The Ultimate Memorial Day Recipe Guide (BBQ, Sides & Cocktails!)

Happy Memorial Day! First and foremost I want to thank all of the soldiers and veterans out there. Because of you guys and gals we can enjoy our freedom and celebrate this holiday. Thank You!

Memorial Day is the official start of summer and nothing screams summer like BBQ and grilling. The grill is fired up, the cocktails are cold and the whole neighborhood smells incredible. Over the years we have put together some absolute bangers here on SavoryReviews that are perfect for your Memorial Day cookout. I have also packed in some of my best grilling tips so your party goes off without a hitch. Let’s get cooking!

Grilling Tips Before You Start

Before we get into the recipes, here are a few tips that will make your Memorial Day BBQ the best one on the block.

Check your fuel. There is nothing worse than running out of propane or charcoal in the middle of a cookout. For charcoal just look in the bag. For propane, pour warm water down the side of the tank — where the tank gets cool to the touch is your propane level. Always have at least a quarter tank for a party.

Set up cooking zones. Never put the whole grill on high or you will burn something. For gas, turn half the burners to medium-high and half to medium-low. For charcoal, pile the coals on one side — hot side for searing, cool side for finishing. This one tip alone will make you the grill master of the neighborhood.

Season everything. Salt and pepper. That is the secret. Most people throw food right on the grill with zero seasoning. Take the extra step and your guests will wonder what you do differently every single time.

Never press the burgers. Using the back of a spatula to press down a burger squeezes all the juice out and causes flare-ups. Just don’t do it. Use tongs and a flat spatula only.

Cook to temperature. Use a meat thermometer. It is the only way to know your food is both safe and not overcooked. Make sure chicken and pork hit at least 165 degrees. For steak, 145 for medium-rare, 160 for medium. Our favorite thermometer is the Thermoworks Thermapen MK4 — nothing faster or more accurate.

Main Dishes

• St. Louis Ribs on a Gas Grill — Pull-off-the-bone tender St. Louis ribs cooked entirely on a gas grill using a smoke box and indirect heat. This method is a total game changer. No smoker required.
• BBQ Baby Back Ribs on a Gas Grill — The original gas grill rib recipe on SavoryReviews. Step by step instructions for getting perfectly smoky tender baby back ribs without a smoker. A must try.

• Pork Belly Burnt Ends — MIYM Bacon Cubes. Quite possibly the best thing I have ever made. Little crispy cubes of smoked pork belly tossed in brown sugar, butter and BBQ sauce. These disappear in minutes at every cookout. No joke.

• Smash Burgers — The crispiest, juiciest burgers you will ever make. Seasoned ground beef smashed onto a screaming hot griddle until a beautiful caramelized crust forms. These are hands down the best burgers around.

• Grilled Lobster Tails — Nothing says summer like fresh seafood on the grill. Quick, easy and absolutely stunning on the plate. Your guests will think you are a professional.
• Grilled Lobster Rolls — Once you have the lobster tails down, pull the meat and make some incredible lobster rolls. Served on a grilled top-cut bun with a light garlic butter mayo. Incredible.

Sides

• Macaroni Salad — There is no better BBQ side than macaroni salad. This is our Pizza Hut salad bar copycat and it is absolutely spot on. An American tradition.
• Macaroni Salad Part Deux — The improved and perfected version. After ten rounds of testing I finally nailed it. If you are going to make one macaroni salad this summer, make this one.

• The Colonel’s Coleslaw — My recreation of KFC’s famous coleslaw. It is that good. The perfect creamy, slightly sweet coleslaw that belongs at every Memorial Day table.

Condiments

• Homemade Ketchup — Want to take your burgers to the next level? Make your own ketchup. You can add as much spice or herbs as you want. Your guests will never go back to Heinz.
• Homemade Mustard — Add honey for sweetness or dark seeds for spice. A homemade mustard on the table will make people think you are a serious chef. Easy and incredible.

Cocktails

• All-American Boozy Slushy — A red, white and blue layered frozen rum slushy. The most patriotic cocktail around and the perfect drink for Memorial Day. Absolutely stunning to look at and even better to drink.
• Bomb Pop Cocktail — Bleeding red, white and blue. Lightly sweet, a tad tart and all American. The bomb pop garnish literally bleeds into the cocktail as it melts. A total showstopper.

• Red, White and Blue Shooter — Liquid America. A perfectly layered patriotic shot made with grenadine, Bailey’s and blue raspberry vodka. After the third one people started calling me Uncle Sam.
• Passion Fruit Pina Colada — Passion fruit pina coladas scream summer. The perfect poolside cocktail to kick off the season.

Grilling Resources

• How to Turn Your Gas Grill Into a Smoker — No smoker? No problem. Learn exactly how to get real smoke flavor from your gas grill using a simple smoke box setup.

From our family to yours — have a safe and incredible Memorial Day. Thank you to all who serve and have served. Now go fire up that grill. Make it. You can thank me later. — Rex