Start your summer off right with bold, smoky flavor straight from the grill. Explore Memorial Day recipes that pack some serious heat, from smashed burgers made on the Flat Rock Griddle to smoked ribs cooked to perfection on your wood pellet grill. With BBQ recipes that are dialed in for big flavor, you can plan your cookout menu from cocktails to desserts.
This Memorial Day, honor the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice. Fire up your grill and celebrate their legacy with recipes worth remembering.
Cocktails
There’s nothing like a refreshing cocktail or mocktail to start your BBQ off right. When made on the pellet smoker, they take on a bold, smoky edge that transforms simple sips into full-flavored backyard showstoppers.
Pro Tip: Before you get started, make sure to shop our Traeger Memorial Day Sale so you can have the best equipment to cook on.
Smoked Lemonade
Traeger smoked lemonade is the perfect way to get the summer started, with fresh-cut lemons that are dipped in sugar and then caramelized to perfection.
Smoked Ranch Water
Ranch water (blanco tequila, lime juice, and Top Chico sparkling water), just got an epic upgrade. Savory, spicy, and sour, smoked Texas ranch water is the best easy cocktail to pair with your BBQ.
Smoked Arnold Palmer
Nothing quite says summer like a smoked Arnold Palmer. While the recipe might seem like your typical Arnold Palmer, the secret is adding homemade smoked simple syrup to give it a subtle wood-fired kick. While this is a mocktail recipe, you can easily add vodka, bourbon, or whiskey if you'd like to make it boozy.
Smoked Sangria
Another good drink you can make in a large batch is smoked sangria. Start by smoking the Grand Marnier and simple syrup, then add the rest of your ingredients. While this recipe calls for fresh cranberries, cinnamon sticks, and apples, you can use more seasonal fruit like strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and peaches.
Smoked Berry Cocktail
Take advantage of all the seasonal berries by making a refreshing drink, perfect for a hot summer day. And while you’re at it, take advantage of your pellet grill and give it a wood-fired kick and make a smoked berry cocktail.
Appetizers & Sides
Kick off your Memorial Day feast with crowd-pleasing appetizers that bring the smoke and set the tone for an unforgettable BBQ.
Grilled Corn On The Cob
Grilled corn on the cob is a must-have for a summer BBQ. Not only is it delicious, but it’s also easy to grill, especially when you pair it with Traeger Veggie Rub. Read our guide on how to grill vegetables so you can master any and all grilled veggies on your grill.
Smoked Jalapeño Poppers
Smoked jalapeño poppers aren’t just for Game Day. They’re the perfect smoked appetizer for any group event, especially if it’s a Memorial Day BBQ. Make sure to get our Traeger Pork & Poultry Rub for extra flavor.
4 Cheese Mac and Cheese
4 cheese mac and cheese is not only delicious, but also easy to make for a big crowd. The secret? Using cavatappi pasta instead of elbow macaroni so that it holds the sauce better.
Summer Grilled Corn and Farro Salad
Corn on the cob can be a bit messy, but a grilled corn and farro salad will keep your teeth clean and give your plate epic flavor and color.
Classic Smoked Potato Salad
You know what’s better than regular potato salad? SMOKED potato salad. Don’t get discouraged by the extra step of smoking, though. The entire recipe only takes 45 minutes to cook.
While this recipe calls for Mesquite pellets, there are other, more subtle pellet flavors you can try.
Dill Pickle Coleslaw
Once you’re done, don’t throw out the pickle juice. Instead, use it for this tangy dill pickle coleslaw. Perfect on top of smoked pulled pork sandwiches, chicken sandwiches, or paired with delicious BBQ ribs.
Smoked Pasta Salad
Mozzarella, peppers, rotini pasta, and Italian vinaigrette make an epic, classic BBQ app: pasta salad. With a total of 30 minutes, you can whip up this Memorial Day recipe right before the party.
Ultimate BLT Salad
Another fresh salad option is the Ultimate BLT salad. Think of it like a deconstructed BLT with a dose of wood-fired flavor.
Learn how to cook bacon on the smoker for perfectly crispy bacon on your salad, sandwich, or with breakfast.
Pig Shots
Pig shots are made out of some of the best things in life: cream cheese, green chile peppers, cheddar cheese, smoked sausage, and thick-cut bacon. A guaranteed crowd pleaser for your Memorial Day BBQ menu.
Smoked 7-Layer Dip
Dip is the ultimate party food since it’s easy to prepare, perfect to share, and always a good snack. Smoked 7-layer dip on the Traeger brings it to a whole new level.
Buffalo Wings
Buffalo wings bring the perfect kick of heat and smoke to fire up your Memorial Day BBQ and keep the crew coming back for more.
Learn how to smoke chicken wings like a pro by reading our expert guide so you don’t have to wing it year-round.
Flatrock Parmesan Pickle Chips
For an easy griddle appetizer, try these Flatrock Parmesan pickle chips.
Learn how to cook on a flat top griddle by reading our article, so you can take your chef status pro.
Memorial Day Mains
Load up your grill with mouthwatering mains that are built to impress and guaranteed to be the highlight of your Memorial Day cookout.
Bang Bang Chicken Skewers
These Bang Bang Chicken Skewers bring the heat and the sweet with bold, smoky flavor that'll steal the show at your next backyard cookout. They’re quick to prep, easy to grill, and perfect for feeding a hungry crowd without keeping you stuck in the kitchen.
Traeger BBQ Pork Butt
For a classic and delicious main, there’s nothing better than smoking a Traeger BBQ pork butt. You can eat it by itself with BBQ sauce, on a pulled pork sandwich, or mixed it with something else like pulled pork mac and cheese.
With an epic meat like this, make sure you have some good resources to turn to for any questions that might pop up:
Apple Bourbon Brisket
Brisket might take a while to smoke, but this apple bourbon brisket is 100% worth it. Make sure to use an apple juice, bourbon, and soy sauce brisket spritz for a boost of epic flavor. For perfect results, make sure to use a wireless meat thermometer like a MEATER, and wrap your brisket.
Pulled BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
You’ve heard of pulled pork sandwiches, but have you heard of BBQ pulled chicken sandwiches? This lighter alternative to pulled pork is not only easy to make for a Memorial Day BBQ, but also delicious to eat.
Make sure to take a look at our guide on how to make shredded chicken, and our broader recipe for smoked pulled chicken so you can add it to cobb salad, tacos, white chicken chili, and more.
Party Ribs
Ribs are always a hit at BBQs, but they can get a little messy. That’s where party ribs come in. Smoked party ribs are the newest internet hit that is here to stay. The secret is cooking the ribs individually on your smoker, which cuts the cook time in half and also makes it easier to serve up.
BBQ Chicken Breasts
Another cookout-staple are Traeger BBQ chicken breasts. This recipe is easy, delicious, and versatile. Make sure to use the Traeger Fin & Feather Rub and Traeger ‘Que BBQ Sauce, Sweet & Heat BBQ Sauce, and Hickory Wood Pellets for best results.
Texas-Style Brisket
Texas-style brisket is all about that bold bark—crusty, smoky, and packed with flavor—and nobody does it better than your Traeger. This Meat Church recipe doesn’t just deliver bark, it sets the gold standard.
Check out some of our expert articles so you can be a seasoned pro at cookin’ up brisket:
- How to Cook a Full Packer Brisket
- What is Brisket? Temperatures & Tips
- Best Pellets for Brisket
- Brisket Fat Side Up or Down?
- How to Cut Brisket
- How to Smoke a Brisket
- Brisket Breakdown: Differences Between Brisket Flat vs. Point
3-2-1 Ribs
If you have a Traeger pellet grill, you’ve probably heard of 3-2-1 ribs. These famously easy Traeger 321 ribs are not only super simple but also full of epic flavor.
Flat Top Smashed Cheeseburger
Cheeseburgers and hamburgers are always a good, easy Memorial Day recipe. With a Traeger Flatrock Griddle, you can fit up to 18 flat top smashed cheeseburgers at a time (even more if you get the Flatrock 3 Zone). Learn how to make smashed burgers today.
BBQ Bourbon Bacon Burger
No Flat Rock? No problem. This BBQ Bourbon Bacon Burger brings the flavor with a killer trick: poke 40 holes about ¾” deep into each burger patty so they soak up that bold, homemade sauce before they hit the smoke.
Grilled Chicago Hot Dog
Another great must-have recipe to grill up for your Memorial Day party is a grilled Chicago Hot Dog. This is served with all your typical dog toppings: tomatoes, onions, relish, peppers, and mustard.
While Chi-town residents might object to different toppings like cowboy candy, pickled red onions, or grilled pineapple, we won’t tell.
Brats in Beer
Another great must-have recipe to grill up for your Memorial Day party is a grilled Chicago Hot Dog. This is served with all your typical dog toppings: tomatoes, onions, relish, peppers, and mustard.
While Chi-town residents might object to different toppings like cowboy candy, pickled red onions, or grilled pineapple, we won’t tell.
Brats in Beer
If you’re not a hot dog fan, brats in beer are a great alternative, especially when made on the Traeger. Just make sure to toast the buns.
Flat Top Chopped Cheese Sandwich
Though a flat top chopped cheese sandwich might not seem like your typical Memorial Day recipe, it’s easy, delicious, and perfect to serve for a big crowd.
BBQ Desserts
End your Memorial Day BBQ on a high note with sweet, wood-fired desserts that hit just as hard as your mains.
Peach Cobbler Cupcakes
Peach cobbler is a summer staple, but in cupcake form, it goes from a classic BBQ dessert to a trendy summer treat. Learn more about baking on the Traeger by reading our article.
Cast Iron Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Sweet, smoky, and straight from the cast iron, this pineapple upside-down cake brings big flavor and a bold finish to your Memorial Day spread.
Croissant S’Mores
S’Mores embody summer vibes, but not everyone has a firepit to roast them over. Luckily for you, Croissant S’Mores can be made on the grill by quickly toasting them on the grill grates.
Key Lime Slab Pie
Straight from Traeger Kitchen, right in time for summer, key lime slab pie is the perfect sweet treat to add to your BBQ menu. And since it’s cooked on a sheet pan, you can make it for your entire party and still have leftovers.
Gooey Butter Cake
If you haven’t heard of butter cake, buckle in for a new favorite dessert. Hailing from St. Louis, Missouri, this midwestern treat can be topped with fruit, powdered sugar, and more.
Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
Another dessert you can make for your Memorial Day party is sweet and tart strawberry rhubarb pie. For an extra dose of wood-fired flavor and sweetness, pair with our homemade whipped cream.
Chocolate Coconut Brownies
Brownies are a simple, fan favorite dessert and for good reason. For your cookout, make these chocolate coconut brownies for your guests. Your gluten-free guests will especially appreciate it because, guess what! They’re made with gluten-free all-purpose flour.
Strawberry Shortcake
Last, but certainly not least, strawberry shortcake is always a must-have when it comes to a summer party.
Before you fire up the grill and dive into the epic eats, take a moment to remember what Memorial Day is really about: honoring the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. To all our veterans, thank you for your service, and make sure to check out the Traeger Veterans Discount, good toward the grill or gear of your choice.
