The busiest part of a backyard party is right after guests arrive, but before the grill is even hot. Everyone crowds around the table with empty plates, looking for a snack while the meat cooks. These 21 Memorial Day potluck sides are built for that chaotic moment when only the best dishes disappear fast. These recipes are easy to eat and stay looking great in the sun, so your guests can start snacking while you focus on the fire.
Cheesy Vegetable Casserole
Broccoli and cauliflower are hidden under a thick, gooey blanket of melted cheese. It is a smart way to get people to eat their vegetables during a party. This dish stays hot for a long time, making it a good anchor for the table.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Vegetable Casserole
Pickle Pasta Salad
Cold noodles and sour pickles give this dish a sharp, snappy crunch. It is easy to snack on, so it usually disappears before you know it. The fresh dill makes your whole kitchen smell like a garden.
Get the Recipe: Pickle Pasta Salad
Mexican Coleslaw
Shaved cabbage and lime juice make for a bright, crisp side dish. It helps your mouth feel fresh after eating a lot of heavy appetizers. Someone usually grabs the last bite right as the main course is served.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Coleslaw
Spiced Grilled Corn
These cobs get a quick char so people can munch on them while they wait for dinner. A bit of lime and spice helps them stand out from normal corn with butter. You can expect to find a pile of empty husks left behind almost instantly.
Get the Recipe: Spiced Grilled Corn
Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)
Tiny cubes of potato and pickle stay nice and firm in the bowl. This salad is tough enough to sit out in the heat without getting mushy. Most guests finish their scoop before the burgers even leave the grill.
Get the Recipe: Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)
Cheesy Zucchini Casserole
A golden, garlicky crust covers layers of soft summer squash and melted cheese. This warm bake fills the gaps on a plate next to grilled meats. It makes the whole backyard smell like a home kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Zucchini Casserole
Kale Apple Salad With Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing
These leaves are so tough that they stay crunchy even after sitting out for an hour. Apple slices and poppy seeds make it sweet enough that even kids will take a scoop. It is a reliable green dish that won't wilt in the humidity.
Get the Recipe: Kale Apple Salad With Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing
Cucumber Dill Salad
Paper-thin slices of cucumber sit in a bath of sharp vinegar and dill. This is a quiet, classic side dish that always gets finished without trying too hard. That cold crunch is exactly what you want on a humid day.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Dill Salad
Mexican Cucumber Salad Recipe (Ensalada de Pepino)
Lime and chili salt turn plain cucumber slices into a snack that goes fast. Since it is mostly water, it is the most refreshing thing on the table. It is usually gone in minutes because it is so light and easy to eat.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Cucumber Salad Recipe (Ensalada de Pepino)
Easy Four Cheese Mac and Cheese
This pasta is so cheesy and bubbly that it becomes the star of the table immediately. Four different cheeses make it taste extra rich and a little smoky. It is always the first dish to show the bottom of the bowl.
Get the Recipe: Easy Four Cheese Mac and Cheese
Crispy Smashed Baby Potatoes
People tend to grab these salty, herb-covered potatoes with their fingers. They have a loud crunch on the outside but stay soft in the middle. You might want to hide a few in the kitchen so you get to try one.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Smashed Baby Potatoes
Mayo Purple Cabbage Slaw
The dark purple color makes this one easy to spot in the middle of a big food spread. It is creamy and sweet, holding its shape better than regular green slaw. It is a reliable, crunchy partner for anything coming off the grill.
Get the Recipe: Mayo Purple Cabbage Slaw
Slow Cooker Baked Beans With Bacon
A warm pot of beans stays plugged in and bubbling with sweet molasses and bacon. It is a solid, heavy side that won't slide off a flimsy paper plate. Kids usually go for this first because it is soft and sugary.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Baked Beans With Bacon
Apple Slaw
Tart apples give this slaw a wet, loud crunch that feels very satisfying. It is sweeter than a normal salad, so younger guests usually finish it off. This is a fresh, bright addition to a table full of heavy food.
Get the Recipe: Apple Slaw
Sautéed Zucchini and Mushrooms
Zucchini and mushrooms are cooked until they are dark, soft, and savory. It is a simple vegetable side that doesn't need much explanation. Most people will take a little scoop because it is so reliable.
Get the Recipe: Sautéed Zucchini and Mushrooms
Fennel And Mango Slaw
Sliced fennel and soft mango create a watery, crisp bite that cools your mouth. People keep coming back for just one more taste of this unexpected treat. The clean flavor acts as a reset between bites of heavier food.
Get the Recipe: Fennel And Mango Slaw
Copycat Dickey's Baked Potato Casserole
This is basically a loaded baked potato that you can eat with a spoon. With bacon, cheese, and green onions, it has everything people love about a BBQ. It is heavy and rich, making it the most talked-about side on the table.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Dickey's Baked Potato Casserole
Russian Vinaigrette Salad (Root Vegetable Salad)
This deep purple mix of beets and potatoes feels like a classic, home-cooked meal. It has a salty, sour bite from pickles that makes it hard to stop eating. Even with many other choices, people always find a spot for it on their plate.
Get the Recipe: Russian Vinaigrette Salad (Root Vegetable Salad)
Cheesy Green Bean Casserole with Fresh Green Beans
Using fresh beans keeps a snap that you just don't get with the canned kind. The creamy sauce and fried onions make it a favorite for anyone wanting comfort food. It is a heavy, bubbly dish that people scoop up in big heaps.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Green Bean Casserole with Fresh Green Beans
Berry Salad With Red Onions, Arugula, Nuts, And Pomegranate Arils
Sweet berries and sharp onions might seem like a weird pair, but they work perfectly in the sun. This cold salad is very refreshing when the backyard starts to get crowded. It is usually one of the first things to go.
Get the Recipe: Berry Salad With Red Onions, Arugula, Nuts, And Pomegranate Arils
Party Potatoes
A thick layer of crunchy bread crumbs sits on top of buttery potatoes. This is famous for being the most filling and super-rich dish at the potluck. People will wait in line just to get a scoop of the crispy top layer.
Get the Recipe: Party Potatoes
Don't wait for the charcoal to turn grey when you could be the one to bring the first empty platter.
