Try These Memorial Day Recipes For A Memorable Holiday

Looking for tasty Memorial Day recipes to make your celebration unforgettable? You’ve come to the right place. There is a variety of delicious dishes perfect for the holiday. From classic barbecue favorites to refreshing summer treats, these recipes will surely please your guests and make your Memorial Day gathering one for the books.

 

7 Amazing Memorial Day Recipes to Satisfy Your Taste Buds

Memorial Day weekend is the perfect time to plan a gathering of family and friends. And what better way to celebrate the holiday than with delicious meals made with love and care? For a personal touch, here are the best Memorial Day recipes to try out.

 

1. Star Spangle Layered Dip

No Memorial Day menu is complete without something to whet the appetite, and this layered dip hits the spot!

Ingredients:

• 4 scallions, thinly sliced, light green and white parts only
• 2 cups guacamole
• 2 cups Mexican blend cheese, shredded
• 1 container sour cream (16 oz)
• 1 cup crumbled Cotija cheese
• 2 cans of refried beans (15 oz each)
• 1/4 cup black olives, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups salsa
• Corn chips, for serving

Directions:

1. Spread refried beans evenly in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
2. Layer guacamole over the beans, followed by sour cream.
3. Sprinkle scallions and shredded cheese on top.
4. Arrange black olives in the top left corner to form a flag shape.
5. Dust with cotija cheese over the olives.
6. Spoon salsa in stripes across the dish, leaving space for white stripes.
7. Sprinkle the remaining cotija cheese between the salsa for white stripes.
8. Refrigerate until ready to serve, then enjoy with corn chips for dipping.

 

2. Prize-Winning Baby Back Ribs

Out of the many Memorial Day meals, you can’t go wrong with baby back ribs!

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 3 lbs baby back pork ribs
• 1 cup barbeque sauce
• 1 tbsp paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Heat a gas grill on high or set up charcoal briquettes on one side of the barbecue. Grease the grate lightly.
2. Mix cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a small jar by shaking well.
3. Using a sharp knife, remove the membrane sheath from the back of each rib rack. Sprinkle the spice mix on both sides of the ribs without rubbing too much.
4. Place aluminum foil on the lower grill rack to catch drippings. Position the ribs on the top rack away from the coals (if using briquettes). Lower the gas heat to low and cover.
5. Cook the ribs, untouched, until the meat easily separates from the bone, about 1 hour. Ensure the center temperature reaches 145°F (63°C) with an instant-read thermometer.
6. Apply barbecue sauce to the ribs and grill for another 5 minutes.
7. Serve the ribs whole or cut between each rib bone and arrange them on a platter.

 

3. Charm City Corn

If you’re looking for easy Memorial Day recipes for side dishes, this Charm City corn ticks the box.

Ingredients:

• 4 tbsps butter
• 2 cups water
• 4 ears of corn, cut into thirds
• 2 tsp Old Bay seasoning
• 1 cup milk
• Green hot sauce
• Pinch of salt

Directions:

1. In a pot, bring the water, milk, and a pinch of salt to a boil. Add the corn to the pot. Cook for about 5 minutes before draining.
2. In the same pot, melt the butter and add in the Old Bay seasoning, green hot sauce (to taste), and salt.
3. Cover the corn with the butter sauce.

 

4. Dave’s Low Country Boil

No list of Memorial Day dishes would be complete without a seafood boil!

Ingredients:

• 8 ears fresh corn, husks and silks removed
• 5 lbs new potatoes
• 5 lbs whole crab, broken into pieces
• 4 lbs fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 3 (16 oz) packages kielbasa sausage, cooked, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 tbsp seafood seasoning (such as Old Bay)

Directions:

1. Start by heating a generous pot of water, either in an outdoor cooker or on the stovetop, over medium-high heat. Season the water with seafood seasoning according to your preference and bring it to a boil.
2. Once boiling, add the potatoes and sausage to the pot and allow them to cook for approximately 10 minutes. Break the corn ears in half and add them with the crab, cooking for 5 minutes.
3. As the potatoes start to become tender, add the shrimp. Cook until the shrimp are just done, which typically takes 3 to 4 minutes longer.
4. When everything is cooked, drain the water. Empty the contents onto a picnic table covered with newspaper for a rustic dining experience.

