• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2025 ABC News
  • Food

Chef Chris Valdes shares recipes for Memorial Day barbeque dishes

3:53
Chris Valdes shares recipes for barbecue dishes
Jemal Countess/Getty Images for NYCWFF
ByShafiq Najib
May 23, 2024, 11:25 AM

Chef Chris Valdes is a Miami-born author, chef and celebrity caterer, who is known for being a finalist on Food Network Star's "Star Salvation."

To help prepare us for the Memorial Day celebrations this weekend, Valdes returned to "Good Morning America" studio on Wednesday and shared some of the best dishes to serve at your barbeque party.

From burgers to salad to dessert, he's got it all covered!

Chef Chris Valdes serves his Ropa Vieja Birria Tacos at Latin Nights as part of the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One, Oct. 14, 2023, in New York.
Jemal Countess/Getty Images for NYCWFF

Check out the full recipes below.

Mexican Street Corn Macaroni Pasta Salad

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

1 box Macaroni, cooked and drained
5 ears fresh corn, husked, grilled, and corn kernels removed
¼ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
2 garlic cloves, minced
Zest and juice of 1 lime
¼ cup scallions, chopped
¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
¼ cup cilantro, finely chopped
¼ cup red onion, diced
1 jalapeño, diced (Seeds optional)
Salt, and chili powder to taste

Editor’s Picks

Chef Chris Valdes makes his signature spanish tortilla recipe on "GMA3"

  • Mar 16, 2023

Dan Churchill shares recipes for 'empty-the-fridge' fried rice, quick fish tacos

  • May 22, 2024

US of Tacos heads to Miami

  • Aug 30, 2023

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine and the ingredients. Season with salt and chili powder to desired taste. Chill until ready to serve.

Smashed Burger with Garlic Aioli

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

For the Smashed Burgers

2 lb. ground hamburger 80/20, formed into 8 loosely formed balls
8 slices American Cheese
4 Brioche buns, buttered
Seasoning salt to taste

For the Garlic Aioli

2 cups Mayonnaise (you may use vegan mayo)
½ cup red wine vinegar
10 garlic cloves, peeled
¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
3 tablespoons chili powder

Directions

1. For the garlic aioli, combine all ingredients in a food processor, pulse until fully combined and you have a puree-like consistency. Set aside.

2. Heat griddle to 375 degrees F. Once hot, place ball of hamburger on hot griddle, top with a piece of parchment paper and press down with a burger press to make a patty as thin a possible without it breaking.

3. Sprinkle with seasoning. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until brown and caramelized. Flip, season, and cook the other side until brown and caramelized. Top each meat patty with American cheese and cook until the cheese is fully melted.

4. Toast the inside part of the brioche buns until crisp. Spread a generous amount of garlic aioli on each inside bun and place to meat patties, along with your favorite toppings and serve.

5 Ingredient Grilled Sweet Plantains with Dulce De Leche Ice Cream

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

4 ripe (dark) plantains
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup brown sugar
Pinch of cinnamon
Dulce De Leche Ice Cream

Directions

1. Preheat grill to 450'F. Slice the plantains in half vertically, leaving the peel on.

2. Spread butter onto the exposed banana halves. Sprinkle with cinnamon and brown sugar.

3. Start grilling the plantain with the flesh side down. Grill for 10 minutes or until the plantain slightly softens. Turn over to peel side and grill for about 4 minutes.

4. Serve warm and top with Dulce De Leche Ice cream or Ice cream of choice.

More "GMA" Kitchen Picks

By clicking on these shopping links, visitors will leave Goodmorningamerica.com. These e-commerce sites are operated under different terms and privacy policies than Goodmorningamerica.com. ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links. Influencers may receive a commission or have business relationships with a recommended brand. SOME PRICES ARE DYNAMIC AND MAY CHANGE FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. Have questions about ordering or a purchase? Click here.

Amazon

One With The Kitchen: Recipes and stories from my latin inspired kitchen

  • $23.82
  • Amazon
Shop Now
Williams Sonoma

All-Clad Stainless-Steel Measuring Cups & Spoons

  • $49.95
  • Williams Sonoma
Shop Now
Amazon

OXO Good Grips Pro 11" Griddle Pan

  • $59.99
  • Amazon
Shop Now
41% off
Amazon

YIHONG 7 Piece Mixing Bowls with Lids for Kitchen

  • $21
  • $35.99
  • Amazon
Shop Now
Our Place

Cast Iron Hot Grill

  • $95
  • Our Place
Shop Now

Editor’s Picks

Chef Chris Valdes makes his signature spanish tortilla recipe on "GMA3"

  • Mar 16, 2023

Dan Churchill shares recipes for 'empty-the-fridge' fried rice, quick fish tacos

  • May 22, 2024

US of Tacos heads to Miami

  • Aug 30, 2023

Up Next in Food—

Forget the buffet: Here's why a cruise should be on your vacation bucket list

May 9, 2025

Chef Judy Joo shares easy Korean recipes from her new cookbook, ‘K-Quick’

May 8, 2025

Some canned baked beans sold at Walmart and other stores voluntarily recalled due to potential allergen

May 7, 2025

Starbucks offers free cold foam for a limited time, unveils new flavor

May 6, 2025

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2025 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2025 ABC News