Celebrate Memorial Day under sunny skies with these 39 delicious dishes that will make your cookout one to remember. Whether you’re grilling up classics or trying something new, these recipes are simple, tasty, and perfect for the holiday. Get ready to impress your friends and family with meals everyone will love.
Grilled Baby Bok Choy. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Texas Sheetcake Brownies
These brownies are soft and rich, with a thick chocolate frosting that melts into each bite. The fudgy center makes them hard to resist, and the sweet topping adds just the right amount of extra flavor. They’re easy to slice and even easier to share, which makes them perfect for a Memorial Day dessert table. Bring a tray and let them be the first thing to disappear.
Get the Recipe: Texas Sheetcake Brownies
Fresh Strawberry Pie
This pie is loaded with sweet strawberries and covered in a glossy glaze that brings out their natural flavor. The buttery crust gives a nice crunch with every bite, making it feel like a treat. It’s a great Memorial Day dessert because it’s easy to make and full of fresh fruit. Just slice and serve—it won’t last long.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Strawberry Pie
Candy Cookie Brownies
These brownies are packed with chocolate, candy pieces, and chunks of cookie dough that make every bite full of surprises. They’re soft, rich, and full of different textures that keep things fun. This dessert is a great choice for Memorial Day when you want something that feels a little special without extra work. Cut them into squares and let everyone grab their favorite piece.
Get the Recipe: Candy Cookie Brownies
Lemon Marinated Chicken Kebabs
These chicken kebabs are soaked in a lemon marinade that adds a bright, tangy flavor. Grilled until tender, they stay juicy and are easy to serve on a stick. They’re a great fit for Memorial Day since they cook fast and go well with everything else on the grill. Stack them on a platter and let folks grab and go.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Marinated Chicken Kebabs
Chipotle Burger with Jalapeño Mayo
These burgers come packed with bold chipotle flavor and a creamy jalapeño mayo that adds just the right kick. Each bite has smoky heat and juicy beef that makes it hard to stop at one. This is a great Memorial Day recipe because you can make a bunch at once and throw them right on the grill. Serve them up and watch them go fast.
Get the Recipe: Chipotle Burger with Jalapeño Mayo
Grilled Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce
These skewers are full of juicy grilled chicken and served with a thick, nutty peanut sauce that ties it all together. The sauce brings a savory punch without feeling heavy, and the skewers are easy to eat by hand. This is a perfect Memorial Day dish when you want something that’s easy to pass around and full of flavor. Make a big batch and don’t forget the extra sauce.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce
7 Layer Bars
These bars are stacked with chocolate, coconut, nuts, and more, creating a mix of sweet and crunchy in every bite. They’re chewy in the middle and a little crispy on the edges, which makes them easy to love. They’re great for Memorial Day since you can bake them ahead and cut them into squares for easy serving. Set them out on a tray and watch them disappear.
Get the Recipe: 7 Layer Bars
Lemon Squares
These lemon bars have a bright citrus flavor and a crumbly crust that gives them a satisfying texture. They hit that sweet-tart balance just right and are easy to eat with your hands. Bring them to Memorial Day for a dessert that’s both light and full of flavor. You’ll probably want to pack extras.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Squares
Grilled Baby Bok Choy
Grilled baby bok choy brings out a smoky flavor while keeping its natural crunch. It’s light, fresh, and pairs well with all the heavier dishes at a cookout. This makes it a smart side dish for Memorial Day when you want something green that still holds up on the grill. Serve it hot or warm—it tastes good either way.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Baby Bok Choy
Chipotle Grilled Corn on the Cob
This corn is brushed with chipotle butter and grilled until it gets a smoky char. It’s spicy, buttery, and sweet all at once, making it more than just a side dish. Corn like this is perfect for Memorial Day because it’s simple to prep and everyone loves to eat it straight off the cob. Pile it high and let people grab their own.
Get the Recipe: Chipotle Grilled Corn on the Cob
Chocolate Cherry Brownies
These brownies are rich and fudgy with tart cherries hidden inside every bite, which adds a fun twist to a classic chocolate dessert. The sweet and tangy flavors mix together in a way that keeps things interesting and makes people come back for seconds. Slice them up for Memorial Day, and don’t be surprised when the tray is empty before you know it.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Cherry Brownies
Avocado Tomato Salad
This salad mixes creamy avocado with juicy tomatoes and a light dressing that ties everything together without feeling heavy. The smooth avocado and fresh tomato make each bite feel cool, bright, and full of flavor. Set out a big bowl for Memorial Day and watch it disappear faster than the burgers.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Tomato Salad
Banana Boats
These banana boats are stuffed with chocolate and marshmallows, then wrapped up and grilled until everything melts into a gooey, sticky treat. The heat softens the bananas and turns the inside into a warm and sweet mess that tastes like dessert by the campfire. Toss them on the grill for Memorial Day, and let everyone build their own sweet creation.
Get the Recipe: Banana Boats
Blueberry Crumb Bars
These bars are bursting with juicy blueberries and topped with a crumbly golden layer that adds the perfect bit of crunch. They hold up well in your hand, which makes them great for snacking without needing a plate or fork. Bring a tray to Memorial Day and watch them go one square at a time.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Crumb Bars
Bacon Cheddar Stuffed Burger
These burgers are packed with crispy bacon and melty cheddar cheese stuffed right inside the patty, so every bite is full of flavor. The smoky bacon and gooey center make them feel like more than just a regular burger. Fire up the grill for Memorial Day and serve them hot—just don’t expect leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Cheddar Stuffed Burger
Lime Marinated Grilled Chicken
This chicken is soaked in a fresh lime marinade that gives it a tangy, bright flavor while keeping the meat juicy. Once it hits the grill, it gets a little char that adds extra depth to every bite. Cook up a big batch for Memorial Day and see how quickly it disappears from the plate.
Get the Recipe: Lime Marinated Grilled Chicken
Raspberry Jam Bars
These bars have a soft raspberry filling tucked between a crisp bottom crust and a buttery crumb topping that melts in your mouth. The mix of fruity jam and golden dough makes them just the right mix of sweet and satisfying. Slice them into squares for Memorial Day and let everyone sneak a second one when no one’s looking.
Get the Recipe: Raspberry Jam Bars
Lemon-Marinated Kefir Chicken
This chicken gets soaked in kefir and lemon, which keeps it extra tender and gives it a zesty kick that stays even after grilling. Once it’s cooked, the flavor is bold but still feels fresh and not too heavy. Bring it out for Memorial Day and let folks dig into something that’s both simple and full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Lemon-Marinated Kefir Chicken
Grilled Fruit Kebabs with Brown Sugar Caramel
These fruit kebabs go on the grill until they’re warm and juicy, turning everyday fruit into something a little extra. A drizzle of brown sugar caramel on top adds just the right amount of sweetness and makes them feel like a special treat. Stack them up for Memorial Day and let people grab their own sticky skewer.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Fruit Kebabs with Brown Sugar Caramel
Double Chocolate Cherry Cereal Bars
These no-bake bars are loaded with crunchy cereal, melty chocolate, and tart cherries that give each bite a chewy and sweet surprise. The mix of texture and flavor keeps things fun without being too rich. Make a batch ahead of Memorial Day and let them hold down the snack table with style.
Get the Recipe: Double Chocolate Cherry Cereal Bars
Kefta Kebabs
These kebabs are made with spiced ground beef shaped onto skewers, then grilled until they’re juicy with crispy edges. The mix of herbs and seasoning gives each bite a bold, savory flavor that stands out from the usual grilled fare. Serve them hot at Memorial Day and watch everyone come back for seconds—or thirds.
Get the Recipe: Kefta Kebabs
Blueberry Pudding Cake
This dessert bakes into a soft cake on top with a warm, jammy blueberry layer hidden right underneath. The sweet and tart mix is comforting but not too heavy, which makes it easy to keep digging in. Spoon it into bowls for Memorial Day and serve it warm while the berries are still bubbling.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Pudding Cake
Chocolate Chip Oat Bars
These bars mix hearty oats with melty chocolate chips for a chewy treat that’s both sweet and filling. Each square holds together well and makes for an easy grab-and-go snack. Stack them up for Memorial Day and expect people to circle back for more.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Chip Oat Bars
Asian Marinated Steak
This steak is soaked in a blend of soy sauce, garlic, and spices that soak deep into the meat for a bold, savory flavor. Once it hits the grill, it sears beautifully while staying juicy inside. Slice it thin for Memorial Day and let everyone dig into something that tastes like it took way more effort than it did.
Get the Recipe: Asian Marinated Steak
Miso Glazed Chicken
This chicken gets brushed with a thick miso glaze that caramelizes on the grill, turning sweet, salty, and full of umami flavor. The outside gets sticky and golden while the inside stays juicy and tender. Grill it for Memorial Day and let the bold flavors speak for themselves.
