If you’re planning your menu for Memorial Day Weekend, the hardest part usually isn’t the cooking—it’s deciding what actually deserves space on the grill. Burgers, chicken, ribs, shrimp, vegetables… everything sounds good, but not everything needs to be there at once.

The best cookouts strike a balance between a few reliable classics and a couple of dishes that bring variety to the plate. Think juicy burgers hot off the grill, smoky ribs that cook low and slow, quick skewers for easy serving, and classic side dishes that keep you coming back for seconds.

This guide breaks down exactly what's best to grill for Memorial Day weekend so you can build a cookout menu that feels complete without overcomplicating the fire.

Burgers: The Cookout Essential

No Memorial Day grill lineup is complete without burgers. They’re fast, customizable, and always the first thing to disappear.

Beef burgers are the classic choice, especially when cooked over high heat to get a good sear on the outside while keeping the inside juicy. Smash burgers are another favorite for this kind of cookout—thin patties pressed onto a hot surface for crispy edges and deep caramelization.

Turkey or plant-based veggie patties also fit naturally here, especially when you’re building a more flexible menu for a group.

Toppings can stay simple or go fully loaded, but the real key is building flavor at the grill level so every bite stands on its own.

Looking for more ways to build better burgers? Our burger seasoning guide breaks down flavor ideas and grilling tips for cookout-ready patties. Plus, we've also included (2) of our top-selling burger blends.

Chicken: Easy and Crowd-Pleasing

Chicken is one of the most reliable proteins for a Memorial Day cookout because it handles the grill well and works across so many flavor directions.

Thighs are especially useful—they stay juicy over direct heat and develop great char. Drumsticks and wings bring a more casual, hands-on feel to the table, perfect for snacking between conversations. If you want something more dramatic, smoking a spatchcocked whole chicken gives you even cooking and crisp skin without much extra effort.

The best part about grilled chicken is how easily it takes on seasoning, whether you’re going for something sweet and smoky or bright and citrus-forward.

For more flavor inspiration, check out our guide to BBQ rubs for chicken on the grill.

Ribs: The Slow-Cooked Showstopper

Ribs are the centerpiece of many Memorial Day cookouts for a reason—they’re built for low-and-slow cooking and reward patience with rich, smoky flavor and tender texture.

Baby back ribs are leaner and cook a bit faster, while spare ribs bring more fat and deeper barbecue flavor. Either way, ribs tend to set the tone for the entire cookout, often cooked ahead of time and finished on the grill for that final layer of char and glaze.

They’re the kind of dish people gather around while they’re still cooking.

If ribs are on your menu, our BBQ rib rub guide can help you dial in everything from smoke to seasoning balance.

Hot Dogs & Sausages: The Crowd Favorite

Hot dogs and sausages are a true staple of Memorial Day cookouts. While burgers often get the spotlight, hot dogs are arguably even easier to grill—quick to cook, hard to mess up, and perfect for feeding a crowd without slowing down the rest of the menu.

Whether you’re working with classic beef hot dogs, bratwursts, Italian sausages, or chicken sausages, they all cook beautifully over medium heat with just a bit of turning to get an even snap and light char.

Memorial Day Grilling Tip: Score sausages lightly before grilling to help them cook evenly and develop extra surface caramelization without bursting.

Part of what makes them so essential is their flexibility. You can keep them simple with a toasted bun and mustard, or build them out with grilled onions, peppers, relish, chili, or melted cheese depending on how elaborate your cookout menu gets.

They also work well as a “grill multitasker”—something you can throw on early, let cook while you’re managing burgers or chicken, and serve throughout the day as guests come and go.

Steak: A Steakhouse in Your Backyard

For Memorial Day cookouts that lean a little more elevated, steak brings a steakhouse-style centerpiece to the grill without requiring much more than high heat and good timing.

Cuts like ribeye, New York strip, tri-tip, and sirloin all grill beautifully over direct heat, developing a flavorful crust while staying juicy inside. Compared to slower barbecue cuts, steak cooks quickly, making it ideal for smaller gatherings or cookouts where people are eating in waves throughout the day.

Steak also pairs naturally with many classic cookout sides—grilled potatoes, corn on the cob, pasta salad, roasted vegetables, or simple grilled bread all work alongside a good steak fresh off the grill.

Whether you’re cooking over charcoal, gas, or cast iron on the grill grates, Memorial Day weekend is one of the best excuses to bring steak back into the summer grilling rotation.

Seafood: A Lighter Grill Option

Seafood adds balance to a Memorial Day spread, especially when heavier barbecue dishes are already on the table.

Salmon is a natural fit for grilling, whether cooked directly on the grates or on a cedar plank for gentle smoke. Shrimp skewers cook quickly and work well for feeding a group without slowing down the grill flow. Scallops and other firm fish varieties also hold up well when grilled with care.

Seafood is especially useful when you want something lighter and brighter alongside richer, smoky dishes.

Vegetables & Sides: The Rest of the Cookout Table

A great Memorial Day cookout isn’t just about what’s coming off the grill—it’s also about the spread that fills out the table between grill sessions, second helpings, and casual snacking throughout the day.

Alongside grilled vegetables and corn on the cob, the most classic cookout sides are the ones that feel familiar and shared: big bowls of potato salad, chilled pasta salad, and creamy coleslaw that balance out smoky, grilled foods. These are the dishes that usually show up already made, already chilled, and ready to serve alongside whatever is coming off the grill.

You’ll also find staples like baked beans, rich and slightly sweet, often sitting next to ribs or burgers; deviled eggs, which disappear faster than almost anything else on the table; and simple sides like bags of chips that round out the spread without any prep at all.

Freshness also plays a role—especially in early summer cookouts—so fresh fruit like watermelon, berries, and sliced melon often ends up on the table as a light, refreshing counterpoint to heavier barbecue dishes.

Of course, grilled vegetables still have their place here too—corn, zucchini, peppers, onions, and potatoes all bring heat, char, and texture directly from the grill to the plate.

The best Memorial Day spreads don’t rely on complexity—they rely on contrast: hot and cold, smoky and fresh, rich and bright, all served together in a way that lets everyone build their own perfect plate.

A Sweet Finish: Easy Memorial Day Desserts

After the grill cools down and the last burgers and hot dogs are served, Memorial Day cookouts often shift into something slower—dessert, conversation, and lingering outside a little longer.

Desserts for a cookout tend to stay simple and seasonal. Fresh watermelon, berries, or sliced fruit are always an easy option, especially when served cold straight from the fridge or cooler. Ice cream or popsicles also make an appearance when the weather is warm enough to keep things light and refreshing.

If you want to bring the grill into dessert, grilled fruit is an easy win—think pineapple slices, peaches, or even watermelon lightly kissed by heat for added caramelized sweetness.

The goal isn’t complexity here—it’s a relaxed finish to a day built around the grill.

Finalizing Your Memorial Day Grill Menu Plan

The best Memorial Day cookouts don’t rely on complexity, they rely on balance.

A strong Memorial Day spread typically includes:

• Something classic and crowd-pleasing (burgers or hot dogs)
• Something smoky and slow-cooked (ribs or chicken)
• Something lighter (seafood or vegetables)
• A mix of crowd-pleasing side dishes that bring everything together

From there, it’s less about strict recipes and more about timing, heat management, and letting the grill do what it does best.