55 Best Memorial Day Recipes, From BBQ Sides to Desserts
The easiest summer menu you've ever planned.
In addition to being a holiday for remembrance, Memorial Day is also the unofficial start of summer. We've gathered all our favorite Memorial Day food ideas in one place, from grilling favorites to no-bake desserts to refreshing cocktails. Whether you're having the whole crew over for a backyard party or just want something festive for the family, there are sure to be a few recipes here that inspire you.
These Memorial Day appetizers, desserts, and drinks pair perfectly with sunshine, pool loungers, and warm temperatures. We've included classics like burgers and hot dogs (is it really Memorial Day without them?) as well as creative bites like grilled corn and ricotta dip. For desserts, we've gathered plenty of no-bake desserts as well as dishes that make the most of summer produce. Many of these dishes are also easy to transport if you're headed to a Memorial Day party.
Citrus-Marinated Chicken
This recipe tastes like summer: lemon, garlic, and smoky grilled chicken. It's the perfect dish to usher in the season!
Get the Citrus-Marinated Chicken recipe.
BBQ Chicken Sweet Potato Nachos
Take nachos to the next level with this recipe, which brings together sweet potato chips, BBQ chicken, melty cheese and pickled onions.
Cumin-Lime Shrimp
These flavorful shrimp take just 10 minutes to cook, meaning you'll be back outside soaking up the sunshine in no time. These make a great meal on their own, or you can serve them with tortillas and other fixings for tacos.
Get the Cumin-Lime Shrimp recipe.
Cucumber Radish Salad
Nothing ushers in the beginning of summer like a crunchy, flavorful salad. This one is made with cucumbers, a few different types of radishes, and salty feta cheese.
Get the Cucumber Radish Salad recipe.
Adobo Glazed Portobello Tacos
Vegetarians and meat-lovers will both be excited to try these smoky, flavor-packed tacos with a homemade adobo glaze.
Get the Adobo Glazed Portobello Tacos recipe.
Brown Butter Crispy Rice Treats
Make a double batch of these sweet treats. Everyone to your Memorial Day party is definitely going to come back for seconds.
Banana Pudding
Warning: Everyone will be begging you for the recipe to make this dreamy no-bake dessert. It's light, easy to prep ahead of time, and serves a crowd.
Get the Banana Pudding recipe.
Mini Grasshopper Pies
Is there anything better than frozen chocolatey treats on a hot summer day? You'll need marshmallow crème and chocolate sandwich cookies to bring these minty treats to life.
Get the Mini Grasshopper Pies recipe.
Sriracha Shrimp Tacos
These spicy tacos bring together juicy shrimp and a flavorful mango-avocado salsa that you'll want to put on everything.
Get the Sriracha Shrimp Tacos recipe.
Mixed Berry Cobbler
Seasonal berries with a crunchy, sugary topping is perfect for Memorial Day festivities — especially when you serve it with scoops of vanilla ice cream.
Get the Mixed Berry Cobbler recipe.
Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers
These gooey, spicy bites come together in the air fryer, leaving the rest of your kitchen free for other Memorial Day party foods and desserts.
Get the Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers recipe.
Coleslaw
No matter the main (steak, burgers, you name it), your Memorial Day menu should definitely include a classic cookout side like a coleslaw, potato or pasta salad. This creamy coleslaw recipe is made with shredded cabbage, kale, jicama and cucumbers, but gives you the option to swap in carrots and cabbage.
Get the Coleslaw recipe.
RELATED: Easy Memorial Day Side Dishes That'll Take Your Holiday Picnic to the Next Level
Steak Chimichurri
Make an extra batch of this zesty Argentinian-inspired herb, garlic and chili sauce. You're going to want to spread it on everything.
Get the Steak Chimichurri recipe.
RELATED: Simple Steak Recipes That Are Easier to Make Than Reservations
Grilled Chicken Wings
Once you toss this game-day classic on the grill, you'll never go back to boring fried wings again.
Get the Grilled Chicken Wings recipe.
RELATED: Easy Chicken Wing Recipes to Make for Super Bowl Sunday
Blueberry Crème Fraîche Semifreddo
Think of this make-ahead dessert as the finale to your Memorial Day feast. The custard-like combo of heavy cream, eggs and crème fraîche is essentially slice-able ice cream. The whole thing is topped off with a sweet blueberry sauce and crunchy pecan crumble so you know it's going to be good.
Get the Blueberry Crème Fraîche Semifreddo recipe.
RELATED: Memorial Day Desserts That'll Make Your Weekend So Much Sweeter
Creamy Potato Salad
This one's not up for debate: Every picnic must have potato salad — and this is the creamiest one out there.
Get the Creamy Potato Salad recipe.
Burger Bar Toppings
Set out a spread of toppings that go beyond your basic ketchup and mustard (think: Special Sauce, glazed onions and crispy onions).
Get the Burger Bar Toppings recipes.
Tangy Charred Coleslaw
Throwing cabbage on the grill before tossing with a sweet and tangy rice vinegar and brown sugar vinaigrette adds extra flavor to this vegan side dish.
Get the Tangy Charred Coleslaw recipe.
Best-Ever Agua Fresca
These refreshing non-alcoholic sippers are easy to modify depending on what fruits you have on hand. A few of our favorites include honeydew, strawberries, watermelon, and cantaloupe.
Get the Best-Ever Agua Fresca recipe.
RELATED: Delicious Watermelon Cocktails to Enjoy All Summer Long
BLT Pasta Salad
Presenting the best summer sandwich, now in pasta salad form! Crispy bacon, summer tomatoes, light arugula, and chewy pasta come together for a satisfying bite every time. You can also add a simple oil-and-vinegar dressing for more flavor.
Get the BLT Pasta Salad recipe.
Jamie Ballard (she/her) is a freelance writer and editor who covers news, lifestyle, and entertainment topics, including sex and relationships, TV, movies, books, health, pets, food and drinks, pop culture, shopping, and personal finance. She regularly contributes to Cosmopolitan, Woman’s Day, Good Housekeeping, and YouGov, among other publications. When she’s not working, you can find her running, traveling, or scrolling TikTok. Follow her on Twitter.
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