Memorial Day feels like the unofficial start to summer. Yes, I know it isn’t truly summer until late June, but the sun is shining and I am here for it. There’s no better way to celebrate the long weekend than with these summer recipes. From salads to snacks, to burgers and drinks, you’ll find something on my site you’re sure to love.
As you plan out your Memorial Day menu, don’t forget the salad! Whether that be a lettuce salad, fruit salad, or pasta salad some freshness on the table will be welcomed by all. Below I’ve rounded up some of my favorite salads for Memorial Day that I’m sure will make a beautiful addition to your picnic, barbecue or potluck.
This Quinoa Edamame Salad recipe offers a delicious blend of protein rich quinoa and edamame with a variety of other fresh vegetables creating a satisfying and nourishing dish you’ll come back to again and again.
This Healthy Lemon Dill Potato Salad is super hearty, perfectly creamy, and full of fresh flavors. This potato salad recipe will make the perfect side dish at your next barbecue or potluck.
Toss canned white beans with crunchy celery and red onion with a simple vinaigrette for a satisfying, zesty salad. Add fresh parsley and dill for extra flavor, and enjoy this Cannellini Bean Salad as a light side or a quick lunch.
Caprese Steak Salad features perfectly seasoned, spiced, and seared New York Strip over a bed of lusciously soft and sweet bib lettuce, fresh basil, cherry tomatoes, and soft mozzarella cheese. Serve it as a pregame to dinner or make it the star of the show. Either way, you're going to love it!
Ready for a bite of spring? This lemony Arugula Couscous Salad is filled with fresh, bright, and crisp flavors. Pair it with your favorite protein or make ahead to enjoy all week long.
This Oriental Coleslaw is salty, crunch, and fresh. Cabbage and shaved brussel sprouts, bell pepper, toasted almonds, and crunched up ramen noodles pair so wonderfully with a sweet oil and vinegar dressing for a tasty side dish.
Blueberry Cucumber Salad with Peaches and Goat Cheese
If you’re looking for that perfect summer salad, this is it. This Blueberry Cucumber Salad includes juicy peaches and creamy goat cheese for the freshest dish at your table with so much flavor in every bite.
This delicious superfood Strawberry Quinoa Salad is perfect for your lunch rotation. It's packed with fresh and vibrant fruit, creamy feta cheese and avocado, and can be topped with your favorite dressing!
This Pear and Pecan Salad is full of fresh, seasonal flavors and a variety of textures. It’s exactly the fall or winter salad you’re looking for whether it’s for a holiday dinner or to accompany a weeknight meal.
Best enjoyed as a side salad, this Cucumber Melon Salad is fresh, cool, and perfect for your next picnic or backyard barbecue. Wildly colorful and unique, this salad combination will be the star of the table.
This Buffalo Pasta Salad features perfectly cooked pasta tossed with a zesty buffalo ranch dressing, crunchy veggies, and creamy feta for a bold and tangy flavor. Ideal for summer gatherings or as a tasty summer meal prep, it brings a flavorful twist to traditional pasta salads.
Fresh and juicy baby tomatoes, sweet white onion and fresh summer zucchini oven roasted and mixed into al dente orzo with creamy, smooth goat cheese to finish it off. This Summer Orzo Salad with caramelized veggies is sure to be on repeat in your summer recipe rotation.
This healthy Chickpea Pasta Salad is perfect to serve with picky eaters around and you'll get some extra protein. It's filled with fresh and creamy ingredients all tossed in a cheesy Italian dressing.
This Italian Orzo Salad is great for barbeques, dinner parties, or lunch outside with friends! It pairs well with proteins like chicken, burgers, and steak.
Packed with seasonal bell peppers and charred grilled corn and held together with a homemade vinaigrette, this Black Bean Couscous Salad is a little sweet, a little spicy, and super delicious! It's perfect for a family barbecue.
It depends on the salad. If it’s a lettuce salad you can prep the salad ahead of time and just wait to add dressing and toss until just before serving. Pasta salads generally hold up well if made in advance — even with the dressing, and may actually need a little extra because noodles tend to soak up some of the moisture. Salads with high moisture content ingredients (tomatoes, watermelon, etc.), if made in advance will be a bit watery. It’s best to serve these with a slotted spoon to let the excess juices drip back into the bowl.
What kind of salad is best for a crowd?
If you’re having a lot of guests or bringing a salad to serve at a potluck to a group, I suggest to stick to salads with milder ingredients (no olives, no beans, no bleu cheese, etc.). My Chickpea Pasta Salad definitely checks all of the boxes for picky eaters if you’ve got a few in your crowd. I also suggest keeping multiple dressings on the side so people can dress their salads to their liking.
How much salad do I need per person?
If salad is not the main dish, you’ll want about 1 cup per person for pasta salads/lettuce-less salads and about 2 cups for lettuce salads. If it is the main dish I would account for about double that per person. Scale the servings on the recipe card according to how many people you have.
Tips for a successful Memorial Day Cook Out
Prep what you can ahead of time! Make the salad the day before or the morning of and just leave the dressing off until you’re ready to serve.
Make sure your grill has propane! For many, Memorial Day may be the first time you’re using your grill this season. Check the propane tank ahead of time to avoid issues when you’re ready to get grilling! Or use the Ninja Indoor Foodi Grill (my favorite option) as a no-fuss option.
Use plastic utensils and paper plates for easy clean up! I also love serving in these disposable pans to avoid tons of dishes after the barbecue.
Prep snacks and appetizers to avoid a hangry crowd! This will give you time to prepare whatever else you need without guests breathing down your neck.
Know how many people you’re having! Make sure you prep the correct amount and buy enough ingredients for your crowd.
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. It’s my passion to create dishes that can be shared with others. Tell me something you loved, something that you think it might need, or just say hi!
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