Kick-off summer with the BEST Memorial Day celebration! From fresh salads to grilled chicken, beef, pork, and everyone’s favorite hot dogs, plus summer desserts, these 40 recipes are all you need for the perfect cookout, block party, or covered dish supper.
In This Post
Who’s ready for a three-day weekend? Me! Memorial Day weekend has always sparked a bit of excitement in me. It’s the “unofficial” start of summer, school is almost over and it’s time to head outside.
This year, I’m planning a throw down with some of my best recipes for an all-out, no holds barred cookout. I’m starting with a few appetizers, then moving on to sides and salads. I’m including grilled chicken, hot dogs, and burgers, too. To finish things off, I’ll be loading up a dessert bar with all things sweet.
Whether you are celebrating with your family at home or heading to the beach or mountains, this collection of 40 Memorial Day Recipes And Menu Ideas is all you need to make your celebration memorable.
Table of contents
Appetizers And Drinks
Three-ingredient refrigerator pickles are super easy to make and pack a flavorful, crunchy bite that’s out of this world delicious! Whether served as a salad, a snack or added to your favorite sandwich or burger, this “no-canning” recipe is always a hit.
This 10-minute recipe has all the creaminess you love from ranch dip with an added spicy kick! Southwest Ranch Dip is crazy delicious served with carrots, celery, and chips. Plus it’s awesome as a dressing, marinade, or a spread on burgers and wraps.
Crushed pineapple, smokey bacon, and loads of cheese are all turned into a sweet, savory cheese ball that’s irresistible! Serve it with your favorite crackers for an appetizer during the holidays, at parties, or anytime you want to jazz up cocktail hour.
This recipe for Ranch Dill Pickles has been blowing up the internet! Turn a jar of dill pickles into something ridiculously good with a packet of ranch seasoning mix. For snacking, appetizers and a must for any summer cookout or party.
This homemade Honey Mustard Sauce, made with just 6 ingredients is absolutely THE BEST! It’s creamy with a spicy kick that’s great as a dip for veggies, wings, fries, or just about anything you can think of. It makes a terrific spread on sandwiches and delicious served with a holiday ham.
Inspired by Mexican street corn, this easy to make dip is guaranteed to be a hit at your next party or gathering! Mexican Corn Dip is creamy, cheesy with just the right amount of spice from chilies. Add a pop of fresh-squeezed lime and you’ve got a party in every bite.
Beautiful to look at and refreshing to drink, Tequila Sunrise is a 3-ingredient cocktail that’s full of summertime flavors. Grenadine and orange juice give this drink its vibrant color and with a splash of tequila, you’ve got a drink that will make you feel like you’re on a tropical vacation!
Homemade Lemonade is cool, refreshing with just the right amount of sweetness along with a burst of citrus! Made with fresh-squeezed lemon juice and simple syrup, this simple drink recipe is perfect to serve at parties, cookouts, during the holidays, or anytime you want a glass of something cool and delicious.
Little Smokies simmered in a sweet and tangy sauce are hard to resist and so simple to make! This 5-ingredient recipe is perfect for parties, game day, and the holidays.
Salads
Tomato Cucumber Salad is a refreshing dish that packs a punch of fresh flavor. It’s simple to make with a bright dressing full of herbs. This is one delightful salad that’s like a burst of summer on your plate!
This fresh and easy salad combines all the classic flavors of a Caprese Salad with pasta! Perfect as a simple family side dish or when feeding a crowd this make-ahead recipe for the best Caprese Pasta Salad delivers a burst of flavor everyone will love.
Juicy tomatoes and cucumbers along with salty olives, red onion, tender pasta, and spinach are tossed together with creamy feta cheese in a homemade dressing for a crave-able salad that’s so easy to make! Mediterranean Pasta Salad is a perfect side dish to serve any time of the year and it makes a terrific main meal.
Spaghetti Salad is the perfect side dish for a party, potluck or when you’re feeding a crowd. Made with tender pasta, pepperoni, fresh veggies and tossed in a zesty dressing then topped with Parmesan cheese, this easy to make salad is ideal for “soup and salad” night!
Fresh green beans tossed in a bright, lemony dressing with tomatoes, onions, and feta cheese make an irresistible salad! This clean and simple recipe is ideal served as a side dish for a weeknight meal and is always welcome on a holiday buffet.
Macaroni Salad For A Crowd is an easy to make recipe that’s ideal for potlucks, covered dish suppers or entertaining. This simple recipe with pasta, onions, celery and a creamy dressing is always the first to disappear on the buffet table!
Crisp apples, juicy grapes along with crunchy celery, and walnuts are tossed in a creamy dressing to make a classic recipe that’s super delicious! Waldorf Salad is a perfect side dish to serve any time of the year and is ideal for covered dish suppers, potlucks, or whenever you’re feeding a crowd.
Fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, and herbs tossed in a light creamy dressing with pasta make a salad that’s absolutely irresistible! Creamy Tomato Cucumber Pasta Salad is not only easy to make but it’s colorful, cool, and does double duty as a side dish or salad.
Side Dishes
Southern Tomato Pie is a classic summer recipe! Layers of ripe tomatoes, cheese, pesto, herbs and onions all baked in a flaky crust for a savory pie that’s downright scrumptious.
Air Fryer Potato Wedges are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside making them a great side dish or snack! These perfectly seasoned potato wedges finished with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and parsley are made in minutes and terrific served with your favorite dipping sauce.
This rich, creamy corn with a hint of sweetness might just the ultimate side dish. Not only is this creamed corn scrumptious, but it’s also easy to make since the slow cooker does all the work! Free up your stovetop and oven during the holidays by making Creamed Corn in the crockpot!
