34 Easy Memorial Day Recipes for Effortless Summer Celebrating
Fire up the grill and break out the picnic blanket—these crowd-pleasing Memorial Day dishes are simple, summery, and guaranteed to impress.
Photo by Linda Xiao
Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer—and the best way to celebrate is with good food, sunshine, and a laid-back outdoor hang. Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ, heading to the beach, or just craving an easy long-weekend dinner, these easy Memorial Day recipes are made for warm weather and minimal prep. Think juicy grilled mains, refreshing no-cook sides, and make-ahead desserts that keep things breezy from start to finish. With 30 go-to dishes to choose from, you’ll be set for summer’s first (unofficial) party.
No-Cook appetizers
This Tomato-Cantaloupe Caprese with Burrata is a no-cook summer stunner. Juicy heirloom tomatoes and sweet cantaloupe wedges surround creamy burrata, all drizzled with a lemony herb vinaigrette. It’s a vibrant, refreshing twist on the classic caprese—perfect for warm-weather gatherings.
Creamy feta and tangy Greek yogurt are enriched with the crunch of pistachios, the freshness of dill, and a hint of mint, creating a refreshing dip that's perfect for dipping seasonal vegetables
Hasselback Prosciutto e Melone combines sweet melon and salty prosciutto with a crisp, eye-catching twist. It’s a simple, yet elevated appetizer perfect for any summer spread.
This Shrimp Cocktail Trio makes entertaining effortless—just grab pre-cooked shrimp and whip up three simple, flavorful sauces. From classic cocktail to zesty mustard and tangy aioli, these dips bring a showstopping touch with minimal effort.
Crowd-pleasing Sides
The flavors in this quick and easy grilled corn are magically summery: the herby basil butter complements the natural sweetness of the corn, while the char from the grilling adds a nice element of smokiness.
This Garlicky Roasted Potato Salad is crispy, golden, and tossed in a punchy, herb-packed dressing. It’s a flavorful twist on the classic that holds up beautifully at outdoor gatherings.
You'll never make guacamole the same way again after trying this version. Grill the avocados before mixing them into this zesty, cheesy spread, which is especially perfect for a backyard BBQ.
What could be more perfect for an outdoor meal than a bright, crunchy coleslaw? This take on the classic BBQ side dish has lots of za'atar, celery seeds, and tangy Greek yogurt. And if you're worried about it getting soggy, as some coleslaws notoriously do, worry not—this one's salted ahead of time, then squeezed before tossing in sauce, so it soaks up all the moisture from the dressing and stays perfectly crunchy for days.
This classic Southern vegetable gets taken in a whole new direction when skewered over the grill and sprinkled with a spicy, tangy Sriracha and lime salt.
Juicy summer tomatoes really shine in this easy summer appetizer, which calls for a piquant marinade (lime, fish sauce, chili, and shallot) and a quick kiss from the grill.
This No-Mayo Peperonata Pasta Salad is bright, tangy, and totally picnic-ready. Roasted peppers and a zippy vinaigrette keep it light but full of flavor.
Fluffy eggs, perfectly seasoned farro, and a bevy of crunchy, cooling vegetables—what more can you ask for from a salad? This one keeps for days, so make it ahead before you're ready to party, or keep leftovers to enjoy with all the extra burgers throughout the first week of June.
We like sweet potato fries that are crunchy but not leathery, tender but not oil-soaked, and sweet potato-ey without being too...well...sweet. With the help of Kenji J. López-Alt’s sage advice on frying, we've created a recipe that achieves all those qualities, and then some, while staying fuss-free to boot. These'll go excellently with any of those burgers or skewers below.
Quick Memorial Day Mains
10. Halfsies Chicken
This no-nonsense chicken recipe is perfect for a big crowd—all you need is five simple ingredients and a bit of planning (you just let the chicken marinate overnight before it hits the grill the next day).
This seemingly simple dish is loaded up with tips for the crispiest, juiciest grilled shrimp out there: air-drying, dry-brining, adding baking soda, and snuggling on the skewers.
