Kick Up Your Memorial Day Grilling Menu
Memorial Day weekend is finally here and that means tens of thousands of Americans will be firing up their smokers and grills to mark the holiday with friends, family, and neighbors.
To get the party started right, we've compiled several of our favorite Grillocracy recipes for you to choose from when creating your grilling menu!
SMOKED BACON WRAPPED WINGS. We love wings and we love bacon so why not combine them both into one epic appetizer? Click here for the complete recipe.
ARMADILLO EGGS WITH HATCH CHILIES. Armadillo Eggs are a favorite among backyard grillers, combining cheese and chilies (traditionally jalapenos but hatch chilies in this case) then wrapping them in ground sausage before smoking. Amp them up with a crunchy layer of Panko breadcrumbs and you've got a surefire winner! You can find the recipe here.
SMOKED PIG BALLS. Appetizers don't get any easier than these "pig balls" -- bacon wrapped Kielbasa sausage that is coated in dry rub then smoked to perfection. You can find the complete recipe here.
GRILLED GUACAMOLE. Ordinary guacamole gets a welcome dose of smoke by hitting the grill with the avocados, limes, and onions in a recipe that can be found here.
RUSSIAN ROULETTE JALAPENO POPPERS. Add a game of chance to your smoked jalapeno poppers by leaving the seeds intact in a handful of the peppers. Will they be mild or wild? You won't know until after that first bite! Find the recipe here.
GRILLED GAZPACHO SOUP. Take the heat out of a hot summer day with this cool and refreshing grilled gazpacho soup, perfect as a small starter or a hearty main course. You can find the recipe here.
GRILLED ROMAINE WITH SMOKEY CAESAR DRESSING. Thrill those guests who are "watching their weight" with this grilled romaine salad featuring a smokey Caesar dressing and fire toasted croutons. You can find the complete recipe here.
REVERSE SEARED COWBOY RIBEYE. Nothing beats meat on a stick, especially when it is a beautiful cowboy ribeye that has been started over indirect heat to soak up the smoke before being finished with a quick high heat sear. You can find the complete recipe here.
GRILLED ORANGE GINGER GLAZED CHICKEN. We've all spent too many holiday cookouts gnawing our way through overcooked grilled chicken with burnt on BBQ sauce. Well no more! These moist and tender grilled chicken breasts with orange ginger glaze will change your life forever! Find the full recipe here.
SMOKED LOLLIPOP CHICKEN. Chicken drumsticks can be a little "blah" but a little trimming can elevate them to new levels, creating the perfect smoked chicken lollipops! You can find the complete recipe here.
"So Good You'll Slap Yo Mama" Smoked Pork Butt. Low-and-slow is the only way to go with this mouthwatering smoked pork butt. Find the complete recipe here.
DOUBLE SMOKED BACON WRAPPED RIBS. Who doesn't love smoked ribs? Imagine, though, if you took those same ribs, wrapped them in bacon, then hit them with another dose of flavorful smoke! You can find the complete recipe here.
LOW-AND-SLOW BEEF BRISKET. Many people are afraid to try cooking a beef brisket at home. After all, it is a large daunting cut of meat but this recipe makes it oh so simple! You can find the complete recipe here.
SMOKED RED RICE. Cold smoked rice is the secret behind this flavorful low country red rice side dish. Find the complete recipe here.
GRILLED COLESLAW. Charring the cabbage transforms ordinary coleslaw into something truly special! Find the complete recipe here.
CANDIED BACON RICE CRISPY TREATS. What guest wouldn't love a big ol' batch of rice crispy treats for dessert, especially when they've been kicked up with the addition of grilled candied bacon. Find the complete recipe here.
SMOKED COFFEE ICE CREAM. Cold smoking coffee takes a little time but the end result is a homemade ice cream that puts all others to shame. Find the complete recipe here.
GRILLED POUNDCAKE WITH GRILLED BERRIES. Get your patriotic game on with this picture ready red, white, and blue grilled poundcake with grilled strawberries, blueberries, and whipped cream. Find the complete recipe here.
SMOKED CHOCOLATE CANDIED BACON. Do you like chocolate? Yes, we like chocolate! Do you like bacon? Yes, we like bacon! Do you love smoked chocolate candied bacon? Damn straight! You can find the complete recipe here.