Summer is almost here and there’s no better way to celebrate than with your favorite people and tons of delicious food! This post rounds up 28 of the best Memorial Day cookout recipes; everything from starters to dessert for the perfect summer barbecue soiree.
Growing up, Memorial Day weekend always signaled the official start of summer.
You know, even if the calendar doesn’t say summer is coming until mid-June.
Even though we always had a few weeks of school left, that weekend in May was always filled with my favorite summer activities: endless hours at the pool and eating food fresh off the grill.
As an adult, my interests haven’t changed much; I still love spending afternoons poolside (preferably with a good book and co*cktail) and grilling is one of my favorite ways to cook (so much so we do it all year round).
With the start of summer just a week away and temperatures skyrocketing in Charlotte to above 90 degrees (yeesh!) I have a feeling we’ll be spending this holiday weekend the same way I did when I was 10 years old.
And whether you also have pool party plans this weekend, or you’re hosting friends and family over to celebrate, or you’re just looking for some festive recipes, I’ve rounded up 28 of my favorite Memorial Day cookout recipes to help you celebrate the start of summer!
(PS: this Memorial Day cookout recipes list is also perfect for any Fourth of July cookouts, parties or festivities you’re planning, or any other summer soirees!)
These make ahead appetizers will satiate guests while they wait for burgers, brats, ribs and hot dogs to come off the grill at your Memorial Day cookout. Pimento cheese easily elevated with flavorful add ins like jalapenos and bacon, plus it's super easy to make and keeps really well in the fridge! Savor summer with this new take on "grilled cheese!" Spicy cheese straws are a Southern party staple that are sure to be a hit at your summer soiree. This jalapeno poppers recipe features three cheeses, a variety of spices, and then the jalapeno poppers are baked, not fried, for a lighter, easy party appetizer. Deviled eggs are go-to summer party and barbecue starter or side dish...so kick them up a notch with some homemade pimento cheese! One of the most popular dips, guacamole made with fresh avocado, tomato, onion, cilantro and garlic is a summer cookout must! Cantaloupe caprese salad screams summer with fresh colors and flavors, and is a fun spin on the traditional tomato dish. Photo Credit:www.foodlion.com These watermelon and blueberry fruit skewers are so festive for Memorial Day or Fourth of July festivities! No summer cookout is complete without something hot and fresh off the grill. These grilling recipes are more than just your typical hot dog or hamburger and will elevate your Memorial Day, Fourth of July, or other summer parties! An easy, homemade Coca-Cola barbecue sauce makes these grilled ribs a little bit sweet and a little bit spicy. These steak fajitas pack a lot of flavor with a lot of ease; let steak and veggies bathe in their beer bath for a few hours or overnight, and then grill them up. Grilled pizza is a great summer cookout option; this fancy Hawaiian grilled pizza has bright, bold flavors and a crispy crust your guests are sure to love. Brats are boiled in a beer bath and then grilled until they are perfectly cooked. You can go with classic toppings, and lay out everyone’s favorite condiments to have your friends and family squirt on as they please, or kick it up a notch with a smoky, spicy beer cheese sauce. Marinate pork tenderloin in a sweet and spicy sauce before loading up skewers with veggies, pork and pineapple and grilling them. From fruit salad to more indulgent chocolate fondue, these desserts will satisfy the sweet tooth of your guests at your Memorial Day cookout. A colorful, fresh, festive treat featuring fresh strawberries, pineapple, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and watermelon. Easy lemon bars boast a bright, fresh flavor and are a quick, delicious, easy dessert to bake from scratch ahead of any party. Fresh peaches, vanilla ice cream and homemade salted caramel sauce, make up this simple, summertime sweet treat. S’mores fondue is a quick, easy, delicious way to get the classic flavors of summer, sans campfire. Photo Credit:www.foodlion.com This fresh watermelon dish combines two of my favorite things: fruit and pizza! A fresh watermelon slice is slathered with a sweet mix of ricotta and cream cheese and then topped with fresh berries. Photo Credit:www.foodlion.com This tart is an easy and light Memorial Day cookout recipe featuring a ginger crust and fresh blueberries that can be made a day ahead of time and stored in the fridge until serving. You'll definitely need something at your Memorial Day cookout to wash it all down, so make sure you make a batch of these refreshing summertime co*cktails. Watermelon frose is easy to make for a crowd ahead of time and is full of classic flavors, making it a popular summertime co*cktail in our house. A fruity spin on the classic gin rickey co*cktail, this Raspberry Gin Seltzer is a fizzy, light and refreshing co*cktail perfect for spring and summer sipping! Cool down and escape to the tropics while sipping on Hurricane Matthew, a classic hurricane drink recipe inspired by the sweet co*cktails of New Orleans. With only three ingredients, this punch is perfect for a crowd and can easily be made into a mocktail or co*cktail. This red, white and blue co*cktail is perfect for your Memorial Day or Fourth of July celebrations! Two of my favorite summer ingredients, blackberries and basil, are combined in this sippable gin drink! A refreshing spin on a classic summertime treat with lime granita and beer! The traditional tropical co*cktail is taken to the next level with a little extra spicy kick. Simple and straightforward with just three ingredients, margaritas are always popular and so easy to make at home.memorial day cookout recipes: appetizers
bacon jalapeno pimento cheese
grilled brie with strawberries and soy balsamic glaze
spicy cheese straws
roasted jalapeno poppers
pimento cheese deviled eggs
simple guacamole
cantaloupe caprese summer salad
Patriotic Fruit Appetizers - Watermelon & Blueberry Sparklers
memorial day cookout recipes: grilling recipes
grilled baby back ribs with a coca-cola barbecue sauce
modelo marinated steak fajitas
fancy hawaiian grilled pizza with ham, pineapple, caramelized onions and arugala
beer brats two ways
teriyaki pork tenderloin kabobs
memorial day cookout: desserts
red, white, and blue fruit salad
easy lemon bars
grilled peach sundaes
s'mores fondue for two
Fresh Watermelon Dessert Pizza Recipe
Ginger Crust Fruit Tart Recipe with Blueberries & Honeyed Yogurt
memorial day cookout recipes: co*cktails
watermelon frozen rosé
raspberry gin seltzer
hurricane matthew (a hurricane drink recipe)
sparkling raspberry lemonade punch
patriotic pina colada
blackberry basil gin fizz
corona floats
habanero rum punch
classic margaritas
