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Memorial Day weekend is the official kickoff to grilling season, and these are the recipes worth firing up the grill for. From smoky smoked tri-tip and poor man's burnt ends to juicy pork tenderloin, sticky chicken skewers, and party-ready pig shots - every recipe on this list comes straight from my tried-and-tested Grill & Smoker collection.
Make tender, juicy grilled BBQ ribs using this easy 2-step foil method that locks in moisture before finishing over smoky heat. Ready in about 3 hours using simple pantry spices and your grill, this foolproof approach delivers consistent, fall-apart ribs without needing a smoker 👉 Get the Grilled BBQ Ribs Recipe →
A rack of glazed, barbecued ribs on a wooden cutting board, with a shiny, caramelized surface and a small bowl of sauce partially visible in the corner.
Santa Maria-Style Tri-Tip, Smoked
This is the ultimate crowd-pleasing centerpiece for Memorial Day. A bold Santa Maria dry rub, low-and-slow smoking at 225°F, and a high-heat reverse-sear finish lock in every drop of juice. It works on a pellet, charcoal, or oven if the weather doesn't cooperate. 👉 Get the Santa Maria Tri-Tip Recipe →
Poor Man's Burnt Ends
You don't need a full packer brisket to make incredible burnt ends. This recipe uses chuck roast, smoked low and slow, then finished with BBQ sauce until caramelized, sticky, and deeply smoky. Works on any smoker - pellet, charcoal, or electric. 👉 Get the Poor Man's Burnt Ends Recipe
Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Chimichurri Sauce
Juicy marinated pork tenderloin seared over direct heat, finished over indirect heat, and served with a bright herbaceous chimichurri that cuts through the richness perfectly. A summer cookout staple. 👉 Get the Pork Tenderloin with Chimichurri Recipe
Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Pineapple Salsa
Bold, sweet, and tropical - this pork tenderloin cooks fast, stays juicy, and gets crispy on the outside whether you grill it or roast it. The pineapple salsa is the star. 👉 Get the Pork Tenderloin with Pineapple Salsa Recipe
Smoked Pork Butt (Boston Butt)
This smoked Boston butt recipe is built for beginners - one bold dry rub, 225°F on any smoker, and 10-14 hours later you get impossibly tender, fall-apart pulled pork that feeds a crowd of 15. No babysitting, no basting, no stress.. 👉 Smoked Pork Butt (Boston Butt)
🍗 Grilled Chicken for a Crowd
6. Grilled Honey Sriracha Chicken Drumsticks
These drumsticks go straight onto a hot grill and get smothered in a sweet and spicy sticky sauce. Amazing crunchy crust, tons of flavor, and they turn out perfectly every single time. 👉 Get the Honey Sriracha Drumsticks Recipe
7. Grilled Crispy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings
Crispy, garlicky, cheesy - these wings are the appetizer that disappears first. Grill them over direct heat for that charred, crunchy skin everyone fights over. 👉 Get the Garlic Parmesan Wings Recipe
8. Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs
When you don't feel like standing over the grill, these fall-apart BBQ chicken thighs deliver smoky, saucy flavor from the slow cooker. Finish under the broiler or on a hot grill grate for a beautiful caramelized glaze.
Ready in just 30 minutes, this Moroccan chicken recipe is bursting with warm spices and fresh flavor. A quick lemon-herb marinade keeps the chicken juicy whether you bake, pan-sear, or grill it. 👉 Get the Moroccan Chicken Recipe
Skewers are the ultimate Memorial Day party food - easy to serve, endlessly customizable, and they look incredible on the grill.
10. BBQ Chicken Kebabs
Sticky, saucy, and smoky BBQ chicken skewers that caramelize beautifully on the grill. Built around a bold smoked paprika, brown sugar, and chili dry rub with a two-stage basting sequence for maximum char. 👉 Get the BBQ Chicken Thighs Recipe
11. Marinated Beef Kebabs
Classic shish kebabs with marinated beef cubes, bell peppers, mushrooms, and red onion - grilled until lightly charred outside and tender inside. The go-to backyard BBQ recipe the whole family asks for every summer. 👉 Get the Beef Kebabs Recipe
12. Beef Kofta
Seasoned ground beef shaped around skewers and grilled until juicy with crispy charred edges. Serve with warm flatbread, creamy yogurt sauce, and fresh herbs. 👉 Get the Beef Kofta Recipe
13. Chicken Fajita Skewers with Citrus Marinade
All the bold, zesty flavors of sizzling fajitas - on a stick. A bright citrus marinade keeps the chicken incredibly juicy, and the colorful peppers and onions make these as gorgeous as they are delicious. 👉 Get the Fajita Skewers Recipe
14. Pineapple Shrimp Skewers with Sweet Chili Sauce
Sweet pineapple, juicy shrimp, and a sweet chili glaze cook in just minutes on the grill. Serve as a main or pass as a party appetizer. 👉 Get the Pineapple Shrimp Skewers Recipe
15. Grilled Chicken and Bacon Shish Kebabs
Perfectly seasoned chicken weaved between strips of bacon and grilled over indirect heat before crisping up with direct heat. Fully coated in BBQ sauce for maximum flavor. 👉 Get the Chicken Bacon Skewers Recipe
16. Tandoori Chicken Skewers
Chicken marinated in delicious yogurt sauce then threaded onto skewers, glazed with homemade tandoori sauce, and grilled (or oven baked) until caramelized and glossy. A guaranteed crowd-pleaser. 👉
Boneless chicken thighs marinated in Scotch bonnet peppers, allspice, thyme, garlic, and ginger - then threaded with peppers and onions and grilled over medium-high heat to 165°F. Bold, spicy, and unforgettable. 👉 Get the Jerk Chicken Skewers Recipe
🥓 The Ultimate Party Appetizer
18. Pig Shots
These addictive little cups layer smoked sausage and bacon stuffed with a creamy, cheesy filling. Make them on the grill, in the smoker, or in the oven - but they're especially irresistible when they pick up smoky BBQ flavor. They disappear at every party. 👉 Get the Pig Shots Recipe
🫙 The Sauce That Ties It All Together
19. Kansas City Barbecue Sauce
A thick, sweet, and smoky BBQ sauce made with smoked paprika and just the right amount of tang - the perfect brush-on glaze for anything you throw on the grill. Make a big batch on Sunday and use it all week long. 👉 Get the Kansas City BBQ Sauce Recipe
Pro Tips for Memorial Day Grilling
Preheat your grill for 10-15 minutes so grates are hot, clean, and ready to sear - this prevents sticking and gives you better grill marks
Set up two heat zones - a direct zone for searing and an indirect zone for finishing; essential for thick cuts like pork tenderloin and tri-tip
Use a meat thermometer - don't guess your doneness, especially with pork and chicken. Steak Doneness Temperatures covers everything as far as the steak goes.
Rest your meat 5-10 minutes before slicing so juices redistribute and every bite stays moist. If you have time, I would also check. Resting Steak Myths vs Reality for steak grilling specifically.
Soak wooden skewers in water at least 30 minutes before grilling so they don't burn
Love these recipes? Pin this post and save it for your Memorial Day weekend grocery list. And if you're new to grilling, start with the Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Grilling - everything you need to know in one place.
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