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    Home » Menus

    Best Memorial Day Recipes

    By Jill Baird · Published May 22, 2023 · Updated July 11, 2023 · Leave a Comment

    memorial Day recipes

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    How to make the best Memorial Day recipe with this great menu of entrees, side dishes, and desserts.
    The most delicious 50+ Memorial Day Recipes
    A compilation of the 50 best Memorial Day recipes
    A compilation of the 50 best Memorial Day recipes

    We’ve pulled together over 50 easy Memorial Day Recipes to help you plan an easy and delicious Memorial Day Menu to kick off the summer. These classic Memorial Day food ideas include a variety of different pasta salads, grilled chicken, and BBQ sides along with plenty of pies, no bake treats, cookies, and more.

    Jump to:
    • Classic Memorial Day Menu Ideas
    • Recipes for Memorial Day Menu
    • Tips for Planning Your Memorial Day Menu
    • More of the Best Summer BBQ Recipes

    Classic Memorial Day Menu Ideas

    Memorial Day is the official kickoff to summer, and you’ll have plenty of recipes to choose from with this list of our Best Memorial Day Food.

    This selection of Memorial Day Menu Ideas includes summer BBQ favorites like grilled chicken, cornbread, pasta salads, cold dips, plenty of refreshing Memorial Day dessert ideas, and so much more. Along with the classics, you’ll also find red white and blue recipes and even a few recipes to make your life easier. Why waste precious grill space when these Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs are just as fall-off-the-bone delicious as when they are grilled?

    Plus, don’t miss our tips for planning a stress-free Memorial Day cookout that will be fun for everyone, including the hosts. And if you're looking for more festive red, white, and blue menu ideas, try our 4th of July Menu Ideas too.

    Recipes for Memorial Day Menu

    Memorial Day Salads and Sides

    mom's frog eye salad recipe. Recipes for memorial day

    Easy Frog Eye Salad

    This easy Frog Eye Salad recipe is made with fresh fruit and instant pudding.  It's a great fruit salad recipe for your Memorial Day menu and one of the best potluck salads.

    the best pasta salad recipe, how to make pasta salad.

    Pasta Salad

    This easy homemade Pasta Salad recipe is full of fresh, colorful and flavorful ingredients all tossed in a homemade Italian dressing.  It takes just a few minutes to make, is always a hit, and tastes even better when made the night before.

    Caprese pasta salad with tomatoes and basil, memorial day salads

    Caprese Pasta Salad

    This Caprese Pasta Salad is a quick and easy side dish that is perfect for highlighting fresh, seasonal summer produce.  Based on the classic Caprese salad, it’s filled with fresh tomatoes and basil, fresh mozzarella, and perfectly cooked pasta all tossed in our homemade balsamic dressing.

    How to make BLT pasta salad in a bowl.

    BLT Pasta Salad

    This creamy, crunchy BLT Pasta Salad is based off of the classic bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich.  We also add in mozzarella cheese, avocados and parsley, then cover the whole thing in ranch dressing for an easy and irresistible summer BBQ side dish.

    Pesto Pasta Salad in a large bowl, pesto ranch dressing for pasta salad.

    Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad

    This Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad recipe is the perfect quick and easy summer side dish and Memorial Day menu idea.  Filled with bite-sized pasta, creamy pesto dressing, tomatoes, spinach and mozzarella cheese, it tastes great served with grilled chicken, burgers, kabobs and more.

    raw broccoli salad with bacon, broccoli bacon salad, raw broccoli salad, memorial day menu ideas

    Broccoli Salad with Bacon

    This classic Broccoli Salad with Bacon is the perfect 15 minute side dish to make for Memorial Day, potlucks, BBQs, holiday parties or dinners at home.  It’s filled with raw broccoli, bacon, onions, apples, sunflower seeds, Craisins all tossed in a creamy homemade dressing.

    coleslaw recipe

    Classic Coleslaw Recipe

    This traditional Coleslaw Recipe is made with finely shredded cabbage, carrots, onions, and a tangy dressing. It’s crunchy, colorful, easy to prepare, and one of the most asked for salads for Memorial Day.

    baked beans recipe

    Best Baked Beans

    This is the Best Baked Beans Recipe made with bacon, ground beef, and canned beans. It’s got a sweet and savory brown sugar sauce and is the perfect side dish for your Memorial Day menu or any summer potluck.

    cucumber tomato salad with avocados salad recipe, memorial day menu

    Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad

    This Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad is crunchy, creamy and cool - just what you crave on a warm summer day.  It’s loaded with fresh vegetables, and lightly coated in a tangy homemade Italian lemon vinaigrette, perfect for a light lunch or a side dish for just about anything.

    mac and cheese oven baked, baked mac and cheese recipe.

