To help you kick off your summer barbecue season with the perfect menu for a Memorial Day BBQ or cookout, we’ve compiled 42 of the best appetizers, salads, main dishes, desserts, and drinks. Take the stress out of finding great recipes to share with friends and family by compiling your complete menu right here.
There’s nothing better than dusting off the grill, getting out the skewers, mixing up the cocktails and making it a fun and food filled Memorial Day. These awesome Memorial Day BBQ recipes will have you feasting your eyes and your stomachs. Click the link to see the full recipe.
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Memorial Day BBQ Recipes to Try
Appetizers
Stuffed Cucumber Bites
These stuffed cucumber bites are an easy cold appetizer or snack. They make a tasty addition to a picnic or packed lunch too.
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Grilled Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
Just because you’re on a keto diet doesn’t mean you can’t grill up amazing appetizers like these Grilled Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Spears.
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Classic Mexican Street Corn (Elote)
A classic Mexican street food, this corn on the cob is charred on the grill, then slathered in mayo, and topped with tangy Cotija cheese, chili powder and cilantro.
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Smoked Pig Shots
These Smoked Pig Shots make an excellent appetizer when you're outside smoking some meat for a BBQ. They are sausages, wrapped in bacon and stuffed with cream cheese and green chilis.
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Smoked Cream Cheese
If you haven't tried Smoked Cream Cheese yet, you must give this tasty appetizer a try. With just two ingredients – cream cheese and dry rub – it's a serious flavor bomb when smoked.
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Salads
Corn & Black Bean Pasta Salad
This Corn & Black Bean Pasta Salad combines fusilli pasta with corn, black beans, bell pepper and cilantro for a Southwestern flair.
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Mediterranean Pasta Salad With Chickpeas
Mediterranean Pasta Salad with Chickpeas combines tangy feta cheese, salty Kalamata olives, sweet grape tomatoes, and crunchy vegetables for a perfect balance of flavors and textures.
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Smoked Baked Beans
Smoking your baked beans can add a whole new level of flavor and complexity.
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Mediterranean Potato Salad with Feta
This Mediterranean Potato Salad recipe is a great BBQ side dish! It’s made with Kalamata olives and feta cheese in a creamy lemon dressing.
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Summer Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing
Summer Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing is a colorful, irresistible treat for any summer occasion. Whether a pool party, backyard barbecue, or picnic, this fruit salad will steal the show with its vibrant, fresh fruit and sweet, zesty dressing!
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Broccoli Salad
This salad is packed with fresh broccoli, bacon, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds and cheese. It's a huge hit at barbecues and parties.
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Bacon, Jalapeño, and Corn Salad
This easy-to-make bacon, jalapeño and corn salad is a great side dish, but it can also be served as a party appetizer or dip.
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Main Dish
Smoked Beer Can Chicken
Smoked Beer Can Chicken is a delicious and flavorful way to cook a whole chicken.
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Simple Grilled Brats Recipe
As we usher in the warm weather, it's time to break out the BBQ and prep for those delightful cookouts. And there's one dish that's bound to be a hit among both family and friends: Grilled Brats.
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Easy Instant Pot Pulled Pork
This Instant Pot Pulled Pork is the ultimate recipe to make tender and flavorful pulled pork from a Pork Butt or Shoulder.
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How to Smoke a Brisket on a Pellet Grill
If you’re wondering how to smoke a brisket on a pellet grill, we’ve got your answer! In this recipe we’ll show you how to smoke a tender, juicy and delicious brisket.
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The Best Smoked Meatloaf Recipe
This dish combines the rich and hearty flavors of meatloaf with the smoky and savory taste of smoked meat.
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Traeger Grilled Chicken Thighs
Traeger Grilled Chicken Thighs are a delicious and easy-to-make meal that is perfect for any occasion. Whether you are hosting a backyard barbecue or simply looking for a quick and tasty dinner these chicken thighs are sure to satisfy.
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North Carolina Style Pulled Pork
This is the best smoked pulled pork recipe you’ll ever make. Traditionally made, in North Carolina style, I use tangy mop sauce for basting and wood chips for smoking on the grill.
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Oven-Roasted Tri Tip Steak
This oven-roasted Tri Tip steak is an easy-to-make, low-cost, and super flavorful dinner that you’ll surely fall in love with. It is perfect for a family BBQ or summer dinner idea.
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Best Brisket Buns
These incredibly tasty brisket buns are made with tender smoked brisket, brioche buns, and a quick pickle.
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Cajun Dry Rub Chicken Wings
These delicious Cajun Dry Rub Chicken Wings are seasoned with a spicy and flavorful Cajun seasoning then cooked to perfection. They're so crispy and delicious, you won't be able to stop eating them.
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Dessert
Easy Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches
Combine two of your favorite desserts into one delicious treat with these homemade brownie ice cream sandwiches, made with boxed or homemade brownies and your favorite ice cream.
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Brookies with Oreos and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
The perfect marriage of rich chocolaty brownie and buttery chewy cookies.
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Apple Pie Bars
These apple pie bars are a BBQ staple! The buttery, flaky base of pie crust, classic apple pie filling, and topped with the most wonderful crispy streusel. Best served with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream.
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Frozen Cheesecake Popsicle Recipe
This Frozen Cheesecake Popsicle Recipe is amazing! Made with cheesecake ice cream and sweet berry compote, these red white and blue popsicles are the perfect way to celebrate summer.
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Gooey Browned Butter S’mores Bars
These gooey browned butter s’mores bars truly live up to their name. They are ooey, gooey, and decadent. If you love s’mores, then these are a must try!
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Old Fashioned Lemon Icebox Pie
No summer gathering is complete without a cool slice of lemon icebox pie! This tangy, creamy pie is made with a homemade graham cracker crust, lemony custard filling, and freshly whipped cream and is sure to make you the star of the barbecue!
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Drinks and Cocktails
Instant Pot Blackberry Iced Tea
This fresh and fruity Blackberry Iced Tea uses in-season fruit to create a tasty summer drink. The instant pot is fantastic for making tea.
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Classic Moscow Mule Recipe
The Classic Moscow Mule has a very good balance of sweet, sour, spicy, and boozy, but watch out…they go down easy!
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Instant Pot Peach Iced Tea
You can make a batch of Instant Pot Peach Iced Tea in just 15 minutes and it won’t heat up your kitchen like it does on the stovetop. Its the perfect drink for a lazy summer afternoon.
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Watermelon Vodka Lemonade
This refreshing watermelon vodka lemonade is super quick and easy to prepare. It combines 2 iconic summer treats and is perfect for a backyard BBQ.
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The Best Strawberry Mojito Recipe
This Strawberry Mojito is packed with fresh, vibrant strawberries and mint, mixed with sugar and rum and soda water.
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Hippie Juice Cocktail for a Crowd
This delicious summer cocktail is made with lemonade and watermelon vodka to make the summer’s best big-batch cocktail for parties and gatherings.
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Angie is a dedicated grilling aficionado who has experimented with a wide variety of techniques, equipment, and ingredients, to discover the endless possibilities of flavors and textures that grilling can achieve.
Love cookout foods! I am trying to decide what two sides to make from this list!
What a great roundup of recipes! Looks like I have my Memorial Day menu planned out perfectly! Excited to give these a try, indeed!
I can’t wait to try ALL of these recipes! Especially those Strawberry Caprese Skewers with Balsamic Glaze!
I am loving all of these! So excited for the start of BBQ season. 🙂