Memorial Day BBQ Menu Ideas
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Planning your Memorial Day menu? Maybe you’re just bringing one dish to a potluck or you might be crafting the entire menu yourself. Whatever the case, here are the best recipe ideas for Memorial Day to help get you started!
We’re breaking it down into four categories – appetizers, main entrees, side dishes, and festive desserts.
Alright, let’s get start building out your Memorial Day menu! These food ideas are sure to impress family and friends who are coming over for the holiday.
Appetizers
If you’re hosting a party, everyone will love a spread of appetizers before the main dish! Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Red, White, and Blue Pretzel Bites
First up is these red, white and blue pretzel bites. You can save these for dessert, but I think they are fun to add to the appetizer set-up since they are so small and handheld.
Watermelon Bites with Feta and Blueberry
The combination might sound odd, but it’s surprisingly so good. Plus, how festive are the colors? Everyone will be raving about these watermelon bites!
Red, White & Blue Cheese Board
If you love a good charcuterie board, try this festive Memorial Day spread. It’s got the sweet and savory flavors everyone adores.
Red, White and Blue Summer Snack Tray
This snack tray couldn’t be easier to build! I love the idea for a festive patriotic look. Plus, kids will love munching off this one as well.
Parmesan Zucchini Chips
Try these parmesan zucchini chips for an appetizer everyone will leave talking about. It’s a fun way to sneak in a veggie, too.
Appetizer Boats
For appetizer hour, have these appetizer boats on hand. That way you aren’t using up the plates you’ve saved for the main meal.
Super Nacho Dip
This nacho dip is great for any spread. Especially for a BBQ or potluck style Memorial Day celebration, you really can’t beat it.
Cowgirl Caviar
Have you ever had cowgirl caviar before? It’s so flavorful and the perfect appetizer. Add this one to your list of Memorial Day menu ideas!
Fruit Salsa
Fruit salsa is a great way to bring in the red and blue colors for Memorial Day. It compliments any veggie tray perfectly.
BBQ Ranch Chicken Flatbread
Slice this bbq ranch chicken flatbread into thin strips for easy grab and go appetizer options. It’s great for game days, too.
Drink Recipes
Don’t forget to make a festive drink to serve with your Memorial Day menu!
Red White & Blue Italian Ice Champagne Floats {& Kid-Friendly Version}
How cute are these floats? You can make them with champagne or without. It really depends on whether or not you are hosting a party with kids.
Refreshing Hibiscus Mocktail
This mocktail is the perfect shade of red for Memorial Day. Whip up several or make a pitcher full to serve a crowd.
Grab These Festive Cups
Even if you’re just serving tea and lemonade, having these patriotic cups for your party makes everything more fun!
Red, White, & Blue Sangria
Festive and fun, you can use this idea for Memorial Day or the 4th of July! It’s the ultimate party drink.
Homemade Strawberry Lemonade Recipe
Everyone loves a good strawberry lemonade recipe. Beat the May heat with this outstanding recipe.
Red White and Blue Layered Slush
Layered slushies? I’m in! These will be the hit of the party.
Main Entrees
Now that your appetizers and drinks are out of the way, it’s time to pick out your main entree. These dishes are proven winners for a Memorial Day get together.
Grilled Marinated Beef Kabobs
Turn on the grill and make these marinated beef kabobs. They are easy to serve to a crowd and a great Memorial Day entree idea.
Memorial Day Disposable Plates
Don’t worry with doing dishes! Use these soak proof plates instead that are still super festive.
Turkey Burger Sliders
Slider sandwiches are always a hit for Memorial Day! These turkey burger sliders are delish and a slightly healthier route than the traditional slider sandwich.
BBQ Chicken Marinade
BBQ Chicken is another great Memorial Day entree idea. This main dish is simple to make a has all the right flavors.
Spicy Honey Crispy Baked Chicken Wings
Who doesn’t love chicken wings? Spicy honey baked chicken wings go perfectly with any pasta salad or simple side dish.
Grilled Shrimp Skewers
We’re fans of kabobs or skewers around here for summer holidays. Shrimp skewers use a protein you might not get as often, making it a special Memorial Day treat.
Easy Cheeseburger Sliders
Stick to a classic and go for cheeseburger sliders. Ground beef, melty cheese, pickles and slider rolls, you really can’t go wrong.
Side Dishes
To compliment your main entree selection, pick 1-2 side dishes to make. These are all great to pair with chicken, beef, or shrimp. These summer salads and other side dish ideas are the best options for Memorial Day dinner!
Watermelon Salad with Feta
First up is a classic watermelon salad. You may as well take advantage of watermelon season and serve it up when you can!
