23 Memorial Day Recipes My Family Asks For Every Year

Memorial Day dinners usually mean feeding more people than usual while still keeping the menu manageable. These 23 recipes focus on grilled mains, burgers, sliders, vegetables, and cookout sides that work well for backyard gatherings without making grocery shopping feel overwhelming. The collection balances heavier barbecue favorites with lighter salads and vegetables, so the table does not feel repetitive. Several recipes also scale easily for larger groups, which helps make holiday hosting less stressful.

Chipotle Grilled Chicken

Marinated with smoky chipotle flavor and grilled until tender, Chipotle Grilled Chicken brings a stronger flavor to a Memorial Day cookout without requiring complicated prep work. The chicken pairs naturally with rice, salads, grilled vegetables, or sandwich buns, depending on how large the gathering gets. Since grilling keeps cleanup manageable, the recipe works especially well for outdoor dinners. Leftovers also stay useful for wraps, bowls, or sandwiches later in the weekend.
Get the Recipe: Chipotle Grilled Chicken

Red Cabbage Coleslaw

Packed with crisp cabbage and creamy dressing, Red Cabbage Coleslaw gives a cookout table a colder side dish that balances heavier grilled foods naturally. The cabbage stays crunchy longer than softer lettuce salads, which helps it hold up well outside during longer gatherings. Since it pairs easily with burgers, ribs, sliders, or grilled chicken, it fits into almost any Memorial Day menu. It also works well prepared ahead and chilled overnight.
Get the Recipe: Red Cabbage Coleslaw

Flaky Grilled Salmon

Cooked until tender with lightly crisp edges, Flaky Grilled Salmon gives Memorial Day dinners a lighter grilled option alongside burgers and heavier barbecue dishes. The salmon cooks fairly quickly while still carrying enough flavor to stand on its own with simple sides. Since it pairs naturally with vegetables, pasta salad, or coleslaw, building the rest of the menu stays fairly easy. This works especially well for smaller outdoor gatherings and family dinners.
Get the Recipe: Flaky Grilled Salmon

Cheeseburger Sliders

Layered with beef, cheese, and soft rolls, Cheeseburger Sliders make feeding a larger Memorial Day crowd easier without standing at the grill assembling individual burgers all afternoon. Baking or serving the sliders together keeps prep manageable while still delivering familiar cookout flavor. Since the smaller portions are easy to grab, they work especially well for casual backyard gatherings. Chips, baked beans, or pasta salad pair naturally alongside them.
Get the Recipe: Cheeseburger Sliders

Beef Kabobs with Chimichurri Sauce

Threaded with beef and grilled until tender, Beef Kabobs with Chimichurri Sauce bring a stronger flavor and variety to a cookout menu without adding much extra work. The skewers are easy to portion for groups, while the chimichurri keeps the beef flavorful throughout. Since kabobs cook fairly quickly on the grill, they fit naturally into busier holiday gatherings. Rice, grilled vegetables, or salad all work well alongside them.
Get the Recipe: Beef Kabobs with Chimichurri Sauce

Asian Slaw

Mixed with crunchy vegetables and flavorful dressing, Asian Slaw helps balance heavier Memorial Day foods with something colder and fresher on the side. The vegetables stay crisp longer than softer salads, which makes the dish practical for outdoor serving. Since the slaw pairs naturally with burgers, grilled chicken, ribs, or skewers, it fits into many different cookout menus. Preparing it ahead of time also helps reduce last-minute work before guests arrive.
Get the Recipe: Asian Slaw

Grilled Tri Tip

Seasoned beef cooked over the grill makes Grilled Tri Tip a practical centerpiece for Memorial Day gatherings when several people need to be fed at once. The meat slices easily for serving while still carrying enough flavor to stand beside simple cookout sides. Since tri tip works well with potatoes, salad, vegetables, or baked beans, building the rest of the menu stays manageable. Leftovers also stay useful for sandwiches later on.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Tri Tip

Hamburger Soup

Filled with beef, vegetables, and broth, Hamburger Soup brings something warmer to the table for Memorial Day weekends that still have cooler evenings. The soup stretches ground beef into larger portions while keeping dinner filling enough for families or guests. Since everything cooks together in one pot, cleanup stays fairly manageable afterward. Bread, salad, or grilled sandwiches all pair naturally alongside it during more relaxed holiday meals.
Get the Recipe: Hamburger Soup

Grilled Thai Chicken Skewers

Marinated chicken grilled on skewers gives Grilled Thai Chicken Skewers a stronger flavor than standard barbecue chicken without requiring complicated ingredients. The smaller pieces cook quickly and are easy to serve at backyard gatherings or cookouts. Since skewers pair naturally with rice, salad, or grilled vegetables, the rest of the menu stays flexible. These work especially well when several different grilled foods are already planned for the table.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Thai Chicken Skewers

Cheeseburger

Cooked with juicy beef and melted cheese, this Cheeseburger remains one of the easiest Memorial Day dinners to scale for larger groups without making the menu complicated. Burgers pair naturally with chips, fries, baked beans, coleslaw, or grilled vegetables already on the table. Since the ingredients stay familiar and easy to customize, they work well for mixed groups with different preferences. This is especially useful for casual backyard cookouts and holiday weekends.
Get the Recipe: Cheeseburger

Charred Grilled Potatoes

Cooked until crisp around the edges, Charred Grilled Potatoes give Memorial Day cookouts a side dish that fits naturally beside burgers, ribs, chicken, or steak. The potatoes hold up well on the grill while still staying soft inside after cooking. Since they use inexpensive ingredients, they help stretch larger holiday menus without adding much grocery cost. They also stay practical for serving outdoors because they hold heat fairly well.
Get the Recipe: Charred Grilled Potatoes

