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.
Table of Contents
Veggie Salads
1. Broccoli Waldorf Salad
2. Chickpea Chopped Salad
3. Spinach Quinoa Salad
4. Grilled Veggie Salad
5. Arugula Caprese Salad
6. Oriental Coleslaw
Fruit Salads
7. Blueberry Cucumber Salad with Peaches and Goat Cheese
8. Strawberry Quinoa Salad
9. Watermelon Feta Salad
10. Cucumber Melon Salad
Pasta Salads
11. Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad
12. Summer Orzo Salad
13. Chickpea Pasta Salad
14. Feta Pesto Pasta Salad
15. Black Bean Couscous Salad
Salad FAQs
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.
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.
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!
Please leave a review on the individual recipe if you choose to make it. Every 5-star review allows me to provide free recipes to y'all. Thank you SO much!!
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