First and foremost, Memorial Day weekend is a time to pause and pay tribute to the men and women who have paid the ultimate price to protect our country. It is also a time to gather with family and friends, and often that means breaking out the grill to kick-off the unofficial start to grilling season. 

Here are our favorite recipes, tips and tricks to help you put together the best ever Memorial Day BBQ:

Looking to make some smoked pork shoulder or baby back ribs but don't have a smoker? Not to worry, you can smoke on a regular charcoal grill! 

Don't have a charcoal grill or a smoker? That's ok too! We'll show you how to smoke using your gas grill. 

See how easy it is to use your Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker with these tips from our Weber Grill Academy Grill Expert. 

Don't know which woods pair best with your smoked brisket or beer can chicken? Check out our handy wood pairing guide! 

Hosting a large group but don't want to break the bank? It's easy to BBQ on a budget.

Don't buy your pork shoulder until you read this! 

If you're grilling on charcoal this weekend, be sure to stop at Home Depot or Lowe's and get plenty of this! 

The quickest way to crackling briquettes is this....

Use this to make sure you don't overcook the burgers! 

If you're going to make ribs, make sure they're the best on the block.

We want this pulled pork....all. the. time. 

Smoked jalapeno poppers. Enough said. 

Don't just drink the beer on Memorial Day....grill with it! Find out how our Grill Master uses beer to make his BBQ even better.

If you took our previous tip a little too far, make this for breakfast the next morning. 

From our family to yours, have a happy and safe Memorial Day and thank you to those who serve!