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I rounded up my best Memorial Day recipes to help you plan the perfect holiday menu. You'll find everything from pasta salads, grilled chicken, BBQ ribs, and summer appetizers to fruity desserts, easy cakes, bars, and cocktails.
Memorial Day weekend is almost here, and I can't think of a better way to celebrate than with good food shared with family and friends.
To help you plan your Memorial Day menu, I gathered my 45 best summer recipes and organized them into categories like appetizers, salads, side dishes, grilled mains, desserts, and cocktails.
Everything You Need for Your Summer Cookout
Start your cookout with crowd-pleasing appetizers like Mexican street corn dip or not-your-average puff pastry pigs in a blanket. Add fresh salads like strawberry spinach salad, mango avocado salad, or my most popular Greek pasta salad!
For the main course, recipes like my BBQ ribs, finger-food baked chicken wings, the juiciest grilled pork tenderloin, or vegetarian stuffed portobello mushrooms make Memorial Day cooking easy and stress-free.
And don't skip dessert. Summer desserts are honestly the best part of this holiday weekend. My raspberry lemon cake, lemon brownies, fan-favorite blueberry peach crisp, and key lime bundt cake all deserve a spot on your Memorial Day table.
Whether you're hosting a big Memorial Day BBQ, heading to a potluck, or simply cooking for family at home, these easy 45 summer recipes are perfect for kicking off the season.
Recipe Categories
1) Pasta Salads
1
This quick and easy Greek pasta salad takes only 15 minutes and showcases traditional Mediterranean cuisine ingredients: tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, olives, red onions, and feta cheese. The classic homemade Greek dressing will become a family favorite in your home. This meatless, vegetarian pasta salad is perfect for a starter, side dish, lunch, or dinner! Make it ahead and share it with your family and friends at summer picnics and potlucks.
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2
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad is delicious comfort food that comes together in under 30 minutes! The pasta is mixed with fresh corn, cilantro, bell peppers, lime juice, and Cotija cheese. The best homemade creamy dressing combines savory and tangy flavors of mayo, Greek yogurt, lime juice, chili powder, and cayenne pepper. You can grill the corn or cook it on the stovetop. It's a perfect Summer pasta salad for potlucks, barbecues, picnics, and cookouts!
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3
This vibrant Spaghetti Salad features tomatoes, cucumbers, black olives, green olives, red onion, and feta cheese. The pasta and veggies are tossed with Italian dressing made with pantry staples. It's a crowd-pleasing cold pasta salad perfect for making ahead and sharing with your friends and family as a side dish at Spring and Summer picnics, potlucks, BBQs, or parties.
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4
Corn Pasta Salad with Bacon and Creamy Pesto Dressing takes only 30 minutes and makes a beautiful appetizer, light meal, or even dinner! This crowd-pleasing side dish is perfect for sharing and bringing to picnics, potlucks, BBQs, or parties. Your family and friends with love the fresh, savory, and sweet combination of flavors! Make it in the Summer and year-round.
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5
This Cowboy Pasta Salad packs Tex-Mex flavor into a hearty pasta salad loaded with seasoned ground beef, corn, tomatoes, sharp cheddar, bacon, and a tangy BBQ-mayo dressing-built for potlucks, barbecues, tailgates, and easy weeknight dinners when you want a meat-and-pasta meal that eats like a main.
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6
This Summer Stone Fruit Salad features fresh cherries, peaches, bow-tie pasta, feta cheese, and arugula. The Honey-Lemon Salad Dressing is made from scratch with lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, olive oil, and Italian seasoning. Serve it as a side or main dish for easy Summer weeknight meals. Or, share this quick and easy crowd-pleasing salad at picnics, potlucks, barbecues, and other friends and family gatherings!
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7
This savory and zesty orzo salad features cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, feta cheese, spinach, and an Italian dressing. It's great for making ahead and sharing with the crowd at potlucks, barbecues, picnics, and cookouts!
