Memorial Day is upon us, and, while BBQ is typical fare for the weekend, get creative with this inspiring menu! Switch up the traditional burgers and hot dogs to add other grill-friendly foods that do well basking near the flames.

Try a new marinade

Chicken or steak tastes great on the BBQ and can be so easy to cook—with minimal effort and maximum taste! Marinate the chicken or meat with the simple ingredients below for a few hours to bring out the juicy flavors. If you want to go meat-free, you can even combine this marinade with extra-firm tofu.

Marinade Recipe

• 3 Tablespoons lemon juice
• 3 Tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• Garlic powder (to taste) or three garlic cloves, minced
• Salt and pepper (to taste)

Grill corn on the cob

Nothing beats the taste of fresh, grilled corn. You can cook it with no extra ingredients…just a few ears, charred to perfection. The grilled corn can help enhance the taste of salads, quinoa, pasta, or dips or be used to create homemade salsa.

Try grilled fruit

Grilled fruit is not something most people think about when it comes to BBQ fare, but sliced watermelon, peaches, or pineapple on the grill can add a smoky flavor to the sweetness. Toss the fruit with some lime juice, honey, and olive oil and grill for two minutes on each side for a delicious, refreshing treat.

Skewer some potatoes

Don’t settle for boring potato salad. Instead, cut some baby potatoes in half and mix them with oil, lemon juice, ranch seasoning, or even some Parmesan cheese with salt and pepper. Slide a few on a skewer and cook until charred for a tasty, bite-sized side dish.

Indulge in backyard fun

Besides filling your bellies, here are some outdoor, backyard activities to add to the festivities and that will keep the family entertained.

• Chalk it up. This Memorial Day, you can have your kids honor those who have served our country with a chalk message of thanks and appreciation or a drawing of the American flag mural on the driveway.
• Turn up the tunes. Music is a great way to turn a quiet get-together into a relaxing bonding experience with your family and friends. A fancy audio setup is not required—Target and Walmart have Bluetooth® speakers for under $25. Not sure what to play? Check out our Backyard BBQ Bangers playlist that’s full of crowd-pleasers across generations that the whole family is sure to enjoy.
• Pitch a tent. Can’t get away for that camping weekend? Set up camp in your yard! The kids will enjoy the change of scenery, and it will make them feel like they’re in the great outdoors. Recreate the traditional camping feel by telling ghost stories by flashlight or making s’mores in a fire pit.
• Make movie magic. While drive-in theaters may be making a comeback, you can easily set up your own personal outdoor theater in your yard. All you need is a projector (you can find small ones for under $200 on Amazon), a sheet or screen, laptop, tablet, or DVD player (depending on the source of the flick) and connect to some speakers and an outlet. Grab the popcorn, blankets, and chairs for a cozy night under the stars.
• Get on the green. Outdoor lawn games can be enjoyed by kids and adults, alike. Here are some ideas to bring the fun outside:
  
  
  • Create a scavenger hunt. Put together a list of items you can find around your yard. This can include typical items, such as rocks or leaves, but you could also “plant” a few hidden objects such as a small toy, ball, or Frisbee.
  • Go traditional. Traditional games such as ring toss, bocce ball, lawn bowling, croquet, or golf are great lawn games. Even if you don’t have the supplies for these games, you can improvise by using other balls you may have around the house or cutting a hole in a paper plate for a ring toss over a stick or baseball bat. Have the kids bring their creativity to help find items around the house or yard to use.
  • Bring the indoors, out. Recreate indoor games outside and make them life-sized. Recreate Twister by spray painting the grass with different-colored circles or spray circles on a large sheet. Checkers can be made by alternating leftover pavers or bricks between the grass to set up the board, then painting plastic plates black or red for the pieces. You could even create your own Jenga game by cutting and stacking boxes!
  • Bring the beach back. Get some play sand and an inflatable pool, grab a lounge chair and towel, then prepare a cocktail and relax under the sun in your own yard. Don’t forget the sunscreen!

With some creativity, delicious food, and fun activities, you can make this Memorial Day a memorable one for you and your family!