Memorial Day food ideas are all about easy, fresh, and flavorful dishes that bring people together. A simple mix of grilled favorites, bright sides, and a few sweet treats is all you really need.
Jump to:
The backstory.
Memorial Day has always felt like the unofficial start of summer in our house - good food, a little sunshine, the smell of the grill, and everyone lingering around the table just a bit longer. I'm not about complicated menus this time of year. I want food that's fresh, easy, and feels like something you'd happily go back for seconds (or thirds).
xoxo Kori
Must make recipes for Memorial Day.
Memorial Day menu ideas should feel easy, fresh, and totally doable - with just enough variety to keep everyone happy.
- Easy but impressive. You don't need complicated recipes to create a spread that feels special.
- Something for everyone. A mix of grilled mains, fresh sides, and a little something sweet keeps it balanced.
- Make-ahead friendly. The less you're stuck in the kitchen, the better the party.
Memorial Day party appetizers.
Appetizers set the tone, and honestly, they're half the fun. Keep them simple, snackable, and easy to grab between conversations and drinks.
Deviled Eggs with Dill Pickles
Creamy, tangy dill pickle deviled eggs with fresh dill and pickle brine for bold flavor with less mayo. A healthy, high-protein, low-carb, keto-friendly appetizer perfect for any occasion.
Check out this recipe.
Strawberry Jalapeño Salsa
This strawberry salsa recipe is fresh, bright, and just the right balance of sweet, savory, and spicy. Juicy strawberries, crisp red onion, jalapeño, and lime come together in a colorful salsa that pairs perfectly with salmon, grilled meats, or tortilla chips.
Check out this recipe.
Sun-Dried Tomatoes Hummus
This sun-dried tomato hummus is bursting with bold, herby flavor-and it's ridiculously easy to make. Packed with plant-based goodness, it's a healthy, gluten-free dip you'll want on repeat.
Check out this recipe.
Cold Crab Dip with Cream Cheese
This is my favorite crab dip. It's a light and fresh cold crab dip with cream cheese, fresh dill, and crushed pineapple. It goes well with vegetables, chips, crackers, and bread. You can make it ahead of time so it's chilled - it's just perfect on a hot summer day!
Check out this recipe.
Easy Food Board (Basic Charcuterie)
Let's start with the basics and learn how to build an easy charcuterie board. It's so simple!
Check out this recipe.
Crack Chicken Dip
You'll love this chicken bacon ranch dip! This crack dip is a huge hit at parties. Make it in your slow cooker or in the oven.
Check out this recipe.
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
These are REALLY good - like bacon, brown sugar, and asparagus crack.
Check out this recipe.
Air Fried Crab Cakes
Air fryer crab cakes are so delicious, EASY, and healthy. This version uses pork rinds instead of bread crumbs for the crust, resulting in a crispy outside and tender inside. Oh YUM. Make some now and freeze some for later.
Check out this recipe.
Recipe For Ham and Cheese Roll Ups
Super simple with less than 5 ingredients and less than 15 minutes to make. These can be made several days in advance. Get creative and roll up other favorite ingredients to make them your own.
Check out this recipe.
Corn and Black Bean Salsa
This black bean salsa is bright, zesty, and ridiculously easy to throw together-like the life of the party in a bowl. It's packed with bold Southwest flavor and makes the perfect scoopable dip, taco topper, or sidekick to grilled meats. Fresh, tangy, and just the right amount of heat!
Check out this recipe.
Easy Cream Cheese Shrimp Dip
Only 3 ingredients and 3 minutes to make this tasty dip! Keep the ingredients on hand for a last minute party appetizer.
Check out this recipe.
Pepperoni Pizza Dip Recipe
This hot and cheesy dip is so easy to make and has always been a huge hit at gatherings. Warning...it gets gobbled up FAST! Pizza dip is also low carb, keto, and gluten-free. Enjoy!
Check out this recipe.
Best grilled mains for Memorial Day.
There's something about a grill that instantly makes it feel like a Memorial Day cookout. Keep it simple with a mix of proteins and plant-forward options so everyone can build a plate they love.
The Best Baby Back Ribs Recipe
A foolproof and simple recipe resulting in the tastiest, tender, and fall-off-the-bone ribs you've ever eaten!
Check out this recipe.
Grilled Chicken Thighs (Boneless)
Grilled boneless chicken thighs are perfectly juicy and tender with our citrusy herb grilled chicken thigh marinade!
Check out this recipe.
Cheese Curd Bacon Burger Recipe
The cheesiest most delicious bacon burger you'll ever make - super simple to make and grill too!
Check out this recipe.
BBQ Wings
Easy flavorful delicious dry rubbed chicken wings are made 4 ways - grilled, baked, air fried, or slow cooked.
Check out this recipe.
Southwest Turkey Burgers On The Grill
Southwest Turkey Burgers On The Grill Recipe are EASY and result in juicy burgers that are chock full of flavor. No dry bland turkey in these burgers! A healthy recipe that your whole family will love. These turkey burgers are low carb, sugar-free, gluten-free, and keto.
Check out this recipe.
Grilled Pork Steaks
These delicious grilled pork steaks are made tender by marinating in a flavorful sweet and savory brine.
Check out this recipe.
Dry Rub Grilled Chicken Thighs With White Barbecue Sauce
Juicy, tender grilled chicken thighs with a smoky, savory dry rub, served with a creamy, tangy white barbecue sauce for the perfect balance of flavor and texture.
Check out this recipe.
Buffalo Chicken Burger
Buffalo Chicken Burgers are easy to make, juicy burgers that are chock full of flavor-and taste just like chicken wings (maybe even better?). No dry, bland chicken burgers here! This is a healthy recipe that your whole family will love.
Check out this recipe.
Grilled Shrimp Salad Recipe (Shrimp Louie Salad)
Grilled Shrimp Louie Salad is a super easy light lunch or dinner recipe with only 5 ingredients and less than 15 minutes of prep and cooking time! Use already cooked shrimp instead of grilling for an even quicker meal. This salad is low carb and keto when a sugar free thousand island dressing is used. Enjoy!
Check out this recipe.
Lemon Grilled Salmon with Cilantro Sauce
This grilled salmon with cilantro sauce is fresh, flavorful, and easy to make. Marinated salmon is grilled to tender perfection and topped with a creamy lemon cilantro sauce for a healthy, satisfying meal.
Check out this recipe.
Grilled Drumsticks in Chicken Leg Brine
Easy brined then grilled chicken drumsticks cooked to perfection - so tender and juicy!
Check out this recipe.
Marinated Pork Chops (Grilled or Baked)
Juicy bone-in pork chops in an easy-to-make sweet and smoky bourbon marinade. If you don't have a grill, baking instructions are provided.
Check out this recipe.
Pork Tenderloin (Grill Recipe)
Tender juicy grilled pork tenderloin is easy to achieve! Make the fabulous strawberry BBQ sauce it's just plain fantastic. Wrapping in bacon is optional, but of course, it's wonderful and highly recommended. Enjoy!
Check out this recipe.
Crowd-pleasing Memorial Day side dishes.
The sides are where you can really round out your Memorial Day food ideas. Fresh, colorful, and easy to scoop - that's the goal.
Grilled Peaches and Burrata Salad
Sweet grilled peaches, creamy burrata, and peppery arugula come together with a tangy honey dijon dressing in this fresh, healthy, and easy summer salad.
Check out this recipe.
Cold Broccoli Salad with Bacon
This is destined to be your new favorite broccoli salad recipe - you'll love this version with its wonderful blend of sweet, salty, and tangy flavors.
Check out this recipe.
Cauliflower Steaks (Oven, Grill, Air Fryer Recipe)
3 super simple, yet totally delicious, ways to make cauliflower steak. Only 4 ingredients and a few simple steps and you'll have a wonderful vegetable side dish that perfectly complements almost any main dish!
Check out this recipe.
Tortellini Pasta Salad
A wonderful veggie-packed cold tortellini pasta salad recipe that can be served as a side dish, or a main dish if chicken or salami is added.
Check out this recipe.
Herb Marinated BBQ Vegetables (Vegetable Barbeque)
Herb Marinated BBQ Vegetables are a quick and easy recipe to make! Pair your bbq vegetables with a grilled meat and you have a full meal straight off the grill! This will soon be your new favorite way to cook vegetables.
Check out this recipe.
Dill Pickle Macaroni Salad
This pasta salad is delicious. It's creamy and tangy - with a hint of sweetness. Always a hit at every gathering. Bonus: make it low carb and keto too!
Check out this recipe.
Wedge Salad with Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing
A simple and delicious salad recipe with fresh crisp iceberg lettuce drizzled with creamy blue cheese dressing and topped with crunchy bacon, cheese, tomatoes - and whatever else you think you'd love.
Check out this recipe.
Roasted Red Cabbage Recipe
Tasty - and super easy with only 7 simple ingredients! Chock full of flavor with goat cheese, toasted walnuts, and balsamic vinegar.
Check out this recipe.
Dill Pickle Keto Cole Slaw
A delicious balance of crunchy and creamy with a surprising ingredient - dill pickles and bacon! So good! Easy to make and the perfect foolproof recipe for your next weeknight dinner, cookout, or BBQ. This is a healthy coleslaw dressing recipe and its low carb, sugar-free, and keto-approved.
Check out this recipe.
Summer Barley Salad with Sweet Corn and Tomatoes
Fresh, bright, and full of flavor-this Summer Barley Salad is packed with sweet corn, juicy tomatoes, basil, and a tangy lemony vinaigrette. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a light summer dinners (with protein added).
Check out this recipe.
Cucumber Bell Pepper Salad
This light and crunchy Mediterranean-inspired cucumber bell pepper salad is one of those simple recipes that proves healthy eating doesn't have to be boring. It's fresh, tangy, and totally flexible-great as a side dish, snack, or even a light lunch with a protein boost.
