21 Memorial Day Recipes That Will Make You the MVP of the Cookout
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If you’re heading to a Memorial Day cookout and want to bring something everyone actually remembers, this list has you covered. These recipes are easy to make, loaded with flavor, and guaranteed to disappear fast, no boring side dishes or forgettable mains here. Show up with one of these, and you’ll walk out as the MVP of the party.
Ham and Cheese Sliders
These ham and cheese sliders are the perfect dish for anyone looking to become the MVP of the Memorial Day cookout. Golden, buttery rolls stuffed with savory ham and melted cheese come together to create a bite-sized snack that’s guaranteed to disappear in minutes. Their irresistible flavor and simplicity make them a cookout essential, done in under 30 minutes, leaving you time to mingle and enjoy the festivities.
Get the Recipe: Ham and Cheese Sliders
Chopped Chicken Salad
For a lighter, refreshing option that still delivers big on flavor, this chopped chicken salad is your Memorial Day game-changer. The combination of tender chicken, crunchy veggies, and a creamy dressing makes it the perfect dish to balance out heavier BBQ options. It’s not only a light addition to the spread, but it also stands out as a crowd favorite, proving that you can be the MVP with just a little extra freshness on the table.
Get the Recipe: Chopped Chicken Salad
Strawberry Lemonade
Cool down and become the MVP of Memorial Day refreshments with this sweet and tangy strawberry lemonade. It’s easy to make with just a handful of ingredients, and the vibrant, fruity flavor is a crowd favorite on warm days. Serve it in a big pitcher and watch your guests keep coming back for more of this refreshing, sunny drink.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Lemonade
Cucumber Pinwheels
Cool, crisp, and full of flavor, these cucumber pinwheels are a refreshing bite-sized snack that will make you the MVP of any Memorial Day gathering. The creamy filling wrapped in refreshing cucumber provides the perfect balance, making them an excellent choice for a light appetizer that still impresses. Easy to make and even easier to eat, these pinwheels will disappear in a flash.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Pinwheels
Deviled Eggs Without Mayo
For a lighter twist on a classic Memorial Day cookout favorite, these no-mayo deviled eggs are packed with creamy avocado and tangy sour cream, making them rich and filling without the heaviness of traditional mayo. Perfectly sized for a bite-sized treat, these deviled eggs are a fresh, crowd-pleasing option that will have you feeling like an MVP when they fly off the plate.
Get the Recipe: Deviled Eggs Without Mayo
Popeyes Coleslaw
No Memorial Day cookout is complete without a creamy, crunchy side, and this Popeyes-inspired coleslaw is a true standout. With just the right amount of sweetness and tang, it complements everything from grilled meats to savory sides. Bring this along, and you’ll be crowned the MVP of sides, effortlessly adding a burst of flavor and texture that everyone will want to try.
Get the Recipe: Popeyes Coleslaw
Bacon-Wrapped Pineapple
Want to take your Memorial Day appetizer game to legendary status? These bacon-wrapped pineapple bites are the perfect combination of smoky, sweet, and savory. They’re incredibly easy to make and cook up in no time, making them the ideal choice for a cookout snack that everyone will love. Bring these along, and you’ll quickly become the MVP, leaving a lasting impression with this irresistible, crowd-pleasing treat.
Get the Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Pineapple
Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs
The easiest way to win Memorial Day is by showing up with these slow-cooked baby back ribs that melt in your mouth. Set it and forget it, this recipe takes minimal effort and produces fall-off-the-bone ribs with smoky flavor that will have everyone singing your praises. With no need to babysit the grill, you’ll have plenty of time to relax and enjoy the cookout while still serving up an MVP-worthy dish.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs
Bruschetta al Pomodoro
This fresh bruschetta al pomodoro will earn you instant MVP status at your Memorial Day cookout. Made with juicy tomatoes, fragrant basil, and crunchy toasted bread, this appetizer is the perfect pre-grill snack that’s light, flavorful, and full of summer vibes. It’s simple to make but packs a punch in terms of flavor, making it the go-to dish to keep everyone full while they wait for the grill to heat up.
