Can you believe it’s almost Memorial Day? I’m so excited because it’s the perfect time to get together with friends and family for some great food and lots of fun.
To make this year’s barbecue even better than last year’s, I’ve got three fantastic memorial day BBQ ideas that are sure to impress everyone.
From smoky meats to perfectly grilled veggies, these recipes will surely transform your average cookout into something that wows your guests. So what are we waiting for? Let’s light those coals and start cooking!
1. Grilled Honey Sriracha Chicken Wings
Good food brings people together, and this holiday is no exception. Tell me, is there anything better than sharing some spicy-sweet grilled honey sriracha chicken wings on a sunny Memorial Day afternoon?
These finger foods are not only delicious, but they will no doubt make your guests ask for more. So, to make this recipe, these are the ingredients ingredients you’ll need:
- 2 lbs. of chicken wings
- 1/4 cup of honey
- 2 tablespoons of your favorite sriracha sauce
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 2 cloves of minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Chopped green onions and sesame seeds for garnish
Once you have your ingredients prepped and ready, it’s time to get cooking.
Grilling Directions
- Combine your honey, sriracha sauce, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, salt, and pepper in a large bowl to make the marinade. Then, set it aside for now.
- Put your chicken wings in a large resealable bag and pour the marinade over them. Seal the bag ensuring all wings are covered with marinade, then refrigerate for at least an hour. Better yet, leave your marinated chicken overnight to absorb all the smokey flavor.
- Next, preheat your grill until it reaches medium-high heat. Take out the chicken wings from the marinade and place them onto the heated grill.
- Grill the wings while turning occasionally for 20 to 25 minutes or until they are well done on both sides.
- Once your grilled wings are slightly charred, transfer them to a serving platter and sprinkle with chopped green onions and sesame seeds for an extra burst of flavor.
- Now, there’s nothing left to do but to serve your chicken wings while they are still hot.
2. Grilled Vegetable Skewers With Balsamic Glaze
If you’re looking for the perfect veggie match for your grilled chicken, look no further. With only a few ingredients, you can take your plain grilled vegetable skewers to a whole new level.
Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
- Assorted vegetables, like bell peppers, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and mushrooms
- Wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
- 1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- 2 cloves of minced garlic
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Fresh herbs (like basil or thyme) for garnish
You can make your grilled vegetable skewers with balsamic glaze in as simple as five steps.
Grilling Directions
- Begin by preheating your grill to medium heat.
- Then, chop the vegetables into bite-sized pieces and thread them onto the soaked wooden skewers. Alternate between the various types of veggies on your table for a more colorful presentation.
- Next, it’s time to make the star of the show — your glaze. For this step, whisk the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl, then set aside.
- Put the vegetable skewers on the preheated grill and sprinkle them with salt and pepper to taste. While they cook, brush your veggies with your balsamic mix. Turn them occasionally for 10 to 15 minutes to keep the vegetables tender and only lightly charred.
- Finally, take off the skewers from the grill and put them on a serving dish. To finish it off, you can garnish with fresh herbs and drizzle with any remaining balsamic glaze.
3. BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches
The last recipe on the list — which is the BBQ pulled pork sandwich — puts a new spin on its every other pulled pork sandwich you’ve tried. This pièce de résistance is the ultimate combination of tangy and sweet, smokey and tender, making it a perfect match for everything else we’ve seen so far.
And, as a cherry on top, you can also add a side of creamy coleslaw to even out the different flavors exploding in your mouth.
To begin, you’ll need:
- 3-4 lbs of pork shoulder or butt roast
- 1 cup of BBQ sauce (if you have a homemade recipe, you can do that too)
- 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon of smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon of garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Hamburger buns
- Optional: Creamy coleslaw
This recipe can get a little tricky, so take the time to learn and follow the instructions below.
Grilling Directions
- Start by generously seasoning the pork roast with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder.
- Then, mix the BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar in a separate bowl or container to make the sauce.
- After which, preheat your grill to medium-low heat before putting the seasoned pork roast on it.
- Cook the pork roast for 6 to 8 hours until it is tender. You’ll know when it’s ready when you can easily pull the pork apart with a fork.
- Once the pork is finished cooking, shred it using two forks and toss it with the BBQ sauce mixture until it’s completely coated.
- Side Note: Some people may want a lumpier pork roast, while others may want a finer shred. So you’ll need to find what works best for you and your guests.
- Now that you have your sandwich filling ready, it’s time to focus on your bread. You can leave it as is, or you can toast your buns on the grill for a minute or two for added crunch.
- Assemble the sandwiches by placing a generous amount of BBQ pulled pork on each bun and topping with coleslaw (if you want).
- Serve and enjoy the irresistible combination of smoky, savory flavors with every bite.
Spice Up Your Memorial Day With These Recipes!
These grilled recipes are guaranteed to make your BBQ celebration the talk of the town. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a seasoned grill master or just getting the hang of it, these dishes are jam-packed with flavor and are relatively easy to prepare.
So, what are you waiting for? Fire up the grill, invite your friends and family over, and create unforgettable memories this Memorial Day weekend!