I can smell the grills firing up all over America! The kickoff to summer is almost here. Memorial Day is a time to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for this country and gather with family and friends to celebrate with some fun in the sun and of course some great food too.
This means we need some delicious inspiration to make sure the food is on point. From the appetizers to the dessert, every single bite needs to be worth the wait. Memorial Day is just the beginning of the summer entertaining season, so I have rounded up 100 of the best Memorial Day BBQ ideas that will make this year’s holiday weekend menu a huge success.
Related: 65 Cold Appetizers For Backyard Barbecues
Best Memorial Day BBQ Ideas
This collection is bursting at the seams with everything you think of when it comes to a great Memorial Day backyard barbecue. The grill master in your house will earn kudos with the Tequila Lime Steak, Barbecue Burgers, Best Pork Ribs, Steak Kababs, Garlic Shrimp and Marinated Ribeyes. If you’re looking for some finger-licking good chicken, grab the ingredients for Tangy Grilled Chicken, Sweet Southern Barbecue Chicken or Key Lime Chicken!
No summer cookout is complete without some amazing side dishes, so check out the BBQ Macaroni Salad, Cucumber and Tomato Salad, Grilled Chili Lime Corn, Deviled Egg Potato Salad, Italian Pasta Salad and Virginia Baked Beans.
Related: 65 Pasta Salads For Summer
Memorial Day Desserts
We can’t skimp on the sweets either, so I found some tasty treats like Oreo Dump Cake and Banana Pudding, plus Star Bangled Berry Pie and Patriotic Parfaits.
Related: 50 Best Grilled Shrimp Recipes For Summer
I am so ready for this Memorial Day to get outside and welcome summer with open arms. I am definitely adding a bunch of these recipes to my menu, and hope you do too!
Easy Memorial Day Recipes

Jennifer Davick
Nobody can resist a smoky barbecue burger topped with cool, creamy slaw.

Alison Ashton
Show your patriotic side with this beautiful pie.

Krista Marshall
Red potatoes, boiled eggs and crunchy celery mixed with a sweet and tangy dressing for the perfect bite.

A Creole grilled shrimp recipe your cookout needs.

Bacon makes everything better!

Krista Marshall
This tangy grilled chicken is as close to port-a-pit as you can make at home.

Parade
No party is complete until the platter of deviled eggs comes out.

Krista Marshall
Lemon extract is the secret to these super refreshing cukes.

There is a reason this retro salad as stayed around for so long!

Krista Marshall
Montreal steak seasoning makes the best-roasted potatoes of your life.

Jon Ashton
A classic, creamy dessert bursting will banana flavor.

When your cookout gets rained out, you can still have a juicy burger.

Krista Marshall
You know with color like that, these spuds will have some big flavor.

Krista Marshall
Take this to a cookout and everyone will ask for the recipe.

Krista Marshall
This macaroni salad has a secret ingredient that will keep guests guessing.

Krista Marshall
A can of cola is the star ingredient of this great BBQ sauce.

Krista Marshall
All the color and flavor from the drink that you can eat with a spoon.

Krista Marshall
Grab some salty chips with ridges and dig in.

Krista Marshall
This simple cake starts with a boxed mix and a can of mandarin oranges.

Krista Marshall
These are unlike any other baked beans you’ve ever had.

Krista Marshall
Use any fruit you want, but remember the honey lime dressing is key.

Krista Marshall
The warm bacon dressing is key to this classic potato salad.

Krista Marshall
A beloved restaurant classic now made at home.

Krista Marshall
No need to head to Mickey’s home, you can make this Disney favorite at home.

Krista Marshall
Don’t let the name scare you, this retro fluff salad is making a comeback.

Parade
Try this vegetarian option with an Italian flare.

Give your guests a bowl of this five-minute salsa to snack on while supper grills.

Julia’s Simply Southern
Nothing says summer more than fresh tomatoes.

Lisa’s Dinnertime Dish
So fresh and perfect for summer time veggies.

Krista Marshall
If you are a fan of the classic dip, wait until you taste the flavors in pasta salad.

South Your Mouth
This classic dish is one that people always remember after the first bite.

Everyday Mom’s Meals
Two summer classics in one bowl!

Lisa’s Dinnertime Dish
Sweet corn with just a little kick from chili powder. This will be the recipe everyone asks for.

Spend With Pennies
A zesty marinade leads to some of the best grilled shrimp you’ve ever tasted.

The Country Cook
If you’re firing up the grill for the main course, might as well take care of a tasty side dish too.

A fluff salad jammed packed with Oreo cookies.

Lisa’s Dinnertime Dish
A quick and easy salad filled with Asian flavors.

South Your Mouth
No need to peel the potatoes for this salad filled with flavor from a buttermilk dressing and fresh herbs.

