20 Grilling Recipes for Your Memorial Day Cookout

From grilled chicken and salmon to grilled peaches and corn, fill your Memorial Day with these crowd-pleasing recipes.

Grilled Pork Chops on Plate with Carving Fork

Marta A Rivera Diaz / Simply Recipes

Americans gather on Memorial Day with flags flying high and grateful hearts, to remember those that gave their lives while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. This federal holiday, on the last Monday in May, is also viewed as the official start to summer. 

Like any other holiday, celebration, or remembrance, food is in order. The unofficial official start of summer is the perfect time to fire up the grill and head to the backyard for a barbecue. 

All of these amazing recipes work for grilling masters as well as newbies. We also have some tips to help you master cooking on the grill so you can impress your guests. This comprehensive list of grilling recipes will inspire your Memorial Day menu. Breathe in the fresh air and thank your lucky stars for those that served this country by giving it all.

Robin Shreeves joins Rachel in collecting these recipes.

  • Easy Grilled Gochujang Chicken Thighs

    Easy Grilled Gochujang Chicken Thighs

    Cynthia Christensen / Simply Recipes

    "In most Korean households, gochujang is rarely used straight out of the container. Instead, it is used in conjunction with other ingredients to add a subtle, or striking heat, depending on how much is used." —Cynthia Christensen, Contributor

  • Easy Grilled Salmon

    Grilled salmon with a forkful taken out alongside asparagus and lemon on the plate.
    Ciara Kehoe

    This grilled salmon recipe gives four different marinades to choose from. Each works with the same basic method, one that ingeniously prevents the fish falling apart on the grate. —Rachel

  • Grilled Romaine Lettuce

    Grilled Romaine Lettuce
    Elise Bauer

    If you’re looking for an easy upgrade to the side salad, try grilling whole romaine hearts! A herb vinaigrette is lightly brushed on right before grilling on high heat. Serve whole or chopped, for a simple grilled salad. —Rachel

  • Grilled Peaches

    Grilled Peaches on a Wood Board

    Simply Recipes / Hannah Zimmerman

    "Though it might be tempting, do not flip the peaches to check on them before the two- to three-minute mark. Be patient and you’ll be rewarded with beautifully charred peaches." —Hannah Zimmerman, Contributor

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  • Grilled Mexican Street Corn (Elote)

    Mexican Street Corn topped with crema and cilantro on a plate
    Megan Keno

    This quick and easy side dish can feed a large crowd. Sweet, char-grilled corn is topped with a tangy sauce of crema, lime, and cilantro—serve with carne asada and you will not disappoint your guests.

    Of course, you can do plain grilled corn on the cob, too. —Rachel

  • Char Siu Chicken

    Stove Top Char Siu Chicken
    Alison Conklin

    Only requiring eight ingredients and 30 minutes of active time, this dish is sure to delight. Chicken thighs are quickly marinated in a combination of ginger, soy sauce, and hoisin sauce before grilling. Serve with classic potato salad or daikon and carrot pickles. —Rachel

  • Slow and Low Country Ribs

    Country style Rib recipe - cooking country ribs slow and low
    Elise Bauer

    Cooking meaty pork ribs over low heat for hours lends a tender, perfectly juicy rib. Baste in barbecue sauce, serve with coleslaw and a fistful of napkins. —Rachel

  • How to Grill the Best Steak

    How to grill steak recipe
    Nick Evans

    I love a thick ribeye steak for special occasions, especially for a smaller gathering. Season the steak and let it dry brine in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours before grilling. Thirty minutes before you want to eat, make the herbed butter on the stovetop and heat up the grill. Cook the steak to the desired doneness and let it rest for five minutes before slicing and serving. —Rachel

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  • Easy Grilled Peppers

    Platter of Grilled Peppers Surrounded by Olives, Capers, Olive Oil, and Toast

    Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas

    "Grilled peppers will last four to five days in the refrigerator in a tightly closed container. You can also freeze them for up to 6 months. Peel them now or peel them later." —Sally Vargas, Contributor

  • Easy Grilled Pork Chops

    Grilled Pork Chops on Plate with Carving Fork

    Marta A Rivera Diaz / Simply Recipes

    "Grill two-inch-thick rib chops for about four minutes per side over high heat. Then finish cooking them through over low heat for 15 to 20 minutes. Boneless chops or thinner rib chops will take less time to cook through." —Marta Rivera, Contributor

  • Hot Dogs with Spicy Kimchi Slaw

    Hot Dogs with Kimchi and Gochujang
    Nick Evans

    Make your backyard barbecue seamless and easy by setting out a variety of toppings for a build-your-own hot dog bar. This kimchi slaw is a fresh and easy addition to an all-meat or meatless hot dog. —Rachel

  • Grilled Artichokes

    Grilled artichokes
    Elise Bauer

    Simply prepared artichokes are steamed first and then brushed with an herb infused oil. Set them on the grill to take on a little char and you’ll never want to eat artichokes any other way. —Rachel

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  • Barbecued Pork Shoulder on a Gas Grill

    bbq pork shoulder on grill
    Elise Bauer

    Fire up the gas grill for this pork shoulder that's wrapped in foil and grilled low and slow, taking on a smoky flavor. Start early in the day. A four-pound roast can take about 8 hours, but it's definitely worth it. —Robin

  • Grilled Spicy Citrus Ribs With Bourbon Glaze

    A parchment lined baking sheet with cut ribs from a grilled ribs recipe.
    Lori Rice

    Brine plumps up the meat with extra moisture so they won't dry out easily on the grill—which comes in handy if the Memorial Day cookout festivities distract you. —Robin

  • Grilled Onions

    The best ever grilled onions piled on a purple rimmed platter.
    Mike Lang

    Take your burger toppings up a notch with these grilled onions. They take on a sweet and smoky flavor that complements any grilled patty. —Robin

  • Grilled Asparagus

    Grilled Asparagus
    Elise Bauer

    Fresh asparagus is abundant just around Memorial Day, and this recipe cooks them simply and quickly on the grill. They're tender but still have a bit of a crunch. Grill a bunch, because they're kind of irresistible. —Robin

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  • Grilled BBQ Wings

    A plate of grilled wings.
    Eliezer Martinez

    Start the cookout off with these popular wings. Grill them low and slow over indirect heat and then slather with homemade Buffalo sauce. —Robin

  • Grilled Radicchio Salad

    Radicchio Salad
    Elise Bauer

    Grilling radicchio transforms the vegetable's bitterness into a slight nuttiness. It's super easy to grill, and you can serve it warm or at room temperature. Throw it on the grill first and it'll still be good by the time you finish the burgers, dogs, and BBQ chicken. —Robin

  • Beef Kabobs

    Beef Kabobs
    Elise Bauer

    Fill the grill with these kabobs, pile the skewered grilled meat and vegetables high on a plate, and watch them disappear. Marinate the beef overnight for the best results. —Robin

  • Beer Can Chicken

    Beer Can Chicken for Memorial Day
    October Creative and Elise Bauer

    Serve the juiciest chicken to ever come off your grill to your cookout guests when you cook the entire chicken on top of a can of beer. As the beer steams inside the bird's cavity, it keeps it moist on the inside while the heat from the grill crisps up the outside. —Robin