11 Memorial Day Food Ideas

The sun is rising, and the smell of cut grass is everywhere. I feel the excitement of Memorial Day gatherings. It’s a time to remember those we’ve lost and celebrate summer with tasty food.

I’ve tried many Memorial Day recipes over the years. But the best moments are around the grill, sharing food with family and friends. These recipes have become our favorites.

This year, I want to share 11 delicious recipes with you. You’ll find everything from smoked turkey legs to veggie platters. Each recipe has a list of ingredients and easy steps to follow. This will make your Memorial Day celebrations even more special.

Smoked Turkey Legs

Smoked turkey legs are a tasty main dish for big events. The turkey legs marinade adds amazing flavors. This simple recipe will wow your guests.

Ingredients

• 4 turkey legs
• 1 cup apple juice
• 1 cup water
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix apple juice, water, soy sauce, brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper in a big bowl. This makes a brine.
2. Put the turkey legs in the brine. Keep them in the fridge for at least 4 hours, or better yet, overnight.
3. Heat your smoker to 250°F.
4. Take the turkey legs out of the brine. Dry them with paper towels.
5. Smoke the turkey legs for 2-3 hours. They’re done when they reach 165°F inside.
6. Serve them hot and enjoy!

Burger Sliders

Mini burgers are great for any party. They’re simple to make and you can add many toppings. This guide will show you how to make tasty grill sliders that everyone will enjoy.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup diced onions
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 12 slider buns

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix ground beef, cheese, onions, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.
2. Make 12 small patties from the mix.
3. Heat the grill to medium.
4. Cook the patties for 3-4 minutes on each side. They should be cooked to your liking.
5. Put them on slider buns with your favorite toppings.

Grilled Salmon

Grilling salmon is a favorite of mine. The smoky taste from the grill and the zing of lemon make it great. This easy salmon grilling recipe is perfect for any time. Let’s get to the ingredients and how to cook it.

Ingredients

• 4 salmon fillets
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 lemon (sliced)
• 2 garlic cloves (minced)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Brush salmon fillets with olive oil and sprinkle with minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
2. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
3. Place lemon slices on the grill to create a base for the fish.
4. Lay the salmon on top of the lemon and grill for 4-6 minutes on each side until cooked through.
5. Serve immediately for a fresh and flavorful barbecued fish meal.

Shrimp Boil

Creating a shrimp boil is a fun way to enjoy seafood with family and friends. It’s an easy dish that brings lots of flavor. This simple shrimp boil recipe is great for outdoor events!

Ingredients

• 2 pounds shrimp (peeled and deveined)
• 1 pound new potatoes
• 1 pound smoked sausage (sliced)
• 4 ears of corn (cut into thirds)
• 1/4 cup Old Bay seasoning
• 2 lemons (quartered)

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large pot, bring water to a boil and add the potatoes. Cook for 10-15 minutes.
2. Add the sausage and corn, cooking for an additional 5 minutes.
3. Add the shrimp and Old Bay seasoning, cooking for 3-4 minutes or until the shrimp are pink.
4. Drain the mixture and toss with lemon. Serve on a large platter.

Fish Tacos

Fish tacos are a refreshing dish. They are great for a quick dinner or a summer party. This recipe combines crunchy toppings with soft fish. It’s a mix of textures and tastes.

Ingredients

• 1 pound white fish (tilapia or cod)
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• Salt to taste
• 8 corn tortillas
• 1 cup shredded cabbage
• 1 cup pico de gallo
• Lime wedges for serving

Cooking Instructions

1. Season fish with chili powder, cumin, and salt.
2. Cook on a grill or skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes per side until flaky.
3. Warm up corn tortillas on the grill.
4. Assemble tacos with fish, cabbage, and pico de gallo.
5. Serve with lime wedges.

These fish tacos have a lively taste. They are perfect for summer gatherings or a simple dinner.

Grilled Veggie Platter

A vibrant grilled veggie platter is perfect for summer gatherings. It brings lots of flavors and colors. It’s not just good-looking; it’s also healthy and fits many diets.

This platter is great for vegans and anyone wanting more veggies. It’s sure to be the highlight of your event.

Ingredients

• 1 zucchini (sliced)
• 1 bell pepper (sliced)
• 1 red onion (cut into wedges)
• 8 asparagus spears
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the grill to medium heat. Toss vegetables with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
2. Grill each vegetable until nicely charred and tender, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Plate the veggies and drizzle with balsamic glaze before serving.

Lobster Rolls

Lobster rolls are the best summer sandwiches. They have fresh seafood in every bite. This recipe makes a tasty lobster roll, great for BBQs or beach picnics.

Ingredients

• 2 lobster tails
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 4 hot dog buns
• Lettuce for serving

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil lobster tails for 8-10 minutes, until cooked through.
2. Let them cool before taking out the meat.
3. In a bowl, mix the lobster meat with mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
4. Toast hot dog buns on the grill and fill with lobster mixture.
5. Serve on a bed of lettuce.

Pulled Chicken Tacos

This pulled chicken recipe is great for a quick, tasty meal. It’s perfect for an easy taco lunch. The tender chicken and your favorite toppings make these tacos a hit. Let’s start with the ingredients and how to cook it.

Ingredients

• 1 pound chicken breast
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 teaspoon taco seasoning
• 8 corn tortillas
• Toppings of choice (lettuce, salsa, cheese)

Cooking Instructions

1. In a slow cooker, mix chicken breast, chicken broth, and taco seasoning. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
2. Shred the chicken with two forks once it’s done.
3. Warm tortillas and fill with pulled chicken and your favorite toppings.
4. Serve right away for a yummy meal.

Chicken Kebabs

Chicken kebabs are a favorite of mine for a simple barbecue. They mix tender chicken with colorful veggies. This makes a feast that looks great and tastes even better. I love trying new seasonings and marinades with my grilled chicken kebabs.

Ingredients

• 1 pound chicken breast (cubed)
• 1 red bell pepper (cubed)
• 1 green bell pepper (cubed)
• 1 onion (cubed)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix chicken, bell peppers, onion, olive oil, and Italian seasoning.
2. Skewer the chicken and vegetables alternately on sticks.
3. Preheat the grill to medium heat and grill skewers for 10-12 minutes, turning frequently.
4. Serve warm with rice or salad.

Veggie Burgers

Making a veggie burger is easy and tasty. It’s great for a vegetarian BBQ. These burgers are healthy and loved by all. You can add your favorite toppings and sides.

Ingredients

• 1 can black beans (drained)
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup chopped onions
• 1/4 cup corn
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 4 burger buns

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mash black beans, and mix with breadcrumbs, onions, corn, cumin, salt, and pepper.
2. Form into 4 patties.
3. Preheat the grill to medium heat and grill patties for 4-5 minutes on each side until heated through.
4. Serve on burger buns with toppings such as lettuce, tomato, and avocado.

Grilled Pork Chops

Grilled pork chops are a hit for easy BBQ pork. They taste great with classic BBQ sauce. This mix of smoky and sweet flavors is perfect for any summer gathering.

Ingredients

Here’s what you need for these tasty grilled pork chops:

• 4 pork chops
• 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

First, heat your grill to medium-high. Season the pork chops with salt and pepper for extra taste. Then, brush BBQ sauce all over each chop.

Grill the pork for 5-7 minutes on each side. Make sure it’s 145°F inside. Let it rest for 5 minutes to keep the juices in. Serve with more BBQ sauce for a tasty finish!