45 Best Memorial Day Recipes

Best Memorial Day Recipe Ideas – Summer might not start until the end of June, but Memorial Day is the unofficial start to cookout season, so it’s the perfect time to fire up the grill and make plans for delicious Memorial Day recipes. These easy Memorial Day recipes will fit your menu, whatever your cooking style, from corn salads to grilled chicken thighs! We didn’t forget the drinks too! And with some amazing side dishes, desserts, and appetizers to round out your backyard bash, you’ll have a Memorial Day menu your guests will be talking about all summer long. Enjoy!

by Sidney Yang

Sidney Yang

Sidney is part of the Eatwell101 family since 2014. As an editor, she shares her enthusiasm for food, cooking tips, and entertaining across more than a thousand written articles published on Eatwell101.

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Updated Jun 7, 2022

1. Garlic Lemon Chicken Thighs

This grilled boneless skinless chicken thighs recipe will be your new dinner routine! Marinated and seared chicken thighs come out perfectly juicy and tender every time.
Cooking time: 15 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

2. Slow Cooker Honey-Garlic BBQ Pork Tenderloin

This Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin Dinner is done just when you walk the door at night!
Cooking time: 240 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

3. Strawberry Iced Tea Cooler

This dreamy goodness will cool down any warm afternoon.
Cooking time: 10 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

4. Tomato Potato Salad

This tomato potato salad recipe is light, nourishing, and super delicious. Bring the potato salad to your next potluck and prepare yourself for rave reviews!
Cooking time: 12 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

5. Pineapple BBQ Baked Chicken Foil Packets in Oven

These baked chicken in foil packets are easy and packed with tons of flavor. You’ll love the simplicity!
Cooking time: 35 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

6. Strawberry Lime Soda

This strawberry lime soda recipe is a refreshing drink to sip on a sunny spring afternoon.
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

7. Roasted Potato Salad

This roasted potato salad recipe is super nourishing and packed with flavor. The perfect side dish for your BBQ menu.
Cooking time: 30 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

8. Strawberry Cheesecake Mousse

Smooth and creamy, these strawberry cheesecake mousse cups are the ultimate dessert for a 4th of July dinner!
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

9. Salsa Chicken Lettuce Wraps

These chicken lettuce wraps are so delicious - Citrusy, sweet, spicy, and savory all in one, the salsa that goes with grilled chicken will steal the show. Perfect for a quick lunch, dinner, or meal prep!
Cooking time: 20 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

10. Perfect Marinated Tomatoes with Mozzarella

These marinated tomatoes make a perfect hors d’oeuvre full of fresh summer flavors!
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

11. Healthy Chicken Pasta Salad with Avocado, Tomato, and Basil 

Healthy chicken pasta salad is packed with flavor, protein and veggies. Try this pasta salad recipe for a quick lunch or a light dinner!
Cooking time: 10 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

12. Cilantro Lime Watermelon Salad

Sweet, fresh and juicy - This Cilantro Lime Watermelon Feta Salad recipe is a definite crowd pleaser!
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

13. The Easiest Creamy Cucumber Salad

This creamy cucumber salad recipe is delicious and refreshing — Great for grilling or a light dinner!
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

14. Tomato Cucumber Salad Recipe

This tomato cucumber salad is crisp, refreshing, and full of flavor–the perfect light side dish for any occasion!
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

15. Cucumber Salad with Creamy Dill Sauce

This fresh cucumber salad recipe is here to help you conquer your cravings!
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

16. Apple Bacon Coleslaw

This coleslaw recipe only takes a few minutes to make and is packed with bright and delicious flavor! Super creamy, crunchy, and fresh coleslaw you can make in a cinch!
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

17. Chunky Cheese Guacamole

Dazzle your guests with this Cheesy Guacamole recipe! So Creamy, so Fresh! The best last-minute appetizer ever.
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

18. Blueberry Crumb Bars

These blueberry crumb bars are made with a sweet blueberry filling, a buttery shortbread crust and a crumbly topping! The blueberry bars are delicious for brunch, dessert, or snack!
Cooking time: 40 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

19. Garlic Butter Steak & Potato Foil Packs

These steak and potato foil packets make a quick and nourishing meal perfect for any occasion.
Cooking time: 20 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

20. Grilled Ribeye Steaks with Melting Parsley Butter

Reward yourself with this juicy, flavorful grilled ribeye steak for a weeknight indulgence.
Cooking time: 12 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

21. Grilled Asparagus & Steak Fajita Roll-Ups

A gourmet Grilled steak dinner with bold Southwestern flavors!
Cooking time: 20 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

