Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer in our house! We can’t wait to take a dip in the pool and cookout in the backyard. I gathered up 40 recipes for Memorial Day that are perfect for your get togethers!
Everything from delicious burger recipes, fresh sides like Heirloom Tomato Salad and festive red, white and blue recipes for dessert. You have to give as many as you can a try!
Table of Contents
Mouthwatering Memorial Day Burgers
Burgers are a staple when it comes to a backyard BBQ hang, and what’s great is there’s always a burger for any type of diet or palette! Here are a few of my favorites.
Guacamole Cheddar Burger
A tried and true classic. Adding the homemade guacamole for a topping is a game changer!
Sunny Side Up Veggie Burger
If you’re a vegetarian (or not), you have to try this one. We buy a variety of vegan burgers, top them with a golden egg that oozes all over the burger when you take a bite creating a luscious sauce.
BBQ Chicken Burgers
Get ready tantalize your taste buds with these mouthwatering BBQ Chicken Burgers! Bursting with flavor and perfect for the whole family!
Garbanzo Burgers
These are packed with protein, low in fat and high in dietary fiber, so they're a great addition to your Memorial Day menu. Especially for the vegetarians!
Turkey Zucchini Burgers
The zucchini gives these burgers a little extra texture and moistness while plumping them up with a vegetable for those kids who have an aversion to zucchini.
Shroom Burgers
Crispy, cheesy and downright delicious. It's hard to eat just one of these Shroom Burgers!
Middle Eastern Chicken Burgers
We love these chicken burgers and they're super easy to whip up. They're especially a good option for people who don't eat red meat.
Fries and Potatoes
Of course, any burger isn’t complete without some fries or crispy potatoes! Try these recipes out this year!
Air Fryer French Fries
These get super crispy and delicious. They sometimes get eaten before anything else makes it to the table!
Oven Baked Fries
If you don't have an air fryer these oven baked fries are just as yummy!
Sweet Potato Fries
Switch it up a bit and serve these delicious sweet potato fries this year! They're super easy to make!
Crispy Smashed Potatoes
I make these potatoes ALL the time! They're our all time favorite. Super crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
Buttermilk Bacon Whipped Potatoes
You can't go wrong with these buttermilk bacon whipped potatoes. They're perfectly creamy and so tasty!
Fresh Sides, Salads and Appetizers
I love to have a big bright salad or appetizer that boasts some of the season’s freshest produce! It pulls any Memorial Day gathering together.
Summer Fruit and Mozzarella Salad
My go-to when people are coming over for a cookout. It's a dish everyone from young to old will love, not to mention how beautiful and vibrant it looks.
Tomato Bruschetta
This makes my mouth water just thinking about it. Kenya and Chloe tout this recipe as "even better" than the bruschetta at our favorite restaurant!
Watermelon Pizza
Super fun and looks SO good on a table. Kids love making their own creations with this one so let them run free!
Summer Pasta Salad
Pasta salad at a backyard barbecue is about as classic as it gets. Try this one with corn, asparagus and cherry tomatoes at your Memorial Day get together.
Fruit Caprese Kabobs
Always a huge hit because of their DIY nature. The real fun comes not only from making them, but also eating the simple yet satisfying flavors one after another!
Strawberry Spinach Salad
This salad is chock full of tons of my favorite goodies — spinach, fresh strawberries and a delicious poppyseed vinaigrette.
Baked Beans in the Slow Cooker
Baked Beans don't have to be boring and from a can, this version made in the crock pot takes a classic recipe to a whole new level!
Grilled Lemon Asparagus
Asparagus at the farmers market is SO fresh right now. Grab yourself a bundle and make this simple Grilled Lemon Asparagus either right on the grill or on a pan.
Heirloom Tomato Salad
A classic side at any summer BBQ! This recipe is super duper fresh and absolutely stunning on a table.
Classic Macaroni and Cheese
There's just something about some gooey macaroni and cheese that I love at a BBQ!
More Memorial Day Entrees
There are other entrees besides burgers for a backyard cookout, of course. If burgers aren’t your favorite, try one of these!
Crunchy Quinoa Crusted Chicken Tenders
These chicken tenders are just as good as they sound. The crunch from the quinoa is perfect, and it doesn't hurt that quinoa is a superfood!
Mango Shrimp Ceviche
This is probably the most crowd pleasing dish you'll ever make! The sweetness of the mango is out of this world.
Grilled Chicken, Vegetable and Avocado Salad
There's nothing better than a bed of crispy lettuce topped with grilled chicken, tons of grilled vegetables and sliced avocado and then drizzled with a zippy vinaigrette!
Southern Style Pork Tenderloin
This pork tenderloin is smoky, sweet, and tangy all in one. This is the perfect summer grilling recipe.
Cauliflower Steaks
These are great for plant based eaters, but I will say, the meat eaters in my family love these just as much as anyone else.
Coconut Baked Shrimp
Coconut baked shrimp is a family-friendly recipe that is not only easy to make but also a fun way to introduce kids to new flavors. Serve with this delectable sweet and sour dipping sauce to take them to the next level!
Cheesy Pizza Hot Dogs
Just as fun as they sound, and super easy to make. Kids LOVE these!
Slow-Cooked Green Chili Pork Tacos
These tacos are about as easy as they get. Toss everything in a slow cooker, set it and forget it. Serve with a medley of your favorite toppings!
Whitefish and Crispy Avocado Tacos
The flaky fish makes these tacos addicting and super flavorful. Add your favorite toppings and get ready to rock your world!
Baked BBQ Chicken Legs
A backyard BBQ classic. You could bake these in the oven or toss them on the grill if you wanted!
Memorial Day Desserts
And last, but certainly not least, DESSERT! You’ve got to have a sweet treat on the unofficial first day of summer, and these are the perfect ones.
Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches
These are every kid (and adult's) dream. Fresh baked cookies with ice cream in between? Can it get any better?
Red, White and Blue Parfaits
These treats are festive, fun and delicious. A great addition to any Memorial Day hang!
Red, White & Blue Pops
Going right along with the red, white and blue theme. They're filled with good-for-you fruits and are a perfect treat! P.S. I love these popsicle molds.
Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble
One of my favorite because it's not too sweet and has a delicious crumbly oat topping paired with the season's freshest produce.
Coco-Blue Nice Cream
This healthy ice cream is vegan, gluten, and dairy free and only takes minutes to whip up! While I don't always say no to real ice cream, this is an equally delicious, guilt free version.
Strawberry Lemon Hand Pies
I absolutely ADORE these little guys. They're perfectly hand held and a great project to get kids involved in the kitchen.
Fruity Mocktail
No backyard BBQ is complete without a cocktail…or a mocktail. Whichever you prefer! This fruity mocktail recipe can easily be turned into a more adult version, but is yummy either way.
Berry Coconut Crisps
Berry Coconut Crisps are the easiest dessert and absolutely delicious. A base of berries topped with a walnut crumble and a hint of coconut is irresistible!
What other recipes are you making for Memorial Day? Let me know in the comments, and as always tag me on social media if you make any of these!
