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2 Appetizer  |  

Throw a Backyard Memorial Day Bash with these 12 Simple Recipes (and tips!)

Half Beer Can Chicken

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Memorial Day is right around the corner, and it’s about that time to dust off your grill, gather friends and family, and throw a big, backyard bash.  I’ve put together a short list of simple recipes to help you get the party started.  But first, let’s talk party tips:

  1. Don’t make your whole menu from scratch.  Pair one or two (or three) of the recipes below with store-bought items to keep your event stress-free.  Just make sure everything is good-quality.
  2. If friends or family ask to bring something, tell them alcohol or ice.  I always forget to buy extra ice.
  3. Keep one or two foam coolers (or big buckets) handy to store extra ice.
  4. When grilling, make sure you’ve got enough charcoal or propane to fuel the whole party.
  5. Get your friends and family involved with the grilling process!  No need to slave over the coals in solitude.  Burger-flipping, timer-checking and temperature-taking are all good tasks for a guest.
  6. Target is a really good source for affordable disposable plates, cups, napkins and flatware.  Ditch the basic paper plates and red solo cups, and liven up your disposables!
  7. Music is important to keep the atmosphere enjoyable and energetic.  Keep the playlist out of reach (lock your laptop, hide your mobile device, etc.) to avoid drunken, hostile takeovers.  If you see someone trying to fuss with the music, kindly ask for a request, and add their song to the playlist.

Now, on to the recipes.

The Drinks

Hop, Skip and Go Naked

A refreshing mix of IPA, lemon vodka and fresh citrus, this Hop, Skip and Go Naked cocktail is the perfect sipper when manning a smoking hot grill.

Hop, Skip and Go Naked cocktail

El Comediante

Red Bell Pepper Infused Rum, the star ingredient in this whimsical cocktail, is like summer in liquid form.  Ginger syrup, ginger ale, mint and red wine join the party, creating an effervescent drink that just hits the spot on a laid-back Holiday weekend.

El Comediante

The Apps

Tomato and Horseradish Cocktail Sauce

Roasted tomatoes and fresh horseradish take this appetizer classic to the next level.  Serve with poached, grilled or roasted shrimp, and be sure to keep everything well-chilled if leaving out for an afternoon.

Cocktail Sauce With Shrimp

Deviled Eggs 3 Ways

Another modern-retro appetizer that will please any crowd.  My friends always ask for more Avocado Bacon Deviled Eggs, so I make extra!

Deviled Eggs 3 Ways

The Mains

Grilled Dry-Aged Steak

Grilled steak + butter + herbs + garlic = Meat Perfection.  If you plan on serving this recipe for a crowd, I would recommend slicing the steaks into manageable strips (after they’ve rested), so your guests don’t have to wrestle with the bone.

Grilled Dry Aged Steak

Beer Can Chicken

A healthy option for your Memorial Day barbecue. Start with a whole chicken rubbed in a flavorful mix of sugar, salt and spices.  Grill the chicken atop a sturdy can filled with light beer and aromatics.  The finished chicken is so deliciously tender.

Beer Can Chicken

Jorge’s Bacon Cheeseburgers

Skip the pre-formed burger patties, and make your own custom burger blend instead.  The burger below is made with chuck, short rib, bacon and shredded sharp cheddar.  Grind your own meat at home (it’s easy!) or ask your butcher to do it.

Jorge's Bacon Cheeseburger

Grilled Tri-Tip

This West Coast cut of beef is marinated in olive oil, garlic, rosemary and lemon, then seared on a hot grill until wonderfully charred.  Red slices of juicy tri-tip are paired with a super fresh Italian Salsa Verde.  When slicing tri-tip, be sure to go against the grain!

Grilled Tri Tip with Salsa Verde

The Sides

Grilled Kale Caesar Salad

While you’ve got the grill all fired up, throw on some leaves of lacinato kale, then make this salad!  If you’re feeling ambitions, make the Caesar dressing and croutons from scratch.  If you’ve already got enough on your plate menu-wise, go ahead and use good quality store-bought versions.

Grilled Kale Caesar with Torn Croutons

Fermented Garlic and Dill Pickles

Sour pickles are the perfect accompaniment to smokey, grilled meats.  If you want to make these, be sure to start as soon as possible!  They take several days to ferment.

Fermented Garlic and Dill Pickles

The Sweets

Peanut Butter and Jelly Hand Pies

This kid- (and adult-) friendly dessert is made simple with the use of frozen puff pastry.  Double or triple batch it for a crowd.

Peanut Butter & Jelly Hand Pies

Dark Chocolate Brownies with Pistachios and Easy Salted Caramel Sauce

Everyone loves a good brownie.  I would recommend cutting these decadent beauties in 16 (instead of 9) for a crowd.  A small bite of something sweet is the perfect ending to a big meal.

Dark Chocolate and Pistachio Brownies with Salted Caramel

That’s all for now!  I hope you all have an enjoyable and safe Memorial Day Weekend :)!

2

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Marye says

    These are great ideas! I love summer entertaining… I totally agree with make a few things from scratch and fill in with quality prepared foods. 🙂

    Reply

  3. Kacey @ The Cookie Writer says

    Our Canadian long weekend just passed and we got together with our neighbours to cook. One of my favourite traditions is each of us making something to contribute to the BBQ! This way the stress is not all on one person!

    Reply

    • Brandon Matzek says

      That’s a fun tradition! Sometimes I go that route, other times I’m more controlling 😉

      Reply

  6. GiGi Eats says

    I cannot believe MEMORIAL DAY is THIS MONDAY – wtf!? Where did the time fly?! That being said, I NEED THAT CHICKEN!! He is standing erect JUST FOR ME! 😉

    Reply

    • Brandon Matzek says

      I know right?! It’s almost summer! I realized I need to start working on some new grilling recipes. Have a great weekend!

      Reply

  10. J.S. @ Sun Diego Eats says

    Loved this menu! Especially the cocktails can’t imagine what the red bell pepper one tastes like, I’m so intrigued! And the IPA is perfect as many of my friends love IPAs but I am not a fan….a cocktail is the perfect compromise. For whatever reason IPA + grapefruit = so much easier to drink than an IPA alone, I think Craft & Commerce has something like that I’ve tried before 😀

    Reply

    • Brandon Matzek says

      Thanks Joyce! Yeah the IPA cocktail is nice and balanced. Bitter, but more in the refreshing side. And no IPA aftertaste! Have a great weekend.

      Reply

    • Brandon Matzek says

      Thanks Michelle. Weeeeeelllll if it’s that small, then I would take the party inside 😉

      Reply

    • Brandon Matzek says

      Thanks Heidi! I’m just a few minute walk from Target, so I’m always checking out their new products. Enjoy your holiday weekend!

      Reply

  17. Olivia @ Olivia's Cuisine says

    This is such a great round up! Too bad I can’t grill on my fire escape… Or even if I could, I doubt it would be fun. lol Also, had a good laugh on the thought of having to protect the playlist from a drunken, hostile takeover. I never do, and it’s mostly my husband taking over and playing the awful music he likes to listen too.

    Reply

    • Brandon Matzek says

      Haha thanks Olivia! It’s the worst when someone grabs the iPhone and just starts flipping through songs while the party is going on 😛 OR, when they play 1 minute of a song, switch to the next, 1 minute, switch, and so on.

      Reply

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