15 Memorial Day Dinners So Good Nobody Moves Until the Platter Is Empty

Late May brings long sunny days that make the backyard the best place to be. Everything finally gets quiet once the food hits the table and everyone realizes they are actually hungry. I don’t like fancy parties where people eat standing up and leave early.

These 15 Memorial Day dinners are so good they make you stay in your seat for a second helping of something smoky or bright. You will want to keep sitting in your lawn chair long after the plates are empty because it feels nice outside, and nobody is in a hurry to leave.

Sticky-Tender Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs

Bones slide right out of the meat because the slow cooker does the hard work. Finishing them under a broiler creates a crust that keeps people picking at the plate. No one leaves the backyard until well after the sun goes down.
Get the Recipe: Sticky-Tender Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs

Peach Salmon Skewers With Peach Jalapeno Crema

Fruit slices soften and caramelize over the fire, dripping sweet juice onto the fish. Mixing peaches with a spicy cream sauce feels exactly like a sunny summer day. It ranks as a favorite because it keeps the mood light and the chairs full.
Get the Recipe: Peach Salmon Skewers With Peach Jalapeno Crema

Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebab

Ground chicken mixed with fresh green herbs makes for a light meal that isn’t too heavy. Guests usually pick at the skewers until only the wooden sticks are left on the platter. A quiet calm usually follows once the last bite is finished.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebab

Traeger Country-Style Pork Ribs

Fruitwood smoke goes deep into the meat, leaving a bright pink ring inside. Eating these is a slow, steady task that rewards those who stay at the table. A bit of grease on the chin is expected during this kind of cookout.
Get the Recipe: Traeger Country-Style Pork Ribs

Colombian Marinated Chicken Drumsticks

Garlic and lime marinade chars into the skin for a flavor that is both bright and deep. Roasting these results in a pile of bones and a lot of satisfied silences. Squeezing a final lime wedge over the last piece seals the afternoon’s success.
Get the Recipe: Colombian Marinated Chicken Drumsticks

Nordic Fire-Grilled Salmon

High heat turns the fish skin into something as crispy as a cracker. Fat drips onto the coals, creating a smoky smell that reminds people of the ocean. It forces everyone to focus on their food until every piece is gone.
Get the Recipe: Nordic Fire-Grilled Salmon

Crispy Old Bay Grilled Chicken Thighs

Salty red spice coats the skin, bringing back memories of the Atlantic air. Patience and high heat are all it takes to get that perfect, loud crunch. Bones end up in a neat pile just as the stars start to come out.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Old Bay Grilled Chicken Thighs

Slow Cooker Tex Mex Pulled Pork

Soft meat scented with lime and cumin gets piled high onto charred tortillas. Eating this is a hands-on process that naturally slows the whole group down. People tend to stay in their chairs long after the pot is empty.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Tex Mex Pulled Pork

Homemade Big Mac Sliders

Pickles and cold lettuce give a sharp crunch against the warm, seasoned beef. Bringing a bit of nostalgia to the backyard is easy without waiting in a drive-thru line. Someone always ends up heading to the kitchen to look for more sauce.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Big Mac Sliders

Easy BBQ Chicken Sliders

Sweet Hawaiian rolls soak up the extra sauce, making the bottom of the bun the best part. Little effort is needed for assembly, so the focus stays on the conversation. The party stays parked in the shade until the tray is wiped clean.
Get the Recipe: Easy BBQ Chicken Sliders

Pulled Pork on the Stovetop

Low heat transforms a tough piece of meat into silk while the house stays quiet. Half a day of ignoring the stove results in a meal that makes the lawn chairs feel permanent. Heavy food and good company make it hard for anyone to move.
Get the Recipe: Pulled Pork on the Stovetop

Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Turkey Sliders

Tart fruit sauce cuts through the salt of the turkey to make a very bright-tasting sandwich. Shadows grow long on the grass while people keep reaching for just one more. Nobody seems to mind the mess of crumbs left on the table.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Turkey Sliders

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

Sticky sauce creates a dark, sweet shell that makes a big stack of napkins a necessity. Using an air fryer means less time standing over a grill and more time sitting with friends. Messy fingers are just a sign that the dinner was a success.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

Easy Buffalo Chicken Sliders

Melted cheese pools around the bread to form crunchy, lacy orange bits. Using a rotisserie bird is a great shortcut to a very long, lazy evening. A cold glass of water is usually the only reason anyone finally stands up.
Get the Recipe: Easy Buffalo Chicken Sliders

Thai Spicy Basil Chicken Skewers with Cashew Sauce and Gremolata Topping

Fresh basil and ginger provide a brightness that helps on a humid afternoon. Dipping the meat into a thick cashew dressing is often the highlight of the whole spread. Addictive flavors usually lead to long talks about travel and future plans.
Get the Recipe: Thai Spicy Basil Chicken Skewers with Cashew Sauce and Gremolata Topping

Clean off the patio table and get cooking, because your guests will be staying until every last bite is gone.