 

5. Hamburgers

Hamburgers make for great Memorial Day recipes, and this one is simple yet tasty.

Ingredients:

• 24 oz ground chuck
• 4 soft hamburger-style buns, split
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 4 slices beefsteak tomatoes, optional
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 4 slices cheese
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Spice Mix, optional, recipe follows
• Assorted mustards
• Assorted lettuces and greens
• Ketchup, optional
• Mayonnaise, optional

Spice Mix:

• 2 tsp onion powder
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• Hot Sauce, to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 450°F and line a baking sheet with foil, placing a roasting rack on top.
2. Break the meat into small pieces with your hands and spread evenly but loosely on a parchment or waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Season generously with salt and pepper, and add the spice mix optionally.
3. Divide the meat into 4 portions, about 6 ounces each. Gently shape each portion into a ball and then into a patty about 3 1/2 inches wide and 1 inch thick.
4. Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-low heat for 5 minutes. Increase heat to high, add oil, and cook patties for about 2 minutes on each side until well browned.
5. Transfer patties to the roasting rack in the oven and cook to your preferred doneness: 8 to 9 minutes for medium-rare, 10 to 11 minutes for medium, and 13 to 15 minutes for well-done. If using cheese, melt it on the patties during the last few minutes.
6. Let the hamburgers rest for a couple of minutes before serving. Toast the buns, then assemble the hamburgers with your favorite condiments and toppings.
7. For countertop grilling, preheat the grill and cook the burgers according to grill instructions.
8. Mix all ingredients to make the spice mix.

 

6. Fresh Southern Peach Cobbler

There are plenty of Memorial Day desserts you can prepare, but this peach cobbler is certainly both satisfying and refreshing.

Ingredients:

• 8 fresh peaches – peeled, pitted and sliced into thin wedges
• 6 tbsps unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
• 2 tsps cornstarch
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
• 3 tbsps white sugar
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup boiling water
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F.
2. In a large bowl, mix peaches, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup white sugar, nutmeg, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Toss everything together until the peaches are evenly coated, then transfer the mixture into a 2-quart baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, in another large bowl, combine flour, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup white sugar, baking powder, and salt. Use your hands or a pastry blender to incorporate the butter until its texture becomes coarse. Stir in water until just combined.
4. Remove the peaches from the oven, and drop spoonfuls of the topping mixture over them.
5. In a small bowl, mix 3 tablespoons of white sugar and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Sprinkle this mixture over the entire cobbler.
6. Bake in the oven until the topping is golden, which should take about 30 minutes.

 

7. Sparkling Summer Lemonade

Looking for a Memorial Day drink recipe? This summer lemonade will certainly quench your thirst!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup raspberries
• 1/2 cup lemon juice plus 1 lemon, sliced into wheels
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup blackberries
• 1/2 cup strawberries, halved
• 3 sprigs fresh mint, plus more for serving
• 2 liters of seltzer or soda water

Directions:

1. In a small pot, combine the sugar and 1 cup of water over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring until the sugar is fully dissolved.
2. Remove the pot from the heat and add the mint sprigs. Allow the mint to steep in the syrup for 10 minutes, then discard the mint.
3. Transfer the mint-infused simple syrup to a large pitcher, punch bowl, or serving canister.
4. Add the lemon juice, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, and lemon wheels to the pitcher. Stir everything together well.
5. When ready to serve, fill the pitcher halfway with ice.
6. Top off the mixture with seltzer and give it another good stir.
7. Serve the drink over ice and garnish with sprigs of fresh mint.

 

An Unforgettable Memorial Day Weekend

As you can see, there are plenty of Memorial Day recipes you can use this upcoming holiday to impress your guests and satisfy your taste buds. If you’re feeling grand, you can even prepare them all. Just make sure you have help in the kitchen!

 

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