    Baked Mac and Cheese

    Baked Mac and Cheese recipe is the ultimate family favorite comfort food that is loved by people of all ages.  For this recipe, we use sharp cheddar to make a creamy cheese sauce that gets mixed with elbow macaroni, topped with buttery panko breadcrumbs and baked to golden brown perfection.

    Homemade Cornbread recipe, how to make cornbread

    Easy Homemade Cornbread

    This Easy Homemade Cornbread is tender, moist, and super flavorful.  It’s made with just a few ingredients and can be baked in a cast-iron skillet, baking dish, or muffin tins.

    homemade cornbread muffin recipe, best corn muffin recipe, cornbread cupcakes.

    Best Cornbread Muffins

    These lightly sweetened, soft and tender Cornbread Muffins are quick, easy and so delicious.  Serve with everything from butter and honey to winter chilis and soups, or even your summer BBQ favorites.

    ham and cheese cornbread muffin recipe, corn meal muffins recipe.

    Ham and Cheese Cornbread Muffins

    These sweet and savory Ham and Cheese Cornbread Muffins are soft, chewy, perfectly moist, and simple to make.   Inspired by the sandwich classic, this fun, flavorful, savory cornbread muffin recipe is loaded with ham, cheddar cheese, and thinly sliced green onions.

    deviled eggs for easter dinner

    Deviled Eggs

    This classic Deviled Egg recipe is perfect for your Memorial Day menu, potlucks, summer picnics, and baby showers. It’s a simple no-frills appetizer that is easy to adapt and totally delicious.

    best guacamole recipe, homemade guacamole recipe, how to make guacamole, memorial day menu

    Homemade Guacamole

    This Homemade Guacamole recipe is quick, easy, and just as good as anything you’ll find at a restaurant.  With a few simple ingredients (and no cooking), you can have the zestiest, fresh, and flavorful party dip in no time - just add chips!

    A tortilla chip with corn salsa.

    Corn Salsa

    This Corn Salsa is sweet, crunchy, zesty and oh-so-easy to make.  Full of sweet corn, cilantro, fresh lime juice and crisp veggies, it’s the perfect summer salsa to serve with tortilla chips, or to add to tacos, burrito bowls and more.

    blt dip with bacon on top, an easy bacon appetizer

    BLT Dip

    This BLT Dip is a creamy, simple and delicious take on the classic sandwich.  It’s a perfect no-bake appetizer to make for potlucks, holiday parties or lazy weekends at home.

    Best bruschetta recipe; tomato bruschetta.

    Fresh Tomato and Basil Bruschetta

    This Easy Fresh Tomato Bruschetta is an easy, healthy and delicious appetizer.  It's made from fresh tomatoes with basil, olive oil, and vinegar all served on toasted bread.

    Fruit Charcuterie Board for breakfast, brunch , baby shower, bridal shower, or holiday dinner idea. fruit cuterie board, fruit board ideas, fruit platter for holidays. fruit board platter.

    Fruit Charcuterie Board

    This Fruit Charcuterie Board is a great idea for dinner parties and get-togethers all year long.  Served with a side of cream cheese dip, it’s a beautiful and simple option that takes very little preparation and is easy to adapt.

    Memorial Day BBQ Ideas

    hamburger recipe

    Homemade Burgers

    This Homemade Hamburgers recipe is an easy summer classic that cooks up juicy and delicious every single time. Seasoned simply and served on a brioche bun with your favorite toppings - you really can’t go wrong. Plus we've included some tips and tricks for cooking for a crowd. If you really wanna kick off the red, white and blue theme, add some bacon, blue cheese and and thick tomato slices for a red, white and blue burger.

    BBQ chicken drumsticks.

    BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

    These oven-baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks are the perfect way to enjoy delicious barbecue chicken without having to fire up the grill. They’re a family favorite, perfect for Memorial Day, game day, potlucks, or easy weeknight dinners.

