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.
143+ Memorial Day recipes for 2026. Burgers, ribs, grilled chicken, potato salad, and summer desserts. Step-by-step.
143 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?
77 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.
Arugula Salad with Parmesan and Lemon
Arugula salad with shaved Parmesan, lemon, and olive oil — Italian simplicity at its finest.
Asian Sesame Slaw
Asian sesame slaw with crunchy napa cabbage, carrots, and a toasted sesame-ginger dressing that improves overnight.
BBQ Pulled Chicken (Slow-Roasted)
Tender slow-roasted pulled chicken in smoky BBQ sauce — perfect for sandwiches, tacos, and meal prep.
Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce
Grilled marinated chicken skewers with creamy peanut dipping sauce.
Chimichurri Skirt Steak
Chimichurri skirt steak — seared hot and fast, sliced thin, drowned in herb sauce. Ready in 25 minutes.
What Are the Best Make-Ahead Sides for a Cookout?
14 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.
Caprese Salad with Burrata
Caprese salad with creamy burrata, ripe heirloom tomatoes, fresh basil, and aged balsamic for an elegant summer starter.
Classic American Potato Salad
Classic American potato salad with tender potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, crunchy celery, and a creamy mustard 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.
More Recipes
52 recipes
Baked Mac and Cheese (American Classic)
Creamy béchamel-based mac and cheese with sharp cheddar, Gruyère, and a golden panko crust.
Banana Nut Muffins
Moist banana nut muffins with brown sugar and toasted walnuts. The best use for overripe bananas.
Biscuits and Sausage Gravy
Fluffy buttermilk biscuits smothered in rich, peppery sausage gravy — the quintessential Southern breakfast.
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.