It’s the time that grill masters get fired up about all year long: Memorial Day weekend. It’s not only the start of backyard barbecue season but an opportunity to come together and remember those who have fought for our country. While we commemorate our armed forces this Memorial Day, we also gather with our loved ones over some delicious food and these unforgettable Memorial Day recipes have got you covered. With upgraded burgers and dogs, one-of-a-kind regional favorites, flavorful sides, drinks, and desserts, this mix-and-match menu packed with Memorial Day recipes will start summer off with a bang.
Marinated Spiral Hot Dogs
Grilled hot dogs and cookouts go together like swimming pools and sunshine, but that doesn’t mean they have to be predictable. A four-ingredient marinade and simple cutting technique turn regular franks into crispy-edged spiral dogs.
Get the recipe: Marinated Spiral Hot Dogs
BBQ Smash Burgers
There’s no list of Memorial Day recipes without smash burgers. They’re having a moment, and once you taste the crispy sear, sealed in flavor, and mouth-watering juiciness, you’ll understand why. Turn up the taste volume even more by topping patties with American cheese, barbecue sauce, and crunchy fried onions.
Get the recipe: BBQ Smash Burgers
Grilled Potato Salad
If you’re bored with the same old potato salad, it’s time to crank up the heat. A quick stint on the grill adds smoky flavor to baby gold potatoes tossed with a Dijon vinaigrette for zing and three kinds of herbs for freshness.
Get the recipe: Grilled Potato Salad with Herbs
Buffalo Corn on the Cob
We gave traditional corn on the cob the Buffalo treatment and it might change the way you think about this classic side forever. Bottled wing sauce and blue cheese crumbles add a punch of fiery, funky flavor counterbalanced by the corn’s natural sweetness.
Get the recipe: Buffalo Corn on the Cob
Berry Poke Cake
Enlist little ones to help assemble this make-ahead dessert that gets an extra dose of fruity sweetness from strawberry gelatin. Boxed pudding mix is the secret ingredient for sturdy whipped cream with rich vanilla flavor.
Get the recipe: Berry Poke Cake
Super Summer Fruit Salad
We found a way to make berries even more delicious. Fresh mint and sugar combine for a refreshing sprinkle balanced with the tang of white balsamic vinegar.
Get the recipe: Super Summer Fruit Salad
Blue Cheese Burger
Can’t decide between cheeseburgers and wings this weekend? A combo of blue cheese dressing and crumbles, along with chopped onions and hot sauce, make these beefy burgers the best of both worlds.
Get the recipe: Blue Cheese Burger
Stars and Stripes Frozen Yogurt Cake
These stars and stripes are a festive way to satisfy a sweet tooth—no baking required. Layers of vanilla frozen yogurt (or swap in a layer of fruit sorbet) and fresh berries on a graham cracker crust make for a crowd-pleasing frozen dessert.
Get the recipe: Stars and Stripes Frozen Yogurt Cake
Berry Skewers with Cheesecake Dip
These dessert skewers taste like a slice of fruit-topped cheesecake, but they’re much easier to make. Cubes of store-bought pound cake and fresh berries stack up for dunking in a simple microwave-ready cream cheese dip.
Get the recipe: Berry Skewers with Cheesecake Dip
Kansas City Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs
This recipe takes its cues from Kansas City where they know a thing or two about baby back ribs. The two-step cooking method starts in the slow cooker for maximum tenderness and finishes on the grill for a hint of smoky flavor.
Get the recipe: Kansas City Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs
Strawberry-Mint Mocktail
Cool off with this five-ingredient blended beverage. It’s a sweet strawberry delight with the surprising twist of mint and a touch of lime.
Get the recipe: Strawberry-Mint Mocktail
Alabama Chicken Sandwiches with White Barbecue Sauce
If you’ve never had Alabama-style white barbecue sauce before, your chicken is missing out. The creamy, zingy mixture of mayo, horseradish, cider vinegar, and Dijon takes grilled chicken sandwiches to a new level of deliciousness.
Get the recipe: Alabama Chicken Sandwiches with White Barbecue Sauce
Dry Rub Pork Tenderloin
A homemade spice rub turns lean, quick-cooking pork tenderloin into a flavor bomb served hot off the grill. The spicy-sweet blend of brown sugar, celery salt, and spices is also delicious on grilled beef and chicken.
Get the recipe: Dry Rub Pork Tenderloin
Summer Fruit Punch
Nothing beats the summer heat like a cold fruit punch. We added fresh lemons, limes, and oranges for an extra touch of fruity sweetness.
Get the recipe: Summer Fruit Punch
