15 Must-Have Recipes For Your Memorial Day Cookout | Stroller in the City (2024)

Memorial Day Weekend is around the corner and while everyone is making plans, I’m dying to know what is on everyone’s Memorial Day menu!? I know a lot of people are hosting and maybe aren’t sure what recipes to make as well as guests who are looking for great sides to bring. This is one of those weekends where you cannot go wrong with the food at all! Anything goes, really! Fresh fruit salads, a sweet treat, finger foods and any other food that feels like it would belong at a backyard bbq or family cookouts ultimately would work! If you’re looking for an easy recipe for Memorial Day celebration gatherings, I’ve got you covered! All recipes are linked to the original creators and I hope you enjoy them!

15 Must-Have Recipes For Your Memorial Day Cookout | Stroller in the City (1)

Bite Size Burgers

Finger food is key for this holiday. There are normally a lot of people at these parties and it’s not only the quickest option, but it really helps with the cleanup part! This is a super quick recipe that can be done in the oven, you don’t even need a grill if you don’t have one. Not to mention the fact that these are a total crowd-pleaser!

15 Must-Have Recipes For Your Memorial Day Cookout | Stroller in the City (2)

Sunny Side Up Veggie Burger

Let’s talk ultimate veggie burgers! It’s always good to have options that everyone can enjoy. This is for the people who don’t eat red meat or meat at all. Can I just say how delicious this looks? And there’s a ton of protein between the veggie patty and egg.

Grilled Orange Chicken Skewers

Every Memorial Day gathering needs a good chicken recipe! It has really fresh, basic ingredients that begin with chicken breast and include orange zest and any either vegetable oil or olive oil. It’s also a pretty good finger food option!

15 Must-Have Recipes For Your Memorial Day Cookout | Stroller in the City (3)

Ultimate Loaded Chili-Topped Hot Dogs

Did you think I would forget a hot dog dish? Absolutely not! What is more patriotic? This has all of the ultimate toppings and fresh herbs. What better dish to end your long weekend with?

Buffalo Wings

Chicken wings are the best dish for any warm weather special day. Really, I’ll take any excuse to make them and what’s a better American-styled wing than buffalo wings?! You can be sure to please your guests with this delicious recipe!

15 Must-Have Recipes For Your Memorial Day Cookout | Stroller in the City (4)

Grilled Corn with Smoky Butter

Let’s keep it real here, side dishes steal the show sometimes and we should let them! Corn is a necessity! When I saw this recipe for smoky butter, I thought it would be perfect for the unofficial start of summer! This is another really quick recipe that is easy to do and it’s perfect for any gathering!

Classic Potato Salad

Every summer cookout needs a potato salad. Sorry, I don’t make the rules! But seriously, this is a really easy recipe to make that a lot of people enjoy. It’s also one that is simple to amend ingredients if you needed!

15 Must-Have Recipes For Your Memorial Day Cookout | Stroller in the City (5)

Watermelon Feta Salad

A refreshing, healthy side is sometimes exactly what we need! It’s good to have a variety of options and what is more summer than watermelon?! Sometimes I crave cold, fresh vegetables and lemon juice or lime juice, so the thought of this on a warm day is heavenly.

Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Every get-together needs to have a good dip. This is a classic option and sure to be a crowd-pleaser! My mouth is watering just thinking about sticking tortilla chips and colorful vegetables in it.

15 Must-Have Recipes For Your Memorial Day Cookout | Stroller in the City (6)

Red Sangria

Sangria is always a great option because it’s full of fresh fruit and so sweet, that it tends to be a drink most people lean towards. There’s something so summery about it, too! It’s super easy to throw together and you don’t need to spend a lot of money at all!

15 Must-Have Recipes For Your Memorial Day Cookout | Stroller in the City (7)

Peach Iced Tea

How refreshing does this look and sound?! I love a good home-made iced tea recipe and this one takes practically no time to put together. It’s a great option to keep your guests hydrated, too.

Layered Blackberry and Turmeric Lemonade

I can guarantee you that your guests have never had this recipe and trust me when I tell you it is going to feel so good to introduce them to it! We can begin with how stunning this drink is, I can’t stop staring! It seems intimidating, but it’s actually not difficult to create. It’s a fairly simple recipe that you are going to want to make on a regular basis.

15 Must-Have Recipes For Your Memorial Day Cookout | Stroller in the City (8)

Rustic Strawberry Tart and Sweetened Whipped Cream

Fresh strawberries scream summer season to me! This recipe is such a good home-made one to bring to friends and family gatherings for any special occasion and the beginning of summer. It’s a step easier than baking a pie, but just as good! It will make your Memorial Day party even better! Nothing beats bake desserts. You could even swap the whipped cream for ice cream, if you’d like.

Puff Pastry Cones

If you’re looking for an incredibly simple dessert for Memorial Day food or even a July 4th celebration, this one is for you! What’s really cool about this recipe is that you can put anything in that you’d like and sub out for things depending on the crowd. You can use your favorite berries, and add cream cheese to whipped cream to make it the perfect treat! And it can be sweet or savory!

15 Must-Have Recipes For Your Memorial Day Cookout | Stroller in the City (9)

Grilled Chocolate Angel Food Cake

Yeah, you heard that right! Don’t be intimidated by putting a cake on a grill, it actually helps to caramelize it and make it that much better. The recipe itself is fairly simple, as well, I promise you, that you cannot mess this one up!

This post was originally published May 13th, 2022*

For more recipes, visit here!

15 Must-Have Recipes For Your Memorial Day Cookout | Stroller in the City (10)

15 Must-Have Recipes For Your Memorial Day Cookout | Stroller in the City (2024)

FAQs

What is a good menu Memorial Day cookout? ›

There are tons of creative Memorial Day foods like grilled watermelon, lamb burgers, and a potato salad with green goddess dressing. Otherwise, stick to the classics with grilled steak, kebabs, and skillet cornbread. You'll be making these cookout favorites all summer long!

