Memorial Day weekend is quickly approaching, marking the beginning of the season of summer barbeques. My family loves this season of dining outdoors. The kids view it as an adventure and our oven enjoys the reprieve as the grill takes on the responsibility of cooking our entrees.
To kick-start the barbecue season, here’s a menu plan for your Memorial Day BBQ.
Hamburgers
Go to any burger joint and you will find several hamburger options. That’s because when it comes to burgers, people have distinct tastes and strong opinions. For that reason, I’ve decided not to define one “best” hamburger recipe for you. Instead, I’m providing you with a link to a site that has almost two dozen burger recipes so that no matter how you like your burger, you’ll find one to satisfy. Click here to go to Serious Eats hamburger recipes.
Broccoli Salad
Don’t worry, there are plenty of flavorful additions like bacon and cheddar cheese to make this vegetable side dish appealing to the kids. Click here to go to Mel’s Kitchen Cafe’s “Best Broccoli Salad” recipe.
Pasta Salad
This version from Dashing Dish is chock full of vegetables and flavor while going easy on fat and calories. Click here for the recipe.
Potato Salad
Like burgers, everyone has their own opinion about what makes a good potato salad. Some like a mustard sauce, while others prefer mayonnaise. Some people won’t even consider eating potato salad that doesn’t contain hard-boiled eggs while the thought of eggs in potato salad turns other people’s stomachs. Check out these recipes from Southern Living. One of these is certain to make your taste buds sing.
Corn on the Cob
Corn on the cob is my kids’ favorite part of our summer BBQ meals. We don’t do anything fancy. We do use this simple trick from Mel’s Kitchen Café though to make perfect, juicy corn every time.
Watermelon
Somehow we have convinced our kids that this is dessert. Just as sweet and messy as popsicles but no artificial sweeteners or dyes! For instructions on the easiest way to cut up a watermelon, click here.
Final Thoughts
Over the summer I will share some of our other favorite outdoor meals. We splurge a little (in terms of calories) for the holiday weekend, so the recipes in this menu plan are about as naughty as I’ll get.
Tomorrow I’ll share my favorite tips for keeping tablecloths and napkins from flying away while you’re eating outside and for keeping pests away from your food.
What are your plans for Memorial Day weekend? Please let me know in the comments. I love to hear your plans and adventures!
i’m officially hungry
Hmm…salad and corn! Those are easy to prepare and definitely a hit for the day.
Hubby and I were talking about Memorial Day today and been planning of what to cook. Thank’s for these ideas.
Wonderful tips, and drooling foods here.
OMG! Your broccoli salad really looks good. Thanks for the idea and the recipe. Now, I am craving for one.
You just made me VERY hungry!!
Sounds like one great menu for the Memorial day with family and friends. 🙂
These are great ideas thank you so much. I Love this menu.
quick and great menu.:)
Potato and pasta salad are my favorites!
That looks perfect, what time do we come eat, lol. My husband has a job at a company that makes a lot of great foods and they provide us with great deals on it for Memorial Day so our menu is set for us.
I can’t wait to start grilling! I love all the summer food.
Oh yeah! these are yummy. You make me hungry now hehhee
Want to try broc salad and of course fresh watermelon is on my list
You are definitively ready
Thanks for sharing ideas
Mouthwatering menu!! Now I am craving a good homemade burger!! Yumms 🙂
I love summer cookouts – I’m a pasta salad junkie!
all looks great—love the broccoli salad haven’t made that in years
Those hamburger recipes look delish! I know what we are doing over the holiday . . .
Fire up the grill, honey!