Get the Recipe: Bruschetta al Pomodoro
Lemon Loaf Cake
Add a burst of sunshine to your Memorial Day dessert table with this fresh lemon loaf cake. The combination of buttery texture and sweet-tart glaze is perfect for any celebration, and it’s sure to brighten up your cookout. As soon as the first slice is cut, your guests will be asking for seconds, and you’ll earn major MVP points for bringing something so delightful and refreshing to the table.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Loaf Cake
Bacon Cheddar Dip
This bacon cheddar dip is a true MVP move when it comes to Memorial Day cookout snacks. Creamy, cheesy, and bursting with smoky bacon flavor, it’s a dip that’s as versatile as it is irresistible. Whether you serve it cold or warm with chips or crackers, it’s sure to steal the spotlight and keep everyone coming back for more.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Cheddar Dip
Canned Salmon Burgers
Want to surprise your guests with something different? These crispy canned salmon burgers are a fun, high-protein alternative to traditional cookout fare. With a crispy exterior and flavorful interior, they’re an easy yet impressive dish that will set you apart as the MVP of the grill. Light, savory, and packed with flavor, they’ll instantly become the unexpected star of your Memorial Day spread.
Get the Recipe: Canned Salmon Burgers
Basil Tomato Mozzarella Skewers
These basil, tomato, and mozzarella skewers are perfect for Memorial Day when you want to bring a touch of elegance to the table. Simple but stunning, they’re bursting with fresh flavors and drizzled with balsamic glaze for the perfect bite-sized treat. Your guests will be impressed by your MVP-level appetizer game as they enjoy these colorful, flavorful skewers before the grilling even begins.
Get the Recipe: Basil Tomato Mozzarella Skewers
Creamy Tzatziki Sauce
This creamy tzatziki sauce is an MVP-level condiment that adds the perfect cool, refreshing twist to your Memorial Day spread. Whether used for dipping or drizzling over grilled meats and veggies, it’s light, tangy, and packs just the right punch of flavor. Easy to whip up and incredibly versatile, this tzatziki sauce is sure to become a staple at your cookout, earning you rave reviews.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tzatziki Sauce
Shrimp Scampi with Zoodles
For a light, flavorful alternative to traditional BBQ fare, this shrimp scampi with zoodles is your Memorial Day MVP. With bold lemon and garlic flavors, this dish feels elegant yet is incredibly simple to make. It’s a perfect way to shake up your cookout lineup and offer something fresh and different, while still keeping the meal light and filling.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Scampi with Zoodles
Salsa Ranchera
Spice things up and become the MVP of the Memorial Day table with this homemade salsa ranchera. Made with fresh tomatoes and just the right balance of heat, it’s the ideal condiment to add bold flavor to everything from chips to grilled meats. Easy to prepare and guaranteed to be a conversation starter, this salsa will take your cookout to the next level.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Ranchera
4-Ingredient Guacamole
Keep things simple but flavorful with this 4-ingredient guacamole that’s bound to become your Memorial Day MVP dish. It’s chunky, fresh, and packed with flavor, making it perfect for dipping, spreading, or topping burgers. With just a few ingredients, you can whip up this crowd favorite in no time, and your guests will be asking for the recipe before the bowl is empty.
Get the Recipe: 4-Ingredient Guacamole
Bread Machine Zucchini Bread
Want to impress your cookout guests with a homemade treat that’s as easy as it is delicious? This bread machine zucchini bread is moist, flavorful, and perfect for sharing at your Memorial Day gathering. It takes just 15 minutes of hands-on prep, so you can focus on the other important aspects of the cookout while still serving up an MVP-worthy dessert.
Get the Recipe: Bread Machine Zucchini Bread
Pork Chops and Applesauce
These pork chops with applesauce are the secret weapon to bring a surprising, mouthwatering twist to your Memorial Day feast. The combination of juicy, perfectly seasoned pork and the sweetness of homemade applesauce strikes a harmonious balance that’s sure to leave guests talking. Simple yet full of flavor, this dish proves that a little bit of sweetness can level up your cookout game.
Get the Recipe: Pork Chops and Applesauce
Blueberry Scones
Looking for a sweet treat to upgrade your Memorial Day table? These blueberry scones are light, buttery, and the perfect addition to your cookout spread. While they may seem like a delicate dessert, they’re incredibly easy to prepare in under 30 minutes. Prepare to be hailed as the MVP of desserts when these little beauties disappear faster than you can say “summer.”
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Scones
Quesabirria Tacos
If you really want to take your Memorial Day celebration up a notch, these quesabirria tacos are your ticket to becoming the undisputed MVP of the cookout. Packed with rich, cheesy filling and served alongside a flavorful consommé for dipping, they bring a unique, restaurant-quality twist to the backyard BBQ. Watch them disappear in seconds as your guests rave about the bold flavors and mouthwatering combination.
Get the Recipe: Quesabirria Tacos
