Memorial Day is the perfect excuse to fire up the grill, gather outside, and serve food people will actually remember. These 29 classic Memorial Day recipes are all about bold flavors, simple prep, and dishes that belong at the center of any backyard celebration. Whether you're feeding neighbors or just trying to beat last year's menu, these picks will help you stand out. If you're aiming to be the talk of the block, this is where you start.
Cajun Style Baked Turkey Breast With Vegetables
This turkey breast comes packed with bold Cajun flavor that feels right at home on a Memorial Day table. It’s hearty enough to anchor your gathering and easy to prep in the oven. Roasting the vegetables alongside means less cleanup and more time to socialize. No one expects turkey on Memorial Day, which makes it all the more memorable.
Get the Recipe: Cajun Style Baked Turkey Breast With Vegetables
The Best Non-Alcoholic Pina Colada
This frozen drink brings instant vacation vibes to any Memorial Day cookout without the booze. It’s quick to blend up and a smart option for both adults and kids alike. Creamy, sweet, and pineapple-packed, it feels festive from the first sip. It’s the kind of drink that makes you look like you planned ahead—even if you didn’t.
Get the Recipe: The Best Non-Alcoholic Pina Colada
Halloumi Tacos
Halloumi holds up on the grill, making it a strong player for any backyard Memorial Day bash. These tacos are easy to assemble and bring a fresh, satisfying bite without needing meat. Their golden, seared edges and chewy texture are always a hit. When these hit the table, you won’t hear a word—just crunches.
Get the Recipe: Halloumi Tacos
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
These drumsticks bring classic BBQ flavor without the hassle of a full grill setup, perfect for Memorial Day prep. The air fryer keeps them crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside in less than 30 minutes. The sticky, seasoned coating looks straight off the grill. They’ll disappear so fast you might need a backup batch.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
Spicy Black-Eyed Pea Dip With Tomatoes, Garlic, And Jalapeno
This dip is made for a crowd and keeps people hovering around the snack table. The bold flavors hit right away, making it perfect for a standout Memorial Day spread. It’s simple to stir together and holds well outdoors. Just add chips and step back—it handles the rest.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Black-Eyed Pea Dip With Tomatoes, Garlic, And Jalapeno
Colombian Marinated Chicken Drumsticks
These drumsticks pack bold flavor thanks to a citrusy, herby marinade that makes them stand out. They grill beautifully and bring something different to the Memorial Day rotation. They're easy to prep ahead, which is great when you’ve got a full house. Expect people to ask what’s in them—and then ask for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Colombian Marinated Chicken Drumsticks
Blueberry Lemon Galette
This galette is flaky, golden, and packed with blueberries that burst in every bite. It looks impressive on the table and doesn’t need a pie dish or any fussy tools. It's a classic treat that fits right into the Memorial Day vibe. It tastes like summer and looks like something your neighbors will talk about next year.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Lemon Galette
Mediterranean White Bean Salad With Feta
This bean salad comes together fast and travels well, making it great for a Memorial Day gathering. It’s bright, fresh, and doesn’t wilt in the heat like other sides. Feta adds a salty punch that keeps people coming back for another scoop. It’s the kind of side that earns a spot next to the grill every year.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean White Bean Salad With Feta
Cherry Cobbler
Nothing says classic American cookout like a bubbling cherry cobbler with a golden crust. It’s easy to make in advance and still tastes great at room temperature. Whether served in bowls or scooped onto plates, it always gets attention. Expect it to be gone before you even finish flipping the burgers.
Get the Recipe: Cherry Cobbler
Baked Brie With Peaches, Pecans, Herbs And Honey
This dish walks the line between snack and showpiece with ease. Warm brie, sweet peaches, and crunchy pecans come together fast in the oven. It's perfect for setting out while the grill heats up during your Memorial Day get-together. The second someone cuts into it, everyone crowds the table.
Get the Recipe: Baked Brie With Peaches, Pecans, Herbs And Honey
Fresh Pico De Gallo
This simple classic makes every dish around it better, from tacos to grilled meats. It’s fast to mix up and holds strong in the heat, which matters at a Memorial Day cookout. The fresh crunch and hit of lime make it a true essential. It’s one of those small things that makes a big impact.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Pico De Gallo
Vegan Pasta Primavera
This colorful pasta is packed with seasonal veggies and works great as a side or main dish. It’s quick to throw together and holds well outdoors, which is key for Memorial Day. The bright mix of ingredients pops on the plate and on social media. No one misses the meat when this hits the buffet table.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Pasta Primavera
Lemon Mint Lemonade
This drink is the definition of cool and refreshing for a hot Memorial Day afternoon. It’s easy to prep in big batches and doesn’t need anything fancy to impress. The lemon and mint combo hits hard in the best way. It’s the kind of drink people ask about—and then ask you to make again.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Mint Lemonade
Easy Baked Oysters Mornay Recipe with Breadcrumbs, Butter, and Garlic
These oysters look fancy but are surprisingly quick to bake, making them perfect for hosting without the stress. They’re rich, crisp on top, and feel right at home at a Memorial Day feast. The garlic-butter breadcrumb topping seals the deal. When these show up, everyone assumes you hired help.
