10 Memorial Day Recipes That’ll Be the Talk of Your BBQ

Nothing says “America” quite like hot dogs smothered in homemade chili. This is the kind of dog that doesn’t need a plate, just your undivided attention. Pile it high with meaty chili, shredded cheese, onions and whatever else you think your cardiologist wouldn’t approve of.

Tender, juicy and slathered in enough BBQ sauce to destroy a white shirt, these sliders don’t play. They may be tiny, but they pack the punch of a full-sized sandwich wearing party clothes and doing the cha-cha. Add pickles or slaw if you’re feeling fancy, or just embrace the glorious mess, napkins be damned.

No BBQ table is complete without this crunchy, creamy, tangy classic. This make-ahead wonder actually improves with time in the fridge, making it the perfect stress-free side. It gets along with everything like a good potluck guest should and will disappear faster than your neighbor's promise to "just have one beer."

Corn on the cob reaches legendary status when smothered in this spicy, citrusy butter that melts into every golden bite. The smoky grill marks, the chili’s fiery kick and the lime’s zesty zing turn this summer staple into the undeniable star of the BBQ spread. A few kernels glued to your teeth? So worth it.

Imagine if grilled cheese went on a hot date with a meatball sub and never looked back. That’s what’s happening here, and it’s nothing short of glorious. The crispy exterior gives way to spicy, saucy meatballs wrapped in a cheese pull that deserves its own slow-mo reel. These handheld wonders are the perfect snack to fuel you through the most intense rounds of horseshoe tossing.

Bring campfire magic to your backyard without anyone needing to battle smoke-in-the-eye syndrome. Melted chocolate and toasted marshmallows swirl together in one gooey, graham-cracker-scooping extravaganza. Adults will revert to childlike wonder while secretly appreciating not having to assemble individual s'mores after a few brewskies.

This sophisticated salad proves that not all BBQ fare needs to be slathered in sauce or cheese to impress. The sweet-salty-tangy combo provides the perfect palate cleanser between heavier dishes and is surprisingly fancy for something made in under ten minutes. Your health-conscious friends will appreciate having something green on their plate, even if it's just the mint.

These handheld flavor bombs are basically Italy on a stick. The classic combo of tomato, mozzarella and basil looks impressive on a platter but requires barely more effort than opening a bag of chips. Your guests will feel like they're snacking straight from a Tuscan garden.

Each gooey bite is a molten, savory surprise wrapped in a golden crust of YES. These are the kind of snack that disappears before they even hit the table. Warning: may cause spontaneous applause, joyful weeping or marriage proposals.

Every epic BBQ needs a signature beverage, and lemonade gets the job done with classic charm. Tart, sweet and occasionally spiked when Aunt Linda’s not looking. Dress it up with herbs, berries or whatever makes it look like you tried. Served in a mason jar, it says rustic charm; served in a solo cup, it says let’s get weird.