25 Picnic-Ready Recipes to Pack for Memorial Day Fun

Memorial Day fun shouldn’t start with you stressing in the kitchen. These picnic-ready recipes are easy to prep and taste even better outdoors. Whether you’re headed to the park, the beach, or your own backyard, these simple dishes keep things tasty and hassle-free so you can actually relax and enjoy the day.

Chopped Chicken Salad

This chopped chicken salad is perfect for a Memorial Day picnic, combining crisp veggies and juicy chicken in every bite. Tossed with a light dressing, it’s hearty without being heavy and packs easily for outdoor fun. This salad is both refreshing and filling making it the perfect addition to your Memorial Day spread.
Get the Recipe: Chopped Chicken Salad

Ham and Cheese Sliders

These ham and cheese sliders are the ultimate picnic food, bite-sized and packed with flavor. Soft, buttery rolls filled with savory ham and melty cheese are topped with a flavorful glaze and baked to perfection. They’re easy to make, easy to share, and will vanish in minutes, making them perfect for a Memorial Day celebration under the sun.
Get the Recipe: Ham and Cheese Sliders

Salsa Ranchera

Add some bold, appetizing flavor to your Memorial Day picnic spread with this salsa ranchera. Fresh tomatoes, jalapeños, and garlic come together for a tangy dip that’s perfect for tortilla chips, grilled meats, or as a topping. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a quick and easy way to bring vibrant flavor to your picnic snacks.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Ranchera

Carrot Raisin Salad

Carrot raisin salad is a bright, tangy side dish that’s perfect for Memorial Day picnics. The combination of sweet raisins and crunchy shredded carrots in a creamy dressing creates a refreshing balance of flavors. It’s easy to make, transports well, and pairs wonderfully with grilled meats or sandwiches, an essential addition to your picnic table.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Raisin Salad

Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs

Slow-cooker baby back ribs are a perfect addition to your Memorial Day menu, offering tender, fall-off-the-bone meat coated in a sweet, sticky glaze. With only 5 minutes of prep, you can focus on the fun while the slow cooker handles the work. These ribs are perfect for picnics, easy to pack, and sure to impress your guests.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs

Basil Tomato Mozzarella Skewers

These basil, tomato, and mozzarella skewers are fresh, colorful, and the perfect addition to any Memorial Day picnic. Juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant basil, all drizzled with balsamic glaze, create a refreshing bite that’s portable and mess-free. These skewers make an easy, flavorful appetizer that’s sure to impress at your outdoor celebration.
Get the Recipe: Basil Tomato Mozzarella Skewers

Popeyes Coleslaw

Creamy, crunchy coleslaw is the perfect side dish for your Memorial Day picnic. Fresh cabbage and carrots are tossed in a creamy dressing, adding a refreshing bite that pairs beautifully with grilled meats and picnic snacks. It’s easy to prep and even easier to pack, making it an ideal addition to lighten up your Memorial Day feast.
Get the Recipe: Popeyes Coleslaw

Bacon Wrapped Pineapple

Sweet, salty, and packed with flavor, these bacon-wrapped pineapple bites are perfect for your Memorial Day picnic. Juicy pineapple wrapped in crispy bacon is the ultimate two-ingredient appetizer that’s easy to prep and even quicker to devour. They’ll be the first thing to disappear from the picnic table, so make extra.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Pineapple

Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread

Cheesy garlic pull-apart bread is a picnic must-have, offering crispy, melty cheese in every bite. The garlic butter and soft, fluffy bread make it irresistible, and it’s perfect for sharing with friends and family. Pack it warm, and watch it disappear as everyone grabs their piece, making it the ultimate crowd-pleasing Memorial Day picnic snack.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread

Sausage Rolls

These savory sausage rolls are a hit at every Memorial Day picnic. The flaky pastry wrapped around seasoned sausage makes for a snack that’s both hearty and easy to eat on the go. Perfect for sharing, these sausage rolls come together in a snap and will be a crowd favorite in no time.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Rolls

Lemon Loaf Cake

Bright and vibrant, this lemon loaf cake is the perfect sweet ending to your Memorial Day picnic. Moist and buttery, with a tangy glaze, it’s the kind of cake that’s perfect for slicing and serving outdoors. Light and refreshing, it makes a perfect treat to share with friends and family on a sunny spring day.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Loaf Cake

Bacon Cheddar Dip

Bacon cheddar dip is a no-fuss, crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s perfect for Memorial Day picnics. Combining creamy cheese, crispy bacon, and ranch seasoning in just five minutes, it’s ideal for easy snacking. Serve it warm or cold with chips, crackers, or veggies, and watch it disappear in a snap from the picnic spread.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Cheddar Dip

