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 it here. Plan out your Memorial Day Menu and let your picnic, barbecue or potluck be a tasty one. Read on for 40 of the BEST Memorial Day Recipes
This is a condensed recipe round up of easy and delicious Memorial Day recipes. Click on recipe title beside each description for the full details on these summer recipes.
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Memorial Day Salad Recipes
Chickpea Pasta Salad - This is great if you’ve picky eaters. No beans, no olives, just goodness!
Lemon Arugula Couscous Salad - Fresh & bright flavors in this will have you craving summer.
Mango Caprese Salad - A summertime twist on the classic italian salad.
Strawberry Quinoa Salad - This gets better as it sits because the quinoa soaks up the dressing
Chickpea Mediterranean Chopped Salad - Plenty of whole foods in this one that’ll make your taste buds and your stomach happy.
Cantaloupe Feta Mint Salad - The combination of flavors in this salad work surprisingly well together. Lovely as a side dish at your picnic.
Pesto Pasta Salad - Tons of flavor thanks to a pesto seasoning packet. This is a crowd pleaser.
Watermelon Feta Mint Salad - Nothing says summer like a juicy ol’ watermelon.
Lemon Basil Caprese Salad - Bright, citrusy lemon pairs perfectly with plump, juicy tomatoes, melt in your mouth mozzarella balls, fresh from the garden (or store) basil, and creamy dressing.
Peach Burrata Salad - This feels like a restaurant quality salad full of seasonal flavors that are actually so easy to captivate at home.
Grilled Vegetable Salad - Grilling season is for more than burgers and hot dogs. I love grilling vegetables and adding a bit of charred smokiness and texture to their already delicious flavor!
Triple Berry Summer Salad - If you have a farmers market nearby, I highly suggest getting the freshest berries possible to take this salad up a notch.
Southwest Couscous Salad - Packed with seasonal bell peppers and charred grilled corn and held together with salsa verde, this Southwest Couscous Salad is a little sweet, a little spicy, and super delicious!
Healthy Broccoli Salad - This Healthy Broccoli Salad is full of fun textures, fresh veggies and protein, is a great balance of sweet and earthy, and smoky flavors.
Orzo Pasta Salad - The texture of orzo makes this salad a delicious one. A small but mighty pasta variety the whole family will love.
Memorial Day Snacks
Strawberry Basil Crisp Breads - A thin and crisp base layered with whipped cheese spread, sweet strawberries, fresh basil, and topped off with a drizzle of balsamic. These are the perfect finger food appetizer.
Fresh Mango Salsa - It's sweet, spicy, and citrusy all in one bite!
Pico De Gallo - Flavors of juicy, salty tomatoes, sharp red onion, hot jalapeños, and citrusy cilantro all combine into a perfectly fresh and crisp appetizer.
Goldfish Ranch Snack Mix - This Goldfish Ranch Snack Mix recipe includes all of your favorite snacks in ONE recipe! Goldfish, chips, pretzels, oh my! And everything is covered in buttery ranch flavor.
Memorial Day Main Dishes
Rainbow Chicken Salad - The colors in this chicken salad are so aesthetically pleasing. It looks like summer and tastes like summer too!
Rotisserie Chicken Hawaiian Sliders - Hawaiian rolls meet rotisserie chicken and melted havarti with spicy mayo... I mean 🤤 This is a sandwich you don’t want to miss out on.
Roasted Garlic Chicken Burgers - So juicy and grilled to absolute perfection.
Pesto Chicken Salad - This wrap is super flavorful thanks to a pesto seasoning packet and it can easily be made ahead of time! Wraps cut in half work fabulously for a party spread.
The Best Grilled Chicken - If you’re looking for the most flavorful grilled chicken. This. Is. It. Pair it one of the salads above for the perfect barbecue meal.
Roasted Vegetable and Sausage Kabobs - Quick and simple to make and easy to serve too!
Cucumber Dill Chicken Salad - This chicken salad is packed full of veggies and herbs. It is so refreshing. Serve alongside rolls, pita, crackers, and chopped veggies, and let your guests choose how they’d like to enjoy it.
Spinach Feta Turkey Burger - An APOP reader favorite. So juicy and flavorful thanks to ranch seasoning. A seriously GOOD burger.
Memorial Day Desserts
Gluten Free Fruit Pizza - Fresh berries spread on a shortbread crust with a creamy vanilla frosting make this fruit pizza a dream.
Summer Peach Galette - Combines two summer juicy summer fruits with an easy pre-made dough. Enjoy it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Blondies - So tender, soft, and decadent—and the addition of some chocolate chips and fresh buttercream makes them even more delicious!
Healthy Peach Crisp - Warm, caramelized peaches pair so perfectly with crumbly, toasted oats and nuts and delicious hints of cinnamon.
Triple Berry Cheesecake Milkshake - Fresh berries combined with real cheesecake and ice cream. This is a decadent recipe, so rich, and even better than the Dairy Queen version.
S’mores Puppy Chow - Summer and s’mores go hand and hand. Make this for something sweet to enjoy at your Memorial Day gathering.
Blueberry Banana Bread - Soft, moist, and perfectly sweet. You may want to make two loaves!
Memorial Day Drink Recipes
Bahama Mama Cocktail - Bring on the sunshine with these fruity and coconut vibes.
Skinny Lemonade Mojito - Lemon, lime, and mint? The most refreshing flavors of the summer!
Pineapple Jalapeño Moscow Mule - Fruity summer flavors with a little heat in this cocktail.
Blood Orange Moscow Mule - Citrusy flavors like orange, peach, and lime—all topped off with some ice cold ginger beer!
Caribbean Rum Punch Spritz - Use an InBooze cocktail kit to make this drink easy and delish.
Spicy Orange Jalapeño Moscow Mule - A refreshing drink but with quite the kick.
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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