May 13, 2022

30+ Best Memorial Day Recipes

Easy Homemade Burgers

30+ Best Memorial Day Recipes

Now, these are the best memorial day recipes! Summer is basically here, and Memorial Day weekend is the the perfect transition holiday to really feel that summer energy – it’s truly the unofficial start to summer. When I think of Memorial Day, I think of my family get togethers, and lots of barbecues.

I think of foods like potato salad, lots of pasta salad, steak on the grill, crunchy salads with cucumbers and veggies, spicy beans with bacon, ribs, burgers and hot dogs. I think of the classics, but also switching it up with unique recipes as well. Talk about a next level cookout!

My personal favorites from the below are appetizers like our lemon pepper wings, grilled potato salad and mains like homemade smash style burgers! The ideas are endless.

Cue’ our 30+ best memorial day recipes – continue reading below! Enjoy!

Lemon Pepper Wings

Let’s begin with appetizers to get going!

For appetizers, my eyes go straight to our lemon pepper chicken wings paired with creme fraiche ranch (that is to die for and you must have this on your menu!)

Other favorites that can be found below are spinach artichoke dip (truly a crowd favorite), herb yogurt dip and also bruschetta (because peak tomato season is almost here!)

If you’re looking for a fun and unique plant-based appetizer, I also love our Heart of Palm & Watermelon “Ceviche”. It’s refreshing and crunchy – the taste is super unique! Pair it with some salsa and some lime juice, and you are golden! Another great plant-basedapp idea are these chipotle tostada bites with a super quick coleslaw. Serve while your guests are waiting for the main meal to be complete! Truly the best little bites.

Truly all of these appetizers are filled with so much flavor! BBQ/Memorial Day heaven!

Prosciutto, Mt. Tam and Fig Jam Crostini
I am literally obsessed with these prosciutto, Mt. Tam & Fig Jam crostini’s; they are perfect. It comes together so simply, it is SO quick to whip up and it’s definitely an appetizer pleaser.
Check out this recipe
Prosciutto, Mt. Tam and Fig Jam Crostini
Grilled Baby Artichokes with Tarragon Aioli
These EPIC, easy, and delicious grilled baby artichokes are just SO good. Served with a homemade tarragon aioli, that is just so perfect, and don’t forget loads of fresh lemon juice, too.
Check out this recipe
Grilled Baby Artichokes with Tarragon Aioli
Spinach Artichoke Dip
This spinach dip is the best appetizer/side/dinner EVER! Serve with your favorite tortilla chips, or even bread and eat up! It’s also extremely quick and easy to make, this will go on repeat. Cue’ the cream cheese and load up on the cheese, and your guests will LOVE this.
Check out this recipe
Spinach Artichoke Dip
Lemon Pepper Wings
These lemon pepper wings come together in NO time and are SO good! A quick lemon pepper butter paired with crispy wings = perfection. When I tell you I DREAM of these wings, I mean it. They’re seriously SO tangy, easy and delicious.
Check out this recipe
Lemon Pepper Wings
Roasted Garlic & Herb Yogurt Dip
All about this roasted garlic & herb yogurt dip!! Say hello to this cozy/easy prep-ahead appetizer for the holidays. Filled with fresh herbs and yogurt. you will LOVE this.
Serve with all your favorite vegetables and crudite. You can also add on hummus on the platter as well. Truly delicious, crisp and delightful!
Check out this recipe
Roasted Garlic & Herb Yogurt Dip
Tomato Bruschetta
This tomato bruschetta might be my favorite thing EVER. This recipe holds a special place in my heart because it was hands down the first recipe I learned to make/cook. (And definitely one of the top recipes I would defer to people to make when they are starting to cook, it is foolproof!)
When I was first learning about cooking and expanding my skills, this recipe was one of the first ones I learned and conquered.
Check out this recipe
Tomato Bruschetta
Heart of Palm and Watermelon Ceviche
Try out this plant-based watermelon + heart of palm "ceviche". Loads of goodies including tomatoes, jalapeños, red onions, heart of palm, watermelon, cucumber and cilantro.
Check out this recipe
Heart of Palm and Watermelon Ceviche
Chipotle Tostada Bites
These Chipotle Tostada Bites are such a great appetizer treat! They are placed on top of crispy tortillas, a quick cabbage slaw with a homemade Tinga inspired sauce that is to die for!
It starts off with a chipotle (Tinga) inspired sauce, then a homemade quick slaw and crispy (mini!) tostadas.
Check out this recipe
Chipotle Tostada Bites
Spicy Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
I absolutely all kinds of hummus, and this spicy roasted red pepper hummus recipe is no exception! Homemade roasted bell peppers, blended with all the goodness hummus has to offer. The taste is SO amazing, and is so creamy!
Check out this recipe
 Spicy Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
Smashed Pea and Stracciatella Crostini
I am absolutely here for these smashed pea and stracciatella crostini’s.
These savory pea crostini’s make a perfect appetizer recipe.
Check out this recipe
Smashed Pea and Stracciatella Crostini
Crispy Grilled Potato Salad with Horseradish Sauce

Side-dishes to drool over!

