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At my house, Memorial Day is the unofficial, official start of grill season! My friends and I always get together for it, sometimes I’m hosting, sometimes I’m just showing up with a dish, but either way, I end up spending way too long figuring out what to make.
This is the list I actually pull from when I’m planning. It’s a bunch of Memorial Day recipe ideas organized by category so I (and you) can map out a full spread without bouncing between tabs.
43 Memorial Day Recipe Ideas
There are the classics: hamburgers, grilled shrimp, chicken drumsticks, corn, mustard potato salad, coleslaw, and deviled eggs. A dips and spreads section with buffalo chicken dip, Greek dip, and cream cheese fruit dip. Burgers get their own section: salmon, ground chicken, lamb, chickpea, black bean, and turkey.
The grilled protein ideas cover lemon chicken, grilled salmon, lamb kabobs, chicken shish kabobs, chicken wings, and steak. Sides are avocado pasta salad, corn ribs, and air fryer baby potatoes. Memorial Day dessert ideas include banana pudding cups, yogurt popsicles, vegan lemon bars, watermelon fruit pizza, and no-bake cookie dough bars. And for drinks: mint lemonade, strawberry lemonade, homemade lemonade, and raspberry iced tea.
Whether you’re running the whole Memorial Day cookout or just need one good thing to bring, this should help you figure out what to make.
Classic Memorial Day Food Ideas
Homemade Beef Hamburger Recipe
This hamburger uses 85% ground beef with simple binders and seasoning. Cook it on the grill or stovetop in about 10 minutes; it’s one of those classic Memorial Day BBQ ideas that never needs to change. Load it up with whatever toppings you like.
Grilled Shrimp
Grilled shrimp skewers are a great option to add to your grilling this summer. This recipe is easy to prep with a lemon and herb marinade and it cooks within a few minutes.
Grilled Chicken Drumsticks Recipe
Skin-on drumsticks give you a crispy, charred bite without much effort. The seasoning is straightforward enough to add flavor without covering up the chicken. A solid addition to any Memorial Day cookout spread.
Grilled Asparagus
This easy grilled asparagus takes about 6 minutes on the grill and doesn’t require using foil or a grill basket. Just some olive oil, some salt, and pepper!
Grilled Corn
Two easy methods with husks or without using, just olive oil, salt, and pepper. One of those Memorial Day foods that goes with basically everything else on the table.
Mustard Potato Salad Recipe
This mustard potato salad recipe is made with baby potatoes and tossed in a creamy mustard and Greek yogurt based dressing. Celery, shallots and chives finish things off.
Healthy Coleslaw
A tangy, creamy, mayo-free coleslaw made with Greek yogurt. Easy to bring to a potluck or set out at a Memorial Day cookout alongside everything else on the table.
Deviled Egg Recipe
These easy deviled eggs made with 6 simple ingredients, one of them being boiled eggs! The others mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and paprika for an easy appetizer or party snack.
Memorial Day Dips and Spreads
Spinach Dip Recipe
This spinach dip recipe is made with 3 cheeses, cream cheese, mozzarella, and parmesan, and is mixed with Greek yogurt and spinach. Bake in the oven and serve!
Black Bean Salsa Recipe
This black bean salsa is made with canned black beans, corn, fresh diced tomatoes, onions, cilantro, limes, and seasoning. Takes 10 minutes or less to make!
Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
A lighter version of buffalo chicken dip made with Greek yogurt instead of the usual base. Same hot sauce, same cheese, still super creamy. One of those Memorial Day food ideas that disappears fast.
Greek Dip Recipe
A 7-layer Mediterranean-style dip made with hummus, labneh, cucumbers, tomatoes, feta, kalamata olives, and served with pita chips. Good for any Memorial Day spread where you need something to put out while the grill heats up.
Cream Cheese Fruit Dip Recipe
This whipped cream cheese fruit dip comes together with just cream cheese, heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla. No marshmallow fluff, no special grocery run.
Burger Recipes Perfect for Memorial Day
Salmon Burger Recipe
These salmon burgers work with fresh, thawed frozen, or even canned salmon. Mix everything together and grill for 4 to 5 minutes per side. A nice change from the usual Memorial Day BBQ lineup if you want something a little different.
Ground Chicken Burger Recipe
These Ground Chicken Burgers are made with a mixture of spices, fresh onion, and garlic, with just a little mayo to help keep the moisture. Cook on the stovetop for 5-6 minutes per side, and they are ready.
Lamb Burger
Juicy and full of flavor, these easy grilled lamb burgers are quick and easy to make. Served with tzatziki, every bite is extra delicious!
Chickpea Burger
This chickpea burger recipe is so simple to make! Made with canned chickpeas, old fashioned oats, fresh parsley, sun-dried tomatoes and feta!
Black Bean Burgers
Try this Black Bean Burger recipe with a fail-proof method of preparing the black beans so that the patty is sturdy and not mushy! It’s an easy vegetarian recipe that’s packed with protein!
