These Memorial Day Recipes Are Easy to Make and Hot Off the Grill
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In case you need an excuse to fire up your grill and honor the holiday weekend in style, look no further than these Memorial Day recipes that are perfect for a family-filled three-day weekend spent poolside, camping or around the table.
What we love about grilling is this: Not only can a lot of recipes be prepared in advance and then simply thrown on the grill the day-of for a no-fuss meal, but it’s also a different, more inviting cooking experience that’s a welcome change of pace from frigid winter nights. The whole family can enjoy time together outdoors, and every night can feel like a fun cookout!
Grilling + dairy = yes, please
Most of our favorite grilling recipes are relatively simple to make — and that’s the beauty of these Memorial Day recipes (and summer cooking!) Take advantage of fresh, in-season ingredients, like peaches, jalapeño peppers and more, and enhance their natural flavor with smokiness from the grill.
Grilled dishes pair perfectly with dairy marinades, drizzles or cheese to add creaminess and richness, as well as to balance out spicy components. It’s a harmonious pairing we can’t get enough of, and you’ll see it in action below with these Memorial Day food ideas.
Raise a glass while you’re at it
Thursday, June 1 is World Milk Day, and there’s no better way to thank dairy farmers for their work than by raising a glass of ice-cold milk, adding an extra slice of cheese to your burger or enjoying another scoop of ice cream.
Complete your holiday weekend menu with these Memorial Day recipes:
Appetizers
Beer Cheese Dip on the Grill
Cheese dip needs no explanation. This beer cheese dip is as easy as combining the ingredients on your grill — the hardest part will be making sure you get some of it for yourself before your family devours it all. Serve this easy cheese dip with pretzels, tortilla chips, veggies and whatever else your heart desires.
Get our beer cheese dip on the grill recipe.
Cheesy-Stuffed Poblano Peppers
Our favorite way to do stuffed peppers is this cheesy-stuffed poblano peppers recipe. Filled with rice and sweet corn, these are filling enough to serve as a main course, while also being light enough to make a tasty appetizer.
Get our cheesy-stuffed poblano peppers recipe.
Chipotle Grilled Shrimp With Cilantro-Lime Crema Dip
We love this recipe because of its versatility. These sweet and spicy grilled shrimp are good enough to stand alone, or you could go a step further and add them to tacos, salads, pastas and more. Cook up a big batch, and you’ve got a creative protein option waiting.
Get our chipotle grilled shrimp recipe.
Mains
Jalapeño Popper Burgers
Enjoy the heat of fresh jalapeño peppers, balanced by softened cream cheese atop a juicy grilled burger. It’s our take on the classic appetizer — and a more creative way to do cheeseburgers.
Get our jalapeño popper burgers recipe.
Yogurt-Marinated Chicken Kebobs
These aren’t your average kebabs. The smoky flavors of grilled chicken and veggies pop with a cilantro-feta dipping sauce to serve alongside.
Get our yogurt-marinated chicken kebobs recipe.
Grilled Peach, Blue Cheese and Arugula Pizza
Ripe peaches are the star of this surprisingly light pizza, accompanied by plenty of arugula, blue cheese and a balsamic reduction. Make the crust ahead of time (or simply buy a store-bought pizza crust) to cut down on prep time.
Get our grilled peach, blue cheese and arugula pizza recipe.
Skirt Steak With Roasted Poblano Crema
Grilling skirt steak creates a tender, juicy meat that’s waiting to be topped with a zesty, herby poblano crema. It’s the perfect balance of flavors.
Get our skirt steak with roasted poblano crema recipe.
Dessert
Grilled Banana Splits
This grilled banana split takes the classic ice cream sundae one step further, and it’s a step you won’t regret adding. Grilling the banana slightly caramelizes it for a richer, sweeter flavor. The warm banana also complements the chilled ice cream beautifully. Take advantage of your already-hot grill from the recipes above, and add this dessert to your cookout lineup.
Get our grilled banana splits recipe.
This Wisconsin Dairy Farmer Turned Her Sustainable Hobby into a Business
Shelly Grosenick, a dairy farmer in Watertown, Wis., has made a business off of what started as a hobby: canning. You can find her tending to her more than 200 varieties of fruits, veggies and herbs that she grows on her family’s dairy farm, utilizing resources from the farm, like manure to fertilize her soil, along the way.
Shelly goes above and beyond to care for her garden, nourish her crops, educate others and deliver wholesome products to her local community through her business, Crimson Kitchen and Gardens — all for the love of food.
“People want to know where and how their food is grown, and it’s important for those of us in agriculture to be transparent and teach them,” Shelly says.
Read Shelly's story to learn more.