Hosting a big backyard party is fun, but the kitchen usually gets messy and crowded right before everyone eats. I used to spend the whole time working while my friends were outside laughing, which didn't feel much like a party for me. Now, I make sure my food is ready early so I can actually sit down and have a good time too. These 21 Memorial Day sides are great because you can make them ahead of time and keep them in the fridge.
Pickle Pasta Salad
Chunks of cheese and pickles wait inside the pasta for the flavor to get better over a few hours. You can prep this early so you aren't stuck over a stove while friends are outside. It feels like a gift to have the hard part finished.
Get the Recipe: Pickle Pasta Salad
Mexican Coleslaw
Mix the cabbage and lime juice in the morning so the flavors have time to settle. The salad stays sharp and crisp even as the afternoon gets warm. It does all the hard work for you while you wait for guests.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Coleslaw
Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)
Cutting potatoes and carrots into tiny cubes is a quiet task to finish before the kitchen gets messy. The salad sits ready in the cold until the meat comes off the heat. It is a reliable classic that doesn't mind waiting.
Get the Recipe: Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)
Mayo Purple Cabbage Slaw
Purple cabbage is strong and won't get soggy if the party starts a little late. It's a steady side dish you can just pull out of the fridge when people get hungry. It saves you from having to chop veggies at the last minute.
Get the Recipe: Mayo Purple Cabbage Slaw
Twice Baked Loaded Potato Casserole
Potatoes whipped with sour cream and bacon are light enough to wait under a foil tent. This heavy, happy dish provides a warm base for the rest of the plate. Scatter some fresh chives over the top just before sitting down to eat.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Loaded Potato Casserole
Mediterranean White Bean Salad With Feta
White beans soak up oil and juices while you handle the more frantic parts of the day. Feta cheese softens just enough to coat everything without looking rushed. It stays exactly as it should until everyone is ready to eat.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean White Bean Salad With Feta
Cheesy Easy Cauliflower Casserole
Baked cauliflower in a thick cheese sauce handles being reheated with no complaints. It can sit in a warm oven while you finish the burgers outside. The red paprika on top makes it look like you spent a lot of time on it.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Easy Cauliflower Casserole
Moroccan Pearl Couscous Salad
Large grains of couscous turn a pretty yellow from spices and stay chewy without sticking together. You can put it together well before the grill is lit. It's a nice dish to have on the table as people start walking through the door.
Get the Recipe: Moroccan Pearl Couscous Salad
Lebanese Baba Ganoush Recipe
Charring eggplants on the stove is a smoky ritual for a quiet morning. The deep flavor is already set by the time the party starts. A quick dusting of spice is the only thing it needs before it hits the table.
Get the Recipe: Lebanese Baba Ganoush Recipe
Fennel And Mango Slaw
Sliced fennel and mango stay crunchy even after they sit in the fridge for a while. It's a great choice when the kitchen gets crowded and busy. Just set it out once the grill is ready.
Get the Recipe: Fennel And Mango Slaw
Irresistibly Smooth Garlic Hummus
Boiling chickpeas until they are soft happens long before the first guest arrives. The dip sits under a thin layer of oil, happy to wait for the warm bread. It is one less thing to think about when the counters are full of food.
Get the Recipe: Irresistibly Smooth Garlic Hummus
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Garlic cloves boil with the potatoes until they can be smashed into a buttery paste. They stay hot in a heavy pot and don't take up any space on busy counters. They are a simple, honest part of the meal that everyone expects.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Potatoes Romanoff
Grated potatoes and sour cream bake together until the edges turn dark and crispy. This dish is completely hands-off once it starts cooking in the oven. The smell of browning cheese usually tells the guests that it's time to eat.
Get the Recipe: Potatoes Romanoff
Roasted Cauliflower Bake in Green Herb Sauce
A thick green sauce made of parsley and cilantro keeps these roasted vegetables looking vibrant. You can prep the whole tray early and slide it into the oven when guests arrive. It adds a fresh, earthy smell to the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cauliflower Bake in Green Herb Sauce
Homemade Corn Casserole
This savory corn pudding stays moist for a long time after it rises in the oven. It is a crowd favorite that needs almost no attention once the timer starts. I like to cut it into big squares and pile them on a board.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Corn Casserole
Green Bean Casserole
Using real mushrooms and cream makes a rich sauce that smells like a holiday. This dish is sturdy and doesn't mind waiting in the back of the oven. Save the crispy onions for the final moment so they stay crunchy.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole
Cheesy Zucchini Casserole
Zucchini stays firm under a crust of breadcrumbs instead of turning into a watery mess. It can sit on the counter and slowly lose heat while the rest of the meal catches up. The leftovers are often the best part of the next morning.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Zucchini Casserole
Quinoa Cucumber Salad
Cucumbers and quinoa stay light and fresh even if they have been sitting since breakfast. You won't need to make any last-minute changes to this simple side. Stir in the herbs right before serving to keep the scent fresh.
Get the Recipe: Quinoa Cucumber Salad
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Steamed vegetables are smothered in a cheese sauce that bubbles at the edges. It only takes a few minutes to put together before it goes into the oven to stay warm. It is an easy way to get something green on the plate without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Slow Cooker Baked Beans With Bacon
Beans simmer in the corner of the kitchen and fill the house with a smoky scent all afternoon. They are entirely self-sufficient, leaving you free to handle drinks and burgers. Leaving the lid open a crack helps the sauce get thick and glossy.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Baked Beans With Bacon
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad
Spicy buffalo sauce wakes up the pasta and keeps the flavor from getting lost. It stores easily in the fridge and only needs a quick stir before it's ready. Pull this out when the hunger at the party turns serious.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad
Get your prep work out of the way early so you can actually spend the day hanging out with your favorite people.
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