20 of The Best Memorial Day Recipes For Outdoor Entertaining! - The Effortless Chic (2024)

Memorial Day is one of my favorite holidays! It's green light to summer fun and a perfect excuse to spend time with family and friends enjoying really, really good food! Keep reading for some of our favorite Memorial Day recipes!

20 of The Best Memorial Day Recipes For Outdoor Entertaining! - The Effortless Chic (1)

We won't be traveling this Memorial Day, but I am still very much looking forward to publishing my OOO email response and laying low with family and friends (preferably pool side!) this Memorial Day! Having a Memorial Day Barbecue? Picnic? Small dinner party with friends? Keep reading for all of our favorite dishes for this fun, summer holiday!

20 of The Best Memorial Day Recipes For Outdoor Entertaining! - The Effortless Chic (2)

Don't skip on appetizers this Memorial Day! Nothing sets the tone of a party like those first dishes that greet you when you walk in. Here are 5 of our favorite appetizer dishes!

20 of The Best Memorial Day Recipes For Outdoor Entertaining! - The Effortless Chic (3)

These Pretzel Hot Dogs with Maple Bacon Mustard via Cooking and Beer are not just calling, they're screaming my name! Bonus points for being kid-friendly, too!

20 of The Best Memorial Day Recipes For Outdoor Entertaining! - The Effortless Chic (4)

Yum! My first "street corn" experience was at Cafe Habana in New York and I've never been the same since. This Mexican Street Corn recipe via Seeded at the Table looks so good! (Best when served fresh off the grill!)

20 of The Best Memorial Day Recipes For Outdoor Entertaining! - The Effortless Chic (5)

This Ultimate Crudite Platter via The Omnivore's Cookbook is a great thing to bring as a guest. It's a dish that travels well and looks like you took a lot of time to prepare it. When in truth it's really simple to pull together.

20 of The Best Memorial Day Recipes For Outdoor Entertaining! - The Effortless Chic (6)

These Bacon Wrapped Ranch Stuffed Jalapeno Peppers via Belle of the Kitchen are a staple of our family celebrations! You won't be disappointed!

20 of The Best Memorial Day Recipes For Outdoor Entertaining! - The Effortless Chic (7)

Our past Memorial Day festivities have been known to span many hours! The best parties often times starter early and go late! If you're getting things started around noontime, check out these lunch recipe ideas to add to your menu...

20 of The Best Memorial Day Recipes For Outdoor Entertaining! - The Effortless Chic (8)

The Aloha Burger with Island Jerk Pineapple via Half Baked Harvest is the king of burgers, especially if you're celebrating the start of summer!

20 of The Best Memorial Day Recipes For Outdoor Entertaining! - The Effortless Chic (9)

These are not your dad's hot dogs... Unless you're dad makes Mexican Mole Hot Dogs via Country Cleaver. (In which case, go dad!)

20 of The Best Memorial Day Recipes For Outdoor Entertaining! - The Effortless Chic (10)

These Coconut Honey Lime Chicken Skewers via Half Baked Harvest are such a healthy alternative to other traditional Memorial Day foods. You can set them out with rice, roasted veggies and a plethora of garnishes for a build your own mediterranean bowl / plate situation that's a total crowd pleaser!

20 of The Best Memorial Day Recipes For Outdoor Entertaining! - The Effortless Chic (11)

Zero things scream summer more to me than stonefruit mixed with herbs and soft cheese. This Summer Nectarine Salad via Honestly Yum looks delish.

20 of The Best Memorial Day Recipes For Outdoor Entertaining! - The Effortless Chic (12)
The trick to Memorial Day dinners is creating a menu that can be made mostly ahead of time so you're free to enjoy the festivities and merry making along with your guests!

20 of The Best Memorial Day Recipes For Outdoor Entertaining! - The Effortless Chic (13)

The pulled pork from these Pulled Pork Sliders via What's Gaby Cooking can be made much earlier in the day or even the day before and reheated. Just add buns, pickles, and pickled onions for a delicious and satisfying main course!

20 of The Best Memorial Day Recipes For Outdoor Entertaining! - The Effortless Chic (14)

Again, make the meat ahead of time and then put out the tortillas, garnishes and sauces. Super easy for hosting! (Beer Braised Chipotle Chicken Tacos via How Sweet Eats)

20 of The Best Memorial Day Recipes For Outdoor Entertaining! - The Effortless Chic (15)

Yum! These Bratwurst with Zucchini and Apple Slaw and Sriracha Aioli via Wilde Flavors take your average Memorial Day hot dogs to the next level. Up the ante even more with homemade buns from your local bakery.

20 of The Best Memorial Day Recipes For Outdoor Entertaining! - The Effortless Chic (16)

We made this Self-Serve Fajita Taco Board via The Effortless Chic for a dinner party a couple of years ago and it was the perfect no fuss dinner option! People could serve themselves and experiment with different flavor combinations.

20 of The Best Memorial Day Recipes For Outdoor Entertaining! - The Effortless Chic (17)

20 of The Best Memorial Day Recipes For Outdoor Entertaining! - The Effortless Chic (18)

I'm on such a tea latte kick right now! This Iced Hibiscus Tea Latte via The Merry Thought recipe sounds like the perfect thing to sip poolside!

