As Memorial Day approaches, Americans everywhere prepare to honor those who gave their lives in service to our country and gather with family and friends. Make sure you have everything you need for a memorable Memorial Day cookout.
Whether your cookout menu involves more traditional backyard barbecue fare, such as steakburgers and hot dogs, or main entrees such as grilled steak, chicken or seafood, it’s important to plan out your menu in advance.
Craft your cookout menu by choosing one or two entrees, then fill out the rest of your table with a variety of sides. Take into consideration which ingredients are in season and select dishes that call for those items. This will help you ensure your Memorial Day menu is fresh and flavorful.
Whether you prefer juicy steakburgers and all beef hot dogs sizzling on the grill, a perfectly seared ribeye, filet mignon or Kansas City strip steak, or even surf ‘n’ turf, every backyard barbecue boss needs a stash of stellar recipes in their pocket.
Pick your protein, then secure status as the “grill guru” with some of our favorite Memorial Day recipes guaranteed to impress your guests and elevate your cookout game!
Burgers and hot dogs may be the “go-to” summer cookout choice, but that doesn’t mean they have to be boring. Start with classic steakburgers and jumbo, all beef hot dogs, then coax them to hero status with the perfect cookout recipe for Memorial Day. We recommend an epic hot dog bar, paired with a truly stellar burger. Try one of our favorite recipes: All American Double Decker Cheddar Bacon Cheeseburger, Hawaiian Steak Burger or Caprese Burger.
Barbecued chicken is always a crowd pleaser, but for this Memorial Day celebration, why not pull out all the stops? Choose boneless chicken breasts, then pick a winning barbecue chicken recipe to serve your guests. Try Barbeque Chicken, Grilled Spicy Lemon Chicken, or Jerk Rubbed Chicken with Mango Serrano Sauce.
If the best of land and sea is your pleasure, we’ve got you covered. Choose your favorite cut of steak, then pair with a favorite seafood recipe: Citrus Buttered Lobster Tails, Seared Scallops with Bacon, or Grilled Shrimp Kabobs with Ginger Lime Vinaigrette.
Steak is always the right choice, and it is the quintessential cookout food, so it’s no surprise that we saved the best for last. Whether tender, juicy ribeye steak, Kansas City strip steak or filet mignon, you won’t go wrong with steak on your cookout menu. Shake things up and try something new like Jack’s Green Chile Steak, Grilled K.C. Strip with Pancetta Butter, or Grilled Filet with Shellfish Butter.
Now that you’ve figured out your main course for your cookout menu, it’s time to figure out your side dishes. Cookout side dishes should be simple to prepare, chock full of fresh, seasonal ingredients, and above all complementary to your main entree. For more casual fare like steakburgers and hot dogs, choose simple sides like Steak Fries or Potato Salad.
If you’re serving barbecue chicken, surf ‘n’ turf or steak for your Memorial Day cookout, consider Vegetable Kabobs, Grilled Potatoes, or even a Grilled Garden Salad. The key here is to choose a side dish or two that will highlight the flavor of your main entree, without overpowering it.
Finally, round out your cookout menu with something sweet. The unofficial start of summer is the perfect time to try some Grilled Peaches with Ice Cream or Grilled Summer Fruit with Bourbon Glaze and Vanilla Bean Ice Cream.
You’re grill-ready! Tell us your Memorial Day plans in the comments below, and don’t forget to mention what you’ll be grilling!