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2) Appetizers
8
These easy Pigs in a Blanket are wrapped in golden, flaky puff pastry layered with Dijon mustard, sharp Cheddar or Gruyere cheese, and fresh chives. Ready in 35 minutes. Perfect party appetizer, game day snack, or holiday finger food.
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9
This Mexican corn dip combines grilled corn, creamy feta cheese, Greek yogurt, sour cream, freshly squeezed lime juice, cilantro, and Southwestern flavors! It's guaranteed to be a hit at summer parties, cookouts, and potlucks. It's just like Elote or Mexican street corn but in a convenient creamy dip form.
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10
This fresh Pico de Gallo combines juicy tomatoes, onions, chilies, cilantro, and lime juice in a chunky, zesty, crunchy salsa. It's the perfect sidekick to your favorite Mexican dishes-tacos, burritos, or tortilla chips.
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11
Jalapeño Popper Dip is just like classic jalapeño poppers in an easy-to-serve dip. This ultimate party appetizer combines rich cream cheese, spicy jalapeños, and sharp cheddar topped with crumbled bacon, baked until warm and gooey. Ready in 30 minutes, it's a perfect addition for game day, parties, potlucks, or any gathering.
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12
This festive Cheese Ball is a creamy, savory, and slightly sweet appetizer that's perfect for entertaining during the holidays, parties, or for a game day spread. It combines tangy cream cheese, sharp cheddar, and fresh herbs, all coated in a crunchy layer of toasted pecans, cranberries, chives, and pumpkin seeds. It's the kind of make-ahead, crowd-pleasing party dip that instantly elevates any gathering.
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13
These Mexican Street Corn Sheet Pan Nachos are packed with grilled corn, drizzled with a simple homemade Queso sauce, and topped with a creamy cheese blend of Cotija (or feta), Greek yogurt, sour cream, lime juice, cilantro, and Southwestern spices. Perfect for game day, the Super Bowl, summer parties, cookouts, and potlucks, these loaded nachos bring all the flavors of Elote or Mexican street corn in a fun, shareable nacho form!
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14
Strawberry baked brie is an easy party starter that comes together in only 30 minutes! Strawberries are cooked with honey and lemon juice and then poured over the melted brie cheese. This festive party food is a sure crowd pleaser and a delicious appetizer for any occasion, holidays, picnics, and potlucks!
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15
Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers are a classic appetizer perfect for any season, year-round. These bite-sized cheese-stuffed spicy peppers are always a hit at game day parties and will make a perfect appetizer for Super Bowl! They are gluten-free, keto-friendly, low-carb, and packed with protein.
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3) Side Dishes & Salads
16
Cheesy Baked Asparagus is an easy side dish made with Gruyere cheese, garlic, and bacon! You can also use Parmesan, Asiago Cheese, Pecorino Romano, or shredded Mozzarella (part-skim, low-moisture). This delicious recipe is low-carb and keto-friendly.
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17
Greek Orzo with Tomatoes, Feta, Olives, and Fresh Basil is a delicious meatless meal that a whole family will love! This quick and easy side dish pairs well with any main course, and it comes together in under 30 minutes, using only one pan. Try this Mediterranean recipe, and it might become one of your new favorites.
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18
This 15-minute Greek salad features traditional ingredients: tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, olives, red onions, and feta cheese, tossed with the classic homemade Greek dressing. You won't be able to stop eating this healthy Mediterranean salad - it's that good! It keeps well refrigerated - great for making ahead and sharing with the crowd at Summer parties, picnics, potlucks, and family gatherings.
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19
Strawberry Spinach Salad is a healthy, vibrant, and easy-to-make recipe that comes together in 15 minutes! Featuring Feta cheese, pecans, and a simple Balsamic dressing, this salad will make a perfect side dish for any weeknight dinner. It is also a crowd-pleaser for many holiday occasions, picnics, potlucks, and other friends and family gatherings!
