40+ Memorial Day Recipes Perfect for BBQ!
40+ Memorial Day Recipes Perfect for BBQ!
A collection of our favorite Memorial Day recipes, including meats, sides, salads, desserts, and drinks! Perfect for any holiday BBQ!
More Favorites: Memorial Day Desserts
Memorial Day BBQ
Will you throw a big party or get together to celebrate Memorial Day? We always have a BBQ with the family and assign everyone to bring a dish to share. Who usually hosts the main course or roast, and then someone else brings in the side dishes, salads, desserts, drinks, etc.
I’ve put together this collection with our favorite Memorial Day recipes in each category, so hopefully if you’re assigned to bring something specific, you can find the perfect recipe to prepare for your holiday party!
Before we get into the recipe list, however, I have a few tips to make sure your Memorial Day BBQ is a real hit!
Tips for a Memorial Day Party
BBQ Food Tips: Keep these things in mind when preparing food for this holiday season.
- Clean the grill a few days before the event.
- Keep a lid or plastic wrap handy to keep food out of the way and keep pesky bugs out.
- Plan your menu ahead of time. This helps with shopping if guests are willing to bring food.
- If food is placed in the cooler, be sure to separate meat and poultry from other foods.
- Food should not exceed 2 hours. Only take out enough food to be eaten within that time window. Store the excess in the freezer or refrigerator.
- Remove meat from refrigerator 20-30 minutes before grilling.
- Cook and serve based on finished, medium and rare meats. There are designated signs to indicate which plate is which.
- Keep a box of baking soda handy in case the grill catches fire.
Outdoor Party Tips: If planning a party outside for Memorial Day, there are only a few things that might help.
- Clean up your yard ahead of time. Make sure nothing is left out that could harm the child.
- Seating: Provide ample seating around the yard. Pic Nic blankets are easy and perfect for kids.
- Table: Older guests will especially appreciate the table. Also, if you’re offering anything that needs to be cut with a knife, provide a table. No one wants to try this on their lap.
- Avoid long queues: place food in such a way that there can be multiple access points.
- Lighting: If your BBQ is going to last into the evening, be sure to use lighting such as flashlights or string lights. It was also fun to have a fire pit at night.
- Shade: Use an umbrella or awning. You can even string sheets together. Your guests will appreciate the shade.
- Be sure to provide enough trash cans.
- Lawn games available
- Music adds beauty
main course
main course
Memorial Day roasts are common because the weather is getting warmer and nothing tastes better than a summer vacation roast!
Plan to serve 6 to 8 ounces of meat per adult. Children only need 3-4 oz. Note that people tend to eat more at night than during the day.
Main Course Dr. Pepper Ribs Recipe
Ribs cooked with Dr. Pepper, grilled to perfection, and coated with BBQ sauce. These Dr Pepper Ribs are delicious falling off the bone!
Total time: 3 hours 15 minutes
Check out this recipe for Entree Ranch Burger Recipe
These ranch burgers are the best homemade burgers! ! This easy burger recipe is served with the most delicious secret sauce and goes perfectly with ranch burgers!
Total time: 20 minutes
Check out this recipe for Entree Easy Steak Marinade Recipe
This is our favorite steak marinade! It only takes four ingredients and makes our steak taste so good! Everyone always asks for this easy steak marinade recipe because it’s just so good! !
Total time: 5 minutes
Check out this recipe for Main Course Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Sandwich Recipe
This Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Sandwich with juicy grilled pineapple, red onion and crisp lettuce is perfect for summer entertaining!
Total time: 25 minutes
Check out this recipe for how to cook a hot dog in a crock pot
The easiest way to make hot dogs for a crowd! Cook hot dogs in a crock pot for all your summer potluck needs.
Total time: 2 hours 2 minutes
Check out this recipe for Main Dish Crock Pot Brisket Recipe
Juicy and delicious meat that’s easy to make in the slow cooker! This crock pot brisket is so tender it just crumbles.
Total time: 8 hours 5 minutes
Check out this recipe for Main Dish Huli Huli Chicken Recipe
This Grilled Chicken Huli Huli is the juiciest and tastiest Hawaiian chicken you’ll ever try! Great on its own or with rice or noodles! !
Total time: 21 minutes
Check out this recipe for an appetizer, main course Honey BBQ Chicken Wings recipe
Delicious homemade boneless chicken wings, double breaded, baked to crispy perfection, then coated with a sweet and tangy honey BBQ sauce. This Boneless Honey BBQ Chicken Wings recipe is the perfect game day appetizer or weeknight dinner!
Total time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Check out this recipe for Main Dish Kalua Pork Recipe
This Slow Cooker Kaluua Pork is a Hawaiian favorite and can be easily made in a slow cooker with just a few ingredients. Eat it on its own, or in a taco or slider.
Total time: 9 hours 5 minutes
Check out this recipe for Main Dish Carnitas
Carnitas AKA Mexican Slow Cooker Pulled Pork takes minutes to prepare and is perfect for tacos, burritos, quesadillas, chimichangas and more!
Check out this recipe for Main Dish Pulled Pork Recipe
This delicious Easy Pulled Pork recipe is made in the slow cooker and ready in minutes. Use pork in any recipe, including pulled pork sandwiches, and you’ll love how easy and delicious it is.
Total time: 8 hours 5 minutes
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salad
salad
We love serving a variety of sweet and savory salads on Memorial Day.
Depending on how many salads are available, plan to have about ½ -1 cup of salad per guest.
