47 Memorial Day Party Recipes for the Perfect Summer Celebration (2024)

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Grilled Tomatoes

Tomatoes on the grill are a great way to enjoy summer's favorite vegetablesor fruit, or... tomatoes. It's true that tomatoes are fruits, botanically speaking, and it shows in their soft texture.These juicy, bright grilled tomatoes are good hot or at room temperature, making them a great choice for easy entertaining, since they can be done before anyone shows up at the door or in the yard.

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Painkiller co*cktail

The Painkiller is apopulartropical co*cktail. It was created in the 1970s at the Soggy Dollar Bar in the British Virgin Islands. It's a fun and fruity mix of pineapple, orange, coconut, and a bold rum. Just as summer hits us with warm, sunny days, this is the ideal drink for backyard entertainment.

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Old-Fashioned Watermelon Rind Pickles

If you thought thewatermelon rindwas just for the compost bin, think again. This old-fashioned recipe from down South takes what is usually discarded when eating this summer fruit and makes it into a sweet treat. Watermelon rind pickles can be served as part of an appetizer or picnic spread with other pickles and snacks or simply enjoyed as a sweet snack anytime the mood strikes.

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White Bean Hummus Dip (Gluten-free)

Need a quick appetizer for your guests? Make this white bean hummus with ingredients you probably already have on hand. This is a simple recipe is made with the usual suspects, including olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice, and seasoned with a bit of cumin and fresh parsley, but made with white beans instead of chickpeas for a completely different flavor profile and texture.

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Thai Rice Noodle Salad With Chili-Lime Vinaigrette

This Thai rice noodle salad is fresh and flavorful, and it's simple to make, too. It featuresvermicelli rice noodlesand lots of fresh summer vegetables—feel free to add or substitute depending on what's available at your local market. You also have the option of tossing in cooked baby shrimp ortofu.

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Grilled Shrimp With Garlic Butter Dipping Sauce Recipe

Quick and easy to prepare, and full of fantastic flavor, these buttery grilled shrimp are destined to be the hit of any barbecue. The grill gives them a delicious, smoky flavor, and adds to delicious garlic butter sauce spiked with a dash of hot sauce. Serve them on skewers as a hand-held appetizer, or alongside steak.

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Simple Steak Seasoning

The grill is a great way to cook spice-rubbed steaks when you are hosting backyard guests. Skip the pricey store-bought steak rubs and make your own at home, with basic pantry ingredients.Our simple seasoning blend contains just the right amount of salt to maximize flavor, and can be easily customized to suit your tastes.

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Balsamic Tomato Salad

Ripe, juicy tomatoes don't need much to make them sing. A simple dressing ofbalsamic vinegar, garlic, and fresh herbs are all you need for a summery salad. It's easy to throw together for a barbecue, and can be made ahead of time and stashed in the fridge until serving time.

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Tender Slow-Grilled Beef Ribs

Although not as popular as pork ribs, beef ribs are a great alternative and cook similarly to a rack of pork ribs. The secret to mouthwateringbeef ribsis to cook them low and slow overindirectheat; this not only makes them tender and very flavorful, but it helps prevent them from drying out.

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Shrimp and Pineapple Kebabs

This is a quick and simple way to prepare Hawaiian shrimp kebabs any day of the week that the entire family will love. Since shrimp go so well with just about anything, you can add slices of green bell pepper or red onion to the skewers. Grill the entire dinner by threading a few extra skewers with mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, peppers, and onion.

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Birria Tacos

Birriais a traditional Mexican dish that originates in the states of Jalisco, Aguascalientes, and Zacatecas. It starts with a braised meat, traditionally in some regions goat or lamb, in other regions, beef. The meat goes in the tortillas, and they're served with the braising liquid, called consomé (not to be confused with a classic French consommé).

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Air Fryer Hot Dogs

The ultimate way to cook hotdogs is in the air fryer! It’s fast, easy, and mess free. No grill to heat up, water to boil, or splattering in a pan. Just toss them in the air fryer for five minutes and you’ve got the perfect snappy hot dogs. You can make multiple hot dogs at a time and can even toast them inside a bun.

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Bulgogi Chicken

Spice things up for your holiday spread with this smoky, sweet bulgogi chicken. Bulgogi is most often made with thinly sliced beef, but it’s just as fantastic with chicken. Use a grill if you can—bulgogi means “fire meat” after all—and don’t be afraid of a little char. The smoky sizzle of a charcoal fire can't be beat.

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Garlic Burger Patties

The garlic burger is a quick and deliciousburger pattythat uses ingredients already in your pantry. Yourfamily and guests will think they are having one of the best burgers ever. You can serve them on hamburger buns, but a low-carb option is to use large lettuce leaves to make lettuce wraps.

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Asparagus Pasta Salad Recipe

This vegetarian and vegan asparaguspasta saladwith tomatoes, fresh parsley and tossed in a quick and easy balsamic vinaigrette dressing is perfect for when fresh asparagus is in season. This recipe is an easy side to bulk out your holiday table.

