Memorial Day Recipes — 2026
Memorial Day recipes center on outdoor grilling: burgers, hot dogs, ribs, grilled chicken, and corn on the cob. Pair with cold sides like potato salad, coleslaw, baked beans, and deviled eggs. Most sides can be prepped the night before so you can focus on the grill the day of.
84+ Memorial Day recipes for 2026. Burgers, ribs, grilled chicken, potato salad, and summer desserts. Step-by-step.
84 recipes
Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer and the first big cookout of the season. This collection covers everything you need for a backyard gathering — from juicy burgers and smoky ribs to make-ahead potato salad and classic American desserts.
What Should I Grill for Memorial Day?
35 recipesBurgers, hot dogs, and ribs are the Memorial Day trifecta. For something more ambitious, try beer-can chicken, grilled tri-tip, or cedar-plank salmon. Start ribs early — they need 3-4 hours of low-and-slow cooking.
Argentine Steak with Chimichurri
Grilled ribeye with Argentina's iconic chimichurri — raw herb sauce with red wine vinegar and garlic.
BBQ Pulled Chicken (Slow-Roasted)
Tender slow-roasted pulled chicken in smoky BBQ sauce — perfect for sandwiches, tacos, and meal prep.
Classic Cobb Salad
Classic Cobb salad with grilled chicken, bacon, egg, avocado, and blue cheese in composed rows.
Crispy Buffalo Wings
Extra-crispy baked wings tossed in classic Frank's hot sauce and butter — no deep fryer needed.
Greek Chicken Souvlaki
Lemon-oregano marinated chicken skewers with tzatziki, pita, and fresh vegetables — Greek street food.
Grilled Brined Pork Chop with Potato Gratin
Your first proteins — learning to sear, braise, and roast while building pan sauces from fond.
What Are the Best Make-Ahead Sides for a Cookout?
12 recipesPotato salad, coleslaw, pasta salad, baked beans, and deviled eggs are all make-ahead friendly. Prepare them the night before and refrigerate — the flavors actually improve overnight.
Broccoli Salad with Bacon
Broccoli salad with crispy bacon, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and a creamy sweet-tangy dressing.
Classic Caesar Salad
Classic Caesar salad with homemade anchovy dressing, crispy garlic croutons, and Parmesan shavings.
Classic French Fries (Double-Fried)
Classic double-fried French fries — crispy outside, fluffy inside, using the Belgian two-stage method.
Classic Macaroni Salad
Classic creamy macaroni salad with a tangy dressing, crisp celery, and red onion — the perfect potluck side dish.
Classic Potato Salad
Classic creamy potato salad with eggs, pickles, and Dijon — dressed while the potatoes are still warm.
Classic Wedge Salad
Classic wedge salad with crisp iceberg lettuce, tangy blue cheese dressing, smoky bacon, and ripe tomatoes.
More Recipes
37 recipes
Baked Mac and Cheese (American Classic)
Creamy béchamel-based mac and cheese with sharp cheddar, Gruyère, and a golden panko crust.
Braised Collard Greens
Braised collard greens slow-simmered with bacon, vinegar, and chicken stock until silky tender.
Buttermilk Biscuits
Buttermilk biscuits — tall, flaky, and buttery with layers from a simple fold technique.
Cajun Shrimp Boil
Shrimp, corn, potatoes, and andouille sausage boiled in a spicy Old Bay broth — a Louisiana backyard tradition.
Classic Beef Chili
Classic beef chili with ground beef, kidney beans, and bold spices simmered low and slow in a Dutch oven.
Classic Deviled Eggs
Classic deviled eggs with a smooth, tangy filling and paprika finish — plus variations for every occasion.