For many people, Memorial Day weekend signals the start of cookout season, and I couldn’t be more ready. It’s time to take the cover off the BBQ and fire it up!
This weekend is full of events for our family: a college graduation, a post-grad celebration at our home, and our youngest is coming back from Santa Barbara to celebrate with his brother and spend the long weekend with us. I did my Costco haul today and the kitchen is stocked and ready for action.
Today is my prep day and I think I’ve got everything under control. Well… we’ll see, but I’m optimistic it’ll all work out.
Over the past few years I’ve shared many reliable summer BBQ recipes. Here I’ve gathered a collection of favorite cookout dishes to help you get ready for grilling season.
Click the images or recipe titles to go straight to each recipe. Let’s start with the main attraction: the meat!
I’ve marinated more sirloin steaks than I can count with this Grilled Steak Marinade. Sirloin is an excellent cut for the grill—good value, tender, and flavorful. Give this marinade a try.
This six-ingredient Whiskey Balsamic Steak marinade delivers big flavor from a blend of whiskey and balsamic—simply incredible.
For a straightforward beef dish, add a fresh salsa to brighten the plate. The Simply Grilled Steak with Grilled Corn and Black Bean Salsa is a standout.
This recipe from my brother produces incredibly tender country-style ribs with a sweet, tangy glaze. Jim’s Country Style Ribs are truly exceptional.
True to its name, the Pretty Chicken Marinade adds beautiful color and bright flavor to grilled chicken. It’s my go-to chicken marinade.
The Grilled Greek Chicken features olive oil, fresh herbs, garlic, lemon juice, and black pepper, paired with a homemade, lighter tzatziki sauce. It’s a favorite for good reason.
One of my boys’ favorites, Grilled Chicken Satay with Peanut Dipping Sauce is addictive and perfect for a cookout.
Now for sides to serve alongside these grilled mains. Here are some tasty ideas.
Ryan’s Favorite Beans are hearty and satisfying—named for my eldest and one of our go-to sides for backyard meals.
Spicy Baked Beans take canned beans to the next level with bold add-ins. They’re simple and full of flavor.
For a slower, more hands-on option, Baked Beans from Scratch are worth the time. The step-by-step photo tutorial makes the process easy to follow.
The Strawberry Spinach Salad with Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette is both visually appealing and delicious—perfect for summer.
Feeding a crowd? The Classic Layered Salad can be made ahead; its layering technique keeps everything crisp until serving time.
Add crunchy vegetables with this Broccoli Salad—light, tangy dressing, dried cranberries, slivered almonds, and bacon make it a winner.
The Ramen Cabbage Salad is crispy and crunchy—ramen noodles add a fun texture to this easy summer side.
Pizza Pasta Salad tastes like pizza in pasta form—always a hit with the kids.
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad blends pasta and salad into a satisfying hybrid that everyone enjoys.
Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Salad is quick to assemble and full of vibrant color and flavor.
I feel incredibly blessed to spend this holiday weekend with the people I love, and I hope you have the same good fortune.
I hope these ideas help you plan your menu. Whether you’re hosting, traveling, or taking it easy, enjoy the holiday and the start of grilling season!