Hosting a New England cookout or need to make a dish to share? My Memorial Day Recipes include savory sides to enjoy with food off the grill, plus refreshing drinks, and sweet desserts. They're the perfect way to kick off the summer season!
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Doesn't it feel like forever since our last three-day holiday weekend? And even longer since we've had nice weather to host a fabulous outdoor cookout with drinks and games and friends and family and fun! Well, I have great news, folks: Memorial Day Weekend is right around the corner!
The official start to summer, Memorial Day weekend is when you want tasty, casual, and fuss-free foods for get-togethers. And that's why I put together this collection Memorial Day recipes.
There are cold salads, refreshing drinks, desserts made with fresh fruit and cool, creamy ingredients. There are even a few red, white, and blue desserts for an extra festive touch! I've also included two of my favorite sauces that are delicious spooned over grilled foods like burgers and sausages.
In a nutshell... 🐿️
- What this is: A festive collection of New England-inspired recipes designed to kick off the summer season with flavor and heart. From savory sides like baked beans to desserts sweetened with local maple, these recipes make Memorial Day gatherings with friends and family especially memorable.
- You'll love this part: The recipes are fuss-free and many can be made ahead of time, leaving you free to get out of the kitchen and enjoy the Memorial Day weekend sunshine with everyone.
- What to do with this collection: Peruse the recipes organized by drinks, desserts, sides, and sauce. Pin, bookmark, and save recipes to make for the weekend.
Jump to:
How do you celebrate Memorial Day?
If you celebrate Memorial Day weekend like my family and I do, you start by remembering why we have this holiday in the first place: to honor members of the military who died in service to our country, as well as the memories of veterans who are no longer with us.
My family and I do this by laying flowers and sharing memories of our grandfathers and other family members who served. Some years we catch a parade. We spend time outside, appreciative of the warmth, life, and color after a long, cold, gray New England winter. And of course, we get together with family and friends for a fun cookout.
Foods on the grill will include the classics, like burgers, steak, barbecue chicken, and kabobs. And don't forget those other recipes for Memorial Day that really complete the celebration: flavorful salads and sides, cool drinks, and luscious, sweet desserts.
Memorial Day FAQs
Burgers and hot dogs are probably the most popular foods to throw on the grill for a Memorial Day cookout, but there are plenty of other tasty things to grill! One of my favorites is grilled Sausage, Peppers, and Onions, piled into soft rolls. Try these recipes for grilled chicken thighs or grilled flatbreads. Or, just throw some ears of corn on there until they're charred and tender.
Since this holiday weekend usually means that friends and family are gathering together, choose easy recipes that feed a crowd of people. Better yet, find salads, drinks, and desserts that can be made ahead of time so that you're free to enjoy the party! Many of the recipes gathered in this Memorial Day Recipes collection can be made in advance and stored in the fridge until it's time for the party.
And remember—when folks coming to your house ask if they can bring anything, say "Yes!" A potluck gathering is one of the best New England traditions. It's a chance to let other food lovers share their favorite dishes, as well as taking some of the work off your own plate so you can relax and enjoy yourself.
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My Best Memorial Day Recipes
Alright, let's dig in! Here are tasty ideas for Memorial Day food recipes, organized by drinks, salads, and desserts. Pin them, bookmark them, or write them down to add to your recipe box!
Memorial Day Drinks
Lemon Margarita
Like sipping on sunshine! Lemon juice and limoncello bring bright lemon flavor to a traditional margarita.
Iced Spearmint Tea
Turn fresh garden spearmint into the most refreshing iced tea ever! Black tea is the perfect pairing for this herb.
Memorial Day Salads and Sides
Mamie's Baked Beans
My great-grandmother's New England-style baked beans are so delicious. And, you can make them ahead of time!
Rice Salad with Bacon and Tomatoes
A unique cold salad with lots of fresh flavor from basil, tomatoes, and olive oil.
Lemon, Chicken, Asparagus Pasta Salad
A colorful pasta salad with tantalizing flavor from goat cheese crumbles and a tangy dressing.
Memorial Day Grilling Recipe and Toppings
Hit the grill!
Grilled Sausages, Peppers, and Onions
Top the sausages with Blueberry Ketchup or Chilli Sauce—both are delicious!
Blueberry Ketchup
A sweet and savory ketchup unlike any other! It's a thick, simmered blend of blueberries, maple syrup, garlic, and peppers.
Chilli Sauce
My family recipe; a blend of tomatoes, peppers, and onions simmered with spices. We love this on burgers and grilled chicken!
Recipes for Memorial Day Desserts
Strawberry Cream Cheese Icebox Cake
The perfect celebration cake for the start of summertime fruit and berries! Make this no-bake cake ahead of time to slice up and serve at the cookout.
Honey Lilac Ice Cream
Lilacs are often in bloom for Memorial Day weekend. Gather up some blooms to make this sweet, no-churn ice cream that has a beautiful, light floral flavor.
Fruit of the Forest Pie
Use fresh rhubarb and berries in this stunning, 6-fruit pie, sweetened with maple and baked in a buttery crust!
Iced Vanilla Cozy-Ups
An easy cookie recipe with a lovely vanilla flavor! Choose red, white, and blue sprinkles to match the Memorial Day festivities.
Memories!
Here's a photo of that time I was lucky enough to share my Memorial Day recipes with the sweet folks at The Morning Brew, on our Local 22/44 news station.
Happy Memorial Day Weekend, Everyone!
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