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20
Cilantro Lime Potato Salad - turn boring potato salad into something unique! Delicious chunks of red potatoes mixed with freshly made salad dressing: olive oil, freshly squeezed lime juice, minced garlic, chopped cilantro. Healthy, gluten free side dish. Makes a great Summer side for picnics, potlucks, and outside grilling!
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21
Broccoli Cashew Salad with Apple, Pear, and Cranberries. The homemade dressing is made with mayonnaise, sour cream (or kefir or Greek yogurt), honey, and lemon juice! Easy and delicious broccoli salad - perfect for home dinners, potlucks, barbecues, and parties!
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22
Tomato Cucumber Avocado Salad with Mozzarella and Basil Pesto is a healthy recipe packed with nutrients and lots of fresh ingredients! Perfect Spring and Summer salad! Serve it as a side dish or as a complete meal! This recipe can be easily made ahead and is perfect for potlucks, picnics, block parties, and other Summer festivities.
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23
Avocado Corn Tomato Salad with Creamy Cilantro-Lime Dressing is an easy side dish that will pair well with any weeknight dinner. It is also great for picnics, potlucks, and BBQ parties. You can make this salad in the summer or any time of year!
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24
Creamy Broccoli, Cauliflower, Corn, Bacon Salad with Sliced Carrots, Diced Red Onions, and shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese. There are 2 salad dressing options: Ranch dressing made with mayo/sour cream combination or super delicious homemade creamy dressing without Ranch - you choose!
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25
These baked Portobello Stuffed Mushrooms are my go-to when I want something that tastes restaurant-quality but still works for a weeknight dinner. Each meaty mushroom cap is loaded with a savory filling of spinach, garlic, Gruyère, Parmesan, and breadcrumbs, then baked until golden and bubbly.
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26
Cilantro-Lime Black Bean Rice - easy, light, delicious, gluten free side dish.
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27
These Green Bean Bundles are the ultimate holiday side: fresh green beans wrapped in smoky bacon, brushed with a brown sugar butter glaze, and roasted until caramelized-perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any special dinner! You'll love them as much as my other side dishes: lemon garlic parmesan green beans or the green beans with pine nuts.
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28
Avocado Mango Salad with Arugula, Pine Nuts, and Honey-Lime Dressing is everything you want in a salad. It's healthy, refreshing, colorful, and really easy to make. A perfect Summer salad that you can bring to picnics, potlucks, and BBQ parties. It pairs well as a side dish with any grilled meats and main courses. Or, make it for lunch or as a healthy snack.
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4) Main Dishes
29
These are oven-baked chicken wings seasoned with smoked paprika, chili powder, and a spice blend, then roasted on a wire rack at high heat until crispy - no frying required. I serve them with three from-scratch sauces: blue cheese, honey sriracha, and honey mustard.
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30
These oven-baked ribs use baby back ribs, a smoky spice rub, yellow mustard, and barbecue sauce-no grill required, just your oven and a sheet pan. Bake for juicy, fall-off-the-bone results. Perfect for summer BBQs, holidays, or any weeknight when you want classic ribs with minimal mess.
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31
Juicy marinated chicken, sweet pineapple, and colorful veggies (bell peppers + red onion) get grilled to perfection with a homemade teriyaki glaze. These Hawaiian Chicken Pineapple Skewers are the ultimate summer weeknight dinner, BBQ favorite, or meal prep win!
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32
Marinated Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Caramelized Pineapple, Grilled Veggies, and Garlic Herb Butter is my go-to summer grilling recipe. Pork is marinated in a sweet-savory pineapple-ginger mix, grilled, and drizzled with a soy-garlic herb butter sauce. It's impressive yet easy-perfect for BBQs, parties, or potlucks.
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33
These easy Shrimp Tacos come together in 30 minutes using charred corn tortillas, spicy shrimp, and fresh toppings-crisp cabbage, avocado, cilantro, feta, and jalapeño. Drizzle with the best shrimp taco sauce made from scratch with Greek yogurt, mayo, cilantro, jalapeño, and lime.
