4 Tips and Ideas for your Memorial Day BBQ

We have finally arrived at SPRING!!  With spring comes warmer temperatures and later sunsets, which obviously means one thing… more pellet grilling! Get your pellets and new recipes ready!

It’s time to start planning your Memorial Day BBQ.  Memorial Day is a day of reverence and gratitude for every American, and it’s often marked by gathering friends and family outdoors for a picnic.  This last Monday in May is also frequently treated as the unofficial start to summer and BBQ season.  You’ll want to showcase some of your best BBQ recipes and flavors, here are a few tips!

Stock up on pellets

You know you’re going to logging a lot of hours on your pellet grill this summer, so now is the time to make sure you have all your flavors ready.  A bulk order of pellets will save you money, and will guarantee you have a variety of hardwood pellets on hand all summer long.  With bulk mix and match you can order a variety of pellets with one order, and you will get free shipping on your bulk order.  Wondering which pellets to choose? Here’s what you need to know about pairing the best hardwood pellet flavor with your favorite recipes.

Choose recipes to prep ahead of time

For your Memorial Day BBQ, you’ll want to spend as much time with your guests as possible.  Choose recipes you can prep the day before, and then just require pellet grilling on the day of your bbq.  One favorite is Texas Twinkies.  These are the ultimate jalapeno poppers, wrapped in bacon and baked on the pellet grill for an incredible smoky flavor combination.  Build your Texas Twinkies on Sunday, and they cook up with a quick 30 minute smoke on Memorial Day.

There is so much more you can do the day before your bbq.  Marinade your brisket, make your bbq sauce, form your burger patties, cut your vegetables and fruit, or even assemble your beef kebabs.  Choose recipes specifically that don’t have a lot of active time, so you can enjoy your guests on BBQ day.

Ultimate Wisconsin Burger Recipe

Want to keep it simple or cooking for a large crowd? How about good ol’ burgers and brats? It’s not boring if you do it right with this Ultimate Wisconsin Burger Recipe!

ULTIMATE WISCONSIN BURGER

• 1/3 pound ground beef shaped into patties just larger than the bun
• Your favorite bratwurst boiled in your favorite beer
• Wisconsin Cheese Curds
• Kaiser Bun
• Sauerkraut

Set grill at 350 degrees using Perfect Mix Pellets
Cook burgers 20 minutes if you like your burgers medium, adjusting time for your preference on doneness.

While burgers are cooking, put brats on the grill as well to get a great sear and smoky flavor.

Remove burgers from grill and place on bun, top with sliced bratwurst, and immediately sprinkle with Wisconsin Cheese curds so they just begin to melt.

Top with sauerkraut, grilled onions, beer mustard or any of your other favorite toppings and condiments and serve.  YUM!

Dessert on the Pellet Grill

One of the best desserts that both kids and adults will love is grilled watermelon.  This recipe is healthy, quick, can be prepped ahead of time, and really showcases how fun pellet grilling is for any sort of food! It can be made quickly after everyone has had a chance to savor their Ultimate Wisconsin Burger, and offers a bit of balance to a heavier main course.  Watermelon is great, but so are bananas, stone fruit, and pineapple.

It really is that easy! Keep it simple, keep a cold one in your hand and in everyone else’s, and enjoy spring and the unofficial start to summer.  Cheers to a long and delicious pellet grilling season!