 60% of Americans plan to barbecue during the long weekend.
The holiday also generates more than $1.5 billion in meat and seafood sales alone.
For many families, especially in Southern California, the weekend combines several traditions at once:
- honoring military service members
- gathering with extended family
- celebrating the end of the school year
- enjoying the first major outdoor weekend of warm weather
Across Los Angeles County, cookouts often carry strong cultural traditions tied to Mexican and Latino grilling styles, from carne asada and al pastor tacos to grilled cebollitas, nopales, and homemade frijoles.
This year, however, many shoppers are adjusting their menus after seeing grocery store prices.
The biggest reason beef prices ar so high is because of a nationwide cattle shortage.
Years of drought, expensive feed costs, and shrinking herd sizes have reduced beef supplies across the United States. As a result, steak prices have surged at supermarkets throughout California.
Popular carne asada cuts have been hit especially hard because they are already in high demand heading into summer grilling season.
For many Los Angeles families, the cost of feeding a large group with traditional beef cuts can now exceed several hundred dollars.
That has pushed many shoppers toward cheaper proteins that still work well on the grill.
Affordable alternatives that still feel like a real asado
Pollo asado remains one of the best bargains
Chicken thighs and drumsticks continue to offer some of the best value for large gatherings.
Many families are marinating chicken with orange juice, lime, achiote paste, garlic, and oregano to recreate the bright flavor and color associated with classic street-style pollo asado.
Chicken also stretches further for bigger parties and stays juicy even when cooked in bulk.
Pork is becoming the MVP of budget grilling
Pork shoulder, ribs, and al pastor-style tacos are increasingly replacing expensive steak platters at family cookouts.
Thin slices of marinated pork shoulder grilled over high heat can still create the smoky taco stand flavor many families want without the cost of premium beef.
Pork ribs are also attracting shoppers looking for crowd-pleasing options that cost far less per pound than steak.
Chorizo helps stretch meals cheaply
Mexican chorizo and longaniza remain some of the most affordable proteins available.
A few grilled links can fill dozens of tacos when combined with beans, grilled vegetables, and tortillas. Some families are also mixing chorizo directly into frijoles charros to create heartier side dishes that feed larger groups.
Families are stretching smaller amounts of beef
Instead of serving giant steaks to every guest, many cookouts are shifting toward mixed parrilladas.
A smaller amount of carne asada is sliced thin and served alongside:
- grilled chicken
- chorizo
- nopales
- cebollitas
- peppers
- tortillas
- beans
- rice
The strategy allows families to preserve the flavor and tradition of carne asada while keeping grocery costs manageable.
Mexican side dishes are becoming more important
Inflation is also pushing many families back toward classic homemade side dishes that are filling and affordable.
Large pots of:
- frijoles de olla
- Mexican rice
- grilled vegetables
- pasta salad
- tortillas
can feed large groups without dramatically increasing costs.
For many families, the emphasis this year is less about expensive cuts of meat and more about gathering together.
Food inflation remains one of the biggest financial pressures facing California households in 2026, especially in Los Angeles where housing, transportation, and grocery costs continue rising.
Memorial Day cookouts are becoming another example of how families are adapting daily traditions to survive higher living expenses.
Still, grilling remains deeply tied to family, community, and celebration. Many households are proving that a meaningful backyard barbecue does not require premium steak prices.
For some, this year’s Memorial Day menu may actually look more like the way earlier generations cooked: stretching ingredients carefully, relying on homemade sides, and focusing more on the people around the grill than the price of the meat.
