What to Make This Memorial Day Weekend
Everything worth making this long weekend.
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Friends, Memorial Day weekend is one of my favorite weekends of the year. Not just because it feels like the unofficial start of summer — though that is a very good reason — but because it’s a great chance to slow down, be outside, and eat really good food with people you love. It usually means the grill is on, there’s something cold in everyone’s hand, and nobody is in a rush to be anywhere. That’s my favorite kind of weekend.
I have a Weber Searwood XL Pellet Grill that I am a little bit obsessed with, and this is the weekend I use it the most. If you’ve been on the fence about grilling more, this long weekend is the perfect time to commit. And if you already grill all the time, this list is going to give you some new things to put into the rotation.
I organized this by category so it’s easy to plan your spread: the mains, the sides, and the dessert. Everything can be prepped ahead or comes together fast, which means you actually get to enjoy the weekend instead of spending it all in the kitchen.
A good grill (obviously). If you’re in the market, I cannot recommend the Weber Searwood XL enough — it’s powerful, consistent, and gives you that wood-fired flavor. For a more affordable option, any compact Weber gas grill will get the job done.
A smart meat thermometer. This one connects to your phone so you can monitor the temp without hovering. No more cutting into the chicken to guess if it’s done.
Metal or reusable barbecue skewers. Two of the mains on this list are skewer recipes. Reusable metal skewers are worth having — they flip easily, hold up well, and you’re not soaking wooden ones in water every time.
A grill brush. The bristle-free stainless steel kind. It really does make a huge difference!
Grill baskets. For anything small or delicate that you don’t want falling through the grates.
Grilling mitts. You need something longer and thicker to protect your arms when you’re reaching over an open flame.
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There is nothing more juicy and flavorful than chicken thighs marinated in a creamy, spicy coconut sauce and grilled until perfectly charred. These are the Grilled Spicy Coconut Chicken Thighs, and they’re the ultimate grilling recipe to serve at your next backyard BBQ, weeknight dinner, or weekend cookout!
Craving something bold, juicy, and a little spicy? These Honey Harissa Chicken Thighs are calling your name. It’s everything you want in a weeknight dinner, or a weekend cookout dish, with minimal effort and maximum flavor. The chicken thighs get marinated in a smoky-sweet blend of harissa, lemon, and garlic, then grilled (or baked!) until they’re caramelized and tender. The best part is the silky harissa sauce that gets drizzled over the top and served on the side. It’s rich, tangy, and just the right amount of heat. Serve it with fresh parsley and pickled onions, and you’ve got the perfect dish.
Looking for a no-fuss, flavor-packed chicken recipe to toss on the grill? You need to try this Grilled Chimichurri Chicken. Juicy chicken thighs are marinated in a bold, herby chimichurri sauce that also doubles as the perfect drizzle or dip. It’s spicy, tangy, garlicky, and downright addicting. You’ll be spooning it over everything! The chicken comes out tender, charred, and bursting with flavor in every bite.
These Grilled Middle Eastern Chicken Kebabs are tender, juicy, and practically melt in your mouth. The chicken comes together with a marinade of protein-packed greek yogurt, lemon juice and zest, fresh garlic, and a medley of delicious seasonings for a burst of flavor in every bite. And, if this recipe couldn’t get any better, it can be prepared two different ways: on the grill, or in the air-fryer!
If there’s only ONE recipe that you make this grilling season, let it be my Dill Pickle Chicken Skewers. These tender, juicy, melt-in-your-mouth chicken skewers are marinated in pickle juice and skewered with fresh pickle slices for that salty, tangy, dill pickle flavor that you know and love. Plus, they can be prepared two different ways — either on the grill or in the air fryer — making it the perfect, versatile recipe to add to your menu!
If you’re looking for the perfect quick-and-easy recipe to throw on the grill, then you will love these Bacon Chicken Ranch Skewers. These tender and juicy skewers start out with perfectly-moist chicken that is marinated in a tangy combination of greek yogurt and ranch seasoning. Then, the marinated chicken is layered on a skewer with red onions, cherry tomatoes, and strips of your favorite crispy bacon. Serve it with a side of creamy ranch dressing, and you’ll have the perfect meal ready in minutes!
These tender and juicy Grilled Mediterranean Beef Kebabs will practically melt in your mouth, making them an irresistible warm weather recipe! Serve them with a side of fluffy rice and creamy labneh and you’ve got the perfect dinner that’ll transport you right to the Mediterranean Sea.
These are my tender and juicy Grilled Lemon Salmon Skewers and they are the only grilled salmon recipe that you need! They come together with a delicious spice blend and slices of red onion and fresh lemon for a light, refreshing, better-for-you protein.
A buttery, golden bun, filled with tender meat and all the fixings is what makes sliders one of the best appetizers, easy dinners, or game day recipes. Introducing my Perfectly Juicy Turkey Sliders, made healthier with ground turkey and better-for-you ingredients.
If you’ve been cooking chicken drumsticks the same way forever, these Crispy Butterflied Chicken Drumsticks are your sign to switch things up. Butterflying drumsticks might sound a little extra, but trust me—it’s a technique you’ll be wondering why you didn’t try sooner. The chicken cooks faster and more evenly, the skin gets insanely crispy, and every bite is packed with flavor because there’s way more surface area for the seasoning to cling to.
This Easy Grilled Bang Bang Corn combines perfectly grilled corn with a tangy Bang Bang Sauce and a sprinkle of cotija cheese for the perfect treat. Serve it poolside with your favorite BBQ or enjoy it as a delicious snack, all on its own – no matter how you choose to enjoy it, there’s no wrong way!
A crunchy, refreshing, 5-Minute Summer Squash Salad that is full of crunchy zucchini, yellow squash, fresh herbs, and parmesan cheese for a summertime salad that is perfect for cooling down on those warm summer days. This salad is perfect for pairing with your favorite burgers or BBQ staples, for a healthy, veggie-forward side dish that will keep you coming back for more!
This is not your grandma’s potato salad… in fact, it’s even better. This is my Crispy Smashed Gochujang Potato Salad, and it’s a little crispy, a little creamy, a little spicy, and a whole lot of delicious in every bite. It’s made from potatoes that are smashed, not boiled, so that they’re nice and crispy. Then, it’s topped off with a creamy Korean-American Gochujang dressing that adds just the right kick.
If the warmer weather has you craving a light, fluffy, and creamy strawberry short cake, then it’s time to run to your kitchen and grab your sheet pan, because this is The Best Healthy Sheet Pan Strawberry Shortcake. It’s made from a light and airy gluten-free cake that is then topped with your favorite whipped topping and delicious, sugar-coated strawberries. This cake yields 12 slices, making it perfect for serving this weekend!
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