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Watermelon Punch

Watermelon punch is the ultimate non-alcoholic party drink to kick off summer, and is even better when the punch bowl is the watermelon. Made entirely with fresh fruit, plus some sugar for sweetness, it's a fun and easy way for everyone to cool off at your outdoor bash.

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Fresh Corn Fritters

These easy corn fritters are sweet and delicate, and a great way to use fresh sweet corn, especially once the thrill of eating corn on the cob has worn off and you're looking for something new. Serve these fritters plain or with a spicysalsa fresca,cilantro sauce, or other zesty sauce to highlight their sweetness.

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Picnic Potato Salad With Eggs

Potato salad is a classic dish for summer cookouts because it goes well with any meat you toss on the grill. This classic recipe is made with eggs and a mustard and mayonnaise dressing. Feel free to use chopped green onions or sweet onions instead of red onions in this flavorful salad, or leave them out.

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Classic Macaroni Salad

Classic macaroni salad is easy to pull together, and always popular at summer cookouts. We make it with hard-boiled eggs, chopped vegetables, and a deliciously seasoned mayonnaise dressing, for a creamy, cold pasta salad that makes a great accompaniment to BBQ chicken and ribs. Just remember to keep it chilled to prevent the ingredients from spoiling.

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Ranch Water

Ranch water is an effortlesstequila mixed drink, and it's incredibly refreshing. This low-sugar drink mixes up in a minute and requires just three ingredients. Ranch water's fizzy tart lime flavor ensures that it's the ideal summer co*cktail and an excellent pairing for spicy Tex-Mex food and barbecue fare.

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Grilled Rib-Eye Steaks

Fire up the grill and enjoy tasty rib-eye steaks. The recipe uses a flavorful dry rub of chili powder, garlic, mustard, paprika, and thyme. There's no need to be a grill master either. The recipe offers plenty of tips for making the perfect steak.

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Easy Vegan Bruschetta

Nothing says summer quite like bruschetta. With little more than good-quality tomatoes in season, fresh basil leaves, and some olive oil to top off toasted bread slices, this go-to summer appetizer will keep your party guests coming back for more. Feel free to add a drizzle of balsamic reduction for an elegant summer snack.

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Bruschetta Chicken

Turn this classic Italian appetizer into a main course with juicy chicken. It is a colorful and fresh way to enjoy the beautiful bounty of a summer garden. Serve it with a green salad or if you still crave that crunch from the toasted bread, you can always offer your guests some homemade crostini on the side.

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Vegetarian Portobello Mushroom and Avocado Burger

The naturally earthy flavor and firm texture of portobello mushrooms makes them a satisfying burger alternative for your guests eating meat-free. This recipe tops pan-fried or grilled portobello mushrooms with a perfectly cool (but quick to whip up) avocado and yogurt sauce.

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Grilled Eggplant

Grilled eggplant is a great summer food — especially when you use the power of brining to maximize its flavor. Creamy and soft on the inside, with crispy charred edges, and a smoky flavor from the grill, this tasty veggie works as a side dish on its own, in grilled vegetable platters, or even a stand-in for a meat patty in burgers.

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Pineapple Salsa

Pineapple salsa is not only bright and colorful, but it is the perfect flavor combination of sweet and spicy. For ease of preparation, this salsa can be made with pre-cut pineapple from your grocer's refrigerator case. However, if you want to really wow your guests with a beautiful presentation,buy a whole pineappleand cut the fruit yourself.

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Margarita

The favorite co*cktail of Memorial Day weekend is the margarita. This recipe is the real deal, made with tequila and fresh lime juice. It's cool, refreshing, and a fantastic way to kick off a season filled with fresh fruits and ice-cold beverages.

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Red, White, and Blue Ice Cream

Churn up a patriotic pint of homemade red, white, and blue ice cream for your Memorial Day cookout. Serve it solo in bowls, or use it for dressing up slices of all-American apple pie. The basic vanilla ice cream base is swirled with a vibrant red raspberry sauce and thick blueberry jam for freezing in an ice cream maker.

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Easy Black Bean Salad

Summer is the season to show off fresh vegetables. Black bean salad is a side dish that is always a welcome sight on the table and the only cooking involved here is boiling the fresh corn. If youuse frozen corn, however, you can shave off even more preparation time.

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Tandoori Paneer Tikka Kebabs

Kebabs are an ideal cookout party food that let your guests walk around while eating. Your vegetarian guests will appreciate these chewy, flavorful kebabs made with cubed Indian-style paneer cheese marinated in a tandoori masala and yogurt mixture. These are threaded alongside colorful vegetables, and grilled, for a complete vegetarian meal on a stick.

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Classic Coleslaw

Coleslaw is an essential summer salad for cookouts, picnics, or potlucks. Our refreshing version needs only 7 ingredients, and is the perfect balance of creamy, tangy, crunchy, and sweet tastes. Enjoy it as a cooling side for barbecue meats, a tasty topping for burgers, hot dogs, and pulled pork sandwiches, or to add pizzazz to a plate of fried chicken or fish.

