Top 6 Items Iowans Are Grilling On Memorial Day Weekend

We have to start summer with good food.

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial (though essentially official) start to the summer. It's going to warm up, we're going to be outside having fun a lot, and we're ready for it.

If you're the one in the friend group or neighborhood that's going to be hosting the cookout this weekend or Monday, that's pressure. Not only do you have to figure out what to make, but you also have to drag out the bags boards, darts, and/or open your pool.

In fact, Food & Wine has a list of Memorial Day weekend cookout recipes, which can be a great place to find sides recipes from, like salads that aren't remotely salads. And of course there are a lot of ice cream/summery dessert ideas. But what are we going to do about the main course?

So far for 2025, it looks like unusual things to grill are trending for the summer. That includes things like skewers, foil packets (stuffed with clambake-style food or surf and turf), a lot of grilled seafood, grilled veggies and fruits, even slapping a lettuce leaf on the grill for a "grilled caesar salad". Come on now.

So if you're getting ready to go to the grocery store and you still can't decide what to grill for your guests, scroll down to see the top 6 items that Iowans are expected to toss on the grill for Memorial Day weekend!