25 Recipes That Made Memorial Day Worth It

Memorial Day isn’t just about firing up the grill—it’s about making the meal worth the effort. These 25 recipes bring bold flavors, quick prep, and the kind of impact that defines the holiday. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just keeping it simple, every dish earns its place on the grill. This is the kind of food that makes Memorial Day worth it, one plate at a time.

A grilled steak with cowboy butter on a white plate. — Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Grilled Pork Chop Surf and Turf

Bone in pork chop topped with hollandaise sauce and shrimp, on a white plate next to green beans. — Grilled Pork Chop Surf and Turf. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Grilled pork chop surf and turf brings BBQ Day full circle with a land-and-sea pairing that’s quick to cook but full of flavor. The pork locks in smoke while the shrimp adds that perfect bite of char. This recipe works especially well for Memorial Day thanks to how easy it is to prep and how impressive it looks on the plate. It’s the kind of dish that keeps the grill going long after the first round is served.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pork Chop Surf and Turf

Grilled Basil Pesto Chicken with Charred Tomatoes and Avocado

Plate of basil pesto chicken with grilled tomatoes and avocado slices. — Grilled Basil Pesto Chicken with Charred Tomatoes and Avocado. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Grilled basil pesto chicken makes BBQ Day worth it with its garden-fresh punch and fast grilling time. The charred tomatoes and creamy avocado come together like summer in every bite. It’s quick, flavorful, and lets you focus more on the fun and less on the grill. This one lands on the table looking like effort, but it’s mostly just timing.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Basil Pesto Chicken with Charred Tomatoes and Avocado

25-Minute Bacon-Avocado Ground Beef Burger

An up-close shot of bacon-avocado ground beef burger on a flat white surface. — 25-Minute Bacon-Avocado Ground Beef Burger. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Bacon-avocado ground beef burgers are built for BBQ Day with speed, size, and the kind of flavor you don’t second-guess. They cook fast, stack tall, and hit all the crowd-pleasing notes. This recipe checks all the boxes of what makes Memorial Day grilling so dependable. It’s one of those burgers that turns heads without needing a second grill.
Get the Recipe: 25-Minute Bacon-Avocado Ground Beef Burger

Grilled Steak with Peaches and Onions

Grilled steak with peaches and onions makes BBQ Day feel extra with its sweet and savory twist straight from the flame. The peaches caramelize quickly, while the steak stays juicy and bold. It’s fast to prep and memorable once it hits the plate. This is how summer fruits earn their place on the grill.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Steak with Peaches and Onions

Filet Mignon with Peach Mango Cilantro Sauce

Filet mignon with peach mango cilantro sauce is that BBQ Day flex that doesn’t feel forced. It’s easy to grill, dressed to impress, and still simple enough to handle on a busy day. The sear is clean and the topping brings just the right kind of bite. Meals like this turn backyard grills into bragging rights.
Get the Recipe: Filet Mignon with Peach Mango Cilantro Sauce

Grilled Maple Mustard Chicken

Grilled maple mustard chicken keeps BBQ Day grounded with charred skin and no-fuss prep. The sauce clings perfectly and builds a crust that the fire loves. It comes together fast, works on any grill, and lands with flavor that matches the moment. This is what chicken should always taste like when the grill gets hot.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Maple Mustard Chicken

Citrus Glazed Pork Chops

Grilled pork chops on a plate with oranges and limes. — Citrus Glazed Pork Chops. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Citrus glazed pork chops bring BBQ Day to life with bright glaze and a flame-licked finish. These chops are quick to cook, bold in flavor, and easy to plate up for a crowd. With minimal ingredients and high reward, they show how pork holds its own during holiday grilling. That first bite tells you it’s the kind of meal worth repeating.
Get the Recipe: Citrus Glazed Pork Chops

Grilled Shrimp Grain Bowl

Overhead shot of shrimp skewers and veggie skewers next to a bowl of dressed grains. — Grilled Shrimp Grain Bowl. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Grilled shrimp grain bowl holds down BBQ Day with charred shrimp, greens, and a citrusy bite that feels right outdoors. It’s lighter than most but still plays well at the grill with speed and ease. It builds fast and delivers something fresh without skipping out on fire. This one quietly wins the day for those who want more than meat.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Grain Bowl

Tri-tip with Pineapple Mango Red Pepper Salsa

Tri-tip with pineapple mango red pepper salsa makes BBQ Day taste brighter with smoky meat and chilled fruit. The grill handles the beef while the salsa cools things off without losing flavor. It’s balanced, bold, and built for warm-weather grilling. This is one of those dishes that makes summer feel like it’s right on the plate.
Get the Recipe: Tri-tip with Pineapple Mango Red Pepper Salsa

Grilled Pork Chops with Pineapple Salsa

Grilled pork chops with pineapple salsa make BBQ Day feel familiar and fresh all at once. The meat sears strong while the salsa adds the kind of bite that cools but never dulls. This combo works because it’s simple and built for sharing. It tastes like something you’ve had before, but better.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pork Chops with Pineapple Salsa

Peach Salmon Skewers with Peach Jalapeño Crema

Side view of salmon skewers with more in background. — Peach Salmon Skewers with Peach Jalapeño Crema. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Peach salmon skewers bring the right mix of flame and fruit to make BBQ Day shine. The fish grills fast, the peaches caramelize lightly, and the crema ties it all together. It’s a quick main that’s easy to serve and hard to forget. This kind of flavor balance turns heads every time it hits the plate.
Get the Recipe: Peach Salmon Skewers with Peach Jalapeño Crema

Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebabs

Chicken skewers on skewers with lemon wedges. — Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebabs. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Grilled chicken kofta kebabs hit the grill fast and hold their shape with ease, making them perfect for BBQ Day. The seasoning cuts through and delivers full flavor without extra sauces or fuss. It’s a solid main that works great in hand or on a plate. These kebabs don’t need an intro—they speak for themselves.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebabs

Grilled Beef Finger Meat

Grilled beef finger meat brings BBQ Day back to basics with salt, sear, and speed. The cut cooks fast and tears easy, making it great for laid-back eating. It shows that good flavor doesn’t need fancy tricks or long cook times. When fire meets beef like this, nothing else matters.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Beef Finger Meat

Grilled Flank Steak with Chile Butter

Sliced flank steak with chili butter. — Grilled Flank Steak with Chile Butter. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Grilled flank steak with chile butter proves BBQ Day doesn’t have to be complicated to be bold. The steak sears quickly and soaks up the butter as it melts across the surface. It serves a group without much effort and still holds center stage. This one hits hard and leaves nothing behind but clean plates.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Flank Steak with Chile Butter

Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Shrimp skewers on a plate with lemon wedges. — Grilled Shrimp Skewers. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Grilled shrimp skewers keep BBQ Day moving fast with a quick sear and flavor that hits instantly. These cook in minutes, stay juicy, and bring strong grill flavor with minimal effort. They’re built for sharing and disappear faster than anything else on the table. This is the kind of BBQ food that makes people hover near the grill.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Ninja Woodfire Grill Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breasts

Four bacon-wrapped chicken breasts on a white rectangular plate garnished with sprigs of parsley. — Ninja Woodfire Grill Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breasts. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Bacon-wrapped chicken breasts bring BBQ Day straight into comfort territory with crisp edges and tender meat. They’re easy to prep, quick to cook, and land heavy on flavor with every bite. The bacon locks in moisture and makes these stand out from your average chicken. This one’s built for second servings before the first round’s even done.
Get the Recipe: Ninja Woodfire Grill Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breasts

Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp

Shrimp skewers on a white plate with lemon wedges. — Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Mediterranean grilled shrimp keeps BBQ Day light, fast, and full of herbed citrus flavor. It’s a smart option when you want bold taste without weighing things down. The grill brings just enough char while the seasoning carries the dish. It’s seafood that moves fast and leaves no leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp

Grilled Greek Lemon Chicken Kabobs

Grilled Greek lemon chicken kabobs make BBQ Day easier with skewers that cook fast and serve faster. The citrus and herbs punch through every bite, even under high heat. They’re clean, bright, and don’t need much to be memorable. This is the kind of cookout food that goes from grill to hand in seconds.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Greek Lemon Chicken Kabobs

Grilled Mango-Chipotle Chicken Wings

A plate of chicken wings on a white plate with a slice of mango. — Grilled Mango-Chipotle Chicken Wings. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Grilled mango-chipotle chicken wings keep BBQ Day bold with heat, char, and a sticky finish that comes together fast. The glaze burns just right into the skin, making each wing better than the last. It’s a crowd-pleaser that needs no introduction once the grill gets going. These wings leave a trail of sauce and no regrets.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Mango-Chipotle Chicken Wings

Grilled Hawaiian Chicken

Grilled chicken breasts stuffed with ham, pineapple and Jarlsberg cheese garnished with green onion. — Grilled Hawaiian Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Grilled Hawaiian chicken brings BBQ Day full circle with sweet pineapple, savory sauce, and a bit of grill char. It holds together over high heat and feeds a group with minimal fuss. The flavors strike that perfect mix of backyard comfort and vacation escape. This is what happens when grilling meets good timing and better flavors.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Hawaiian Chicken

Sweet & Spicy Grilled Harissa-Honey Chicken Skewers

Sweet and spicy harissa-honey chicken skewers throw BBQ Day into high gear with fast heat and caramelized edges. The glaze sticks just enough and keeps every bite loaded with flavor. These grill quickly and leave a stronger impression than many full plates. Skewers like this keep hands busy and plates full.
Get the Recipe: Sweet & Spicy Grilled Harissa-Honey Chicken Skewers

Nordic Fire-Grilled Salmon

Overhead view of fire-grilled salmon in white plate. — Nordic Fire-Grilled Salmon. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Nordic fire-grilled salmon simplifies BBQ Day with clean flavor, crispy skin, and no extra prep. The fire does the work while the fish delivers straight-up satisfaction in minutes. It’s fast, focused, and quietly impressive on any plate. Salmon like this doesn’t need sauce to stand tall.
Get the Recipe: Nordic Fire-Grilled Salmon

Grilled Hanger Steaks with Chimichurri

Sliced Grilled Hanger Steak with Chimichurri on a white plate. — Grilled Hanger Steaks with Chimichurri. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Grilled hanger steaks with chimichurri show up strong for BBQ Day with minimal prep and flavor that hits fast. The chimichurri cuts through the beef with just the right sharpness. This dish moves quickly and still feels like a centerpiece. When steak tastes this good, the grill speaks for itself.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Hanger Steaks with Chimichurri

Ninja Woodfire Grill T-Bone Steaks

A grilled t-bone steak on a black platter. — Ninja Woodfire Grill T-Bone Steaks. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Ninja Woodfire grilled T-bone steaks come ready for BBQ Day with crisp edges, bold flavor, and no unnecessary extras. They cook fast, hold heat well, and serve up like a pro’s choice. This is grilling at its simplest and most satisfying. Steaks like this don’t wait their turn—they take it.
Get the Recipe: Ninja Woodfire Grill T-Bone Steaks

Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter

Grilled steaks with cowboy butter make BBQ Day worth every second of prep. They sear hot, melt butter on the spot, and pack flavor from both meat and mix-ins. They’re simple to grill and impossible to pass up. This steak knows how to draw a crowd before the sides even show up.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter