It’s nearly time for the unofficial start of summer, and I’m excited barbecue season is back. If you’re hosting a cookout this weekend, I’m sharing some Memorial Day menu ideas to make your day delicious.
What a treat for the senses Marie Guaragna’s (Arlington, VA) Mandarin Orange Strawberry Spinach Salad is.
Marie thinks, “This is a true crowd-pleaser.” I know it’s always been a favorite with my family.
There is just something classic about the flavors of fresh spinach and strawberries. Add in mandarin oranges, and you have a yummy salad.
Celery, parsley, and green onions add a bit of crunch and a slight onion flavor. I love the candied almonds on top. The homemade vinaigrette is light and perfect to dress the salad with.
“Whenever I make this Pasta Salad, everyone always asks me to make it again,” shares Belinda Hughes (Cottage Grove, OR). “It is always a big hit, that’s for sure.”
Belinda’s pasta salad has a lot of ingredients, but they all pair well together. Cheese and salami make this a hearty salad, while pepperoncini peppers add a kick of spice. But, as Belinda suggests, you can adapt this salad to include your favorite ingredients.
If you always make grilled chicken try Sheila Nakata’s (Maple Valley, WA) Grilled Chicken With Cilantro Marinade.
“These wonderfully grilled chicken legs get their flavor from the sweetness of brown sugar and spice from the jalapeno and cilantro,” explains Sheila. “If you do not like cilantro, you can substitute cilantro with coriander. You still achieve a great flavor for a deliciously wonderful meal.”
After marinating, the slow-cooked chicken legs are moist and juicy. The marinade is slightly sweet from the brown sugar with a bold, spicy flavor from the mustard.
You’ll taste the jalapeno flavor, but it doesn’t add heat. If you don’t like chicken wings, it’ll also be delicious with chicken thighs or breasts.
I love to make ribs in the smoker, but sometimes I don’t always have time to cook them.
Brad Nichols (Pleasantville, NY) shared his Simple, Succulent Bbq Baby Back Ribs that are “an easy way to consistently make very tasty fall-off-the-bone BBQ Ribs.”
When following Brad’s recipe, the ribs are tender and still achieve that taste of ribs right off the pit – but in less time. A kicked-up BBQ sauce enhances the flavor of the meat as it falls off the bone.
Rice Krispie treats are a staple in most childhood memories. Christine Goff’s (Canton, OH) Cinnamon Brown Sugar Rice Krispies Treats recipe gives them a grown-up makeover.
“My boyfriend and his family love cinnamon brown sugar anything,” reveals Christine. “So, I thought, why not make a cinnamon brown sugar Rice Krispie treat? Needless to say, I was begged to make more that night!”
The rice cereal is coated in a buttery marshmallow mix. This version adds brown sugar and cinnamon to the butter which packs a ton of flavor in each treat.
They’re gooey with spice from the cinnamon. They remind me of a Snickerdoodle Rice Krispie treat. Kids, big and small, will go crazy for these.
These Memorial Day menu ideas will be perfect alongside any burgers and hot dogs you may be grilling. What do you make for a Memorial Day party? Share your favorite recipes below that make your cookouts tasty. Happy Pinching!