Grilled Protein Ideas
Grilled Chicken Kabobs
These Grilled Chicken Shish Kabobs are flavorful & easy to make! The chicken is marinated with bright Mediterranean spices on a skewer with fresh veggies.
Grilled Lemon Chicken
Grilled lemon chicken is a tender, juicy and savory grilling recipe that is perfect for summer. It’s light, healthy and beaming with Mediterranean flavor!
Grilled Salmon Recipe
This grilled salmon recipe uses a simple marinade of lemon juice, Dijon mustard, a touch of honey, and soy sauce. Grilled for 7 minutes with the skin on to keep all the meat in place.
Grilled Lamb Kabob Recipe
These lamb kabobs are made with lamb loin or leg skewered together with onions, marinated in a Mediterranean-style sauce, and grilled medium rare.
1 hour 18 minutes
Grilled Steak
Learn how to grill steak perfectly every time with my easy step-by-step tips! Get juicy, flavorful results using simple seasonings and the right grill temperature.
Memorial Day Side Dish Ideas
Air Fryer Baby Potatoes
Air fryer baby potatoes are so easy! Simply toss with oil and spices, then air fry until crisp for a simple, delicious side dish for any meal.
Memorial Day Dessert Ideas
Grilled Fruit Kabobs
This summer, add grilled fruit kabobs to your bbq spread. These bbq fruit skewers are fun for the whole family and fruit on the grill is delicious too!
Banana Pudding Cups
Easy Banana pudding cups made with a homemade, 6 ingredient banana pudding that is then layered in cup with vanilla wafers, fresh bananas and whipped cream.
2 hours 15 minutes
Yogurt Popsicle Recipe
Yogurt popsicles made with a base of Greek Yogurt, milk, honey, or maple syrup, and vanilla extract. With 4 different recipe variations to try Strawberry, Blueberry, Pineapple and Chocolate banana!
8 hours 10 minutes
Vegan Lemon Bars
This Vegan Lemon Bars recipe is made with no egg and no butter. The filling is creamy and tart and the oatmeal walnut crust is nutty, chewy and so delicious
Watermelon Fruit Pizza Recipe
Watermelon Fruit Pizza with a ricotta and cream cheese icing sweetened with honey and topped with fresh fruit! Takes all of 15 minutes to make.
No-Bake Cookie Dough Bars
These no-bake cookie dough bars are a healthy treat made with simple ingredients—vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and free from refined sugar.
2 hours 20 minutes
Memorial Day Drink Ideas for Adults & Kids
Mint Lemonade
Quench your thirst with Mint Lemonade – a zesty and refreshing blend of tangy lemon, cooling mint, and a hint of sweetness.
Strawberry Lemonade Recipe
This strawberry lemonade is made with fresh lemon juice, fresh strawberries, water, and sugar to make 1.5 quarts or enough for 4 to 6 servings!
Homemade Lemonade Recipe
This lemonade recipe is made with fresh lemon juice, sugar, and water. It’s not too sweet or too sour, this homemade lemonade is just right!
Raspberry Iced Tea
This Raspberry Iced Tea combines the refreshing flavor of iced tea with the sweetness and tartness of fresh raspberries for an easy summer drink!
Limeade Recipe
This homemade limeade recipe uses fresh limes, mixed with a simple syrup and water. That’s it 3 ingredients!
Watermelon Juice Recipe
This 3-ingredient watermelon juice is made with seedless watermelon, fresh lime, and mint, which are blended together, making it easy with no juicer needed.
How to Plan Menu for Memorial Day
- Count your guests – Plan for about 1 main per person, plus 2-3 sides and a dessert to round out a good Memorial Day menu.
- Account for dietary needs – Include options for gluten-free, vegetarian, and dairy-free eaters. And make sure to include lots of seasonal produce like fresh berries, stone fruits, lettuces, and asparagus.
- Include make-ahead recipes – Choose a few dishes that can be prepped the day before to keep things stress-free. Desserts and salad dressings are great for this.
- Don’t forget the extras – Stock up on condiments, drinks, napkins, and plenty of ice for outdoor gatherings.
- Keep it casual – Choose recipes that don’t require a knife and fork for easy serving and cleanup. And keep a large trash can nearby for guests to clean up their mess.
How To Keep Food Warm
- Oven: As long as you’re not cooking anything in the oven, you can set it to 200°F and store dishes in there to keep them warm.
- Aluminum Foil: If your oven is not free, you can simply use aluminum foil, which has reflective properties that protects the food from light and oxygen. The foil reflects the thermal energy back to the food which maintains the moisture, flavor, and texture.
- Crock Pots and Instant Pots: Think of recipes that can be made in your crock pot or instant pot that will keep warm during the party. You can even use them to keep foods warm even if you don’t cook in them.
- Insulated coolers: You can use a cooler to keep food hot as well as cold. The insulation technology that keeps out the heat to maintain cold foods also works to trap heat in and keep food hot for hours at a time. You can even line the cooler with aluminum foil for even better results.
Check out the picture cards for all the recipes listed above. You can click on any of the recipes cards to take you directly to those recipes.
