Memorial Day Recipes You’ll Love

Memorial Day is a National holiday in the U.S. on that last Monday in May to honor the men and women who have sacrificed their lives while serving in our military. This day is usually celebrated with parades, ceremonies, and get-togethers with friends and family throughout the weekend. To help you celebrate, I have rounded up some amazing Memorial Day recipes including drinks, appetizers, main dishes and desserts that I guarantee you will love.

Memorial Day also marks for many the unofficial start to summer in the U.S. and its the perfect opportunity to kick off the warm-weather celebrations with a party. Whether you’re grilling in your backyard, hosting a barbecue, or taking a dish to a someone else’s gathering, these easy summer recipes that will be a hit this Memorial Day.

Some Tips on Making Your Memorial Day Festive & Patriotic

1. Red, White & Blue Decor – From red & white checkerboard tablecloths, or red plates, white napkins and blue plastic silverware – the options are endless and can be tweaked according to your budget. The best part is they can be used again for your 4th of July celebration!
2. Patriotic Themed Drinks – You can create refreshing beverages using red and blue fruits like strawberry lemonade or blueberry infused water. For adult beverages, you can make a Red, White & Blue Sangria or Margarita.
3. Red, White and Blue Desserts – You can create some sweet and colorful treats that incorporate the colors of the American flag in your desserts. Whether it be by using fresh fruits like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or bananas or dipping pretzel rods in coordinating candy color melts to make red, white & blue chocolate covered pretzels. Food coloring will make cupcakes look patriotic as well.
4. Serve Grilled American Classic Foods – Nothing says Memorial Day like grilling and cooking American classics like burgers and hot dogs.

Now that you have some inspiration for how to make your gathering more festive – let’s check out all of these recipes!

Memorial Day Inspired Drinks

Patriotic Strawberry Lemonade – Via Play, Party, Plan

Iced Tea – Via A Fresh, Squeezed Life

Patriotic Sangria – Via Happy, Healthy Mama

Red, White & Blue Drink for Kids – Via Passion for Savings

Memorial Day Recipes – Appetizers

7 Layer Taco Dip – A MommyAboveAll favorite

Bruschetta – Via Natasha’s Kitchen

Fresh Peach Salsa & Chips – Via I Food Real

Cheese, Cracker & Meat Charcuterie Board

Veggie Platter

Memorial Day Recipes – Main Dishes

Classic Hamburger & Hot dogs – Serve with all the fixings (relish, pickles, mustard, ketchup, onions, lettuce, tomatoes)

Grilled Chicken – Via Plain Chicken

Grilled Pork Tenderloin – Via It Is A Keeper

BBQ Chicken – Via Grill On A Dime

Grilled Steaks – The best marinades found here via The Girl On Floor

BBQ Baby Back Ribs – Via Self Proclaimed Foodie

Pulled Pork Sandwiches – Via Our Sweet Adventures

Ham & Turkey Club Pinwheels – Via Eat, Drink, Love

Memorial Day Recipes – Side Dishes

Grilled Corn – Via Savory Nothings

Baked Beans – Via Your Cup of Cake

Sweet & Tangy Coleslaw – Via The Chunky Chef

Macaroni & Cheese – Via Sweet Tea & Thyme

Collard Greens – Via Spend With Pennies

Macaroni Salad – Via Sugar Spun Run

Classic Pasta Salad – Via The Toasty Kitchen

Garden Salad – Via Recipe Tin Eats

Cucumber Tomato Salad – Via Eat Well 101

Panzanella Salad – Via Natasha’s Kitchen

Air Fryer French Fries – Via Make Your Meals

Grilled Asparagus – Via Foodie Crush

Desserts

Patriotic Chocolate Covered Pretzel Rods – Via House of Nash Eats

Red, White & Blue Fruit Salad via Eatin On A Dime with Fruit Dip via Food Lovin Family

Red, White & Blue Cupcakes – Via A Wicked Wisk

Berry Trifle Dessert – Via Life Love & Sugar

Flag Cake – Via Italian Bella Vita

S’mores Buffet – Via The Baker Mama

Memorial Day Platter – Via Old Salt Farm

What food do you eat on Memorial Day?

There are just some foods that I associate with Memorial Day. We always eat an assortment of grilled food such as hot dogs and burgers. Sometimes, we add grilled or barbecue chicken to the menu. Depending on how many people we are hosting, the fancier we get in serving up different dishes.

Baked beans and corn always make an appearance on the menu as well. My family also loves to snack on 7 Layer Dip while the main dish is cooking. 

What are some of your favorites for Memorial Day or cookouts in general? Let me know in the comments! Whatever you’re making, I hope you have an amazing Memorial Day!