Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer—and the perfect time to gather with family and friends around delicious food. Whether you’re firing up the grill, packing a picnic, or hosting a backyard potluck, this round-up is full of simple, flavorful recipes to make your weekend memorable.
Admittedly, the grill often steals the spotlight. However, if you’ve been around the blog for some time, you know how much the sides mean to me! Fresh, crunchy salads, savory baked beans, vibrant veggie-packed slaws, these sides bring color, texture, and variety to every plate! And while the sides might not be everyone’s favorites, add them to your menu!
Celebrations are special moments to come together, connect, and share joy. Food is often at the heart of it all. As a dietitian, I believe food is meant to be enjoyed, especially during meaningful gatherings. It’s okay to embrace the celebration while also being mindful of how food makes you feel. Enjoy the flavors, savor your favorites, and let balance—not guilt—guide your plate. Summer brings the heat, and these dishes help you stay refreshed while delivering big, delicious flavor!
Mango Salsa
Salsa is one of the best additions to tacos. Ever. This mango salsa is easily adaptable to other fruits – feel free to switch it out and use this as a guide for rough estimations. Either way, it’ll take your tacos to the next level!
Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
Homemade Buttermilk Ranch Dressing. Store-bought is tasty, but homemade is in another league. Mix all the ingredients in one bowl, or even easier, throw them all in the blender. Who said salads and vegetables have to be boring?
Easy Homemade Salsa
This quick and Easy Homemade Salsa can be made in 5 minutes. Thanks to canned tomatoes, you don’t have to wait for in-season tomatoes and can have easy homemade salsa anytime (you get to manage the seasonings and spices)!
Easy Corn Salsa
This easy corn salsa recipe is a summertime favorite. It’s made with fresh corn, red onion, cilantro, jalapeño, and lime juice. Enjoy it with tacos, grain bowls, or as a dip. It’s easy, delicious, and best with fresh summer corn!
Egg Potato Salad
This Egg Potato Salad is creamy, crunchy, and delicious! It’s the perfect side dish for your summer BBQ, family gatherings, potlucks, and picnics. Easy to make and prep ahead, the flavors get better the longer they sit!
‘Italian’ Pasta Salad
Italian pasta salad (vegetarian) is made with pasta, chickpeas, veggies, and a homemade zesty Italian dressing. Serve it at your next BBQ or summer get-together, and it’s sure to be a hit!
Mexican Street Corn – Elote
Mexican Street Corn, also known as Elote, is popular in Mexico and the US. It’s served on a stick, a little messy, and delicious! It’s a perfect side dish for your next cookout or gathering.
Watermelon, Mint, and Feta Salad
Refreshing and hydrating, this is the perfect go-to summer salad when watermelon is in season. And if you dare to add jalapeño for more heat, have at it. We have enough sweat here in Miami, thank you very much!
Heirloom Tomato Salad
This heirloom tomato salad screams summer! Juicy, flavorful, and made with just a few simple ingredients, it’s the perfect side dish to add to your menu!
Zoodle Salad
This healthy and easy-to-make zucchini ‘zoodle’ salad is perfect when zucchini is in season. The best part? It’s a great side dish that doesn’t require turning on the oven in the summer.
Stone Fruit and Burrata Salad
Summer perfection on a plate. This stone fruit and burrata salad is perfect on hot summer nights. Creamy burrata cheese, juicy stone fruits, herbs, and a balsamic glaze equals perfection!
Tomato, Corn, and Avocado Salad
Summer perfection on a plate. This tomato, corn, and avocado salad is perfect for hot summer days. Corn and tomatoes are at their summer best. Pair it with avocado, and you’ve got yourself a salad!
Iceberg Wedge Salad
Summer perfection on a plate. This Iceberg Wedge Salad is perfect on a hot summer day. It provides hydration in a delicious salad.
Strawberry Spinach Salad
Strawberry Spinach Salad – fresh spinach, tossed with in-season strawberries, maple-glazed pecans, blue cheese, and a simple balsamic vinaigrette dressing. The perfect salad for spring and summer (and all year round here in Florida!)
Summer Fruit Salad
This summer fruit salad combines juicy seasonal fruit, drizzled with vanilla, mint, and lime juice. It’s deliciously sweet and refreshing on a hot summer day, and it’s a must-have for BBQs, get-togethers, and beach days! With no added sugar, the fruit is sure to shine!
Tuna Pasta Salad
This Tuna Pasta Salad is not only delicious but also nutritious. It’s great for a quick cold meal on a hot summer day and to make ahead. It’s perfect for get-togethers like potlucks, picnics, and BBQs!
Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
In this Mediterranean-inspired Chickpea salad, chickpeas are tossed in a delicious homemade dressing for a perfect salad, in a sandwich, or on top of a bed of lettuce! Easy, tasty, and ready in minutes, this recipe is an easy way to incorporate more beans into your diet!
Salmon Pesto Skewers
Quick and simple to make, these salmon pesto skewers can be cooked on the grill (grill pan or sauté pan) for a delicious summertime meal. Serve with a refreshing summer corn salad. The flavors can’t be beat!
Marinated Grilled Shrimp
Marinated Grilled Shrimp is a perfect summertime recipe for cooking on the grill (or grill pan)! Jumbo shrimp are marinated in an Italian dressing, then threaded onto skewer sticks and grilled to perfection. This super-easy recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight meal yet fancy enough for your next get-together!
Easy Strawberry Fool
This Easy Strawberry Fool dessert recipe uses whipped cream, fresh strawberries, and vanilla. It’s an elevated version of strawberries and cream. It’s simple, elegant, and easy to make for your next get-together!
Mango Gelato
It’s mango season, and if you have too many mangoes, this Mango Gelato is a must-make! Mango, ginger, and mint are a flavor explosion!
Vanilla Ice Cream
I scream, you scream, we all scream for HOMEMADE vanilla ice cream! It’s easy to make and packed with vanilla flavor, so you’ll make this all summer!
Blueberry Crostata
Celebrate blueberry season with a rustic Blueberry Crostata. Simple yet elegant, a crostata is easier to make than a pie but has the same flavor. Buttery crust, jammy fruit—it doesn’t get any better than this—well, maybe with a dollop of ice cream or whipped cream.
Peach Popsicles
Peaches and Cream, Popsicle-Style! Peaches, yogurt, mint, and honey. That’s it! Creamy, refreshing, & delicious. Make some before the peaches & summer are all gone!
Strawberry Basil Mocktail
This Strawberry Basil Mocktail is perfect for Dry January or Sober October. It’s made with strawberries, basil, lime juice, and a simple syrup for a refreshing spritzer. It’s simple to make and enjoy all year long! Cheers!
Aperol Spritz
Making the perfect Aperol Spritz is as easy as 3-2-1. The ratio of 3 parts Prosecco, two parts Aperol, and 1 part soda water makes a refreshingly bitter-sweet drink perfect for enjoying in the summer heat!
Tajín Watermelon Margarita
Nothing screams summer more than watermelon. This Tajín Watermelon Margarita combines spice from the Tajín rim with sweet watermelon juice for an irresistible combination. It’s perfect for all your summertime gatherings, cookouts, and parties.
Whether you’re hosting a cookout, heading to a picnic, or keeping things simple at home, these Memorial Day recipes offer something for everyone. From crisp, refreshing sides to hearty mains and festive desserts, each dish is designed to bring people together and celebrate the start of summer with flavor and ease. Pick your favorites, mix and match, and enjoy a delicious holiday weekend!
1 thought on “Memorial Day Round-Up”
Thanks for this round-up! Now the hard part is deciding which recipes to make!