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Whether you’re grilling with your family or venturing into post-pandemic entertaining, these recipes will spark joy in you and everyone around you! Wishing you a happy Memorial Day filled with your favorite recipes and all the people who matter most.
For many of us, Memorial Day serves as the unofficial start to summer. The last day of school is just around the corner, and then it’s off to summer camp, the lake, camping, or any myriad of wholesome family fun.
But first, let’s barbecue! “Monday holidays” are always an excuse to fire up the grill, gather with friends and family, and dig in to your favorite warm-weather dishes.
Table of Contents
Best Bacon Cheeseburger
If you’re like me, you’ve been eatings beer brats any day that is warm enough to grill! So this Memorial Day, I’m shifting gears ever so slightly in favor of burgers with bacon and cheese (or whatever else floats your boat!). I love a good burger!
1
Best Bacon Cheeseburger
More backyard barbecue favorites
Beef Recipes
Grilled Tri-Tip
Chicken and Turkey Recipes
Lemon Pepper Chicken
Mexican Recipes
Carne Asada
Chipotle Copycat Recipes
Chipotle Chicken (Copycat)
2
Wisconsin Beer Brats
Pork, Ham, and Lamb Recipes
Grilled Pork Tenderloin
Fish and Seafood Recipes
Grilled Shrimp Skewers
Fish and Seafood Recipes
Grilled Fish Tacos with Spicy Slaw
Beef Recipes
Grilled New York Strip Steak
3
Grilled Pork Chops
Appetizer Recipes
Smoked Chicken Wings
Grilling and Smoker Recipes
Smoked Chicken Breast
Grilling and Smoker Recipes
Smoked Turkey
Grilling and Smoker Recipes
Smoked Salmon
4
Smoked Tri-Tip
Easy Garden Salad
There is no better way to celebrate new spring vegetables than with a fresh, colorful garden salad. Follow my ingredient suggestions OR create the salad of your dreams! And I’m all about store-bought shortcuts except when it comes to salad dressing. I hope you can find one you’ll love to make.
5
Easy Garden Salad
More spectacular veggie salads
Salad Recipes
California Pasta Salad
Salad Recipes
Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Cheese
Salad Recipes
Chickpea Salad
Salad Recipes
Seven Layer Salad
6
The Best Macaroni Salad
Salad Recipes
Asparagus Salad
Salad Recipes
Baby Bok Choy Salad with Sesame Dressing
Salad Recipes
BLT Pasta Salad
Salad Recipes
Easy Potato Salad
7
Creamy Cucumber Salad
Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Somewhere between a salad and dessert, this classic Midwestern side dish is the perfect combination of salty and sweet, creamy and crunchy, and downright delicious addictiveness. This strawberry version is most popular but the raspberry pretzel salad is good too!
8
Strawberry Pretzel Salad
More classic fruit sides
Fruit Dessert Recipes
Snickers Salad
Salad Recipes
24 Hour Fruit Salad
Side Dish Recipes
Raspberry Pretzel Salad
Salad Recipes
Easy Grape Salad
9
Fruit Salad
Salad Recipes
Strawberry Spinach Salad
Mexican Recipes
Pineapple Salsa
Salad Recipes
Apple Walnut Salad
Salad Recipes
24 Hour Fruit Salad
10
Frog Eye Salad
Cowboy Caviar
Cowboy Caviar lands somewhere between an appetizer and a salad, and it’s fantastic. This classic Midwestern side dish is loaded with beans, corns, vegetables, and a sweet and spicy dressing. It’s great with chips or on the side of grilled meats, and it’s perfect for cooling down in hot weather.
11
Cowboy Caviar
More fantastic warm-weather snacks
Chipotle Copycat Recipes
Chipotle Guacamole (Copycat)
Chipotle Copycat Recipes
Chipotle Tomato Salsa (Copycat)
Appetizer Recipes
Chex Mix Recipe
Appetizer Recipes
Ranch Oyster Crackers
12
Crockpot Meatballs with Grape Jelly Sauce
Appetizer Recipes
Black Bean Salsa
Appetizer Recipes
The Best Jalapeño Poppers
Appetizer Recipes
Pigs in a Blanket
Appetizer Recipes
Hummus with Za’atar Butter
13
Bruschetta
Scotcheroos
These “elevated” Rice Krispy bars have peanut butter in the mix and melted chocolate and butterscotch on top. Make or bring a plate of them to pass and watch them disappear!
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Scotcheroos
More treats to share
15
Congo Bars
Cookie Recipes
Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies
Cookie Recipes
Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
Cookie Recipes
M&M Cookies
Cookie Recipes
Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Recipe
16
Blondies
Fruit Punch
Quench your thirst with this easy, tropical punch flavored with lemonade, orange juice, and pineapple juice. This recipe doesn’t have alcohol, but you can stash a bottle on the side (vodka, rum, brandy) for the adults who want a splash.
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Fruit Punch
More thirst quenchers
Cocktail Recipes
Iced Tea Berry Sangria
Drink Recipes
Moscato Sangria
Drink Recipes
New Mother Mocktail (Juice Blend)
Drink Recipes
Lavender Lemonade
18
Strawberry Peach Frosé
Cocktail Recipes
Pink Lemonade Vodka Slush
Cocktail Recipes
Paloma Cocktail
Drink Recipes
How to Make Lemonade
Drink Recipes
Arnold Palmer
19
Strawberry Margarita
Wishing you and yours a safe and happy Memorial Day!
Meggan Hill is a classically-trained chef and professional writer. Her meticulously-tested recipes and detailed tutorials bring confidence and success to home cooks everywhere. Meggan has been featured on NPR, HuffPost, FoxNews, LA Times, and more.