Sharing a “Memorial Day cookout” inspired menu today – summery recipes, a full grocery list, a cooking timeline, and more!
Happy Memorial Day weekend! I hope everyone is enjoying some sunshine and relaxation over the next few days to kick off the summer! I’m really excited to bring you this memorial day cookout menu in hopes you’ll be able to celebrate this monday with some outdoor grilling!
It’s full of simple summer recipes that you can take inspiration from or go all out and make the full spread! This weekend is one of my favorites to stay in and cook fresh, delicious food to transition us into the summer mode, and I hope this menu helps you do the same.
the menu…
This menu serves 4, but can easily be modified if you’re cooking for more or less people. I’d also whip up your favorite summer cocktail to really complete the feast!
the recipes…
This memorial day cookout starts off with my favorite summer appetizer recipe that is SUCH a crowd-pleaser, includes my new garlicky grilled chicken that is beyond delicious, a simple grilled potato side dish, very refreshing sour cream cucumbers, and a simple strawberry crisp to complete the summer feast!
Whipped Feta with Roasted Tomatoes
The very best, simplest, most satisfying summer appetizer – whipped feta with roasted tomatoes. Full of garlic and fresh garden herbs. This is summer in a bowl.
Garlicky Grilled Chicken with Paprika Butter
The marinade of garlic, dill, salt, lemon, and oil really does all the work here…creating juicy grilled chicken that’s bursting with garlic flavor. The paprika butter is the special touch, hinted with just a bit of cayenne pepper, and slathered on top of the hot chicken right off the grill.
Grilled Potatoes with Scallion Vinaigrette
While you’re grilling up some meat, throw together these simple potatoes to serve alongside. Packed full of flavor from the sweet + tangy vinaigrette.
It’s a fresh cucumber “salad” with scallions and chives, seasoned well with salt & freshly cracked black pepper, and marinated in tangy sour cream.
Sweet, juicy strawberries tossed with jam and brown sugar, topped with a buttery oat streusel, baked until golden and bubbling, and served with ice cream melted over top.
the kitchen plan…
Let’s say you want to eat appetizers at 5pm and start dinner by 7pm. Follow the recipes according to this timeline!
Day Before or Morning Of
- Marinate chicken
- Make paprika butter
- Blanch, cool, dry potatoes
- Make scallion vinaigrette
- Toast walnuts
Day Of
- 4pm: Make cucumbers & let marinate. Transfer paprika butter to room temperature to soften.
- 4:15pm: Roast tomatoes for the dip.
- 4:30pm: Make the whipped feta dip. Preheat the grill.
- 4:50pm: Grill bread for the dip.
- 5pm: Serve the whipped feta dip.
- 6:15pm: Prep the strawberries and streusel for the crisp (reserve the two mixtures separately in the fridge for later).
- 6:30pm: Grill the chicken.
- 6:45pm: Grill the potatoes.
- 6:50pm: Allow the chicken to rest.
- 6:55pm: Assemble – Transfer the cucumbers to a serving bowl. Arrange the potatoes on a large plate with the scallion vinaigrette & walnuts over top. Arrange the chicken on a platter with the paprika butter alongside. Garnish all dishes.
- 7pm: Serve dinner!
- 30 minutes before you want dessert: Layer the crisp into a skillet and bake.
the grocery list…
Quick note on this grocery list – Since we’re already buying fresh dill and chives for the rest of the menu, you could use dill for the roasted tomatoes instead of the oregano and thyme to avoid buying so many herbs. Or, you could just use oregano and omit the thyme.
Grocery List, Memorial Day Cookout
shop the menu: memorial day cookout
I hope you absolutely love this memorial day cookout. Stay tuned for the next themed menu, and be sure to send in any requests you have! Would love to hear your feedback and ideas.