Cucumber Pinwheels

These cucumber pinwheels are light, refreshing, and incredibly easy to prepare, making them perfect for Memorial Day picnics. Cream cheese and smoked salmon wrapped in crisp cucumber provide a delicious balance of creamy, crunchy, and smoky flavors. Ready in just 10 minutes, these elegant bites are a must-have for your picnic basket.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Pinwheels

Sheet Pan Chicken

This sheet pan chicken is a Memorial Day picnic-friendly main dish that’s both easy to make and transport. Juicy chicken, paired with roasted veggies, creates a delicious, light meal in just 30 minutes. Perfect for feeding a crowd without a lot of hassle, this meal makes packing lunch for a picnic a breeze.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken

Honey Mustard Chicken

This honey mustard chicken is bright, bold, and the perfect addition to your Memorial Day lineup. The sweet and tangy glaze makes every bite juicy and irresistible, and it’s easy enough to make on a hectic day. Serve it warm or cold for a picnic that feels special without the effort; either way, it’s guaranteed to be a hit.
Get the Recipe: Honey Mustard Chicken

Canned Salmon Burgers

Canned salmon burgers are an easy, healthy, and flavorful addition to your Memorial Day picnic. Crispy on the outside and tender inside, these salmon patties fit perfectly into flatbreads for easy transport and a delicious bite. Ready in just 30 minutes, they keep everyone full and happy throughout your Memorial Day festivities.
Get the Recipe: Canned Salmon Burgers

Strawberry Lemonade

Strawberry lemonade is the refreshing drink your Memorial Day picnic needs. With just five ingredients and 10 minutes of prep, this tangy-sweet beverage brings a burst of fresh, fruity flavor to keep everyone hydrated and refreshed throughout the day. It’s a perfect, light drink to complement your outdoor celebration.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Lemonade

Deviled Eggs Without Mayo

These mayo-free deviled eggs offer a lighter, healthier twist on the classic dish, perfect for Memorial Day picnics. The creamy avocado and tangy sour cream filling provide a smooth, flavorful bite, while a sprinkle of paprika and parsley adds a pop of color. Easy to pack and sure to disappear fast, these eggs are a guaranteed hit at any picnic.
Get the Recipe: Deviled Eggs Without Mayo

Shrimp Scampi with Zoodles

Shrimp scampi with zoodles is a light, refreshing option for your Memorial Day picnic. Tender shrimp and zucchini noodles are tossed in a garlic-lemon sauce, creating a low-carb, flavorful dish that’s ready in just 20 minutes. This healthy alternative to traditional pasta is the perfect meal for a picnic, offering a delicious bite without the carbs.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Scampi with Zoodles

Creamy Tzatziki Sauce

Creamy tzatziki sauce is a cool, refreshing dip that’s ideal for Memorial Day gatherings. Made with fresh cucumber, tangy Greek yogurt, and vibrant herbs, it’s a light and flavorful dip that pairs perfectly with veggie sticks, pita chips, or grilled meats. Easy to make and healthy, it’s the perfect addition to your picnic spread, offering a refreshing bite throughout the day.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tzatziki Sauce

Chicken Quesadillas

Chicken quesadillas are the perfect picnic meal, combining a filling, flavorful bite with easy prep. Crispy golden tortillas filled with salsa-seasoned chicken and melty cheese make this a crowd-pleasing favorite. Whether served warm or cold, these quesadillas are ideal for Memorial Day picnics, an easy, delicious meal under the sun.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Quesadillas

Quesabirria Tacos

Quesabirria tacos are perfect for a Memorial Day picnic, offering crispy, cheesy tortillas packed with rich, flavorful birria meat. Don’t forget the consommé for dipping; this handheld meal brings all the flavor and fun to your picnic celebration. These tacos are bound to be the highlight of your Memorial Day spread.
Get the Recipe: Quesabirria Tacos

Bruschetta Al Pomodoro

Bruschetta al pomodoro is a classic Memorial Day appetizer that brings fresh, vibrant flavors to your picnic spread. Juicy tomatoes, fragrant basil, and a touch of olive oil create a simple yet delicious bite. This refreshing dish is perfect for sharing and is sure to be a crowd favorite at your outdoor celebration.
Get the Recipe: Bruschetta Al Pomodoro

Blueberry Scones

These blueberry scones are the perfect sweet treat for your Memorial Day picnic. Buttery, crumbly, and packed with juicy blueberries, they offer a bakery-like luxury in every bite. Simple to make and easy to share, these scones are the perfect picnic dessert that’s light yet delicious, making them an ideal end to your meal.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Scones

Breakfast Sandwich

These hearty breakfast sandwiches are perfect for a simple, delicious Memorial Day breakfast or brunch. Packed with bacon, eggs, sausage, and cheese on a soft English muffin, they’re easy to make ahead and great for a grab-and-go meal. Wrap them up and toss them in the cooler, breakfast will be ready whenever the picnic day begins.
Get the Recipe: Breakfast Sandwich