What is the most eaten food on Memorial Day? ›

Top 7 Memorial Day Dishes & Their Historical Significance
  • Barbecue Ribs: A Journey Through American Barbecue. Barbecue ribs carry a rich heritage deeply rooted in American barbecue culture. ...
  • Grilled Chicken: A Mid-20th Century Marvel. ...
  • Corn on the Cob: A Native American Staple. ...
  • Coleslaw and Potato Salad: European Influences.
May 19, 2023

What is a good food to bring to a cookout? ›

Get the Watermelon Caprese recipe.
  • Baked Beans. PHOTO: NICO SCHINCO; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON. ...
  • Campfire Hot Dog Skewers. PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON. ...
  • Grilled Stuffed Peppers. ...
  • Classic Coleslaw. ...
  • Grilled Beer Brats. ...
  • Grilled Shrimp Piccata Skewers. ...
  • Hawaiian Macaroni Salad. ...
  • Antipasto Potato Salad.
Apr 18, 2024

What are foods Americans eat at a cookout on holidays? ›

Proteins like hamburger patties, hotdogs, chicken or shrimp are all common foods to throw on the grill. Bringing a side dish like salads, vegetables and fruits is the perfect complement to the hearty main course. Cold drinks like water, soda and lemonade are also essential to keep hydrated during this hot holiday.

What do I need for a last minute cookout? ›

Green onions, parsley, garlic, and Dijon bring major flavor to gluten-free penne noodles tossed with the colorful pop of radishes and grape tomatoes.
  1. Cowboy Beans. ...
  2. Easy Orzo Salad. ...
  3. Grilled Corn on the Cob with BBQ Butter. ...
  4. Southern-style Potato Salad. ...
  5. Quick and Easy New England-style Baked Beans.

What is memorial meal? ›

The purposes of the Memorial evening meal are to remember Jesus and show gratitude for the sacrifice that he made on behalf of humanity. This Memorial is also known as the Lord's Supper, the Last Supper or the Lord's Evening Meal.

How many hotdogs will be eaten on Memorial Day? ›

It's estimated that over 800 hot dogs are eaten on Memorial Day…per second. This means nearly 72 million hot dogs are eaten on this day alone…

What's the biggest meal of the day? ›

Even if you can't eat an early dinner, you should try to make breakfast and lunch your biggest meals of the day and dinner your smallest. If you're used to eating a small lunch and a big dinner, then switch the order. You can make your dinner a meal that's heavy on vegetables to lighten it up.

What is the best side dish to bring to a cookout? ›

Bring on the millions of pasta salads, fruit salads, green salads and of course the baked beans and potato salad, too. Here is a compilation of some amazing, fun, and delicious summer BBQ side dishes.

What to bring to a barbecue to impress? ›

7 Things to Bring to a Summer BBQ (That Are Way Better Than Chips!)
  1. Fresh Fruit Platter. ...
  2. Tasty Skewers With Fresh Veggies & Produce. ...
  3. Margarita Pitchers. ...
  4. Desserts From Yours Truly. ...
  5. Quebrada Corn Muffins. ...
  6. A Refreshing Salad (with or without pasta) ...
  7. A Keg, or a Few Six Packs.

What to bring to a neighborhood barbecue? ›

Tasty BBQ side dishes
  • American potato salad. Nothing says BBQ quite like a classic potato salad. ...
  • Baked beans with bacon. ...
  • Avocado and shrimp salad. ...
  • 3-bean salad. ...
  • Three cheese baked mac. ...
  • Sweet potato salad. ...
  • Apple and fennel salad with blue cheese. ...
  • Watermelon, cucumber, and feta salad.
Mar 17, 2022

What do I need for a cookout? ›

BBQ on a Budget: 11 Things You Need to Host the Perfect Cookout
  1. Lawn Games.
  2. Beer.
  3. Ice Cream.
  4. Proper/Sturdy Tools.
  5. Gloves.
  6. Wood Planks.
  7. Meat Thermometer.
  8. Portable Speakers.
May 1, 2015

Do people BBQ for Memorial Day? ›

It also happens to be the unofficial kickoff to Summer, so it is the perfect time to get the grill out and call your family and friends over to enjoy some good food and fun! Whether you're an experienced pit master or just getting started, this guide will help you prepare for the perfect Memorial Day 2023 BBQ.

Do people have BBQ on Memorial Day? ›

Remember, the best part of a Memorial Day BBQ is getting loved ones together, so don't stress out about little mishaps and enjoy spending time with friends and family!

What side dish should I take to a cookout? ›

The 65 Best Summer Side Dishes To Complement Any Cookout
  • 02 of 65. Sweet Potato-And-Cabbage Slaw. ...
  • 05 of 65. Simple Roasted Okra. ...
  • 08 of 65. Cucumber-And-Vidalia Onion Salad. ...
  • 11 of 65. Hush Puppies. ...
  • 14 of 65. Sesame, Tomato, And Cucumber Salad. ...
  • 17 of 65. Strawberry-Tomato Salad.
Apr 22, 2024

How can I host a cheap cookout? ›

How to Throw an Awesome Cookout on a Budget
  1. Avoid Grill-Ready Meats. Don't give in to convenience when you're looking for grilling ideas. ...
  2. Bake Desserts at Home. ...
  3. Make Your Own Marinades. ...
  4. Shop at Your Local Farmers Market. ...
  5. Buy in Bulk. ...
  6. Go Big With Drinks. ...
  7. Plan Your Cookout Menu. ...
  8. Get Cheap Decor and Pool Gear.
Aug 3, 2018

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