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34
Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing is a wonderful recipe for the holiday season, especially for Thanksgiving or Christmas. It's a great side dish or light dinner.
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35
This isn't just any steak salad-tender, marinated grilled flank steak is sliced over baby greens, arugula, cherry tomatoes, red onions, mozzarella pearls, avocado, and optional pine nuts, all finished with a homemade balsamic glaze.
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36
Bone-in pork chops marinated in a bold blend of Dijon mustard, honey, olive oil, fresh herbs, and lemon, then grilled or seared and basted until glossy and flavorful.
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37
Chicken with Peaches is a delicious 30-minute summer dinner recipe made entirely in one pan! This quick and easy family-friendly weeknight meal features savory chicken and sweet yellow peaches, with lemon honey sauce.
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38
Creamy Chicken and Corn Pasta with Bacon takes only 30 minutes and is a perfect meal for busy family weeknights! Make it with fresh corn on the cob in the Summer. Or, use canned or frozen corn kernels to cook this creamy chicken pasta all year long! This restaurant-quality main dish might become your new favorite chicken dinner for both kids and adults!
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39
If you want juicy, tender steaks at home, this versatile steak marinade is your ticket to a full steakhouse experience using budget-friendly cuts (like flank steak or skirt steak) or more expensive prime cuts (like rib-eye or tenderloin). With simple pantry ingredients like olive oil, soy sauce, Worcestershire, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, garlic, and fresh herbs, you can transform affordable steaks into restaurant-worthy mains.
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5) Drinks and Cocktails
40
This 5-minute strawberry mocktail blends muddled strawberries, basil, honey, and lemon juice, then tops it off with sparkling water to add fizz and make each sip crisp and bubbly. It's a refreshing, alcohol-free drink perfect for summer.
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41
This passion fruit margarita is my go-to summer cocktail with a tropical twist on the classic Mexican favorite. I shake up tequila, Cointreau, lime juice, and sweet passion fruit purée over ice, then pour it into a glass rimmed with chili salt or tajín for that perfect spicy-sweet combo. I love topping it off with a slice of passion fruit and an edible flower to make it pop. My other favorite is a blood orange margarita!
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42
Cool, crisp and effortlessly elegant, the Cucumber Gimlet is a garden-fresh twist on a classic. Vibrant lime and botanical gin together with cucumber create a cocktail that's perfect for summer. Garnished with a thin ribbon of cucumber or simple mint leaves, this cocktail looks as stunning as it tastes-bright, zesty and irresistibly refreshing.
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43
Red Sangria with Mixed Berries - a fruity Summer cocktail drink. This sangria is made with dry red wine, triple sec, brandy, lemon juice and orange juice, and with lots of berries and fruit! You can use fresh strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, oranges, and lemon. Serve it with carbonated beverage, such as citrus soda pop or club soda for fizz.
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6) Desserts
44
This easy raspberry lemon cake is made completely from scratch using fresh berries and pantry staples. Only 20 minutes of prep and 45 minutes of baking (idle) time. Serve it for breakfast, brunch, or as an after-dinner dessert with vanilla ice cream! This summer dessert will become a family favorite!
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45
These Summery lemon brownies are made with lemon-infused sugar, melted white chocolate chips, and fresh lemon juice, then topped with a simple, tangy cream cheese frosting that's brightened with even more lemon zest and juice.
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46
This Key Lime Bundt Cake is a rich, buttery, cream-cheese-based pound cake baked in a Bundt pan and finished with a bright key lime glaze. It's dense but tender, sweet but tangy, and perfect for spring and summer entertaining, Easter, Mother's Day, brunch, cookouts, potlucks, or anytime you want a citrus dessert that feels restaurant-quality but still very homemade.
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47
Peach and Blueberry Crisp is an easy dessert made at home using fresh Summer fruit together with the pantry staples. Your family will love the sweet and crunchy oatmeal and almond topping! Serve it warm with a scoop of ice cream.