    Mediterranean grilled chicken on a white plate, chicken drumstick marinade for bbq, mediterranean chicken legs on the grill.

    Mediterranean Grilled Chicken Drumsticks

    These Mediterranean Grilled Chicken Drumsticks are an easy, inexpensive, and healthy chicken recipe.  They are easy to prepare and only take a few minutes to cook on the grill.

    easy apricot chicken recipe on a white plate

    Grilled Apricot Chicken

    This Grilled Apricot Chicken Recipe is one of the best grilled chicken recipes.  It's made with an easy apricot chicken marinade and topped with a simple and easy apricot lime glaze.

    Satisfy your taste buds with this amazing Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken Recipe that's perfect for any occasion. It's not just delicious, and healthy but also easy to prepare and packed with flavors that'll leave you craving more. 

    Sweet teriyaki Glazed Salmon on cedar plank, memorial day menu

    Grilled Teriyaki Salmon

    This cedar plank Grilled Teriyaki Salmon recipe turns out tender, flakey and delicious every single time.  It uses a simple ginger buttermilk marinade to tenderize while infusing sweet, spicy, robust flavor.

    Healthy southwest Chicken shish kabobs

    Southwest Chicken Kabobs

    This Southwest Chicken Kabob Recipe is the perfect grilled chicken recipe. It's packed with flavor, has just a little spice, and is just a touch sweet too. 

    beef shish kabobs cooked after a marinade for beef kabobs. and on a plate, marinade for shish kabobs, beef shish kabob.

    Asian Beef Kabobs

    These Asian Beef Kabobs are chock full of grilled veggies and juicy steak flavored with delicious sesame, ginger, and garlic marinade.  It's an easy beef kabob marinade recipe, perfect for your backyard barbecue feast.

    How to cook pizza on the grill step by step instructions, homemade pizza on the grill, how to cook pizza on the grill.

    Homemade Grilled Pizza

    This homemade grilled pizza recipe will walk you through everything you need to know in order to make chewy, crispy and delicious Grilled Pizza.  We’ve included our easy recipe for pizza dough for the grill, step-by-step instructions on how to cook pizza on the grill, expert tips, topping ideas, and more.

    chicken salad sandwiches, chicken salad croissant, memorial day menu

    Chicken Salad Sandwiches

    This classic Chicken Salad Sandwich recipe is full of tender rotisserie chicken, creamy dill dressing and crunchy apples and celery.  Serve as a chicken salad croissant roll, sandwich bread or in a bowl with crackers for a simple make-ahead lunch.

    slow cooker pork ribs recipe

    Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs

    These Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender, absolutely delicious and made without having to fire up the grill.  They’re seasoned with a simple dry spice rub and slathered in BBQ sauce then slow cooked to juicy perfection.

    Memorial Day Desserts

    strawberry shortcake biscuit recipe with strawberries and whipped cream recipe

    Strawberry Shortcake

    This classic Strawberry Shortcake recipe is the real deal and is so easy to make at home.  With its sugar-crusted, sweet flaky biscuits, juicy strawberries, and freshly whipped cream you’ll be wanting to make this dessert all summer long.

    berry fruit salad with glaze, fruit glaze recipe, citrus fruit salad.

    Berry Salad with Citrus Glaze

    This Berry Salad with Citrus Glaze is slightly sweet and oh-so-refreshing.  Made with fresh berries and tossed in a light simple orange glaze, it is the perfect simple side dish or light dessert for your next summer barbecue or potluck. 

    Blackberry Pie

    This homemade Blackberry Pie recipe combines a light, flakey pie crust with a super juicy, sweet, seasonal blackberry filling for the ultimate summer dessert.  Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the perfect finish, and prepare to make this recipe every year.

    recipe for fresh strawberry pie, how to make a Strawberry Pie

    Fresh Strawberry Pie

    This recipe for Fresh Strawberry Pie is the perfect dessert to make during the peak of strawberry season.  It’s loaded with fresh berries that have been mixed with a lemon and strawberry glaze and packed inside a flakey homemade pie crust.

    strawberries cream pies recipe, recipe for strawberry cream pie.