As impressive as it is easy to pull together, this tender flank steak can come together in the oven or on the grill, while the chimichurri-esque green sauce needs just a whiz in the food processor.
These Super-Crispy Chicken Smash Burgers are golden, crunchy, and packed with flavor—thanks to a quick pan-fry and savory seasoning. Serve them with your favorite sauce and a pile of pickles for the ultimate backyard bite.
What makes something Alabama-style? A "white" barbecue sauce, which is tart and tangy with mayo and vinegar, that's famous to the state.
The key to pulling off this Genius-approved grilled pizza is simple: buy the ripest, freshest, best tomatoes you can find at the farmer's market.
Build-your-own hot dogs with all the fixings—this Summer Hot Dog Bar is fun, customizable, and perfect for a crowd. Just set out the buns, dogs, and toppings, and let everyone go wild.
Two ingredients. About ten seconds. The best chicken marinade you've ever concocted. (Try it on beef, or tofu, or any vegetables of your choosing, too.)
These Mekhong-Style Baby Back Ribs are sticky, tender, and full of bold Thai-inspired flavor. Finished with a sweet chili glaze, they’re a guaranteed hit at any cookout. You can make them ahead and transport them in foil.
If salmon's more your speed, try out this so-simple rendition. It can hang out in the oven while you set out the rest of your party spread (or sip on a michelada—your choice!).
Dessert Ideas
Bake off this crackle-crusted, extra-moist olive cake the day before the big holiday. That way, all you have to do the day of is slice and serve with fresh fruit and dollops of whipped cream.
This Banana Pudding Icebox Cake layers cookies, whipped cream, and bananas for a no-bake dessert that’s creamy, nostalgic, and totally irresistible. Perfect for making ahead and chilling until party time.
These nostalgic ice cream pops are just three ingredients—yellow cake crumbles, vanilla ice cream, and finely diced strawberries—and make the most refreshing dessert on a hot summer day.
This Salty Almond Rhubarb Crisp balances tart rhubarb with honey and citrus, topped with a buttery oat and salted almond crumble. It’s a sweet-tart spring dessert that’s easy to prep and even better chilled.
These cute little layer cakes make the perfect personal-size dessert. Finish them off with fresh whipped cream, blueberries, and raspberries for an easy treat that still feels very festive.
Refreshing party Sips
26. Margarita
A classic for a reason! It's got the perfect mix of bright lime, herbal tequila, sweet orange triple sec, and a slick of salt to cut through it all. Try these on the rocks or blended—with or without fruit, your choice!)—and share with everyone at the BBQ.
26. Michelada
Looking for a drink that's savory, refreshing, and totally sessionable? The michelada is just your ticket. Packed with umami (worcestershire sauce! clamato! celery salt on the rim!) and a pleasant fizz (Mexican-style lager works best here), you can pair this drink with any of the snacks in the top section of this recipe guide, or finish out the afternoon quietly while sipping on one.
27. Tea Thyme Soda
This non-alcoholic bubbly drink is a riff on your favorite iced black tea, plus an herby-sweet thyme syrup. If you do want to go the cocktail route, though, bourbon fits in here nicely.
Similar to a margarita, this cocktail for a crowd uses a simple combination of blanco tequila, fresh-squeezed (this is key) pineapple juice, lime juice, and plenty of lime and pineapple wedges for garnish.
29. Watermelonade
This sweet, colorful refresher makes the perfect drink for any kids in attendance (although the adults might also like it with a splash of vodka).
30. Red Sangria
This red sangria is an absolute must for any hot-weather get-together; mix up all the ingredients (plus any type of fruit you like), let those flavors meld overnight, and serve over ice the next day.
What are you making for Memorial Day? Firing up the grill? Hosting a potluck? Share all your ideas in the comments below!
Editor's Note: This story was updated in May 2025 with even more easy Memorial Day recipes
Originally Published: May 7, 2025