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48
This homemade Pistachio Bundt Cake is soft, buttery, and packed with real pistachios, finished with a light vanilla cream cheese frosting and fresh berries. It's an easy make-ahead dessert that looks stunning and works well for entertaining, holidays, brunch spreads, or baby showers.
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49
Mini Fruit Galettes are rustic, individual hand pies made with store-bought pie crust and a medley of fresh summer fruits, gently sweetened with raspberry jam and finished with a crunchy almond-sugar edge. These easy, colorful pastries bake up in just 20 minutes, making them perfect for serving a crowd or enjoying as a fun summer weeknight treat.
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50
Lemon Thumbprint Cookies are tender, shortbread-style cookies made by hand-no mixer needed-with a mix of flour, cornstarch, two sugars, cold butter, lemon zest, egg yolks, and vanilla. The chilled dough is rolled into balls, coated in granulated sugar, baked until lightly golden, then filled with lemon curd. These buttery cookies have a crisp sugary outside and a soft and tender inside.
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51
Blueberry cheesecake bars are a simple dessert made in an 8x8 pan with a buttery graham cracker crust, creamy lemon-vanilla cheesecake, and a quick homemade blueberry compote swirl. These bars are kid-friendly, lunchbox-friendly, and ideal for picnics, potlucks, and parties.
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52
This refreshing spring and summer dessert turns classic strawberry shortcake into an easy, crowd-pleasing two-layer cake. It's made with freshly whipped vanilla cream and sweet, juicy strawberries!
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53
Strawberry Blueberry Cake is the ultimate Spring/Summer dessert packed with fresh berries! There is nothing complicated about this recipe: no frosting and no cake layers. It's just a simple cake made with pantry staples. It makes a perfect dessert or brunch. Serve it with whipped cream or plain vanilla ice cream.
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54
Greek yogurt works amazingly well in cakes. It provides a beautiful texture, makes cakes moist, and is also a good substitute for some portion of butter. Try this Peach and Blueberry Greek Yogurt Cake and see for yourself!
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55
This is a classic Key Lime Pie with a buttery graham cracker crust, a tart-creamy key lime custard (egg yolks + sweetened condensed milk), and a Swiss meringue topping that gets beautifully toasted in the oven-no torch required. It's a make-ahead dessert that slices cleanly and delivers that signature Florida tang.
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56
S'mores Bars are a decadent, layered oven-baked dessert (similar to cookie sandwiches) inspired by classic summer campfire s'mores. These cookie bars feature a fudgy brownie base, gooey marshmallow creme center, and a soft, golden cookie layer on top. Topped with extra chocolate chips, graham cracker chunks, and toasted mini marshmallows.
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57
These cherry pie bars have all the classic pie elements-juicy fruit filling made from scratch, buttery crust, and lemon glaze-baked in bar form for convenience. They're easier than pie yet just as flavorful, rustic, elegant, and always perfect for sharing at potlucks, summer BBQs, or holiday gatherings.
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58
This mixed berry crisp is the ultimate summer dessert. You can make it with strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries-or any combination of your favorite berries. It's topped with a crispy oat and nut crumble and best served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
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59
My Strawberry Galette is a rustic, flaky summer dessert made with a rolled pie crust, packed with fresh strawberries, lemon zest, and vanilla, and finished with crunchy turbinado sugar and almonds. Perfect for Spring and Summer entertaining, brunch, or a weeknight treat.
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The best Memorial Day menus have a little bit of everything: fresh summer salads, creamy pasta dishes, easy appetizers, grilled burgers, colorful fruit desserts, and recipes that can feed a crowd without keeping you stuck in the kitchen all day.
I hope you found something exciting and something you like in this menu! Let me know if you have any suggestions, feedback, or anything else you'd like to see on a summer cookout menu. And let me know in the comments below what YOUR FAVORITES are for Memorial Day!
Submit your question or provide a review of the recipe + star rating RIGHT HERE.