    Strawberry Cream Pie

    This Strawberry and Cream Pie recipe is an easy summer pie that is exploding with fresh strawberry flavor.  It’s got a flakey homemade pie crust that is filled with creamy, dreamy no-bake cheesecake and then piled high with fresh glazed strawberries.

    fresh peach and raspberry pie reicpe

    Fresh Peach and Raspberry Pie

    This Fresh Peach and Raspberry Pie combines the sweetness of summer peaches with the tartness of ripe raspberries all wrapped up in a buttery flaky pie crust.  Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a big scoop of vanilla ice cream for a perfect seasonal dessert.

    Key Lime Pie

    This easy Key Lime Pie is tart and sweet, super creamy and bursting with fresh lime flavor. We use a homemade graham cracker crust as the base, filling it to the brim with a smooth and creamy no-bake filling.

    key lime pound cake recipe with limes on a serving platter

    Key Lime Pound Cake

    This Key Lime Pound Cake is dense, moist and packed with Southern key lime flavor.  Topped with our sweet and sour key lime glaze, it’s a simple homemade cake that’s perfect for spring and summer.

    a square piece of strawberry salad recipe with whipped cream and a strawberry, recipe for strawberry pretzel salad..

    Strawberry Pretzel Salad

    Strawberry Pretzel Salad is a sweet and salty family favorite, perfect for all types of get-togethers.  The crunchy pretzel crust is topped with cream cheese filling and strawberry jello making for an easy classic summer dessert.

    no bake cheesecake bars served with strawberries and whipped cream topping, memorial day menu

    No Bake Cheesecake Bars

    These No-Bake Cheesecake Bars are smooth and creamy with a buttery graham cracker crust.  Finish them off with fruit, jam, caramel sauce or any of your favorite toppings.

    mini cheesecake recipe

    No Bake Mini Cheesecakes

    These individually portioned No-Bake Mini Cheesecakes are the perfect dessert to serve at parties, potlucks or at home for the family.  They have the same rich and creamy texture and buttery cookie crust as a traditional cheesecake, without all of the baking.

    Cherry Cheesecake Dip

    This no-bake Cherry Cheesecake Dip has all of the light, creamy, fluffy cheesecake goodness without all of the prep.  It only uses 5 ingredients and can be whipped up in just about 10 minutes!

    parfait recipe of lemon raspberry recipe, parfait raspberry and lemon dessert recipe.

    Lemon Raspberry Parfait

    This Lemon Raspberry Parfait is like summertime in a glass.  It’s light, bright, creamy and bursting with fresh raspberries, lemon curd, whipped cream and graham crackers in every bite.

    best berry trifle recipe made with pound cake, easy 4th of july recipe, memorial day menu

    Berry Trifle

    This Berry Trifle recipe is a refreshing summer dessert that’s as delicious as it is beautiful.  It's a super simple recipe made with layers of juicy fresh berries, pound cake and velvety smooth whipped cream cheese.

    The best lemon bars from scratch, lemon bar recipe easy.

    Lemon Bars

    This classic Lemon Bars Recipe has a thick, creamy lemon curd filling baked over a buttery shortbread crust.  These easy Lemon squares are delicious and always a crowd favorite.

    smores cookie bars stacked

    S’mores Cookie Bars

    These S’mores Cookie Bars are soft, chewy, and taste just like the ooey-gooey campfire classic, with less mess.  Made with crushed graham crackers, mini marshmallows, and Hershey’s Chocolate, this is sure to become your family’s new favorite treat.

    4th of july Krispie treats, patriotic rice crispy treats

    Red White and Blue Rice Krispies Treats

    These Red, White, and Blue Rice Krispies Treats are the perfect Memorial Day treats. This colorful variation on Rice Krispie treats is a fun and patriotic recipe, an easy way to make nostalgic no-bake treats.

    white chocolate covered popcorn, firecracker popcorn.

    Firecracker Popcorn

    This Firecracker Popcorn is an easy and delicious treat to make for any of the patriotic summer holidays.  Always a crowd pleaser, it’s made with freshly popped popcorn coated in melted white chocolate and decorated with fun and festive candies and chocolate drizzle.

    Star shaped red white and blue rice krispies pops.

    Rice Krispie Pops

    These Rice Krispie Pops are a fun and easy way to celebrate holidays and birthdays throughout the year.  Using our recipe for this classic no-bake dessert, we cut them into fun shapes, decorate as desired and place them on a stick for a delicious and mess-free treat.