Get the Recipe: Easy Baked Oysters Mornay Recipe with Breadcrumbs, Butter, and Garlic
Sparkling Blood Orange Mocktail
Bold in both flavor and color, this mocktail stands out on any Memorial Day spread. It takes just minutes to mix and feels instantly celebratory with its fizzy finish. Serve it in tall glasses with ice for maximum effect. People will be asking where you got it—and be shocked when you say your own fridge.
Get the Recipe: Sparkling Blood Orange Mocktail
Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebab
These kebabs bring bold spice and juicy texture to the grill, perfect for Memorial Day. They’re easy to prep ahead and cook quickly over high heat. Served on a skewer, they’re grab-and-go friendly for outdoor parties. They're the kind of thing people remember long after the grill’s cooled down.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebab
Spicy Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread
This cornbread brings just enough heat to get people talking—and keep them reaching for more. It’s easy to slice and serve at any Memorial Day cookout. The cheddar melts into pockets of flavor that make each bite memorable. It’s cornbread with something to say, and it says it loud.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread
Dill Zucchini Fritters
These fritters come crisp out of the skillet and packed with fresh flavor, perfect for summer eating. They're quick to prep and hold up well on a serving tray. A touch of dill makes them feel fresh and unexpected for Memorial Day. Serve them once and watch people start requesting them next year.
Get the Recipe: Dill Zucchini Fritters
Air Fryer Cheese Bites Recipe
These cheese bites are fast, crispy, and downright addictive—especially when served hot. The air fryer makes them a breeze to crank out while everything else is on the grill. They’re perfect finger food for a crowd and always disappear first. No one walks past the tray without grabbing at least two.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cheese Bites Recipe
Black Bean Tacos With Sweet Pepper Salsa
These tacos are packed with bold black beans and topped with sweet pepper salsa for a fresh finish. They’re fast to assemble and a smart choice for any Memorial Day spread. The colors alone draw attention on the table. You’ll want to have extras—they go quick.
Get the Recipe: Black Bean Tacos With Sweet Pepper Salsa
Spicy Tofu Tacos
These tacos bring the heat without the meat, making them a bold and smart choice for a Memorial Day party. Tofu crisps up beautifully and carries the spices well, giving each bite real personality. They're easy to prepare ahead of time and stack up strong next to the grill favorites. Even the meat-lovers will be eyeing your plate when these show up.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Tofu Tacos
Easy Garlic Scape Pesto Pizza
This pizza skips the usual red sauce for something greener and bolder, thanks to the garlic scape pesto. It's a fast bake that looks impressive, making it perfect for a casual Memorial Day hangout. The crust gets crispy, the cheese bubbles, and every slice goes fast. It’s the kind of thing people will talk about long after the fire pit’s out.
Get the Recipe: Easy Garlic Scape Pesto Pizza
Delicious Non-Alcoholic Long Island Iced Tea
This mocktail keeps the energy high while skipping the booze, making it a great fit for family-friendly Memorial Day gatherings. It’s layered with citrus, tea, and cola to mimic the flavor of the classic without slowing anyone down. Pour it over ice and it instantly looks party-ready. It brings all the cookout vibes without any of the cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Delicious Non-Alcoholic Long Island Iced Tea
Peach Salmon Skewers With Peach Jalapeno Crema
These skewers look as good as they taste, with juicy chunks of salmon and sweet peaches hitting the grill together. The crema adds a little kick and comes together in seconds. They’re fast to cook and serve well straight off the skewer—perfect for an outdoor Memorial Day crowd. They’re like your go-to BBQ favorite, just better dressed.
Get the Recipe: Peach Salmon Skewers With Peach Jalapeno Crema
Roasted Sweet Potato Salad
This side dish holds its own next to grilled meats, with caramelized sweet potatoes and just the right crunch. It’s easy to prep ahead and doesn’t wilt like a lettuce-based salad. The roasted flavors feel right for a Memorial Day cookout, especially when served at room temperature. This one doesn’t sit quietly on the corner of the table.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Sweet Potato Salad
Frozen Mudslide Mocktail
This creamy mocktail feels like dessert in a glass, perfect for cooling off on a hot Memorial Day afternoon. It’s quick to blend and delivers a crowd-pleasing combo of coffee, chocolate, and ice. Served in chilled glasses, it looks as good as it tastes. It’s the one drink you’ll wish you had made a double batch of.
Get the Recipe: Frozen Mudslide Mocktail
Crispy Easy Air Fryer Chicken Wings With Italian Seasoning
These wings cook up crisp in the air fryer with a big punch of seasoning in every bite. They’re fast, mess-free, and come out perfect for passing around at a Memorial Day bash. Italian herbs bring something different without overcomplicating anything. They’ll have people licking their fingers and asking if there are more.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Easy Air Fryer Chicken Wings With Italian Seasoning
Spiced Grilled Corn
This corn is a step up from the usual butter-and-salt version, with bold seasoning and charred edges straight off the grill. It’s fast, low-effort, and made for backyard Memorial Day eating. The spices wake things up and bring color to the table. You’ll never want to go back to plain corn after this.
Get the Recipe: Spiced Grilled Corn
Chicken Hash Brown Casserole
This casserole is creamy, cheesy, and feeds a crowd without breaking a sweat. It bakes up golden and is perfect for a serve-yourself Memorial Day meal. You can make it ahead and reheat easily, which takes pressure off the host. It’s comfort food that earns you nods of approval from every direction.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Hash Brown Casserole
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