Dessert Strawberry Jelly Pretzel Salad Recipe
Strawberry Jelly Pretzel Salad is the ultimate sweet and salty combination. This classic treat is always flattering! !
Total time: 4 hours 20 minutes
Check out this recipe for Salad Dumplings Salad Recipe
Super delicious and easy tortellini salad with tortellini, salad, ranch, tomatoes and bacon bits – perfect for summer!
Total time: 20 minutes
Check out this recipe for a side dish Easy Pasta Salad Recipe
Easy and delicious pasta salad recipe with rotini pasta, olives, tomatoes and cheese in Italian dressing! It only takes a few minutes to make and is perfect for any gathering, including barbecues and the holidays.
Total time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Check out this recipe for Salad Potato Salad Recipe
Our all-time favorite potato salad – it’s easy, delicious, and filled with potatoes, eggs, and olives! It’s the perfect addition to any barbecue or picnic, and it’s creamy and delicious and will wow anyone who has tried it.
Total time: 55 minutes
Check out this recipe for dessert cheesecake fruit salad recipe
This cheesecake fruit salad is the perfect combination of creamy, light and fresh! Fresh berries are added to the cream cheese pudding mix – it’s the perfect side, or crepe filling!
Total time: 7 minutes
Check out this recipe for Salad Asian Ramen Salad Recipe
Filled with cabbage, almonds and ramen noodles, this fresh and light Asian Ramen Salad is colorful and crunchy!
Total time: 15 minutes
Check out this recipe for Salad, Side Dish Ambrosia Salad Recipe
This delicious salad will take you back to your childhood. The best creamy fruit salad mixed with mini marshmallows!
Total time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Check out this recipe for side dish coleslaw recipe
This quick and easy coleslaw is the perfect side dish for any picnic or barbecue. This classic coleslaw recipe can be put together in minutes and easily customized to your favorite spices and flavors.
Total time: 10 minutes
Check out this recipe for salad corn salad recipe
This Summer Corn Salad is a light and tasty salad filled with corn, tomatoes, feta, basil, and cucumbers. It’s super easy and quick and perfect for parties and barbecues.
Total time: 7 minutes
Check out this recipe for Salad Broccoli Salad Recipe
This Sunshine Broccoli Salad is an easy, delicious, hearty broccoli salad topped with bacon, cranberries, sunflower seeds, and mixed with a delicious homemade mayo vinaigrette dressing that’s perfect for barbecues and parties.
Total time: 10 minutes
Check out this recipe for Salad, Side Dishes 7 Layer Salad Recipe
There are 7 delicious layers in this delicious layered salad. Not only is this recipe delicious, it’s easy to customize, and it’s great to make ahead!
Check out this recipe for a side dish fruit salad recipe
Fresh fruit salad, the perfect side dish to any meal! Colorful, healthy, delicious and full of your favorite fruits!
Total time: 1 hour 15 minutes
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both sides
side dish
The Memorial Day aspect is some of our favorites. If hosting, be sure to involve others and let them bring them along. Most are simple and require little preparation.
Most adults will have about 3-4 side dishes in total. Children will have 2-3 servings.
Side Dish How to Cut Watermelon
Is there anything better than a ripe, juicy watermelon? Learn how to cube watermelon efficiently and easily with our tips!
Check out this recipe for side dish fruit kebabs recipe
Colorful Fruit Kebabs are the perfect appetizer or side dish for any occasion! Load up on your favorite fruit and grab a snack.
Total time: 20 minutes
Check out this recipe for Side Dish Homemade Baked Beans
This Homemade Baked Beans recipe is a must-have for all of our BBQ places. This is such a simple and easy recipe that requires only five ingredients to cook in a crock pot.
Total time: 4 hours 5 minutes
Check out this recipe for appetizers, side dishes and sautéed zucchini recipe
Whether you’re serving it as a side dish or an appetizer, this restaurant-style fried zucchini is a family favorite. Deep fried to perfection, this dish is simply addictive, especially dipped in ranch and marinara!
Total time: 10 minutes
Check out this recipe for Main Dish Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
Everyone loves a good slow cooker recipe, and this Crock Pot Mac and Cheese is so easy, cheesy and delicious. With loads of cheese, butter, and sour cream, it’s hard not to love this creamy macaroni and cheese recipe.
Total time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Check out this recipe for side dish how to cook corn on the cob
Cooking corn on the cob is a piece of cake! You’ll love this juicy corn cobs on the side of any summer meal.
Total time: 15 minutes
Check out this recipe for Appetizing Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites Recipe
BBQ Bacon Wrapped Chicken Nuggets are easy, quick and delicious. Chicken wrapped in BBQ sauce and wrapped in bacon is a popular appetizer at any party!
Total time: 55 minutes
Check out this recipe for Appetizer Deviled Eggs Recipe
Nothing beats a smooth deviled egg appetizer! You’ll be surprised how easy these are to make. Full of flavor, super delicious, perfect for parties and vacations.
Total time: 30 minutes
Check out this recipe for Appetizing Baked Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Recipe
This recipe was inspired by one of our favorite Disneyland foods – Bengali BBQ Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Skewers! These kebabs only require 4 ingredients and grill in less than 10 minutes!
Total time: 20 minutes
Check out this recipe for Side Dish Roasted Asparagus
Roasted asparagus is the best side dish in almost any dinner recipe! Sprinkle with salt, pepper and a little parmesan cheese – this recipe is amazing!
Total time: 8 minutes
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dessert
dessert
It’s fun to make patriotic themed desserts for Memorial Day, or…