50+ Memorial Day Recipes
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With the holiday nearing, these easy Memorial Day recipes are perfect for the unofficial start of summer. From picnic favorites to delicious BBQ, there’s something for everyone here.
These breezy outdoor meals are perfect for summer celebrations, picnics in the park, or backyard eating.
You will find simple yet delicious burgers, ribs, grilled vegetables, sides, a host of summer salads, and our favorite Memorial Day desserts.
And just in case you’re having Memorial Day at the park or in the backyard, you might want to check out these fun backyard games.
Memorial Day Recipes
1
carlsbadcravings.com
BBQ Chicken on the Grill with Homemade BBQ Sauce
“Grilled BBQ Chicken enveloped in a tantalizing spice rub, slathered with Homemade Barbecue Sauce and grilled to perfection for the best juicy, smokey flavorful chicken every single time!”
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2
www.howsweeteats.com
Hot Dog Bar
“Grab your buns and dogs and a whole lot of toppings. This is super fun and delicious!”
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3
Grilled Corn Salad with Feta
This easy Grilled Corn Salad is a delicious salad recipe, perfect for summer BBQs and picnics. A simple lime vinaigrette enhances the bright, sweet, and refreshing flavors of this chilled salad.
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4
Easy Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Skewers are a simple, savory and sweet BBQ kabob recipe! These simple Chicken Teriyaki Skewers are an easy go-to dinner idea everyone will love, all season long stacked with onions, peppers and zucchini - all the summer vegetables that taste their best cooked on the grill!
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5
Grilled and Tender Foil Wrapped Baby Back Ribs
Learn how to make deliciously Tender and Juicy Foil Wrapped Baby Back Ribs on the grill this summer! It's grilling season and nothing says BBQ quite like a fall-off-the-bone pork baby back ribs made with a homemade dry rub and a mouthwatering basting sauce.
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6
Easy Greek Turkey Burgers
Mix up burgers for Memorial Day with these easy Greek Turkey Burgers. They are the ultimate healthy burger upgrade!
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7
Best Easy Grilled Burgers Recipe
This is our favorite grilled burgers recipe. Plus, it's super easy. And we all love that. Whether grilled indoors or out, this burger reciple is packed with flavor and easy to make ahead too.
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8
www.tasteofhome.com
Strawberry Pretzel Pie
“This cool no-bake strawberry pie is the perfect cure for your sweet tooth, especially in summer. Made with pantry staples, it is as easy as pie to make and has become one of my most requested warm-weather treats.”
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9
www.purewow.com
Caprese Salad with Grilled Zucchini
“A dish that's bursting with summer flavors (it doesn't look too shabby, either). Load up on zucchini at the farmers market to spice up this tomato classic.”
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10
www.tasteofhome.com
Macaroni Coleslaw
The perfect summer salad for Memordial Day, 4th of July, or any summer BBQ!
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11
German Potato Salad
This German Potato Salad is a simple hot potato salad recipe with fork-tender potatoes, savory bacon, and fresh parsley tossed in a delicious tangy dressing you will love.
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12
www.countryliving.com
Eggplant Burgers with Yogurt-Feta Sauce and Pickled Cucumbers
“Looking for something plant-based to toss on the grill? These eggplant burgers are packed with flavor. Hearty sourdough buns help hold everything together.”
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13
www.epicurious.com
Maple Barbecue Grilled Chicken
“Barbecued chicken is one of the surest signs that summer's finally on its way. Store-bought sauce has nothing on this easy homemade version, which uses maple syrup for sweetness and Sriracha for heat.”
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14
Quick Pickled Red Onions Recipe
Quick Pickled Red Onions are easy to make at home in under 30 minutes. Seasonless, they're incredible with tacos, salads, nachos, burgers and more.
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15
Easy Grilled Chicken Marinade
This easy Grilled Chicken Marinade is so incredibly delicious. It's filled with savory herbs, sweet with honey, and citrusy with lemon flavors. It's a marinade you're going to love for the grilling season. Bonus… the marinade helps keep the chicken moist and juicy. Just as we love it!
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16
Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken Sliders
Let the slow cooker do the work with this easy Memorial Day recipe of Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken Sliders.
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17
downshiftology.com
Garlic Grilled Shrimp Skewers
“Garlic grilled shrimp skewers are what summer is all about. Jumbo shrimp are marinated in a delicious garlic herb mixture, then grilled to perfection in under 10 minutes. You can't beat a recipe that's easy to make yet fancy enough to serve at your next party.”
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18
Super Quick Instant Pot Buffalo Wings
Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Wings is a super quick, amazingly tender, fall-off-the-bone Buffalo Wings recipe. Packed with game day flavors you love, and healthier than fried wings. It's a super easy wings recipe everyone loves.
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19
Grilled Ribeye Steaks with Chimichurri and Corn
Grilled Ribeye Steaks with Chimichurri Sauce and grilled corn cobs are everything we love about summer! Easy and ready in 30 minutes or less.
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20
www.womansday.com
Shrimp Rolls Recipe
Perfect for Memorial Day, “These no-cook sandwiches are like summer in a roll.”
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21
Easy Grilled Vegetables with Burrata
Easy Grilled Vegetables with Burrata is a centerpiece of summer grilling. With a simple balsamic glaze drizzled over delicious and slightly charred vegetables, it's a feast for the eyes and the palate.
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22
Smokey Instant Pot Baked Beans
Smokey Instant Pot Baked Beans recipe is the perfect side for summer BBQs or game time food. And cook in a fraction of the time. Smokey, sweet, and tender beans cooked with bacon and pure maple syrup.
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23
Hot Slaw with Bacon
This Hot Slaw recipe with Bacon Dressing is a quick and easy side dish. And a perfect complement to heftier favorites like pork, sausages, or, of course, chicken. Whether it be fried, grilled… or pulled!
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24
Grilled Corn on the Cob Foil Packets
Grilled Corn on the Cob in Foil Packets is a favorite 3 ingredient summer side dish that is sweet and juicy and smoky with herbs and spices.
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25
Easy Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken (3 Ingredients, 5 Minutes Prep)
t's a meal of dreams. This Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken recipe has three simple ingredients, 5 minutes of prep, and is ready in 3 hours. It's juicy, tender, and oh-so-delicious.
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26
Easy Summer Macaroni Salad
Macaroni Salad is a classic and delicious pasta salad recipe every summer cookout, BBQ, potluck, and picnic deserves! Incredibly simple to make, it's filled with fresh vegetables and macaroni tossed in a tangy, slightly sweet, and creamy homemade dressing.
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27
How to Make Smoked Pork Ribs in the Smoker
These are the drive-across-town-to-get, almost addictive, divinely delicious smoked pork ribs we adore. But guess what? You don’t have to drive across town. Because… they are incredibly easy to make at home. And here’s how:
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28
Easy Instant Pot Ribs
How to make fall off the bone Instant Pot Ribs. Easy method for baby back or spare ribs. So much faster and the sweet and savory dry rub is to die for!
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29
www.countryliving.com
Best BLT Potato Salad Recipe
“Give your standard potato salad a serious upgrade with everyone's favorite BLT flavors.”
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30
Quinoa Salad Recipe
This Quinoa Salad is a favorite healthy salad, packed with vegetables and herbs, and perfect for lunches, picnics, and sides.
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31
Easy Summer Pasta Salad Recipe
This Mediterranean-inspired Pasta Salad is a favorite with salami, peppers, broccoli, zesty Italian dressing, and Feta cheese.
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32
Simple Cucumber Salad with Creamy Greek Yogurt Dressing
A quick and easy refreshing salad to go with the spicy, savory flavors of a 4th of July cookout.
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33
Slow Cooker Boston Baked Beans
Slow Cooker Boston Baked Beans is an easy crockpot recipe that will keep your kitchen cool.
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34
Strawberry Spinach Salad with Feta and Toasted Pecans
Perfect for Memorial Day this simple salad with fresh, seasonal strawberries is both healthy and delicious!
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35
10 Minute Make Ahead White Bean Salad with a Quick Vinaigrette
If you have 10 minutes, this White Bean Salad is for you. Packed with healthy protein, this creamy salad is filled with fresh vegetables and herbs. And then dressed in a deliciously simple vinaigrette.
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36
Instant Pot Potato Salad
Summer isn't summer without potato salad. This Instant Pot Potato Salad is so easy and time-saving that you will make it often. Guaranteed!