Broccoli Salad
Broccoli salad goes great with slider sandwiches or BBQ chicken. Plus, this dish throws in some health benefits, too.
Easy Cucumber Quinoa Salad with Feta
If you’ve never tried quinoa before, it really is a tasty and healthy grain! This cucumber quinoa salad is fresh and flavorful. Try it with your Memorial Day menu!
Cheddar Gruyère Mac and Cheese
Craving something comforting and decadent? This mac and cheese recpie is ooey gooey good.
Ranch Roasted Red Potatoes
Simple red roasted potatoes pair great with any BBQ dish. You could also serve these up with baked beans or a simple side salad.
Best Ever Crockpot Baked Beans
Is there anything more summer time inspired than baked beans at a potluck BBQ cookout?
Cranberry Apple Slaw
Try something more unique with this cranberry apple slaw. Everyone will be talking about how tasty it was!
Italian Bow Tie Pasta Salad
Pasta salad is a staple when it comes to hosting outdoor parties. Especially for Memorial Day, the 4th of July, or Labor Day, it’s a must.
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad Recipe
Macaroni salad is sure to be a hit!
Perfect Corn on the Cob
I love a fresh piece of corn on the cob come summertime. As soon as Memorial Day rolls around, I’m ready to perfect my corn on the cob recipe. This one makes it easy!
Chickpea and Avocado Salad
Another tasty little side dish option is this chickpea and avocado salad. It’s bright, fresh, flavorful, and full of color.
Elote Pasta Salad
Elote pasta salad is quickly becoming one of the most popular pasta salad variations out there. It’s a unique spin on classic pasta salad that will pair beautifully with your Memorial Day spread.
Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Salad
More of a sun-dried tomato type of pasta salad person? Try this recipe!
Garlic Roasted Asparagus
We all need a little more veggie in our life, so this asparagus dish is perfect. It’s got great flavor from the garlic and is roasted up to perfection.
Desserts
Alright, on to the most fun of all. Desserts! Memorial Day desserts are your opportunity to really make something fun and festive. These ideas are mostly all red, white, and blue to really stand out for the patriotic holiday. They all have a fun Memorial Day spin which makes them a hit for any party.
Rice Krispie Treats
These Rice Krispie treats are a great dessert or snack to celebrate the holiday. I love the layers of red, white, and blue! How festive, right?
Sour Cream Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Sugar cookies are always a safe bet, and these are decorated in the most fun way for Memorial Day. Grab the recipe!
Patriotic Cupcakes
Who doesn’t love a good cupcake? These have a patriotic spin which make them perfect for Memorial Day.
Red White and Blue Cake
How gorgeous is the inside of this red, white, and blue cake? It’s a true stunner! If you make this one, be sure and snap a picture.
Red White and Blue Cookies
Keep it simple with these delicious cookies. Find red, white, and blue M&M’s to really spruce them up!
Patriotic Chocolate Bark Recipe
Chocolate bark isn’t just for Christmas. It’s fun all year! This take on chocolate bark is perfect for Memorial Day. Once you master these, you could make them again for the 4th of July.
American Flag Fruit Pizza
Fruit pizza is a timeless dessert everyone always seems to love. This American flag inspired fruit pizza is a great ending to your Memorial Day feast.
Red White and Blue Cheesecake Salad
Cheesecake salad will quickly become your newest love. This one has berries that are red and blue
Firecracker Bundt Cake
This bundt cake is absolutely perfect for Memorial Day! It’s so festive and has bright colors the kids will go nuts over.
Philadelphia No Bake Cheesecake
For a chic, classic dessert idea for Memorial Day try this no bake cheesecake. Decorate it with fresh fruit to add that perfect pop of red and blue.
Jello Poke Cake
Try a jello poke cake for this Memorial Day! It’s a simple dessert idea that you can easily make to celebrate the summer holiday.
Red, White and Blue Berry Cobbler
Check out this berry cobbler with star shaped crust! Pair it with plain vanilla ice cream for an irresistible dessert.
Berry Cheesecake Puff Pastry
This puff pastry is a great Memorial Day menu idea!
Patriotic Bundt Cake
This simple bundt cake is perfectly patriotic and you can easily adorn it with some American flag toothpicks.
Red, White and Blue Funfetti Dip
A funfetti dip like this one is a great kid-friendly dessert idea. Have fun figuring out what to dunk in the goodness!
Conclusion
Memorial Day is a fun holiday because it often kicks off summer! These festive events are a great occassion for fun menu ideas. Bring out the patriotic colors and summer inspired dishes.
