Memorial Day is often considered the unofficial beginning of summer.

Weve gathered some of our favorite menu ideas for everything from beach retreats to a vegetarian-friendly meal.

The main attraction is our glazed steakkebabs, which are coated in a tangy and sweet bourbon-cola mixture.

Classic Grilled Corn on the Cob

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

The centerpiece of this lineup is a loaded Shrimp Cobb Salad with Bacon Dressing.

It’s piled high with creamy avocado, funky blue cheese crumbles, and juicy cherry tomatoes.

To anchor this plant-powered meal, serve our delicious Black Bean Burgers with Comeback Sauce as a main dish.

Southern Living Bourbon- and Cola-Glazed Steak Kebabs on a platter to serve with smashed cucumber salad beside

Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

For a sweet finish, serve a fresh cobbler featuring freshstrawberries.

We’ll leave it up to you as to whether you spike it or serve it as is.

We took inspiration from Alabama and centered this menu on Grilled Chicken Legs with a tangy white barbecue sauce.

Shrimp Cobb Salad with Bacon Dressing

Credit: Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Heavenly Key Lime Pie

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Black Bean Burgers with Comeback Sauce

Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Grilled Clambake Foil Packets with Herb Butter

Credit: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Anna Hampton

Southern Living Grilled Chicken Legs on a platter to serve with white barbecue sauce

Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely