If you’re planning a Memorial Day cookout, the food needs to be just right. People remember what they ate almost as much as who they spent the day with. These 23 recipes are simple to make and full of flavor, which makes them perfect for the grill or the picnic table. Don’t let your cookout fall flat—these dishes belong on the menu.
Grilled Fruit Kebabs with Brown Sugar Caramel. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Lime Marinated Grilled Chicken
Fire up the grill and let the lime do the work with this juicy, zesty chicken. The marinade brings bold flavor that cooks into every bite and leaves the edges crisp. It’s a simple crowd-pleaser that fits right into a laid-back Memorial Day cookout. Go ahead and throw this one on the grill first before the line starts forming.
Get the Recipe: Lime Marinated Grilled Chicken
Chocolate Cherry Brownies
Add a twist to your brownie tray with tart cherries mixed into rich, fudgy chocolate. That sweet and sour combo keeps each bite interesting and gives a nice balance to all that chocolate. These brownies are a standout when you want something a little extra for a Memorial Day dessert spread. Cut them big, because folks will keep coming back.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Cherry Brownies
Grilled Baby Bok Choy
Skip the usual sides and throw some bok choy on the grill for something fresh and different. The quick marinade helps it char just right while still staying crisp and juicy. It’s a fun, easy dish that fits perfectly next to whatever else is cooking this Memorial Day. Try this when you want something green that’s not boring.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Baby Bok Choy
Grilled S’mores Pizza
Take dessert to the grill with this gooey mashup of s’mores on a warm pizza crust. Nutella, marshmallows, and graham crackers melt into a sticky, crispy treat that’s just the right kind of messy. It’s the kind of dessert folks talk about long after the grill is off. Cut it into squares and let the kids—and adults—go wild.
Get the Recipe: Grilled S’mores Pizza
Cherry Crumb Bars
These crumb bars have a sweet cherry filling tucked between a soft bottom crust and a golden topping. They’re easy to pick up and eat, no plate or fork needed. That makes them perfect for backyard Memorial Day hangouts where you’re balancing a drink in the other hand. Stack them high because they disappear quickly.
Get the Recipe: Cherry Crumb Bars
Avocado Tomato Salad
Mix up something fresh and easy with this avocado and tomato salad that keeps things crisp and creamy. The dressing is light but ties everything together for a dish that doesn’t weigh you down. It’s a simple win when the grill’s busy and you need a quick side that hits. Serve this one chilled to keep folks coming back for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Tomato Salad
Grilled Fruit Kebabs with Brown Sugar Caramel
These fruit kebabs go straight on the grill and come off warm, sweet, and full of flavor. A drizzle of brown sugar caramel turns them into something that feels a little fancy without the fuss. They’re great on their own or with a scoop of ice cream if you’ve got it. Stick these next to the burgers and watch them go fast.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Fruit Kebabs with Brown Sugar Caramel
Decadent Chocolate Caramel Bars
These bars are rich, gooey, and packed with layers of chocolate and smooth caramel. They’ve got that chewy texture that keeps folks sneaking one more when no one’s looking. For dessert tables that need a sweet anchor at Memorial Day parties, this one always delivers. Make a double batch if you want any leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Decadent Chocolate Caramel Bars
Beer Boiled Brats
Simmering these brats in beer before grilling makes them extra juicy and full of flavor. They snap when you bite into them and hold up well to all the toppings. These belong at any Memorial Day cookout where you want to keep things easy but still delicious. Set up a topping bar and let folks build their own.
Get the Recipe: Beer Boiled Brats
Double Chocolate Cherry Cereal Bars
No oven, no problem—just mix up these chocolatey bars loaded with cherry flavor and crunchy cereal. They’re chewy, sweet, and hold up great on a plate or in your hand. These are the kind of quick treats that get grabbed before they even hit the table. Add these to your Memorial Day dessert line-up and watch them vanish.
Get the Recipe: Double Chocolate Cherry Cereal Bars
Grilled Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce
Juicy grilled chicken skewers get dunked in a nutty, savory peanut sauce that pulls it all together. The flavor is bold but not heavy, and it works with just about anything else on the grill. These skewers are a fun and tasty choice for any Memorial Day spread. Serve with extra sauce because people always want more.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce
Miso Glazed Chicken
This chicken gets its flavor from a simple miso glaze that brings sweet and savory in every bite. It cooks fast and turns golden brown with just a little crisp on the outside. It’s an easy way to shake things up without making it complicated. Try this one when you want a grill recipe that feels different but still fits in.
Get the Recipe: Miso Glazed Chicken
Frosted Banana Bars
These banana bars are soft, sweet, and topped with creamy frosting that takes them over the top. They’re a smart way to use up those ripe bananas sitting on the counter. For Memorial Day, they’re a fuss-free dessert that feels homemade and comforting. Make sure to grab one before they’re all gone.
Get the Recipe: Frosted Banana Bars
Chipotle Grilled Corn on the Cob
This corn gets coated in a chipotle butter that melts right in as it grills. The smoky, spicy flavor makes each bite pop without needing anything fancy. It’s a fun way to give a regular cookout side dish some kick. Stack these on a tray and watch everyone reach for one.
Get the Recipe: Chipotle Grilled Corn on the Cob
Classic Brownies
These brownies are everything they should be—rich, fudgy, and packed with chocolate. The tops get crackly, the centers stay soft, and they always go fast. For a no-fuss Memorial Day dessert, these are a safe and smart choice. Cut them small if you want to have any left at the end.
Get the Recipe: Classic Brownies
Candy Cookie Brownies
These brownies are loaded with candy pieces and chunks of cookie dough, baked into thick, gooey squares. Each bite brings something different, which makes them extra fun to eat. They’re a hit for Memorial Day parties where dessert should be big and bold. Bring these out last so people have room for them.
Get the Recipe: Candy Cookie Brownies
Bacon Deviled Eggs
These deviled eggs come with a salty crunch from chopped bacon mixed right into the filling. They’re creamy, smoky, and hit the table ready to go. For something that’s gone in two bites, they sure get a lot of attention on Memorial Day. Make a few extra because they never stick around.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Deviled Eggs
Lemon Marinated Chicken Kebabs
These kebabs bring together juicy grilled chicken and bright lemon flavor on skewers that are easy to grab and eat. The marinade helps the meat stay tender while giving it a tangy edge. This is the kind of quick-grill food that works great when folks are hungry and the grill is hot. Serve these first and keep a backup batch nearby.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Marinated Chicken Kebabs
Raspberry Jam Bars
A thick layer of raspberry jam sits between buttery layers that hold their shape but still melt in your mouth. The balance of sweet and tart makes each square feel like something special. These are the kind of treats that vanish while folks are still standing around the grill. Line them up on a tray and let the crowd do the rest.
Get the Recipe: Raspberry Jam Bars
7 Layer Bars
These bars are stacked with everything from chocolate chips to coconut and nuts, all packed into one gooey bite. Every layer adds something different, which makes them fun to eat and hard to put down. They’re a hit at gatherings where dessert should be easy to grab and easy to love. Make a big batch because they never last long.
Get the Recipe: 7 Layer Bars
Blueberry Crumb Bars
These bars have a soft base, juicy blueberry center, and crumbly topping that all works together. They’re easy to slice and serve, even without a plate or fork. This is a dessert that makes a big splash at cookouts like Memorial Day. Stack them on a tray and stand back.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Crumb Bars
Lemon-Marinated Kefir Chicken
Kefir and lemon work together to make this chicken juicy, tangy, and packed with flavor. It’s quick to grill and easy to slice, which makes it great when there’s a crowd waiting to eat. It fits right in at Memorial Day cookouts without needing a lot of extras. Try this when you want something fresh that still feels like comfort food.
Get the Recipe: Lemon-Marinated Kefir Chicken
Blueberry Pudding Cake
This cake bakes up soft and fluffy over warm, juicy blueberries that create their own sweet sauce underneath. It’s gooey in the middle with a light, cakey top that feels homemade in the best way. It’s a dessert that brings something special to the Memorial Day table without a lot of fuss. Spoon it out warm and watch it go fast.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Pudding Cake