22. Fried Baby Potatoes with Garlic Brown Butter

These epic Fried potatoes baby with garlic brown butter are the perfect side dish to practically anything!
Cooking time: 25 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

23. Shrimp and Broccoli Foil Packs

This shrimp and broccoli foil pack meal is ready in under 30 minutes. Shrimp is seasoned to perfection with lemon, butter, garlic and herbs. The easiest way to bake shrimp in your oven!
Cooking time: 15 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

24. Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas

Sheet pan shrimp fajitas make an easy weeknight dinner that tastes amazing. Make this baked shrimp fajita recipe once and you'll make it over and over!
Cooking time: 10 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

25. Grilled Garlic Mushroom Skewers

These grilled garlic mushrooms on skewers are so good, you’ll want to make them every single day of the week!
Cooking time: 10 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

26. The Ultimate Grilled Chicken Thighs

This grilled chicken thighs recipe is the bomb, perfect for a festive cook out! Everyone RAVES about these delicious grilled chicken thighs!
Cooking time: 20 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

27. Grilled Chili Lime Butter Corn on the Cob

This Grilled Corn on the Cob recipe is recipe a flavor-packed side dish for your backyard BBQ — So easy and flavorful!
Cooking time: 15 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

28. Mini Strawberry Cheesecake Tart

This Shortbread mini strawberry cheesecake Tart recipe is filled with homemade cheesecake filling, fresh strawberry. This is an easy dessert that everyone loves.
Cooking time: 15 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

29. Grilled Chicken with Chili Lime Sauce

This is the perfect Grilled chicken recipe for your Summer cookouts.
Cooking time: 10 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

30. Grilled Bruschetta Chicken

This chicken recipe is a winning dish for a weeknight dinner for two!
Cooking time: 10 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

31. Cheesy Chicken Fritters

Stack these chicken fritters up in your lunch box for easy meal prep during the week!
Cooking time: 20 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

32. Mediterranean Salad with Cucumber, Tomato and Onion

Our easy Mediterranean salad recipe comes together in 10 minutes with just a handful of ingredients. This chopped salad recipe works as a side dish but also makes a vegetarian meal on its own.
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

33. White Bean and Carrot Salad

A warm white bean carrot salad recipe with a 2-ingredient lemon maple sauce as a dressing! This white bean carrot salad is easy to make and full of bright flavors!
Cooking time: 15 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

34. Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

This Mediterranean chickpea salad recipe is a bright, colorful, and delicious salad perfect for hot summer days.
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

35. Salmon Salad

This salmon salad recipe is filled with veggies for a vibrant meal. What’s even easier to love? The salmon salad on the table in less than 25 minutes!
Cooking time: 10 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

36. Grilled Corn with Garlic and Parmesan

This grilled corn recipe is perfect as a side for your barbecue parties, or as salad for a quick lunch on the go!
Cooking time: 10 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

37. Watermelon Fries with Cream Cheese Marshmallow Dip

These watermelon fries with cream cheese and marshmallow dip are a great and refreshing Summer snack!
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

38. 2-Ingredients Peach Popsicles

These peach popsicles celebrate the delicious fruit of summer in a juicy, sweet, and refreshing blend.
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

39. Strawberry & Blueberry Margarita Popsicles

These refreshing margarita popsicles are the best way to show your colors this summer!
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

40. Grilled Chicken Breasts with Lemon Garlic

Make the juiciest grilled chicken skewers with this easy chicken recipe. These grilled chicken breasts kabobs are made with marinated chicken and served with crisp asparagus for a complete low-carb, Keto-friendly dinner!
Cooking time: 20 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

41. Grilled Steak Kabobs

So juicy and delicious grilled steak Kabobs - Your BBQ parties just won’t be the same without them!
Cooking time: 15 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

42. Grilled Peaches Recipe

These Grilled Peaches are perfect for summertime! The perfect healthy dessert.
Cooking time: 4 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

Did you make one of these recipes for Memorial Day? Please share on your social media using our hashtag #eatwell101!

What food is the most eaten on Memorial Day?

Barbecue is the favorite food for any great outdoor gathering, especially on Memorial Day. So anything that goes on the grill will work: chicken, pork, shrimp, beef, fish, peppers, corn, and any other veggies!

What to bring to a Memorial Day gathering?

Besides these easy Memorial Day recipes, some items are always welcome to a Memorial day cookout:

• Bags of ice
• Coal for the barbecue
• Watermelons
• Ice cream
• Jars of homemade condiments
• Extra paper towels or toilet paper
• Extra paper plates and recyclable cutlery