45 Memorial Day Barbecue Recipes for an Unforgettable Cookout

Read Time: 36 mins

45 Memorial Day Barbecue Recipes for an Unforgettable Cookout1/45 Barbecue Chicken 7 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Saucy Barbecue Chicken Recipe photo by Taste of Home Skill Level Easy Total Time 55 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Is there a better place than Texas to find a fantastic barbecue sauce? That’s where this one is from—it’s my father-in-law’s own recipe. We have served it at many family reunions and think it’s the best! —Bobbie Morgan, Woodstock, Georgia Nutrition Facts: 4 ounces cooked chicken: 370 calories, 19g fat (5g saturated fat), 104mg cholesterol, 622mg

sodium, 15g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 0 fiber), 33g protein

sodium, 15g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 0 fiber), 33g protein. Barbecue chicken is my favorite thing to make and eat at cookouts, so this crowd-friendly recipe is right up my alley. The method ensures glazed, lightly charred but not burnt pieces. Grilling the chicken over medium heat instead of high prevents flare-ups and promotes even cooking. Pro tip: Wait until the chicken is almost done to start saucing. This will let the chicken build up baked-on layers of sauce that won’t slip off or burn. 2/45 Sweet Macaroni Salad 86 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Jim Wieland For Taste of Home Skill

A sweet out-of-the-ordinary dressing makes this macaroni salad special

Level Easy Total Time 20 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: A sweet out-of-the-ordinary dressing makes this macaroni salad special. My aunt gave me the recipe and it has become one of my favorites. I occasionally leave out the green pepper if I know that people don’t like it, and it still tastes great. —Idalee Scholz, Cocoa Beach, Florida Nutrition Facts: 2/3 cup: 400 calories, 23g fat (5g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 332mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein. This vegetable and elbow pasta salad has a very unique ingredient in the

dressing that adds sweetness and flavor: sweetened condensed milk

dressing that adds sweetness and flavor: sweetened condensed milk. The salad needs overnight refrigeration, which makes it a great party dish. Nothing needs to be done the day of the party but to uncover it and give it a stir. 3/45 Barbecue Burger 38 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Barbecued Burgers Recipe photo by Taste of Home Skill Level Medium Total Time 40 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I can’t take all the credit for these winning burgers. My husband’s uncle passed down the special barbecue sauce recipe. We love it on everything,

so it was only natural to try it on, and in, burgers

so it was only natural to try it on, and in, burgers. Add cheese and bacon to take them over the top. —Rhoda Troyer, Glenford, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1 each: 626 calories, 19g fat (7g saturated fat), 121mg cholesterol, 1146mg sodium, 86g carbohydrate (56g sugars, 2g fiber), 30g protein. This isn’t any plain, classic grilled hamburger. The beef is mixed with a homemade barbecue sauce and spices for flavor, and an egg and oats bind the meat for well-structured patties. Brush the burgers with more barbecue sauce as they grill to boost that sweet and smoky flavor. 4/45 Red, White

The liquid absorbs like magic

& Blue Potato Salad 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Red, White & Blue Potato Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Skill Level Medium Total Time 50 min Servings 12 servings (1 cup each) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Tossing the cooked potatoes with stock and wine right after you drain them infuses them with flavor. The liquid absorbs like magic. —George Levinthal, Goleta, California Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 221 calories, 12g fat (2g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 405mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 3g fiber), 7g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 fat, 1-1/2 starch. Three types of potatoes

create a naturally festive side dish for Memorial Day!

create a naturally festive side dish for Memorial Day! Warm potatoes are dressed with a mustardy vinaigrette instead of a thick, creamy one so the colors aren’t covered. 5/45 Veggie Kabobs 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved TASTE OF HOME Skill Level Easy Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Grilling is a delightful way to prepare the season’s freshest produce. A zesty Italian marinade adds just the right amount of spice to these veggie kabobs. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 202 calories, 18g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol,

598mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein

598mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein. A lemon and garlic marinade transforms everyday vegetables like mushrooms, onions, zucchini and tomato into party-worthy grilled skewers. You can switch up the seasoning by experimenting with different grill-friendly marinades, but make sure the marinade has some acidity (like vinegar or citrus) so it permeates through the mild vegetables. 6/45 Grilled Seasoned Bratwurst 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Grilled Seasoned Bratwurst Recipe photo by Taste of Home Skill Level Easy Total Time 25 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Whether you’re hosting a picnic at

home or at a park, cook these bratwurst on the stovetop first

home or at a park, cook these bratwurst on the stovetop first. Then you can quickly brown them on the grill. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 1 bratwurst: 533 calories, 27g fat (10g saturated fat), 51mg cholesterol, 825mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate, 3g fiber, 20g protein. Instead of hot dogs, try grilling bratwurst at your next cookout. Bratwurst are simmered in beer first, so they need only a short time on the grill to crisp the exterior. Make sure to grill them over indirect heat to keep them from bursting or splitting. 7/45 Smoked Ribs Test Kitchen Approved Smoked

I thought I didn’t like

Ribs Recipe photo by Julia Hartbeck for Taste of Home Skill Level Easy Total Time 6 hours 10 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The gorgeous crisp bark and trademark pink smoke ring on these ribs will wow your friends and family. A generous splash of tangy apple cider added during the smoking process helps make the ribs super tender. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 6 ounces cooked pork: 639 calories, 42g fat (15g saturated fat), 163mg cholesterol, 2037mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 1g fiber), 45g protein. I thought I didn’t like

ribs until I prepared homemade smoked baby back ribs

ribs until I prepared homemade smoked baby back ribs. Then I realized that with the extra time and effort to make them fresh off a grill, they’re so much better than any restaurant. The ribs cook in three stages: smoked with a rub, wrapped in foil with liquid and, finally, smoked while sauced. To save time before hosting a party, make the ribs ahead and quickly heat them on a grill with a fresh brush of sauce before serving. 8/45 Cucumber Salad with Sour Cream 115 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Skill Level Easy Total Time 15 min

Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: It’s been a tradition at our house to serve this dish with other Hungarian specialties my mom learned to make from women at church. It’s especially good during the summer when the cucumbers are fresh-picked from the garden. —Pamela Eaton, Monclova, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 62 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 5mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat. Making this cool, crisp and creamy side dish is as easy as whisking together a sour cream-based dressing, tossing

in sliced sweet onions and cucumbers, and letting it sit in the refrigerator for a few hours. Since cucumbers have so much water, they will thin the dressing as the salad sits. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the mixture to a serving bowl, and leave the excess water behind. 9/45 Summer Harvest Grilled Panzanella Salad 1 Review Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved TASTE OF HOME Skill Level Easy Total Time 25 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This colorful and healthy grilled panzanella salad is a delicious twist on the classic Italian dish that

makes the most of simple, seasonal ingredients

makes the most of simple, seasonal ingredients. The salad combines the smoky flavors of grilled summer vegetables with juicy tomatoes, crusty bread and a zesty vinaigrette. Panzanella salad is best enjoyed after the bread has soaked up all the flavors and juices from the veggies and dressing. —Olga Kouloufakos, Lake Pleasant, Massachusetts Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 263 calories, 12g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 643mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 6g protein. The key to perfectly grilled vegetables that won’t fall through the grates is also a top-rated grill accessory: a grilling basket. After the vegetables are

The weather is warming up, and that means it’s time to pull out the grills!

cooked, all you have to do is chop them, then toss them with grilled bread and a zippy vinaigrette. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes for the bread to soften and absorb all the flavors from the vegetables. 10/45 Corn Ribs Test Kitchen Approved Corn Ribs Recipe photo by Taste of Home Skill Level Easy Total Time 25 min Servings 32 pieces Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The weather is warming up, and that means it’s time to pull out the grills! This corn ribs recipe contains notes of garlic, onion, mild heat from cayenne pepper