Happy Memorial Day Weekend! I hope you all have some fun plans this weekend weather that is staying in the AC all weekend or getting out by some water or hosting a cookout! We will be heading to the family cabin later today to relax, get in some sun, boat and workout. I love grilling and having friends and family over for a cookout. Just the way I do everything, I like to keep my cookouts simple! In today’s post I will walk you through how to create the perfect and most simple cookout that will impress all your guests!
First, start with picking your protein(s). Some amazing choices to cook up on the grill include boneless skinless chicken breasts, hamburgers, brats, ribs, steak and kabobs. If I am hosting, I often times like to grill a couple different options for my guests to choose from.
Here are a few ideas you could offer any guest you have coming over:
- Italian Marinaded Chicken Kabobs
- Spinach and Strawberry Hamburgers
- Dijon Mustard and Thyme Marinade Grilled Chicken
- PB&J Bacon Burger
- BBQ Chicken and Pineapple Kabobs
Once you have your main protein on the menu you want to decide on your sides. This will somewhat depend on what you are serving as your main protein as certain veggies pair better with different meats. I will typically serve 2-3 sides. I like to include a leafy green salad, a starchy vegetable and often times fruit.
Here are some of my go to sides dishes when hosting a cookout because they go well with just about anything.
- Fresh Brussel Sprout Salad
- Cabbage Slaw
- Shredded Brussels Sprout and Spinach Salad with Avocado Dressing
- Raw Beet & Apple Salad
- Medley Tomato Salad
- Asparagus & Fingerling Potato Salad
- Summer Watermelon Fruit Salad
- Kale Summer Salad
- Rosemary and Garlic Smashed Potatoes
- Herb Infused Sweet Potato Wedges
- Bacon Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad with a Lime Dressing
If you really want to impress your guests, serve them a signature cocktail! These cocktails are fresh, made with clean ingredients and scream summer!
- Paleo Raspberry Lemonade (just add vodka)
- Watermelon Lime and Cucumber Cocktail
- Homemade Moscow Mule
- Champagne Refresher
- Paleo Strawberry Lemonade Cocktail
You can’t serve your guests a stellar meal and amazing signature cocktail and not give them dessert. This is where it get’s fun because the options are endless! I usually like to stick to something simple that doesn’t take much time to make so I can focus on the main meal.
Here a few dessert recipes that will compliment your cookout and not take too long or much attention to make.
- Better Than Mom’s Oatmeal Peanut Butter Bars
- Chocolate Banana Bread
- Cinnamon Maple Sugar Cookies
- Maple Grilled Peaches
- Apple Crisp
- Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Chocolate Chip Brownies
And there you have it, how to create the perfect cookout for Memorial Day Weekend. Just like any meal, keep it simple by offering your guests dishes that are made of whole real foods and they will leave happy, satisfied and amazed on how delicious everything was.