Everything You Need for a Memorial Day Barbecue

"Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it."Mark Twain

Memorial Day is a time to honor those who gave their lives in service of our country. This holiday also marks the beginning of summer, and it's a time-honored US tradition to gather outside with friends and family to enjoy a barbecue over Memorial Day weekend. No matter who you celebrate the holiday with this year, here is everything you need from fresh menu ideas to the reliable equipment suggestions. Since chicken is America's most popular meat, chicken takes center stage. Yes, beef is an iconic American staple, but day in and day out, Americans have been eating more chicken than beef for over 25 years. Here are some of our best and most requested BBQ chicken recipes. Whether you like to grill or smoke the whole bird, bone-in parts, or skinless boneless chicken breasts, we've got you covered. We even have a recipe for a citrus herb spatchcocked whole chicken that cooks quickly and evenly. The rest of the menu features time-honored American classics like coleslaw, potato salad, and baked beans. We even included an award-winning grill and reliable thermometer in this list to make sure that your chicken is properly cooked before serving. So pull up a chair and your favorite drink, gather around the table with your family, and enjoy America's most popular foods on our most venerable holiday.

Big Bob Gibson's Bama Birds With White BBQ Sauce Recipe

By Meathead Goldwyn

Packed full of flavor, this recipe for Alabama white BBQ sauce is the perfect addition to grilled and smoked chicken. Adapted from the original white BBQ sauce that was created by famed Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Que in Decatur, Alabama, this isn't your ordinary sticky sweet BBQ sauce as it relies on mayonnaise and vinegar. read more

Sweet Georgia's Brown Smoked Chicken Recipe, Parts Or Pulled

By Meathead Goldwyn

Smoked chicken, Georgia style, is big, bold, and assertive, but the skin, although it is packed with flavor, is not crispy. read more

Grilled Citrus Herb Spatchcocked Chicken Recipe

By Clint Cantwell

If you’ve been frustrated by unsuccessful grilled chicken, this recipe for citrus herb rubbed spatchcocked chicken will be a revelation. By removing the backbone and grilling it bone-side down, the chicken slow roasts without drying out or burning while also making sure the dark and white meat cook evenly. read more

ThermoWorks ThermoPop (TX-3100-XX) Review

The ThermoPop is an inexpensive, high-performance, rapid-read handheld thermometer for food usage. It has a rotating display that makes it easy to read from any angle. It gives precise readings in under four seconds. We tested it thoroughly and gave it a top rating for its performance and build quality. read more

Crispy Grilled Cornell Chicken Will Have You Clucking With Joy

By Meathead Goldwyn

If you like grilled chicken with golden crispy skin then you're about to fall in love with this recipe for crispy grilled Cornell chicken. In New York's Finger lakes, Bob Baker's famous Crispy Cornell Chicken recipe is served in every home, every fire department cookout, and little league BBQ and now you can enjoy it! read more

Grilled Skinless Buxom Chicken Breasts With Mustard Marinade Recipe

By Meathead Goldwyn

This grilled skinless buxom chicken breasts marinade was the first recipe I ever sold. read more

Perfect Grilled Boneless Chicken Breasts, The Sous-Vide-Que Method

By Clint Cantwell

Ensure moist and tender boneless chicken breasts on the grill every time with this ultimate guide to the sous-vide-que cooking method. By starting the boneless chicken breasts in a low and slow sous vide water bath then finishing them with a flavorful touch of smokiness on the grill and you've got chicken perfection. read more

Simon & Garfunkel Chicken Recipe

By Meathead Goldwyn

Grilled chicken has never tasted better thanks to this recipe featuring our amazing Simon & Garfunkel Rub, a wonderful herb based rub that is great on chicken, turkey, and veggies. As with most grilled chicken recipes, we recommend you cut the bird into parts so that you can ensure each is cooked to perfection. read more

Hawaiian Huli-Huli Chicken With Teriyaki Sauce Recipe

By Meathead Goldwyn

Let's help this Hawaiian Huli-Huli Chicken With Teriyaki Sauce become popular on the mainland. read more

The Science of Slawsome Slaw

By Meathead Goldwyn

Everything a cook needs to know about making coleslaw and this is the ultimate guide. read more

Simple Boston Baked Beans Recipe, As Easy As They Are Delicious

By Meathead Goldwyn

Looking for the perfect side dish for your next cookout? Nothing screams BBQ more than a sticky and smoky bowl of Boston baked beans. It was in Beantown that the notion of mixing dried beans with molasses was conceived. This flavorful recipe is an ode to the original while offering suggestions for amping them up. read more

Mom's Old Fashioned Potato Salad Recipe

By Meathead Goldwyn

Make mom proud with this recipe for the perfect potato salad. No backyard BBQ is complete without potato salad but often times it can be lacking in flavor. The secret to this delicious potato salad recipe is the dressing, a simple blend of mayonnaise and sour cream that perfectly complements the other ingredients. read more

Weber Original Kettle Premium 22" Charcoal Grill Review

Weber Kettles enjoy evergreen popularity from one generation to the next. They are durable and you can cook just about anything you want on them. Pile up coal on one side to sear steaks or set up 2-zone roasting, We tested these iconic grills. You can't go wrong with our Platinum Medal winning Weber kettles. read more

grilled spatchcocked chicken on platter

Dave Joachim

AmazingRibs.com Editor David Joachim has authored, edited, or collaborated on more than 45 cookbooks including four on barbecue and grilling, making him a perfect match for a website dedicated to the “Science of Barbecue and Grilling.” His Food Science column has appeared in "Fine Cooking" magazine since 2011.

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