Let's be honest: burgers are usually what happens when you're too tired to think of anything else to put on the grill. They're fine, but the best cookouts are the ones where the other food is so good that the burger buns actually stay in the bag. These 19 Memorial Day recipes are the grill wins that steal the show and make a standard patty feel like a total afterthought. It's the easiest way to level up your long weekend without spending the entire afternoon stuck flipping the same old patties.
Colombian Marinated Chicken Drumsticks
These drumsticks soak in citrus and spices before they hit the fire for a dark, crispy finish. Using dark meat is a smart move because it stays nice and juicy even when the grill gets super hot. It's the kind of meal that makes the whole yard smell like a summer party-sorry burgers, you just can't compete with this.
Get the Recipe: Colombian Marinated Chicken Drumsticks
Citrus Glazed Pork Chops
Orange and lime juices turn into a sticky, sweet crust the second they touch the flames. These thick chops are a great way to handle a hot backyard day because the fruit keeps them feeling fresh and light. It's way more exciting than a plain bun, and nobody leaves the table hungry.
Get the Recipe: Citrus Glazed Pork Chops
Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebab
I started making these when my family wanted something way more fun than a basic chicken sandwich. You just mix ground meat with fresh herbs and shape them onto sticks so they cook super fast over the coals. That smoky bite from the grill mixed with the spiced center is just so good, you won't even miss the cheese.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebab
Grilled Steak with Peaches and Onions
Ripe peaches and red onions go right onto the grates until they get those beautiful dark grill marks. The sweet fruit is a perfect match for a salty, heavy steak. It looks like a fancy restaurant plate but feels like a rugged meal you'd eat outside by a campfire.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Steak with Peaches and Onions
Grilled Scallops with Pinot Grigio Sauce
These are cooked fast to get a thin crust while keeping the white centers soft and buttery. A cool sauce made with wine and mint is the perfect finish for hot shellfish. This dish is so impressive that everyone will totally forget about the standard cookout food.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Scallops with Pinot Grigio Sauce
Grilled Garlic Lime Chicken with Cilantro Crema
These charred thighs are my go-to when a big crowd is coming over for the weekend. The sharp punch of garlic and lime cuts right through the smoky charcoal smell. I always make extra green cream because my guests end up pouring it over everything on their plates.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Garlic Lime Chicken with Cilantro Crema
Grilled Maple Mustard Chicken
Mustard and sweet syrup make a sticky glaze that gets thicker as it drips onto the hot coals. The heat turns those sugars into a dark shell that keeps the meat from getting tough. Every bite gives you a mix of sharp and sweet that stays with you long after the grill is off.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Maple Mustard Chicken
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
The air fryer makes the skin crunch just like a grill without the mess of starting a real fire. You brush the BBQ sauce on at the end so it gets hot and sticky instead of burning.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
Ninja Woodfire Grill T-Bone Steaks
This is my favorite way to get a deep, smoky wood flavor without needing a massive smoker. When you have thick beef and real wood smoke, you really only need a little salt and pepper. The bone keeps the meat juicy while the fat edges turn nice and crisp.
Get the Recipe: Ninja Woodfire Grill T-Bone Steaks
Grilled Rockfish Tacos
This flaky white fish gets a dry rub and a quick sear until the edges turn golden brown. Just add warm tortillas and a little crunch for a super-fast dinner that beats a burger any day. Using a firm fish means you don't have to worry about your dinner falling through the grates.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Rockfish Tacos
Grilled Shrimp Skewers
These cook over high heat until they turn a bright, salty pink. A quick sear keeps them snappy and sweet instead of rubbery. Since they are on sticks, they are super easy to eat while standing up and chatting with friends at a busy party.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Skewers
Tri-tip with Pineapple Mango Red Pepper Salsa
This is the large cut of beef I grill when my husband wants a meal that feels like a real event. The fruit salsa adds a sweet crunch that balances out the heavy flavor of the roasted meat. I like to slice it thin so it's easy to chew the second it hits the table.
Get the Recipe: Tri-tip with Pineapple Mango Red Pepper Salsa
Grilled Mango-Chipotle Chicken Wings
Spicy peppers and tropical fruit make a sauce that is both hot and sweet. You grill them until the skin is bubbly and the sauce cooks into a dark, spicy layer. Keep a cold drink close by because that chipotle heat builds up fast!
Get the Recipe: Grilled Mango-Chipotle Chicken Wings
Peach Salmon Skewers with Peach Jalapeno Crema
Cubes of pink fish go on sticks with fruit wedges for a meal that looks and smells amazing. The spicy cream ties the fish and the peaches together perfectly. Grilling salmon on sticks like this is a great trick to keep it from sticking or falling apart.
Get the Recipe: Peach Salmon Skewers with Peach Jalapeno Crema
Vegetarian Kofta Kebabs Recipe
I made this plant-based version so my vegetarian friends never feel left out of the cookout. Spices like cumin and coriander give them an earthy smell that fits right in with the meat. They stay firm on the stick even over a high flame, which is a total win.
Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Kofta Kebabs Recipe
20-Minute Grilled Basil Pesto Chicken
Fresh basil and garlic are crushed into a green paste that grills beautifully on the meat. Sizzled tomatoes add a warm, tart juice that acts like a natural sauce for your plate. You can finish this whole meal in the time it takes to just heat up a burger bun.
Get the Recipe: 20-Minute Grilled Basil Pesto Chicken
Nordic Fire-Grilled Salmon
A simple mix of salt and wood smoke brings out the rich flavor of this cold-water fish. The skin gets so crispy it cracks like a cracker, protecting the soft meat inside. This is an honest way of cooking that really lets the quality of the fire shine.
Get the Recipe: Nordic Fire-Grilled Salmon
Grilled Flank Steak with Chile Butter
This is what I cook when I need a fast dinner that still feels like a special treat. Spicy butter melts over the hot meat to create a yellow sauce that runs into the grill marks. My family usually clears the whole cutting board before I can even get it to the table.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Flank Steak with Chile Butter
Grilled Hawaiian Chicken
Pineapple rings are grilled until the sugar turns into dark lines and the fruit gets soft. The chicken is covered in a sweet sauce that perfectly matches the tropical taste. It's a big, satisfying meal that tastes like a vacation in the middle of a Tuesday.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Hawaiian Chicken
You won't even think about burgers once you see what hits your grill tonight-you just need to pick one and start.