Side-dishes to me, make the whole meal complete, and I am quite obsessed! Some highlights are our crispy grilled potato salad with a creamy horseradish sauce, Spring panzanella and a plant-based mac n’cheese that is to die for!

Summer Panzanella Salad
Summer panzanella salad, oh YES! Tomatoes, cucumber, homemade bread cubes, cucumbers, red onions, mozzarella + basil all tossed with a tomato dijon dressing (lots of drizzle action!). ⁠I am in love.
Check out this recipe
Summer Panzanella Salad
Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Gochujang Spicy Mayo
Crispy smashed potatoes with this gochujang spicy mayo is, by far, my new favorite side, ever! A big reason why I’m obsessed with this recipe is because it uses mostly pantry staples and it's great to prep ahead!
Check out this recipe
Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Gochujang Spicy Mayo
Beets with Burrata, Hazelnuts and Green Goddess Vinaigrette
Talk about a dish! These beets with burrata, toasted hazelnuts and green goddess vinaigrette just might steal the show, at every gathering (and dinner, too!) I’m truly obsessed with this combo – the crunchy and toasty flavor from the hazelnuts, paired with beets, burrata and a tangy vin.
Check out this recipe
Beets with Burrata, Hazelnuts and Green Goddess Vinaigrette
Sweet Potato and Kale Couscous with Spicy Basil Tahini
Now, this combo is everything! Sweet potato and kale couscous with a spicy basil tahini sauce, is just beautiful! It is nourishing, it is filled with flavor, and it comes together in no time.
Check out this recipe
Sweet Potato and Kale Couscous with Spicy Basil Tahini
Creamy Spinach and Artichoke Pasta
Creamy spinach artichoke pasta, a delicious one-pot meal with a flavorful artichoke, spinach and parmesan sauce. It’s ready in just 30 minutes.
Check out this recipe
Creamy Spinach and Artichoke Pasta
Lemon Haricots Verts With Crispy Shallots
These lemon haricot vert with crispy shallots must be on your sides rotation! This recipe utilizes shallots in 2 ways: tossed with the green beans AND topped as as a crispy crunch topping. It’s SO good!
Check out this recipe
Lemon Haricots Verts (French Green Beans) With Crispy Shallots
Plant Based Mac N’ Cheese
I love this plant based Mac N’ Cheese! It is creamy, and dreamy, filled with a base of blended soaked cashews and nutritional yeast, spices, it is addicting.
Tossed all together with my favorite cavatappi pasta and topped with homemade toasted panko breadcrumbs.
Check out this recipe
Plant Based Mac N' Cheese
Herb Parmesan Fries with Lemon Garlic Aioli
These simple herb and parmesan fries are epic! They are paired with a homemade (yes, homemade!) lemon garlic aioli that is foolproof, creamy and delicious.
Check out this recipe
Herb Parmesan Fries with Lemon Garlic Aioli
Spring Panzanella with Za’atar Croutons
This spring panzanella with Za’atar croutons recipe is SO good. This Spring salad recipe is filled with ingredients like radishes, asparagus, herbs, lettuce and MORE with a creamy and quick lemon dijon vinaigrette.
Truly this super green asparagus salad has so much flavor. It makes for great main dish, or can be served as a side dish as well.
Check out this recipe
Spring Panzanella with Za'atar Croutons
Crispy Grilled Potato Salad with Horseradish Sauce
Crispy grilled potato salad with a horseradish sauce. A homemade paste is made and tossed over the potatoes (think garlic, rosemary and dijon mustard), cooked on the grill and tossed with a creamy horseradish sauce.
You can prep these ahead of time and then drizzle over the horseradish sauce at time of serving. This also makes a great side dish.
Check out this recipe
Crispy Grilled Potato Salad with Horseradish Sauce
Easy Homemade Burger

Mains to save the day!

For mains, we have a ton of options below! I’m inspired by lemongrass chicken skewers since skewers = summer. However, below we have all types of grilled summery dishes ranging from chicken, tuna, salmon, steak, beef and MORE!

Other fantastic mains are our easy homemade burgers on the grill/or veggie burgers, too.

