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Kick off summer with these Memorial Day food ideas! This list includes easy appetizers, main dishes, and desserts perfect for your backyard bash.
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Prepare delicious homemade dishes for your loved ones this Memorial Day. Mix some classic favorites with a few new twists to create a festive spread.
Here are some of the easiest recipes you can try to make your celebration even more memorable.
Air Fryer Tater Tots
Kick off your Memorial Day with the perfect finger food.
These treats are made from potatoes, seasoned and air-fried to perfection. Their crispy exterior and fluffy interior make every bite satisfying.
Get The Recipe: Air Fryer Tater Tots
Hot Girl Summer Salad
Try this salad for a vibrant addition to your Memorial Day menu.
It’s a delightful mix of fresh greens, juicy fruits, and crunchy veggies, all dressed in a light vinaigrette. Enjoy it as a main course or a side dish.
Get The Recipe: Hot Girl Summer Salad
Turkey Bacon Ranch Sliders
These sliders feature turkey and bacon, topped with creamy ranch dressing and melted cheese.
The combination of flavors and textures makes them irresistible. Pair them with a fresh green salad or coleslaw for a complete meal.
Get The Recipe: Turkey Bacon Ranch Sliders
Chicken Lettuce Wraps With Peanut Sauce
Add an Asian-inspired twist to your Memorial Day spread with these chicken lettuce wraps.
They feature chicken, vegetables, and a rich, creamy peanut sauce! Serve them with jasmine rice or a chilled cucumber salad.
Get The Recipe: Chicken Lettuce Wraps With Peanut Sauce
Accordion Potatoes
These accordion tomatoes will steal the show with their unique presentation and delectable taste.
Thinly sliced and fanned out, these potatoes are baked to achieve a crispy exterior and tender interior. They offer a flavorful crunch that’s hard to resist.
Get The Recipe: Accordion Potatoes
Copycat Chipotle Corn Salsa
Brighten up your celebration with this corn salsa! This zesty treat features sweet corn with tangy lime juice, spicy jalapenos, and fresh cilantro.
It’s a tasty addition to tacos and barbecue dishes.
Get The Recipe: Copycat Chipotle Corn Salsa
Bacon Wrapped Smokies
This dish features juicy little smokies wrapped in crispy bacon, then generously coated with a blend of brown sugar and butter.
Serve them as irresistible appetizers or snack bites, paired with your favorite dipping sauces.
Get The Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Smokies
Mixed Citrus Liqueur
This homemade drink blends the zesty flavors of many citrus fruits like lemons, limes, and oranges with a smooth liqueur base.
You can make this drink in just 10 minutes! It pairs well with light appetizers like cheese and crackers or a fresh fruit platter.
Get The Recipe: Mixed Citrus Liqueur
Starbucks Kiwi Starfruit Refresher
This fruity drink combines the sweet and slightly tangy flavors of kiwi and starfruit with a hint of green coffee extract for a subtle energy boost.
It’s a perfect summer beverage!
Get The Recipe: Starbucks Kiwi Starfruit Refresher
Red, White and Blue Cupcakes
These colorful treats are not only visually stunning but also delicious.
They are moist and fluffy, with creamy buttercream frosting in patriotic colors. Pair them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, coffee, or a glass of cold milk.
Get The Recipe: Red, White and Blue Cupcakes
Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches
It’s time to indulge in a classic treat. These ice cream sandwiches feature vanilla ice cream nestled between two chewy chocolate chip cookies.
You only need a few simple ingredients to make them, including butter, espresso powder, and dark chocolate chips.
Get The Recipe: Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches
Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake
Looking for the best Memorial Day sweets? This cheesecake will add a touch of elegance to your dessert spread.
It’s infused with the bright flavors of lemon and dotted with juicy blueberries. Pair it with a fresh blueberry compote to enhance the flavors even more.
Get The Recipe: Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake
Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream
This creamy dessert is made from coconut milk and flavored with pure vanilla extract, offering a rich and smooth texture without any animal products.