20 of The Best Memorial Day Recipes For Outdoor Entertaining! - The Effortless Chic (19)

I love a thicker blended co*cktail for slow sipping with friends. This Peach, Ginger, and Mint Slushie recipe via Camille Styles sounds perfect for a hot day!

20 of The Best Memorial Day Recipes For Outdoor Entertaining! - The Effortless Chic (20)

Eden is the co*cktail queen so I'm not at all surprised that her Sparkling Grapefruit co*cktails via Sugar and Charm are so refreshing and tasty!

20 of The Best Memorial Day Recipes For Outdoor Entertaining! - The Effortless Chic (21)

I love a classic margarita, so I can be weary of alterations, but this Citrus and Spice Margarita via Apartment 34 is so, so good!

20 of The Best Memorial Day Recipes For Outdoor Entertaining! - The Effortless Chic (22)

20 of The Best Memorial Day Recipes For Outdoor Entertaining! - The Effortless Chic (23)

Blackberry cobbler? Good! Ice Cream? Good! Put them together and this No-Churn Blackberry Cobbler Ice Cream via The Effortless Chic is very, very good!

20 of The Best Memorial Day Recipes For Outdoor Entertaining! - The Effortless Chic (24)

Peach season might be my favorite thing about the spring, behind wildflowers. This Peach and Plum Crumble via Love and Lemons looks so refreshing and delicious!

20 of The Best Memorial Day Recipes For Outdoor Entertaining! - The Effortless Chic (25)

What is it about ice cream sandwiches? They just always seem like the ultimate delicious summer indulgence to me and these ice cream sandwiches via Sugar and Charm are no exception! Yum!

20 of The Best Memorial Day Recipes For Outdoor Entertaining! - The Effortless Chic (26)

This Blueberry Oat Pie via Truffles and Trendscan be made ahead served chilled making it the perfect dessert for a hot day!

20 of The Best Memorial Day Recipes For Outdoor Entertaining! - The Effortless Chic (2024)

FAQs

What is a good menu Memorial Day cookout? ›

Many of the recipes are meant to be prepared ahead and simply set out, while others are best grilled as you chat with guests.
  1. Classic Potato Salad. Image. ...
  2. Shrimp a la Plancha. Image. ...
  3. Pineapple Upside-Down Cake. Image. ...
  4. Margarita. Image. ...
  5. Savory Fruit Salad. Image. ...
  6. Tajín Grilled Chicken. ...
  7. Browned-Butter Rhubarb Crisp. ...
  8. Broccoli Salad.
May 24, 2023

What is the most popular food on Memorial Day? ›

11 All-American Foods for Memorial Day
  • Barbecue. ...
  • Buffalo Wings and Sauce. ...
  • Philly Cheesesteak. ...
  • Lobster Roll. ...
  • Corn Dogs. ...
  • Ranch Dressing. ...
  • S'mores. ...
  • Apple Pie. It would be all but criminal to write a blog about iconic American food without including apple pie.
May 29, 2022

What is best dish to bring to a cookout? ›

Get the Classic Coleslaw recipe.
  • Carne Asada. ...
  • Antipasto Potato Salad. ...
  • Hawaiian Macaroni Salad. ...
  • Baked Beans. ...
  • Grilled Beer Brats. ...
  • Grilled Chicken Kebabs. ...
  • Oven-Baked BBQ Ribs. ...
  • Corn & Tomato Gnocchi Foil Packets.
Jun 7, 2023

What do people eat on Memorial Day? ›

This is a recipe you'll turn to all summer long.
  • 02 of 25. Quesadillas al Pastor. ...
  • 05 of 25. Grilled Chicken Sandwich With Tangy Honey Barbecue Sauce. ...
  • 08 of 25. Southern-Style Grilled Cobb Salad. ...
  • 11 of 25. Bacon Cheeseburger. ...
  • 14 of 25. Sweet Heat Hot Dogs. ...
  • 17 of 25. Cheesy Mushroom Sliders.
May 14, 2023

What do people barbecue on Memorial Day? ›

  • Hawaiian Chicken Pineapple Kabobs. 790.
  • BBQ Teriyaki Pork Kabobs. ...
  • All-American Burger Dog. ...
  • Grilled Chicken Spiedies.

What do people BBQ on Memorial Day? ›

The grill master in your house will earn kudos with the Tequila Lime Steak, Barbecue Burgers, Best Pork Ribs, Steak Kababs, Garlic Shrimp and Marinated Ribeyes. If you're looking for some finger-licking good chicken, grab the ingredients for Tangy Grilled Chicken, Sweet Southern Barbecue Chicken or Key Lime Chicken!

What do people normally eat on Memorial Day? ›

Traditional Memorial Day food often includes American classics, such as burgers, hot dogs, and ribs—usually cooked on the grill. Alongside these meaty mains, people often serve veggie-based sides, like corn on the cob, potato salad, and various dips.

What food do people eat on Memorial Day? ›

This is a recipe you'll turn to all summer long.
  • 02 of 25. Quesadillas al Pastor. ...
  • 05 of 25. Grilled Chicken Sandwich With Tangy Honey Barbecue Sauce. ...
  • 08 of 25. Southern-Style Grilled Cobb Salad. ...
  • 11 of 25. Bacon Cheeseburger. ...
  • 14 of 25. Sweet Heat Hot Dogs. ...
  • 17 of 25. Cheesy Mushroom Sliders.
May 14, 2023

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