8 Recipes to Cook This Memorial Day

I LOVE summer barbecues. Like, love isn’t even a big enough word. Give me corn on the cob, a burger, watermelon slices, and some cole slaw and I am one happy lady. I think a big part of it is that barbecues encourage outdoor eating and lots of togetherness, so I have the best memory associations with the food.

8 Recipes to Cook This Memorial Day

Guest post by Louisa from Living Lou

Once the long weekend hits, it’s the ‘unofficial’ kickoff of summer and I am so excited! The fresh produce in grocery stores, all the grilling—it’s the best time of the year. I love to be outside as much as possible during the summer, so I tend to cook quick recipes and lots of salads.

If you’re heading to a barbecue or cookout for Memorial Day, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite, crowd-pleasing recipes that everyone will love.

1. Pasta Salad with Lemon Herb Vinaigrette
I love a light, vinaigrette-based pasta salad (over the heavier, mayonnaise versions). This simple vinaigrette is so delicious and goes well with all the fresh veggies.

2. Slow Cooker Pork Ribs
These are by far the best ribs in the world. Everyone who’s made them agrees, the slow cooker makes them really easy to make and then you finish them off under the broiler—or you could finish them off on the grill as well.

3. Greek Watermelon Feta Salad
This is the ultimate summer salad! May is a little early for watermelon, but if you can find a juicy and sweet one, then definitely whip this up.

4. Grilled Salmon Skewers
Grilled salmon is one of my favorite summer dishes, but it can get a little messy on the grill, and I think these skewers take the intimidation out of grilling fish. Plus they are gorgeous!

5. Potato Salad
This is the potato salad of your dreams. Creamy and loaded with mix-ins. Definitely not on the healthy side, but it’s so good.

6. Colelsaw with Italian Dressing
Another family favourite! This recipe was inspired by my Nana’s vinegar-based colelsaw, forget the mayonnaise this one is so delicious and it keeps for days in the fridge. The perfect make-ahead dish for a barbecue!

7. Turkey Burgers with Feta
Turkey burgers have a bad reputation, but when you add in Greek flavours like feta, thyme and lemon you can’t go wrong.

8. Turkey Meatball Sliders
Sliders definitely had their moment, but I still find them to be so cute. There’s just something about mini foods that I love. These sliders use meatballs to keep it simple—you’re not rolling a ton of tiny patties.