It’s sweet and indulgent, just like traditional vanilla ice cream. Looks complicated, but you can make this treat in less than an hour.
Get The Recipe: Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream
Veggie Spring Rolls with Kamikoto
These spring rolls will deepen your love for veggies. They are packed with crunchy veggies, wrapped in delicate rice paper, and served with a savory dipping sauce.
Pair them with a side of edamame or a chilled noodle salad for a complete meal.
Get The Recipe: Veggie Spring Rolls with Kamikoto
Healthy Greek Layer Dip
Prepare the most flavorful dips this Memorial Day.
This one features layers of hummus, tzatziki, and fresh veggies like cucumbers and olives, topped with crumbled feta cheese. It’s filled with creamy, tangy, and savory flavors.
Get The Recipe: Healthy Greek Layer Dip
Pineapple and Cucumber Juice
This juice is perfect for guests of all ages. The taste is a perfect balance of sweet and tangy, with a hint of mint for added freshness.
Serve it with light appetizers like fruit skewers or a green salad for a revitalizing treat.
Get The Recipe: Pineapple and Cucumber Juice
Light Strawberry Pound Cake
Delight in the natural sweeetness of this strawberry cake. It’s moist and tender, infused with fresh strawberries and topped with a luscious strawberry glaze.
Pair it with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.
Get The Recipe: Light Strawberry Pound Cake
Summer Fruit Salad
This colorful salad includes a mix of fresh, juicy fruits like watermelon, strawberries, blueberries, and kiwi, then tossed in a light honey-lime dressing.
As always, feel free to tweak the recipe and include your favorite fruits.
Get The Recipe: Summer Fruit Salad
Crockpot Baby Back Ribs
This Memorial Day, impress your guests with this special dish. They are slow-cooked to perfection in a savory barbecue sauce.
Serve them as a main dish, and pair them with coleslaw, baked beans or other sides.
Get The Recipe: Crockpot Baby Back Ribs
Berry Slab Pie
Savor the taste of summer with this homemade berry slab pie.
It features a buttery, flaky crust filled with a mix of fresh berries like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, all baked to perfection.
Get The Recipe: Berry Slab Pie
Grilled Shrimp and Pineapple Skewers
Add a tropical flair to your Memorial Day with this grilled shrimp creation.
It includes pineapple, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, and onions. This restaurant-quality meal can be prepared in just 30 minutes.
Get The Recipe: Grilled Shrimp and Pineapple Skewers
Bacon Cheeseburger Cups
These savory bites feature seasoned ground beef, crispy bacon, and melty cheese, all baked in a soft biscuit cup.
The taste is reminiscent of a classic bacon cheeseburger! Serve them with a side of fries or a fresh coleslaw to round out your meal.
Get The Recipe: Bacon Cheeseburger Cups
Dragon Fruit Salad
Got some extra dragon fruits and mangoes? Make this vibrant salad and enjoy a fruity dessert.
It features dragon fruit, mango, and jicama, all tossed in a light lime dressing. It’s a light dish, great for warm weather.
Get The Recipe: Dragon Fruit Salad
Three Bean Salad
In search of tasty meals for your health-conscious guests? This salad combines green beans, kidney beans, and chickpeas with a tangy vinaigrette dressing.
Serve this salad as a nutritious side dish, perfect for picnics and barbecues.
Get The Recipe: Three Bean Salad
Fresh Basil Lemonade
This refreshing drink blends freshly squeezed lemon juice with aromatic basil leaves, balancing tart and herbal flavors.
Don’t forget to garnish it with lemon slices and basil leaves for an extra touch. It’s perfect for Memorial Day and for your upcoming outdoor gatherings.
Get The Recipe: Fresh Basil Lemonade
Feel free to experiment with new ingredients or put a creative spin on classic dishes. Start with some grilled dishes like burgers and barbecued ribs, which are always a hit.
You could also add vibrant vegetable skewers for some freshness and color.
Looking for more recipes? These dishes will bring unique flavors and eye-catching presentations to your table: