17 Memorial Day Sides That Look Like You Hired a Caterer

Memorial Day sides can make a cookout look thin fast when the table is mostly chips, buns, and one bowl of salad. This collection leans on dishes with color, texture, and platter value: crunchy slaws, pasta salads, beans, corn, potatoes, onion rings, and chilled fruit salad. Most can sit beside grilled mains without needing much explanation, and the hot sides give the table the kind of finish that makes guests think you planned every detail. The range covers chilled, grilled, baked, and crisp sides so the spread looks full before the first burger comes off the grill.

Asian Slaw

With cabbage-style crunch and a punchy dressing, Asian Slaw gives the Memorial Day table a colorful side that can sit beside grilled mains without looking like a last-minute bagged mix. The crisp vegetable base, seasoned dressing, and chilled serving style bring contrast next to burgers, ribs, or hot dogs. Serve it in a wide bowl and finish with sesame seeds or sliced green onions so the side looks dressed for company without extra work at the table.
Get the Recipe: Asian Slaw

Italian Pasta with Salami

A deli-style pasta side with salami built in, Italian Pasta with Salami makes the cookout spread look more planned than a plain bowl of noodles. Pasta, sliced salami, and a seasoned dressing give it enough weight to sit between grilled meats and lighter salads. It works well chilled or closer to room temperature, which helps on a busy Memorial Day table. Serve it in a shallow platter so the mix-ins show instead of sinking out of view.
Get the Recipe: Italian Pasta with Salami

Fresh Pasta Salad with Grilled Veggies

When grilled vegetables are folded through pasta, Fresh Pasta Salad with Grilled Veggies brings color and char to the side-dish lineup. The pasta gives it staying power, while the vegetables keep it from looking heavy next to beans, potatoes, and corn. It fits the catered look because the grill marks do some of the visual work for you. Serve it slightly chilled, then loosen with a small splash of dressing before it goes out.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Pasta Salad with Grilled Veggies

Broccoli Salad

Chopped broccoli gives Broccoli Salad a sturdy base that holds up better than tender greens on a long holiday table. The creamy dressing style, crisp broccoli, and mix-in friendly structure make it a useful cold side beside grilled mains and richer baked beans. It adds green color without relying on lettuce that wilts. Serve in a clear bowl or low dish so the broccoli pieces, dressing, and any crunchy add-ins stay visible.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Salad

Crunchy Onion Rings

Stacked high instead of tucked in a tray, Crunchy Onion Rings can turn a casual Memorial Day plate into something that looks ordered from the good side of a catering tray. Onion slices and a crisp coating give the table height, texture, and a hot side that breaks up all the cold salads. They work best near burgers, sandwiches, or grilled chicken. Serve with a dipping sauce in the center so the platter looks intentional.
Get the Recipe: Crunchy Onion Rings

Charred Grilled Potatoes

Char from the grill gives Charred Grilled Potatoes the kind of side-dish finish that makes a cookout plate look fuller without needing a casserole. Potatoes bring the hearty base, while the grilled edges add the browned look people expect from outdoor cooking. They bridge the gap between potato salad and fries, which helps when the table already has several cold sides. Serve them on a rimmed platter with herbs or sauce on the side.
Get the Recipe: Charred Grilled Potatoes

Hawaiian Baked Beans

Sweet and tangy beans give Hawaiian Baked Beans a holiday-table role that goes beyond a basic can warmed in a pot. The baked bean base, island-style sweetness, and saucy texture make it a strong partner for grilled meats, corn, and potato sides. It also gives the spread a warm dish that still fits the picnic format. Spoon it into a casserole dish or smaller crock so it looks finished instead of scooped straight from the pan.
Get the Recipe: Hawaiian Baked Beans

Charred Mexican Street Corn

A creamy corn side with charred edges, Charred Mexican Street Corn brings color, smoke, and a handheld feel to the Memorial Day spread. Corn is already a cookout staple, but the street-corn style topping makes it look more finished than plain buttered ears. It works beside beans, slaw, and grilled potatoes because it adds both richness and grill flavor. Serve on a tray with lime wedges so guests can finish each ear themselves.
Get the Recipe: Charred Mexican Street Corn

Red Cabbage Coleslaw

Bright red cabbage makes Red Cabbage Coleslaw stand out on a table that can otherwise lean beige with buns, beans, potatoes, and fried sides. The cabbage base gives it crunch, while the slaw dressing keeps it familiar enough for a Memorial Day plate. It helps the whole spread look more balanced without adding another hot dish to manage. Serve it in a white or glass bowl so the purple color does the work.
Get the Recipe: Red Cabbage Coleslaw

Avocado Salad

Ripe avocado gives Avocado Salad a fresh side that softens the lineup of beans, potatoes, onion rings, and corn. The avocado base brings richness, while the salad format keeps it lighter than another mayo-heavy bowl. It is the kind of dish that makes the table look thought through because it adds green color and a cooler bite. Serve it close to eating time and keep lime or lemon nearby to help the avocado stay bright.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Salad

Baked Beans

A classic cookout anchor, Baked Beans gives the Memorial Day table a warm, saucy side that works with almost every grilled main. The bean base, sweet and tangy sauce, and baked format make it useful when you need one dish that stretches across burgers, ribs, hot dogs, or chicken. It also fills the “something hot” spot when most other sides are chilled. Serve from a covered dish, then garnish lightly before it hits the table.
Get the Recipe: Baked Beans

Grape Salad

Chilled fruit with a creamy dressing makes Grape Salad the side that can sit between salty dishes without turning into dessert. Grapes bring the fresh bite, while the salad style gives the bowl enough structure for a holiday spread. It adds a cool, sweet contrast beside smoky corn, baked beans, and fried onion rings. Serve it in a shallow bowl and keep it cold until the first round of plates is ready.
Get the Recipe: Grape Salad

Smoky Cajun Corn on the Cob

Cajun seasoning gives Smoky Cajun Corn on the Cob a bigger presence than plain corn without leaving the Memorial Day lane. Corn on the cob is familiar, but the smoky spice blend helps it look more finished next to slaw, beans, and grilled potatoes. It is especially useful when the main dish is simple, since the side brings color and seasoning to the plate. Serve with extra napkins and a small bowl of butter nearby.
Get the Recipe: Smoky Cajun Corn on the Cob

Macaroni Salad

Made with elbow macaroni, peppers, onion, celery, and a creamy dressing, Macaroni Salad brings the classic picnic bowl into the catered-looking side spread. The version in the available cache lists a 27-minute total time and four servings, which makes it easy to scale for a larger Memorial Day table. Its soft pasta and crunchy vegetables balance fried onion rings and hot corn. Serve well chilled, with a fresh parsley finish if the platter needs color.
Get the Recipe: Macaroni Salad

Baked Potato

Split open and dressed neatly, Baked Potato can look much more planned than a foil-wrapped afterthought. The potato base gives guests a filling side, while toppings let the same recipe lean simple or loaded depending on the rest of the table. It works well when the mains are grilled and the salads are cold, giving the plate something warm and sturdy. Set out a small topping bar so each potato still looks organized.
Get the Recipe: Baked Potato

Coleslaw

Shredded cabbage and a creamy dressing make Coleslaw the side that keeps a Memorial Day plate from feeling too heavy. The cabbage brings crunch, while the chilled format gives relief beside baked beans, fried onion rings, potatoes, and corn. It is also easy to serve in a clean mound on the plate, which helps the spread look neater. Use it with burgers, grilled chicken, or barbecue sandwiches when the table needs a familiar cold side.
Get the Recipe: Coleslaw

Corn Fritters

Golden edges and a corn-studded bite make Corn Fritters a strong finish for a Memorial Day side table that already has salads and beans covered. The fritter format gives guests something crisp to pick up, while the corn keeps it tied to classic cookout flavors. They add a passed-appetizer look without becoming the main dish. Serve on a lined platter with a small dipping bowl so the stack keeps its shape.
Get the Recipe: Corn Fritters