Get the Recipe: Miso Glazed Chicken
Garlic Sesame Kale
This kale is sautéed with garlic and finished with sesame oil, giving it a nutty, savory kick that pairs well with just about anything. The greens stay tender with a little bite, making it a tasty way to add something fresh to the table. Serve a big bowl for Memorial Day and don’t be surprised when it’s gone before the ribs.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Sesame Kale
Orange Ginger Grilled Cornish Hens
These hens are soaked in a marinade of orange and ginger, then grilled until the skin crisps and the meat stays juicy. The glaze caramelizes just enough to give a sweet and savory finish to each bite. Lay them out at Memorial Day and let the bold flavor take the spotlight.
Get the Recipe: Orange Ginger Grilled Cornish Hens
Decadent Chocolate Caramel Bars
These bars layer rich chocolate and gooey caramel over a buttery crust for a dessert that’s sweet, soft, and a little over the top. A pinch of salt helps balance the flavor and keeps it from feeling too heavy. Slice them for Memorial Day and don’t expect to bring any home.
Get the Recipe: Decadent Chocolate Caramel Bars
Mexican Sheetcake Brownies
These brownies get a twist with cinnamon and a hint of chili that adds a warm, spicy flavor to the deep chocolate base. They’re soft, dense, and just bold enough to surprise your taste buds without going too far. Bake them for Memorial Day and wait for someone to ask what your secret is.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Sheetcake Brownies
Beer Boiled Brats
These brats are simmered in beer until they soak up all that flavor, then grilled until the outsides are crispy and golden. The combo of beer, smoke, and fat makes them taste rich and hearty with every bite. Throw a few on the grill for Memorial Day and watch them disappear straight off the flame.
Get the Recipe: Beer Boiled Brats
Cherry Crumb Bars
These crumb bars are packed with sweet cherry filling tucked between two buttery, golden layers that crumble in all the right ways. The tart cherries bring a burst of flavor that balances the richness of the crust with each bite. Cut them into squares for Memorial Day and let everyone enjoy a fruity dessert that doesn’t hold back.
Get the Recipe: Cherry Crumb Bars
Grilled Chicken Foil Packets
These foil packets are stuffed with juicy chicken, fresh veggies, and melty cheese that all cook together without any mess. Each packet locks in flavor, turning into a tender, all-in-one meal that’s easy to serve. Toss them on the grill for Memorial Day and let everyone unwrap their own tasty surprise.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Foil Packets
Miso Glazed Salmon
This salmon is brushed with a miso glaze that hits just the right mix of salty, sweet, and deep umami flavor. Once it hits the grill, it cooks up tender on the inside with a lightly charred outside that tastes bold and satisfying. Serve it hot for Memorial Day and get ready for a dish that turns heads and fills plates.
Get the Recipe: Miso Glazed Salmon
Frosted Banana Bars
These bars are soft and moist with ripe banana flavor baked into every bite and a thick layer of creamy frosting on top. The frosting is sweet without being too much, letting the banana shine through in the best way. Bring them along for Memorial Day and watch them vanish from the tray one by one.
Get the Recipe: Frosted Banana Bars
Bacon Deviled Eggs
These deviled eggs are filled with a creamy yolk mixture and topped with crunchy bacon that adds smoky flavor to every bite. The mix of textures and bold taste makes them a snack people won’t want to stop eating. Prep them before Memorial Day and set them out early because they won’t last long.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Deviled Eggs
Baked Kale Chips
These kale chips bake up crispy and light with just the right sprinkle of salt to keep your hand reaching back for more. They’re a great option when you want a snack that’s crunchy but not heavy. Set them out for Memorial Day and see how fast a simple tray of greens can disappear.
Get the Recipe: Baked Kale Chips
Classic Brownies
These brownies are rich and fudgy with a gooey center and those perfect crackly tops that make every bite feel extra special. The edges bake up crisp while the middle stays soft and loaded with chocolate flavor. Bring a batch to Memorial Day and let the chocolate lovers go wild.
Get the Recipe: Classic Brownies
Grilled S’mores Pizza
This dessert pizza starts with a grilled crust and piles on melty Nutella, toasted marshmallows, and crushed graham crackers for a fun, messy treat. Every bite is sweet, gooey, and loaded with that classic campfire flavor in a brand new form. Grill one up for Memorial Day and slice it while it’s warm and sticky.
Get the Recipe: Grilled S’mores Pizza
Homemade Smoky Baked Beans
These baked beans are slow-cooked in a sweet and smoky sauce that clings to every spoonful and brings out the best in each bite. They’re thick, hearty, and packed with flavor that pairs well with just about anything on the grill. Scoop them into a big bowl for Memorial Day and watch them disappear right alongside the mains.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Smoky Baked Beans