The Country Cook
Only three ingredients in this incredibly refreshing beverage that is perfect for sipping by the pool.

The Country Cook
Who knew ramen noodles could make such a delicious salad?

The Country Cook
The perfect sweet and salty bite for snacking.

Plain Chicken
A staple at summer cookouts just got a major flavor upgrade.

The Black Peppercorn
Classic beer can chicken is done easily on the grill.

Cooking Classy
Fruit trays at the store can be so pricey! And they don’t come with this honey balsamic dressing!

The Country Cook
This cookout classic side dish has a secret ingredient!

Cooking Classy
Crunchy veggies, a creamy dressing and so refreshing on a hot day.

The Country Cook
Nothing says kickoff to summer than a slab of ribs hot off the grill.

Plain Chicken
If you’re serving burgers, kick them up a notch.

Plain Chicken
With fresh corn and tomatoes, this salad looks like summer in a bowl.

The Country Cook
If you can’t be on a Florida beach for Memorial Day, you can still eat like you are.

South Your Mouth
Chili cheese corn chips are the key to this addictive salad.

Southern Bite
Everything you love on a loaded baked potato but in a bowl.

South Your Mouth
The perfect no-mayo salad for an outdoor party.

South Your Mouth
If you’ve never had this sweet, creamy salad, the brown sugar pecan topping is the star of every bite.

The Black Peppercorn
These baked potatoes are all dressed up for a party.

Spend With Pennies
Grilling for a crowd? Save some money by using less expensive chicken thighs.

The Country Cook
Add a little Mexican flavor to your Memorial Day cookout.

Plain Chicken
The grill can take care of dessert too!

The Black Peppercorn
Grilling avocados gives them a whole new depth of flavor.

The Country Cook
Pineapple, soy and barbecue sauce come together for one delicious piece of chicken.

The Black Peppercorn
Hamburgers and hot dogs always get all the love, but grilled sausages are delicious in a bun too!

Plain Chicken
Hands down, the best hot dogs you will ever bite into.

The Black Peppercorn
Perfect on their own, or paired with steak for surf ‘n’ turf.

Plain Chicken
A grilled potato salad with a Greek flare.

Spend With Pennies
Just what you want next to that grilled steak or pork chop.

The Country Cook
A southern version of a cookout classic.

The Country Cook
Is there anything more all-American?

Spend With Pennies
So refreshing on a hot sunny day.

Southern Bite
Grilling corn is so easy and gives it an amazing flavor.

The Country Cook
A big pitcher of this is all you need on a hot day.

Plain Chicken
No boring chicken here with this tropical twist.

The Country Cook
You know you love the sandwich, so this dip is going to knock your socks off.

Plain Chicken
No boring burgers coming off the grill this year.

Cooking Classy
Every great summer cookout needs a tasty kabab.

Plain Chicken
A kicked-up version of your favorite cheese dip.

Spend With Pennies
A classic dip nobody can ever get enough of.

The Country Cook
Move over root beer, there is a new favorite float in town!

Cooking Classy
This retro salad is a great dish to make on a budget.

Southern Bite
A no-bake dessert with only five ingredients.

Served Up With Love
What can make a great steak better? Tequila!

The Country Cook
How long has it been since you had this classic? Time for that to change!

Cooking Classy
A vibrant and flavorful salad made with a variety of cherry and grape tomatoes.

The Country Cook
A healthy and filling salad that is also low-carb.

Spend With Pennies
Your guests will love munching on this while they wait for the burgers to come off the grill.

Plain Chicken
Red potatoes roasted in olive oil and tossed with bacon, ranch and green onions.

Spend With Pennies
You will need some extra wet wipes after this recipe.

Plain Chicken
A flavorful coleslaw with no mayo!

Spend With Pennies
If you’re not grilling fruit, you’re really missing out on something delish.

Spend With Pennies
A great mac salad is a classic side dish for summer for a good reason.

The Black Peppercorn
This super juicy steak is so tender when cut the right way.

Spend With Pennies
If you love a good “eggy” potato salad, this will be a new favorite.

The Country Cook
Calling all chocolate fans!

Spend With Pennies
This sweet dish makes a great side dish or dessert.

Plain Chicken
A crazy delicious creamy corn salad with a kick.

Plain Chicken
A marinade with a little bit of everything gives these steaks a big flavor.

Southern Bite
A classic salad gets a new twist.

Plain Chicken
Summer fruits tossed in a vanilla pudding dressing.

Plain Chicken
What makes Kansas City BBQ unique? Dry rub!

Plain Chicken
Make ahead of time and keep frozen until ready to serve.

Plain Chicken
Grilled corn with peppers and feta cheese tossed with a honey lime dressing.

Krista Marshall
Next Up: 60 Easy Summer Salad Recipes