Memorial Day is an important day that is observed by many Americans each year. This is the day when people honor the lives of those men and women who have passed away while serving in the U.S. military. Most families would tend to commemorate this day by hosting gatherings, visiting cemeteries and memorials, and attending parades. If you’re planning on hosting a cookout with your loved ones this year, here are some memorial day foods you can whip up in the comfort of your own backyard.
Grilled Ribs
Of course, what’s a cookout without preparing some grilled ribs? Everyone has their own recipe when it comes to making sweet and sticky ribs, though just good ol’ BBQ sauce can do the trick. For one of the best grilled ribs recipes, we recommend rubbing some spices on the ribs before cooking them over indirect heat and over the flames to top it all off. In the end, you’ll get the most tender and smoky charred ribs that are sure to bring the whole family together.
Greek Pasta Salad
To balance out the grilled ribs and cleanse the palate, you can consider preparing this Greek pasta salad, which is filled with refreshing ingredients, such as sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, and olives. Other ingredients to include in this dish are green bell peppers, feta cheese, red onion, and of course, pasta. To amp up the refreshing factor, you can also top the dish off with some mint leaves, which adds a nice pop of color and bold flavor as well. This dish is a classic that will never go out of trend and is a favorite among older adults and children alike.
Coleslaw
An alternative to the Greek pasta salad would be a classic coleslaw. Not only is this dish super quick and easy to make, but also there’s no dish better than coleslaw to round off a satisfying cookout. What’s more, coleslaw can also be used as a side dish for many foods, such as hotdogs, sandwiches, and burgers. To make the perfect coleslaw, you want to put together various shredded vegetables, red cabbage, and carrots, before topping it off with a salad dressing and mayonnaise or vinaigrette.
Baked Beans
Baked beans is another staple memorial day food that complements well with grilled ribs. All you need for this Southern-style dish is bacon, onions, peppers, and of course, beans. If you’re in a rush, we recommend going for canned beans, which are much easier to prepare and save you a lot of time.
Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
For desserts, no one will say no to classic vanilla bean ice cream. Not only is a scoop of ice cream a great way to end off a barbeque session, but it also helps to cool you down in the summer heat. While you can purchase a tub of vanilla ice cream at the grocery stores, nothing feels more personal and comforting than making one yourself. Contrary to popular belief, making ice cream at home is much easier than you may think. If you have an ice cream machine, you can even whip up a batch of ice cream in less than five minutes! Regardless of which methods you go for, we can assure you that ice cream made in your kitchen will be tastier, more refreshing, and creamier than store-bought ones.
