Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, and across Portland, grills are firing up for backyard cookouts, neighborhood parties, and family gatherings. While burgers and hot dogs still dominate the menu, this year’s BBQ trends are all about upgraded classics, smoky flavors, and easy crowd-pleasers.
From perfectly marbled steaks to locally sourced vegetables and smoky ribs, here’s what everyone is actually grilling this Memorial Day - plus the best local places to grab everything you need for your cookout.
Smash Burgers Are Still the King of the Grill
Smash burgers continue to dominate Memorial Day cookouts because they’re fast, flavorful, and nearly impossible to mess up.
Thin patties with crispy edges, melted cheese, toasted buns, and loaded toppings are showing up everywhere this year.
Best places to buy burger ingredients:
- Zupan's Markets — Great for premium ground beef blends, brioche buns, and gourmet toppings.
- Whole Foods Market — Reliable for grass-fed beef, organic produce, and specialty cheeses.
- Trader Joe's — Affordable burger buns, sauces, frozen fries, and easy BBQ sides.
- Safeway — Ideal for stocking up on large packs of burger meat and party supplies.
- New Seasons Market — Excellent local meats and artisan condiments.
Trending burger toppings:
- Caramelized onions
- Bacon jam
- Garlic aioli
- Jalapeños
- Pepper jack cheese
- BBQ sauce
Smoked Ribs Are the Main Event This Year
People are going all-in on low-and-slow BBQ this Memorial Day. Smokers and pellet grills are everywhere, and ribs are officially the centerpiece of backyard BBQ season.
Baby back ribs and St. Louis-style ribs are especially popular this year, often paired with dry rubs and homemade sauces.
Best places to buy ribs:
- Zupan's Markets — High-quality butcher counter with excellent pork selections.
- New Seasons Market — Known for responsibly sourced meats and local options.
- Whole Foods Market — Great for organic and antibiotic-free ribs.
- Safeway — Budget-friendly family packs for larger cookouts.
Popular rib flavors:
- Honey bourbon BBQ
- Spicy chipotle
- Dry Memphis-style rubs
- Sweet heat glaze
The trend this year is less sauce, more smoke.
Grilled Chicken Is Having a Major Comeback
Chicken thighs and drumsticks are huge this year because they’re affordable, easy to grill, and stay juicy even over high heat.
Many hosts are marinating chicken overnight and serving giant platters family-style.
Best places to buy chicken:
- Whole Foods Market — Excellent organic chicken options.
- New Seasons Market — Great local and pasture-raised poultry.
- Trader Joe's — Affordable marinated chicken and easy pre-seasoned options.
- Safeway — Best for feeding larger groups on a budget.
Trending marinades:
- Honey garlic
- Pineapple teriyaki
- Buffalo ranch
- Citrus herb
- Sweet bourbon BBQ
Grilled Corn Is the Side Dish Everyone Wants
No Memorial Day cookout feels complete without grilled corn on the cob.
People are charring corn directly over flames and topping it with ingredients inspired by Mexican street corn.
Best places to buy produce:
- Trader Joe's — Affordable produce and easy side dishes.
- New Seasons Market — Excellent seasonal produce from local farms.
- Whole Foods Market — Fresh herbs, organic corn, and specialty ingredients.
- Safeway — Reliable for large produce runs before parties.
Favorite toppings this year:
- Cotija cheese
- Chili lime seasoning
- Garlic butter
- Chipotle mayo
- Parmesan
Seafood Is Quietly Becoming a BBQ Favorite
More people are adding seafood to the grill this Memorial Day, especially shrimp skewers and salmon.
Seafood cooks quickly and gives guests a lighter option alongside heavier BBQ meats.
Best places to buy seafood:
- Whole Foods Market — Reliable fresh seafood counter.
- Zupan's Markets — Premium seafood selections.
- New Seasons Market — Strong focus on sustainable seafood.
Seafood favorites this year:
- Garlic butter shrimp skewers
- Cedar plank salmon
- Cajun prawns
- Grilled fish tacos
Vegetables Are Finally Getting Grill Attention
Vegetables are no longer an afterthought at cookouts.
Grilled zucchini, peppers, asparagus, mushrooms, and cabbage steaks are becoming standout dishes instead of side fillers.
Best veggie shopping spots:
- New Seasons Market — Great local farm produce.
- Whole Foods Market — Organic grilling vegetables and herbs.
- Trader Joe's — Affordable pre-cut veggie options.
- Safeway — Easy one-stop shopping for larger gatherings.
A little olive oil, sea salt, and char from the grill goes a long way.
This Memorial Day, grills across Portland are loaded with smash burgers, smoked ribs, grilled chicken, seafood skewers, charred vegetables, and street-corn-inspired sides. The biggest trend isn’t fancy cooking — it’s creating a relaxed backyard atmosphere with great food and simple summer flavors.
Whether you’re shopping at Safeway for the basics or splurging at Zupan's Markets for premium steaks, the formula is pretty simple:
good food, cold drinks, a hot grill, and people you want to spend the weekend with!