For cookouts, potlucks, covered dish suppers, or a weeknight meal, Pineapple BBQ Baked Beans is the side dish to serve! Made with pineapple, brown sugar, and honey, with just the right amount of BBQ sauce and mustard, then topped with bacon these beans will be the first thing to disappear from the table.
Pineapple Casserole has become a classic, southern dish, and for good reason. It’s sweet, savory, and has a buttery topping that makes it totally addictive!
Ambrosia Salad is a classic recipe that’s hard to resist. Make with pineapple, cherries, oranges, coconut, pecans and grapes all wrapped up in fresh whipped cream and marshmallows, is a fruit salad that dreams are made of!
Cheesy Ranch Potatoes cooked in Foil Packs are the perfect side dish for cookouts and BBQs. Cooking in foil packs on the grill is super popular and for good reason. You can customize your dish with your favorite ingredients, it’s easy, there’s virtually no cleanup, and most importantly, the flavor is outstanding.
Main Dishes
There’s nothing quite like sweet, sticky homemade BBQ sauce slathered over juicy grilled chicken legs! This quick and easy-to-master recipe makes the best, most flavorful chicken you’ll ever sink your teeth into. Grilled BBQ Chicken Legs are the ultimate in summer cookout food and perfect for picnics, parties, and family gatherings.
Out Of This World Baked Spaghetti is a one-pan meal that’s always a hit at the supper table or at a covered dish supper. With a creamy, cheesy center, and a meaty sauce, this pasta casserole is comfort food taken to a whole new level!
Award-Winning Chili made with beef and beans in a rich sauce is loaded with amazing flavor! Perfect for tailgating, game day, or when you’re feeding a crowd. Simmered for hours, it’s comfort food at its BEST.
Making juicy, tender pork has never been easier! Grilled Pork Tenderloin turns out perfectly every time all thanks to a simple marinade made with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic and herbs. Whether you’re grilling on a summer evening with your family or entertaining friends, this delicious recipe is guaranteed to get rave reviews.
This recipe proves that you can make amazing, smoked, pulled pork at home and it will be one of the easiest recipes you’ll ever make! It’s perfect when you’re feeding a crowd, for game day, tailgating or for no-stress weekend cooking.
For an easy weeknight meal or a casual weekend get together, Balsamic Chicken Thighs are always a welcome sight at the table. Marinated in balsamic vinegar, honey with fresh herbs and garlic, this chicken is tender, juicy, tangy, and sweet.
Home Run Hot Dog Chili is the ultimate topping for your grilled dogs, sausages, and burgers! This meaty, tangy, slightly sweet sauce is simmered in just the right combination of herbs and spices. It’s a winning recipe for your next cookout, BBQ or tailgate party!
Hawaiian Meatballs smothered in a sweet tangy sauce with pineapple and fresh ginger are cooked low and slow in the crock pot. These succulent meatballs are a slow cooker masterpiece and are great served as an appetizer or main dish!
Chicken Thighs cooked in the crock pot make a mouthwatering recipe that’s perfect for a busy weeknight or lazy weekends! Juicy chicken coated in a thick rich sauce flavored with garlic, honey, and soy sauce is a slow cooker hit.
This Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Beef is fall-apart tender and loaded with deep, rich flavor. It’s terrific for tacos, enchiladas, and nachos or piled over rice and beans for burritos bowls. With so many yummy uses, you can let your imagination run wild!
Tacos and spaghetti come together in this easy-to-make casserole that scores big time at the supper table! Made with ground beef, pasta, taco seasoning and loaded with cheese, this is comfort food taken to the max.
Three Cheese Stuffed Shells is a cheese lover’s delight! Jumbo pasta shells are loaded with three kinds of cheese then baked in savory marinara sauce until hot and bubbly. It’s the ideal recipe for an easy weeknight supper, perfect for feeding a crowd and makes a great freezer meal.
Made with tender chicken, tomatoes and green chilies tossed in a creamy, cheesy sauce, this is pasta casserole taken to a whole new level! This easy to make recipe is always a hit at the supper table, potlucks and makes a great freezer meal.
When you’re craving comfort food, look no further than this recipe. It’s a make-ahead one-dish wonder that’s great for potlucks, covered dish suppers, a weeknight meal or when you’re feeding a crowd.
When you’re craving comfort food, look no further than this recipe. It’s a make-ahead one-dish wonder that’s great for potlucks, covered dish suppers, a weeknight meal or when you’re feeding a crowd.
Desserts
Southern Pound Cake is beautiful, rich and a classic worth raving about! It’s buttery and soft on the inside with a thick crumbly top that makes it totally irresistible. This cake made with simple ingredients is the star of any meal and perfect for the holidays and family celebrations.
Sweet, creamy, and loaded with fresh peaches, this frozen treat is an ice cream lover’s dream! No Churn Peach Ice Cream is made with just 5 ingredients and the big surprise is, there’s no ice cream maker required.
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies are big, chewy, and bursting with peanut butter flavor! Perfectly baked with oatmeal, butter, cinnamon, and an extra helping of peanut butter, these cookies are seriously delicious.
For the easiest, yummiest no-bake dessert, ever, Cherry Delight served in jars is a sure-fire winner! It’s sweet, creamy, and great to serve at any summer gathering, party or during the holidays.
Homemade Banana Pudding Trifle is a classic, Southern dish that’s required for any holiday or special occasion. Layered bananas, cookies, pudding, and fresh whipped cream come together for a show-stopping dessert that’s downright heavenly!
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