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37
Easy Fruit Salad
This Fruit Salad recipe with sweetened mint is a refreshing and delicious addition to summer dining, garden parties, or any time you're in the mood for an exceedingly delightful treat that is ready in minutes!
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38
Summer Easy Pasta Salad with Shredded Carrots
It isn't Memorial Day for me without my mom's Pasta Salad. Super easy and perfect for the weekend!
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39
Easy Mexican Corn Salad
A simple salad with big flavor is the perfect compliment to delicious Memorial Day food.
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40
www.thechunkychef.com
Ultimate Pasta Salad (Award-Winning!)
An easy, homemade Mediterranean style pasta salad, perfect for Memorial Day cookouts or any summer BBQ!
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41
www.spendwithpennies.com
Fresh Summer Fruit Salad
“Fruit Salad is the absolute perfect summer side dish, snack, dessert or even brunch option! A big variety of colorful juicy fresh fruits make this salad a pretty as it is delicious!”
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42
Skillet Blueberry Cobbler
This Blueberry Cobbler is a quick and easy recipe made with fresh or frozen blueberries, pantry ingredients, and ready in 35 minutes. Serve straight from the skillet with a scoop of melting vanilla ice cream.
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43
Red, White, and Blue Berry Parfait (in 15 minutes)
This 15 minute Red White and Blue Berry Parfait is the perfect Memorial Day treat. Layered with blueberries, strawberries, and a delicious lemon-infused Greek yogurt filling, it's quick, easy, and perfect for the holiday.
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44
foodwithfeeling.com
Cherry Crumble Pie
“This Cherry Crumble pie is fully vegan and so super simple to make! Perfect for peak cherry season or even with frozen cherries!”
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45
Simple Berry Trifle Recipe
This simple Berry Trifle Recipe is a super quick and easy layered dessert of fresh summer berries, delicious pound cake, and heavenly pastry cream.
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46
Strawberry Crumble Bars
These simple Strawberry Crumble Bars are deliciously summery with sweet fresh strawberries and an irresistible crumble topping. Perfect for backyard summer BBQ, picnics, or when you're craving a sweet treat.
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47
Rhubarb Pie Recipe
This Rhubarb Pie recipe is the essence of spring and the taste of summer to come. It's fresh, bright, fantastically delicious, and just like Grandma used to make.
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48
Anytime Fudgy Picnic Chocolate Cake
This Picnic Chocolate Cake is a rich and fudgy, slightly decadent anytime cake you're going to love. And easy? Oh my, yes! Made in one bowl with a spoon and baked in an 8 x 8 square pan in 30 minutes, it's a delicious picnic cake, perfect for the season.
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49
Strawberry Crisp Recipe
Strawberry Crisp is a delicious taste of summer in every bite. With its crumbly, cinnamon-flavored crisp topping over brightly colored, juicy strawberries, it's well, irresistible. When you top it with melting vanilla ice cream, it becomes… heavenly.
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50
Anytime Berry Cake Recipe
This easy Berry Cake recipe is a red, white, and blue cake filled with summer blueberries and raspberries, hints of fresh lemon, and a buttery, tender crumb you'll fall in love with.
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51
Open Face Blueberry Pie: Fresh and Easiest Pie Ever
It isn't summer until there's been a blueberry pie on the table, or picnic table. And this easiest ever Open Face Blueberry Pie is simply rustic and summer perfect. Different than a traditional blueberry pie, yet incredibly juicy and delicious.
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52
Strawberry Bundt Cake with Lemon Glaze
This Strawberry Bundt Cake Recipe with Lemon Glaze is utterly delicious with fresh strawberries and lemon. A tender and moist texture from Greek yogurt make it irresistible and perfect for the season.
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53
Red, White, and Blue Non-Alcoholic Sangria
Celebrating a festive Memorial Day with this mock sangria filled with red, white, and blue colors!
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54
Sweet Tea is a Perfect Elixir of Summer
There's nothing more refreshing on a warm summer day than an ice cold glass of southern-inspired Sweet Tea for Memorial Day.
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Observing Memorial Day
While Memorial Day is the unofficial start to summer for most, it’s also about much more. I’ve written about the significance of Memorial Day and ways to observe it in the posts below: