Celebrate Memorial Day with These No-Grill Summer Recipes
Brainstorming easy and cheap Memorial Day ideas? Standing over a sizzling grill in the early summer heat isn’t always appealing, and not everyone has access to a charcoal grill. Skip the grill altogether without skipping the Memorial Day cookout using these no-grill summer recipes to feed your loved ones. With these no-fuss ideas, you can spend less time in the kitchen and enjoy more fun family time!
Easy Appetizers
For a healthy treat, assemble a veggie tray piled high with cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, sugar snap peas, and sweet bell peppers. These fresh summer veggies can stand alone, but add hummus and ranch to dress things up. Work some protein into your grill-free cookout by making a charcuterie platter with cheese, cured meat, nuts, grapes, and crackers. And you can never go wrong with chips and salsa. Take the pressure off having everything ready on time by making these apps the day before and keeping them fresh in the fridge till mealtime!
More No-Grill Appetizer Ideas: Guacamole, black-eyed peas, or these prosciutto-melon skewers from Delish
Simple Summery Sides
For super summery sides that don’t require a grill, look to seasonal staples like corn on the cob, baked beans, coleslaw, and homemade egg salad. Take advantage of fresh summer produce by making a cucumber-tomato salad with a touch of lemon and olive oil or going for a sweeter fruit salad made with watermelon, cantaloupe, berries, and peaches!
More No-Grill Side Dish Ideas: Mexican street corn from Delish or store-bought potato chips
Crowd-Pleasing Summer Entrees
Get that char-grilled flavor of traditional Memorial Day meals by making burgers and hot dogs on the stovetop with a cast-iron skillet or griddle. For a leaner option, try turkey burgers instead of beef or skip the bun and wrap the patty in lettuce.
If you’re trying to satisfy picky eaters, consider putting together a build-your-own taco bar! Trying to navigate sensitivities and preferences can be tricky, but DIY-ing a party buffet is easy — here’s how to do it.
Set up a burrito-building buffet along your dining room table or console table, top it with taco ingredients in colorful bowls. Include seasoned taco meat, refried beans, shredded cheese, chopped romaine, pico de gallo, sour cream, and tortillas. Don’t forget to put disposable dishes at the start of your taco buffet.
With this DIY taco bar, there’s something for all the dairy-free, gluten-free, vegetarian, and veggie-less eaters in your life.
More No-Grill Summer Entrees: Slow cooker black bean enchiladas
Delicious Desserts
Satisfying everyone’s sweet tooth is easy. Just stock up on popsicles made with real fruit juice and low-cal ice cream! If you’re feeling crafty, you can even layer strawberries, blueberries and whipped cream on a sheet cake for a patriotic treat.
More Summer Desserts: DIY chocolate-covered bananas and fresh fruit popsicles
Let’s Get Cooking!
No grill? No problem! With Rent-A-Center’s low upfront prices and flexible payment options, you can get the grill and ranges you need to put dinner on the picnic blanket. Plus, you won’t have to worry about making too much with a name-brand refrigerator keeping the leftovers fresh for days. Learn more about how easy cooking up a great time can be by calling your local Rent-A-Center and asking about our flexible payment plans and doorstep delivery!