Memorial Day is a poignant day of remembrance. It provides a moment for the nation to honor those who died in military service. This day also unofficially marks the beginning of summer, and is often celebrated with parades, picnics, and other gatherings. If you’re planning a cookout this year, use our Memorial Day recipes to create your menu. With potato salad, pulled pork, baked beans and refreshing desserts, as well as burgers, grilled chicken and sides, we have everything you need to commemorate this special holiday.
chili pie burger
This is a handheld riff on Frito pie and is sure to be a big hit at your Memorial Day cookout. A beef patty on a soft potato roll is topped with chili-flavored sautéed onions, pickled jalapeños, melted American cheese, and crunchy frito chips.
Fake cauliflower tat salad
If you think you can’t cook without potato salad, think again. This “Fake Tato” salad hits the mark while cutting out carbs. I never imagined that steamed cauliflower would be such a delicious garnish and substitute for white potatoes, but it is! Toss with celery, onion, and mustard vinaigrette and the flavors will meld and taste even better the next day.
red, white and blue potato chips
Skip store-bought potato chips and make a special anniversary recipe instead. Three different types of potatoes are used to give these chips an American flavor.
blueberry crumble
Blueberries, the shining star of summer, form the base of a sweet and jammy filling. The topping is a mixture of butter, brown sugar, and flour.
classic potato salad
Potato salad is a Memorial Day staple, and this recipe is absolutely delicious. Mayonnaise brings the creaminess it needs, while a few tablespoons of whole-grain mustard and sliced cornichons give it a tangy edge.
Classic North Carolina Pulled Pork
Instead of slow-cooking your pork, try grilling your boneless pork shoulder before pulling it up. Grilling gives the meat a smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweet and sticky barbecue sauce.
perfect lobster roll
Even if you don’t spend Memorial Day at the beach, this lobster roll will transport your taste buds to the seaside. The perfect blend of warm lobster rolls and cold lobster salad. Poached lobster meat is tossed with a little mayonnaise, lemon juice, and butter.
simple coleslaw
Perfect your anniversary meal with this easy coleslaw recipe. Nothing fancy or unexpected. Just lots of crunchy cabbage and carrots, and a wonderful combination of mayonnaise and Dijon mustard.
Herb salad of celery and cucumber
When it comes to entertainment for holidays like Memorial Day, our philosophy is that the more you can do in advance, the better. This humble and aromatic salad is perfect. You only need four ingredients and you can make the salad an hour or even up to a day in advance.
quick bbq sauce
Everyone’s favorite barbecue sauce recipe is perfect for adding to pulled pork sandwiches, grilled ribs, and even burgers. Our recipe only requires six ingredients: ketchup, light brown sugar, white wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, and cayenne pepper for heat.
martha’s strawberry ice cream
Memorial Day is the unofficial beginning of summer and also the beginning of ice cream season. Of course Martha has the perfect recipe. A beautiful pink ice cream made using 1 pound of whole strawberries. Optionally, if you want to give your booze an edge, add plenty of tequila or vodka.
Classic Burger – Joint Cheeseburger
Some might say it’s not a Memorial Day cookout without a cheeseburger. This recipe is spot on. You’ll need all the best ingredients: American cheese, thick-sliced tomatoes, dill pickle slices, and shredded lettuce.
cincinnati chili dogs
Want to serve something new at your cookout this year? Try this hot dog inspired by a Cincinnati classic. Layer the unexpectedly delicious cocoa-flavored chili peppers on top and garnish with diced onions, mustard, and sharp cheddar cheese.
Chewy brownie
Brownies are a favorite for any occasion, but they’re especially popular for casual backyard barbecues and Memorial Day cookouts. This easy recipe creates the ultimate fluffy treat.
baked beans with bacon
Homemade baked beans are a must-have recipe for anniversaries. A little garlic and fresh thyme add an earthy flavor that offsets the sweet barbecue-style sauce.
Grilled corn with chili lime salt
Grilled corn is juicy and delicious on its own, but it’s even better with grated Parmesan cheese, chipotle chili powder for added heat, and lime zest.
lemonade
Our homemade lemonade is the sweetest and couldn’t be easier to make. All you need is freshly squeezed lemon juice and granulated sugar to make this favorite anniversary drink.
strawberry biscuit sheet cake
A sheet cake that is easy to make but very special, a variation on strawberry shortcake. All the classic elements are there. It’s filled with crunchy sweet biscuits, whipped cream, and juicy berries, but in a crowd-feeding format.
Barbeque Chicken
Our all-star recipe cuts a whole chicken into breasts, thighs, and wings so everyone can choose their favorite parts. Grilled and tossed with a simple but wonderful sauce made with ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce.
No-bake blueberry cheesecake
No-bake desserts are on the agenda during the summer, and this one is perfect for Memorial Day weekend. This is because the light and creamy cheesecake is topped with a sweet blueberry compote made with berries that are in season right now.
lemon mezcal margarita
Surprise (and delight!) your loved one with this smoky twist on the classic margarita.
Grilled skirt steak and heart palm salad
Steak is a special treat for Memorial Day gatherings. Combine thinly sliced meat with grilled palm hearts and fresh vegetables to create this ultimate Thai salad that’s flavorful and just the right amount of heat.
Martha’s Sour Cherry Pie
Show off your baking skills for Memorial Day with this mouth-watering Sour Cherry Pie (one of Martha’s favorites of the season!) to round out the ultimate summer meal.
creamy macaroni salad
The combination of mayonnaise and low-fat yogurt brings creaminess and zesty flavor to this classic Memorial Day recipe. To add crunch, I added thinly sliced radish, celery, and dill pickles. This also counteracts the richness of this classic side.
Grilled chicken breast with lemon thyme sauce
Garnish grilled chicken breasts with a tangy sauce made with lemon juice, fresh thyme leaves, a pinch of sugar, and red pepper flakes for the holidays.
Gazpacho salad with croutons
Inspired by cold Spanish soups, this genius salad combines cherry tomatoes, yellow peppers, mini cucumbers, and croutons for a colorful and refreshing side dish.
balsamic potato salad
Even if you’re not a fan of mayonnaise-filled potato salads, you’ll love this delicate recipe. Toss red and Yukon gold potatoes with a combination of extra virgin olive oil and white balsamic vinegar, then add a handful of arugula for extra green and crunch.
zucchini dill pickle
Make your own homemade zucchini pickles and enjoy the crunchy flavor at your cookout. Soak the pumpkin in white vinegar and fresh dill with mustard seeds, cumin seeds, celery seeds, and chili peppers. Serve immediately or marinate for up to 1 month.
Rose sangria with nectarine and strawberry
Get the party started with this sangria recipe made with everyone’s favorite summer wine. Mix vodka, fresh strawberries, and sliced nectarines to let the fruit absorb the alcohol, then pour in two bottles of rosé and garnish with fresh mint.
7 layer ice cream cake
Colorful, patriotic, and super simple to make, this layered ice cream is made with store-bought ingredients. Plan ahead so you can get the layers right (yes, it’s an easy recipe, but there’s a big waiting game involved). Don’t be afraid to mix dairy-based ice cream with fruit sorbet for bold flavors and textures.
