Hello, Summer! Recipes And Tips For The Ultimate Memorial Day Cookout

Memorial Day is just around the corner. That means that summer is unofficially kicked off, and backyard barbecue season can officially begin.

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If this is your first rodeo at a Memorial Day cookout, know that grilling isn't as easy as one may think. And there are other factors to consider, such as warm weather, which can make menu planning a bit of a pain. You don't want your mayonnaise-based pasta salad to sit out in the sun all day, do you?

To help put your mind at ease, we pulled together quick and easy tips to throw a Memorial Day cookout that your friends and family will rave about for weeks to come. To go along with each tip, we've also provided a recipe so that your menu planning is as painless as possible.

So, head to the farmers market, stock up on summertime produce and ground beef, fire up your grill (safely), and get ready to have a Memorial Day filled with the freshest and finest food around.