Garlic Butter Steak and Potatoes Foil Packet

Packed with steak, potatoes, and garlic butter, Garlic Butter Steak and Potatoes Foil Packet keeps Memorial Day grilling simple by cooking everything together in one packet. The potatoes absorb flavor while the steak stays tender enough for filling outdoor dinners. Since foil packets are easy to portion and clean up afterward, they work especially well for larger backyard gatherings. This recipe also travels well for camping trips or park cookouts.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Steak and Potatoes Foil Packet

Hawaiian Pulled Pork Sliders

Loaded with pulled pork and sweet rolls, Hawaiian Pulled Pork Sliders make Memorial Day hosting easier because the sandwiches can feed several people without much assembly later. The smaller slider size keeps them practical for buffet-style serving during larger cookouts. Since pulled pork pairs naturally with slaw, beans, chips, or grilled vegetables, planning the rest of the menu stays fairly simple. Leftovers also stay useful throughout the holiday weekend.
Get the Recipe: Hawaiian Pulled Pork Sliders

Coleslaw

Mixed with crunchy cabbage and creamy dressing, Coleslaw works as one of the easiest Memorial Day side dishes because it pairs with nearly every grilled main on the table. The cabbage holds its texture well outdoors, which makes the dish practical for longer gatherings and cookouts. Since it can be prepared ahead and chilled overnight, prep feels easier before guests arrive. Burgers, ribs, chicken, and sliders all fit naturally alongside it.
Get the Recipe: Coleslaw

Oven Baked Ribs

Cooked until tender with rich barbecue flavor, Oven Baked Ribs give Memorial Day dinners a cookout favorite without requiring constant attention outside at the grill. The ribs stay filling enough for larger gatherings while still pairing easily with simpler sides like slaw, beans, or grilled vegetables. Since they bake mostly unattended, hosting feels more manageable throughout the day. This works especially well for holiday weekends with unpredictable weather.
Get the Recipe: Oven Baked Ribs

Grilled Veggie Kabobs

Threaded with vegetables and grilled until lightly charred, Grilled Veggie Kabobs help balance heavier Memorial Day foods with something fresher from the grill. The vegetables cook quickly while still carrying enough smoky flavor to fit naturally beside burgers, chicken, or steak. Since the skewers are easy to portion, they work well for larger outdoor gatherings. They also add more color and variety to the cookout table without much extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Veggie Kabobs

Homemade KFC Zinger Burger

Layered with crispy chicken and bold seasoning, this Homemade KFC Zinger Burger brings a stronger flavor to a Memorial Day menu without needing restaurant takeout. The sandwich format keeps serving easily while still pairing naturally with fries, slaw, chips, or baked beans. Since chicken burgers help break up a menu filled with beef and pork, the table feels more balanced overall. This works especially well for casual holiday cookouts and family gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Homemade KFC Zinger Burger

Charred Grilled Peppers

Cooked until softened with smoky edges, Charred Grilled Peppers add an easy grilled vegetable side that works beside almost every Memorial Day main dish. The peppers hold up well on the grill and require very little prep before cooking. Since they pair naturally with burgers, kabobs, chicken, or steak, they help fill out the cookout spread without adding much grocery cost. Leftovers also work well in sandwiches or salads later.
Get the Recipe: Charred Grilled Peppers

Hawaiian Baked Beans

Loaded with beans, sauce, and sweet, savory flavor, Hawaiian Baked Beans help stretch Memorial Day dinners by adding a filling side dish that pairs naturally with grilled foods. The beans hold heat well and can be prepared ahead, which makes hosting larger gatherings easier. Since they fit alongside burgers, ribs, sliders, or chicken, they work across several different cookout menus. This is especially useful for feeding bigger holiday crowds without overspending.
Get the Recipe: Hawaiian Baked Beans

Best Beetroot and Grilled Halloumi Salad

Roasted beets and grilled cheese give Best Beetroot and Grilled Halloumi Salad a lighter option that still feels substantial beside heavier barbecue dishes. The ingredients hold up well outdoors without wilting quickly, which makes the salad practical for Memorial Day gatherings. Since halloumi keeps its shape after grilling, the dish still fits naturally into the cookout theme. This pairs especially well with grilled chicken, salmon, or steak.
Get the Recipe: Best Beetroot and Grilled Halloumi Salad

Crispy Chicken Thighs

Cooked until crisp outside while staying tender inside, Crispy Chicken Thighs bring a practical chicken option to Memorial Day dinners without requiring expensive ingredients. The thighs stay flavorful enough to pair with simple sides like slaw, beans, or grilled vegetables. Since they hold heat fairly well after cooking, they work naturally for larger gatherings and buffet-style serving. Leftovers also stay useful for sandwiches or lunches the next day.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Chicken Thighs

Charred Grilled Asparagus

Cooked quickly over the grill, Charred Grilled Asparagus gives Memorial Day cookouts a lighter vegetable side that still fits naturally beside grilled mains. The asparagus develops a smoky flavor while keeping enough texture to avoid turning soft too quickly outdoors. Since it cooks fast and requires minimal prep, it helps keep hosting manageable during busier holiday weekends. This pairs especially well with salmon, steak, chicken, or burgers.
Get the Recipe: Charred Grilled Asparagus

Fresh Pasta Salad with Grilled Veggies

Loaded with pasta and grilled vegetables, Fresh Pasta Salad with Grilled Veggies gives Memorial Day gatherings a cold side dish that feels more substantial than standard salads. The pasta helps the dish stay filling while the vegetables bring more color and texture to the table. Since it can be prepared ahead and chilled, serving stays easier once guests arrive. This works especially well alongside burgers, ribs, grilled chicken, or kabobs.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Pasta Salad with Grilled Veggies