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Mojito Sangria

What do you get when you mash-up a mojito co*cktail with white wine sangria? A refreshing, mint-infused alcoholic beverage that's perfect for elegant summer parties, and weekend brunches. Our easy recipe makes enough mojito sangria to fill one standard 8-serving pitcher.

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Kulfi

Kulfiis a popularNorth Indiandessert recipe. This creamy and flavorful frozen treat is the perfect ending to a meal on a hot summer day.

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Easy Vegan Gazpacho Soup

Healthy vegan gazpacho is a yummy way to make the most of a bountiful vegetable garden, or farmer's market haul. Fresh vegetables and herbs are pureed simply with a little vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper, to make this classic Spanish starter. Serve it in shot glasses, garnished with croutons, for a cute hand-held party appetizer.

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No-Bake Strawberry Icebox Cheesecake

When juicy red strawberries come into season, few fruit desserts are easier or more appealing than this no-bake strawberry icebox cheesecake. It has all the same rich, creamy taste of your favorite restaurant cheesecake, layered with graham crackers instead of a crumbly crust. Assemble it in advance in under 20 minutes, for a fast, party-ready dessert.

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Summer Breeze co*cktail

When you want to impress summer guests with a boozy beverage, but want a recipe you can mix up in a flash, our summer breeze is just the thing. A premium bourbon is a wonderful backgroundfor the sparkling citrus co*cktail that mixes up in minutes. You'll start by muddling fresh orange with orange liqueur for a sweet-tart citrus foundation, then simply top it off with bourbon and ginger ale.

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Kachumber (Indian Cucumber Salad)

Quick and easy kachumber is a refreshing summer salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions. What makes it special is its dressing, which doesn't contain any oil, but uses a simple combination of freshly squeezed lemon juice, salt, and pepper, plus fresh cilantro leaves and cumin for an Indian-inspired flavor.

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Easy Chelada With Mexican Beer

If you always top a Corona beer with a lime wedge, you'll love the flavors of this easy Mexican beer co*cktail. A chelada is nothing more than bottled beer mixed with lime juice and salt, but carries the flair of a properly prepared co*cktail, especially when served in salt-rimmed glasses.

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Homemade BBQ Sauce for Chicken

Barbecue chicken hot off the grill is a family favorite. If you're overwhelmed by all the barbecue sauces at the store, try making your own. This BBQ sauce is explicitly designed for chicken and uses common ingredients you probably already have. It has a wonderful flavor that everyone will love and is easier than you think.

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Puka Dogs

Puka dogs are not your average hot dog, and they're perfect for summer cookouts. Grill Polish sausages or veggie dogs, then poke them into Hawaiian rolls. The recipe includes homemade mango mustard that's nice and spicy, as well as a sweet pineapple relish. Everyone will love the unique taste and they're fun to make.

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Mexican Paletas

Chock full of real chunks of fruit, Mexican-style frozen ice pops (paletas) are a step up from same-old popsicles. You need only fresh fruit, sugar, water, and lime juice to make the delicious filling for ice pop molds. Use pineapple, watermelon, berries, mango, melon, or any other fruits that tickle your fancy for these icy summer treats.

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Black Bean and Mango Salad

Bean salads are a popular choice for picnics, barbecues, and make-ahead weekday lunches. This black bean andmango saladcombines fresh bell pepper, jalapeno peppers, and cilantro for a simple vegetarian,vegan,high-protein, and gluten-free recipe.

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Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Cake

Strawberry shortcakeice cream cake is perfect for entertaining during the warm summer months because the entire dessert can be prepared in advance and stored in the freezer until ready to slice and serve. It's the perfect combination of cool, rich, creamy, and crunchy.

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Red, White, and Blue Strawberries

Demonstrate your love of country, and enjoy a scrumptious dessert, with these one-bite wonders. White chocolate, blue sprinkles, and red berries combine in this perfectly patriotic summertime treat. They're ideal for Memorial Day and July 4th parties, and you can also vary the colors of the coating and sprinkles for other holidays and celebrations.

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American Flag Cake

While this patriotic holiday dessert looks complicated, there's a simple secret lying underneath the flag. A boxed cake mix forms the base of this no-fail American flag cake (though of course, you could also use a homemade recipe). Once baked, adorn it with the fluffy cream cheese frosting, and then create the stars and stripes with fresh blueberries and raspberries.

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Refreshing Frozen Lemonade Pie Recipe

This simple summertime lemonade pie is made with a 3-ingredient filling and graham cracker crust. This version is made with sweetened condensed milk, but you can also make it with ice cream.

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4-Ingredient No-Bake Key Lime Pie

Even newbie bakers can impress their guests with this no-bake key lime pie that could have come from a bakery. You don't even need to turn on the oven for this silky chilled pie that needs just 4 ingredients, including egg yolks, sweetened condensed milk, lime juice, and a pre-made graham cracker crust.