Check out this recipe.
Easy Memorial Day desserts.
Dessert doesn't need to be complicated - just something a little sweet to finish things off.
Raspberry Coconut Bars Recipe
You'll love these moist and tasty dessert bars! Layered with a buttery crust, raspberry filling, and topped with a sweet coconut topping. The perfect guilt-free sweet treat! These cookie bars are sugar free, gluten-free, low carb, and keto. Enjoy!
Check out this recipe.
Fudgy Dark Chocolate Keto Brownies Recipe
These fudgy dark chocolate brownies are the most delicious and decadent tasting dark chocolate brownies. Think of them as part brownie, and part fudge. Ready for a secret? They are sugar-free, low carb, gluten-free, keto-friendly - and no one will know. Don't tell anyone! Gotta love guilt-free brownies!
Check out this recipe.
Strawberry Ice Cream Swirl
There is nothing better than homemade strawberry ice cream. Whether you make it regular or sugar free keto - no one will know the difference - it's that GOOD!
Check out this recipe.
Chocolate Torte Recipe (Keto Chocolate Cake)
Chocolate Torte Recipe (Keto Chocolate Cake) is simply the most delicious and decadent tasting dark chocolate cake ever. This is not a dry or crumbly textured cake. Think of it as part cake, part brownie, and part fudge. Topped with chocolate ganache and whipped cream it is so amazing. Ready for a secret? It's sugar-free, low carb, gluten-free, keto-friendly - and no one will know. Don't tell anyone! Gotta love a guilt-free chocolate cake!
Check out this recipe.
Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
This homemade sugar-free blueberry cheesecake ice cream, with fresh ripe blueberries and a delicious creamy cheesecake taste, is the perfect summer recipe to beat the heat! Not only is this ice cream delicious, it's also low-carb, gluten free, and keto-friendly! Only you will know that this ice cream is a healthy recipe - and you'll never buy store-bought ice cream again!
Check out this recipe.
Sugar Free Almond Cake with Almond Flour
This flourless almond butter cake cake is utterly delicious and tastes just like a Danish pastry! Seriously. Think slightly denser buttery pound cake drizzled with an almond glaze. Should you serve for dessert, or could this be a sweet breakfast? Both! The best part? This cake is gluten free, low carb, sugar-free, and keto-friendly - and you'll never know. Yum.
Check out this recipe.
Crock Pot Rice Pudding
Creamy crock pot rice pudding made easy! Cooking this traditional dessert in a slow cooker is the easiest and tastiest way to make it! Total comfort food.
Check out this recipe.
Slow Cooker Peanut Clusters
Super easy crock pot chocolate peanut clusters - with only 4 ingredients. These tasty little sweet and salty treats can be made with regular baking chips or sugar free (to make them a little healthier). Enjoy!
Check out this recipe.
Peaches and Cream Ice Cream
There is nothing better than homemade peaches and cream ice cream. Fresh delicious ripe peaches make this the perfect Summer treat!
Check out this recipe.
Drinks for a Memorial Day party.
A good Memorial Day party isn't complete without something refreshing to sip on.
Homemade Sweet Tea (Sugar Free)
An easy-to-make classic Southern sweet tea recipe that's ever-so-popular! This Southern-style version can be made sugar-free or regular, so not only is it tasty and refreshing - it's guilt-free too! Enjoy!
Check out this recipe.
Peach Martini (Skinny)
Light and refreshing - and tastes just like a ripe fresh peach! This cocktail recipe uses a sugar-free simple syrup and a peach puree instead of a liqueur making it lower calorie, low carb, keto, with no added sugar. YAY to that!
Check out this recipe.
Strawberry Martini
Just like strawberry - refreshing, slightly sweet and a little tart. This version uses a sugar free simple syrup.
Check out this recipe.
Pineapple Martini (Skinny)
A delicious vodka martini that tastes just like fresh pineapple - slightly sweet and a little tart. No sugar is added and it's lower in calories than most martini's that use liqueur!
Check out this recipe.
Skinny Lemon Mojito Recipe
Refreshing and easy - think cool minted lemonade with a sparkle. This skinny lemonade cocktail is made with rum, lemon, and mint, and a splash of club soda. The perfect light cocktail that can be made with regular sugar or a granulated sugar substitute.
Check out this recipe.
Fresh Blueberry Mojito Cocktail Recipe
A light and refreshing mojito with juicy fresh blueberries, lime, and mint. Make it skinny, sugar-free, and keto if you want!
Check out this recipe.
At the end of the day, Memorial Day is about gathering, enjoying good food, and kicking off the season in a way that feels relaxed and fun. Keep it simple, focus on flavor, and build a menu that works for you - because that's what makes it memorable.
Can I ask you a favor?
If you tried this recipe, let me know! I'd love for you to come back and give the recipe a 5 star rating and leave a review in the comments! 🙂 Let's stay connected, so please follow me on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest! Subscribe to my newsletter to get healthy fresh recipe ideas every week!
Comments
No Comments