    Cookies and Cream M&M Cookies

    These chewy Oreo Cookies and Cream M&M Cookies liven up the everyday cookie by stuffing it full of Oreos and M&M candies.  They are fun, colorful, simple to make, and always a complete hit.

    red white and blue m&m's Cookie recipe

    Red White and Blue M&M Cookies

    These Red White and Blue M&Ms Cookies take our favorite chocolate chip cookie and dress it up for the Fourth of July, or any other patriotic holiday.  They’re perfectly chewy, packed full of chocolate chips and M&M candies and are sure to disappear fast.

    how to make brownies for 4th of july desserts

    American Flag Brownies

    These American Flag Brownies are a super easy, creative and tasty way to celebrate the 4th of July, Memorial Day or any other patriotic holiday. Not only do they look stunning, they’re also totally delicious and a great simple dessert to make with the little ones.

    Homemade Drinks

    Mint lemonade is made with simple ingredients

    Mint Lemonade

    This easy Mint Lemonade Recipe is the perfect drink to cool you down on a hot summer day.  It's fancy enough for a wedding or baby shower and easy enough for everyday meals.

    pina colada virgin recipe

    Strawberry Virgin Pina Colada

    This Strawberry Virgin Pina Colada is the perfect smoothie for a hot summer day.  Made with frozen pineapples, frozen strawberries, cream of coconut and a handful of other simple ingredients, this non alcoholic pina colada recipe will immediately transport you to the tropics, no matter where you are.

    breakfast punch, tropical punch juice, fruit punch recipe non alcoholic, fruit punch recipe easy.

    Tropical Punch

    This homemade Tropical Punch recipe is a great way to add a little sunshine to your breakfast. Filled with citrus, pineapple juice, guava juice, and fizzy ginger ale, this easy punch recipe is the perfect non-alcoholic drink to serve for your next baby shower, holiday brunch, and more.

    Orange Julius recipe in a glass cup

    Orange Julius

    This recipe for a simple copycat Orange Julius is super creamy, frothy and refreshing. And just like the original, it tastes like a cold melted creamsicle - yum!

    strawberry orange julius recipe, strawberry julius.

    Strawberry Orange Julius

    This Strawberry Orange Julius is the perfect refreshing drink for a hot summer day.  It’s sweet, super creamy, and couldn’t be easier to whip up at home.

    A plastic cup with disney dole whip.

    Disney Dole Whip

    This recipe for Disney Copycat Dole Whip is creamy, refreshing and tastes almost identical to the real thing.  All you need is three ingredients and a heavy-duty blender to make this copycat recipe right in your very own home.

    Tips for Planning Your Memorial Day Menu

    • Plan ahead. No matter what special occasion you are planning for, it’s always a good idea to figure out your menu at least 1-2 weeks ahead of time. This will give you plenty of time to go to the store before the crowds and make any items ahead of time that you can. You’ll also be able to delegate better if someone asks what they can bring.
    • Use your slow cooker. Don’t forget that you can use your slow cooker in the summer, too. It’s a great kitchen tool for saving precious grill space or for keeping things like baked beans warm.
    • Prep your presentation. Since Memorial Day cookouts often involve a lot of side dishes, salads, and condiments,it’s a good idea to start gathering all of your bowls, serving platters, serving spoons, tongs, and plates ahead of time. Figure out how many of each you will need so you aren’t scrambling the day of.

    More of the Best Summer BBQ Recipes

    • Lemon Oreos
    • 7 Layer Bean Dip
    • Garlic Parmesan Drumsticks
    • More Menu Ideas
    • More Sides

    If you’ve tried this recipe, please rate it and leave a comment on this post. I love hearing feedback from you. It helps me and other readers too! If you love Pinterest,  feel free to leave a comment and photo there too.  Also, if you like to share, use the hashtag #thecarefreekitchen on Instagram and tag me @thecarefreekitchen so I can find you and give your post some love. You can also find me on Facebook at The Carefree Kitchen. Thank you!!

    Here are over 50 Memorial Day Menu ideas to get you started planning. We've included salads, sides, BBQ favorites, and plenty of desserts.

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    Hi! I'm Jill.

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