Vietnamese Inspired Lemongrass Chicken Skewers with Nuoc Cham
When I think of summertime, my mind immediately goes to grilling and my backyard. Specifically, these Vietnamese Inspired Lemongrass Chicken Skewers with fluffy white rice and Nuoc Cham.
Check out this recipe
Lemongrass Chicken Skewers with Nuoc Cham
Sesame Seared Ahi Tuna with Grilled Avocados
Major summertime vibes with this sesame seared ahi tuna ​&​ grilled avocados (tossed in a ginger ponzu sauce). Been spending a lot of time outside on the grill and this is the perfect summery, colorful recipe.
Check out this recipe
Sesame Seared Ahi Tuna with Grilled Avocados
Grilled New York Steak with Sherry Shallot Vinaigrette Salad
Let’s welcome this: grilled New York Steak with a sherry shallot vinaigrette salad.
I am outdoors, grilling mostly every meal during the Spring/Summer and this recipe is no exception. Grilled salt + pepper steak is cooked to perfection and served alongside and radish & snap pea salad tossed in a homemade sherry shallot vinaigrette salad.
Check out this recipe
Grilled New York Steak with Sherry Shallot Vinaigrette Salad
Grilled Salmon Skewers with a Green Herb Vinaigrette
The perfect grilled salmon skewers with a green herb vinaigrette. This dressing is tangy, greens galore, garlicky and literally everything I want & more! It serves its purpose as both a marinade for the skewers and served alongside for dipping and drizzlin’.
Check out this recipe
Grilled Salmon Skewers with a Green Herb Vinaigrette
Easy Homemade Burgers
This is my go-to, most perfect burger recipe. It’s extremely simple, it’s quick, and it gets dinner ready in no-time. It’s also the most perfect recipe to make for a crowd – because who doesn’t love burgers? 
Check out this recipe
Easy Homemade Burgers
Empress Gin Fizz

Now, it’s not a celebration without drinks, yum!

Some of my favorites are our empress gin fizz or if you want to go the mocktail route, you can make this strawberry, pineapple and mango mocktail! (That recipe has gin, but just remove to make it a mocktail!)

Tip: If you’re having a picnic esque Memorial Day, I would recommend bringing a cooler with ice and your favorite canned/glass drinks as well. You can batch the above drinks in an airtight glass/cup/pitcher and serve straight from the cooler!

Chocolate Mousse

End on a sweet note, desserts for all!

Now, the best part for last is dessert. Keep it sweet with our cheesecake marble brownies, or a chocolate mousse which can totally be prepped ahead. We’re topping with whipped cream, but a dollop of ice cream and/or fresh strawberries would be amazing!

Both of these are great prep ahead desserts so it’s all ready day of!

Cheesecake Marble Brownies
These cheesecake marble brownies are just a DREAM! Homemade brownie batter topped with cheesecake, is so epic.
In this recipe, there is a marble swirl; but if you wanted to do a double layer with brownie and do a full cheesecake layer, that would absolutely be delicious as well.
Check out this recipe
Cheesecake Marble Brownies
Chocolate Mousse
This chocolate mousse might be my favorite dessert, I think, ever? It is creamy, thick, flavorful and oh so delicious. What I love about this dessert, is that it's pretty simple to come together, but it looks SO impressive, everyone will want the recipe.
Check out this recipe
Chocolate Mousse
Spring Panzanella with Za'atar Croutons

If you do make any of these recipes (first of all, thank you!!), be sure to leave a comment and/or give the recipe a rating on their posts! Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram so I can be sure to see what you’re making! If you’d like to stay in touch and get the latest to your inbox, sign up for our Newsletter here as well!

In addition, we can also be found on Facebook and Pinterest! Have an absolutely wonderful Memorial Day!

Easy Homemade Burgers

30+ Best Memorial Day Recipes

These are the best memorial day recipes! Summer is basically here, and Memorial Day is the the perfect transition to feel that summer energy. This burger recipe is one of my favorites!
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

For The Paprika Burger Sauce

  • 1/2 cup mayo
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1 teaspoon pickle juice sweet or bread and butter
  • 2 breed and butter pickles finely diced
  • pinch of sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika (use smoked if you want)
  • salt and pepper to taste

For Your Burgers

  • 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 slice American cheese per burger
  • 4 buns of your choice we're using brioche here
  • 1/2 tablespoon softened butter for each bun
  • 1 beef steak or heirloom tomato thinly sliced
  • 1-2 slices green leaf lettuce per burger
  • salt and peepper to taste
  • pickled red onions on top (optional)

Instructions

Directions

  • Begin by making your burger sauce. In a bowl, mix together mayo, ketchup, pickle juice, diced pickles, sugar, vinegar, paprika and salt and pepper. Set aside.
  • Divide your ground beef into 4 equal portions and shape them each in a ball and then a patty. Make a small dent with your thumb half way through the middle of the patty – this will help with even cooking and keeping your patties flat.
  • Tip: Season on both sides with salt and pepper. You can alternatively just season one side, then when you put them on the grill, put them on the grill seasoned side down, and season the other side on the pan itself.
  • In the meantime, slice, butter and toast your buns, set aside.
  • Heat a cast-iron griddle or skillet until very hot and then drizzle on a little bit of vegetable oil.
  • Working in batches, place your patties on the skillet. Place a spatula on top of the patty to push down a tad to get an even char and flatten it out a tad. If you want to make this a smash burger, don't form patties and place your sectioned ball on the skillet and smash it down as thin as you can with the spatula, 1-2 minutes until golden brown and then flip! When it’s crispy on the bottom (about 3-4 minutes), flip, and place a slice of cheese on the top of each patty. Cook until the cheese is melted, about 1-2 minutes.
  • Serve your patties on your buttered buns with your burger sauce, lettuce, tomato, and pickled red onions. Serve and enjoy!
Tried this recipe?Mention @lindseyeats or tag #lindseyeats!

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