Memorial Day is coming up, and that means it's time to start planning your celebration! It's also a time for cookouts, picnics, and spending time with family and friends.

While barbecues and picnics are always popular Memorial Day activities, sometimes it can be hard to know what food to make. 

This year, why not try one of these recipes for your Memorial Day feast? From main dishes to desserts, we've got you covered. Fire up the grill and get ready to celebrate!

Lamb burger

Instead of beef, try something a little different this Memorial Day and make lamb burgers. Ground lamb is easily found in the meat section of most grocery stores and makes for a delicious, juicy burger.

Serve your lamb burgers on toasted buns with all the fixings, like lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, feta cheese, and tzatziki sauce. Add a side of roasted potatoes or sweet potato fries and you’ve got a complete meal that will be sure to please everyone at the table.

Grilled chicken

Chicken is always a hit, especially when it’s grilled to perfection. For an extra special touch, try marinating your chicken in a flavorful sauce before grilling.

There are endless possibilities when it comes to what to serve with your grilled chicken. A simple green salad, roasted vegetables, or even just some fresh fruit would be perfect alongside this Memorial Day main dish.

Potato salad

No picnic or BBQ is complete without a good potato salad. This holiday, ditch the mayo-laden salads of your childhood and try something new.

This herbed potato salad features Yukon Gold potatoes, celery, red onion, parsley, and a light vinegar and oil dressing. It’s the perfect side dish to accompany any of the main dishes on this list.

Classic cheeseburger

For a Memorial Day meal that’s sure to please everyone, go with a classic – cheeseburgers! These burgers are made with ground beef, onions, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce. They’re simple but oh-so-flavorful, and can easily be grilled to perfection. 

Serve your burgers on toasted buns with all your favorite toppings, like lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and cheese. Add some potato chips or French fries on the side and you’ve got yourself a perfect picnic meal.

Sweet and smoky ribs

For a true summertime treat, make some ribs that have been slathered in a sweet and smoky BBQ sauce. The key to making perfect ribs is all in preparation. First, you’ll need to remove the membrane from the back of the ribs. This can be a tricky task, but it’s essential for achieving fall-off-the-bone tenderness.

BBQ Hotdogs with Cilantro Slaw

For a fun and easy Memorial Day meal, try these BBQ hotdogs with cilantro slaw. The hotdogs are cooked in the same way as the ribs – on the grill. Once they’re nice and charred, nestle them into some toasted buns and top with homemade cilantro slaw.

This slaw is made with cabbage, carrots, cilantro, lime juice, and a touch of mayonnaise. It’s the perfect combination of crunchy, tangy, and creamy – everything you could want in a hotdog topping.

Grilled Corn on a cob

It wouldn't be a summer barbecue without some grilled corn on the cob. This Memorial Day, try something a little different and brush your corn with a mixture of mayonnaise, chili powder, and cotija cheese before grilling.

BLT sliders

These BLT sliders are the perfect finger food for your Memorial Day gathering. They’re made with bacon, lettuce, tomato, and avocado, and are held together by mini brioche buns. Serve them as-is or with a side of ranch dressing or BBQ sauce for dipping.

Watermelon, tomato, and feta salad

This salad is made with watermelon, tomatoes, feta cheese, red onion, mint leaves, and a simple balsamic vinaigrette. Simply combine all of the ingredients in a bowl and you’re good to go!

If you’re not a fan of feta cheese, feel free to substitute it with another type of cheese (goat cheese would be delicious).

Pepperoni Pizza Rolls

These pepperoni pizza rolls are the perfect party food – they’re easy to make and even easier to eat. They’re made with store-bought pizza dough, pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, and a few simple seasonings. Once they’re rolled up, all you have to do is bake them until they are nice and golden brown. Serve with some warm marinara sauce on the side for dipping, and enjoy!

Greek Chicken kebabs

These Greek chicken kebabs are perfect for your Memorial Day BBQ. They’re made with chicken, bell peppers, onions, and a homemade Greek seasoning blend.

Once they’re skewered and grilled, the chicken and veggies are brushed with a delicious lemon-garlic yogurt sauce. Serve over some rice or salad, and enjoy!

Bacon-shrimp skewers

These bacon-wrapped shrimp skewers are the perfect appetizer or main course for your Memorial Day gathering.

They’re made with large shrimp, bacon, and a few simple seasonings. Once they’re skewered and grilled, the shrimp is brushed with a delicious Sriracha-honey glaze.

Strawberry Shortcake

What’s more summery than strawberry shortcake? This Memorial Day, enjoy all the flavors of summer in one delicious dessert.

This recipe calls for fresh strawberries, biscuits, and whipped cream. Simply layer the ingredients in a glass or bowl, and you’re good to go!

If you’re feeling extra indulgent, top your strawberry shortcake with a scoop of ice cream or some additional whipped cream. Either way, it’s sure to be a hit!

Cajun T-bone Steak

This Cajun T-bone steak is the perfect main course for your Memorial Day BBQ. It’s seasoned with a homemade Cajun spice blend and grilled to perfection.

Raspberry Lemonade

Raspberries, lemon, and sugar come together in this refreshing, tart, and sweet drink.

This recipe needs fresh raspberries, lemon juice, sugar, and water. Combine all of the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. You can also add some ice cubes if you like your lemonade extra cold.

S'mores Dip

What’s better than a classic s’more? A s’more dip! Enjoy all the flavors of a traditional s’more without having to sit around a campfire.

For this recipe, you’ll need chocolate chips, marshmallows, and graham crackers. Melt the chocolate and marshmallows together then dip in the graham crackers. It’s that easy! Enjoy with some extra graham crackers on the side.

Fruit salad

End your Memorial Day feast on a sweet note with a fruit salad. This one is packed with seasonal favorites like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and cherries.

Toss the fruit with a little bit of sugar and mint leaves, let it sit for about an hour, and let the flavors meld together. Enjoy this fruit salad cold or at room temperature – no matter how you like it.

Campari Sangria

A cocktail perfect for summer, this Campari Sangria is refreshing and easy to make. Made with red wine, Campari, fruit, and a splash of seltzer, this sangria is perfect for serving at your Memorial Day BBQ.

Conclusion

Whether you're grilling, picnicking, or just spending time with family and friends, these Memorial Day recipes will help make your holiday complete. From cocktails to dessert, we've got you covered. Enjoy the long weekend and take some time to remember those who have served our country with great food!