Hot dogs and potato chips are okay, but… Not necessarily. memorable. This Memorial Day, we’re upgrading the whole spread with a recipe that’s quick to make (not an all-day project) and full of flavor. It’s much more fun. From tangy dill pickle chicken to boozy wine slushies, this lineup has everything you need for a backyard party that will really get people talking.
The best part? You don’t have to choose just one. Mix and match the entrees, sides, desserts, and drinks on this list to create the perfect Memorial Day menu in no time. Let’s get into it.
11 Memorial Day Recipes That Will Never Be Boring
1. Dill Pickle Chicken Thighs
Marinated in dill pickle juice for extra tenderness and tang, these grilled chicken thighs are an unexpected hero of backyard cooking. 🥒 It comes together quickly and tastes just like what you would order at a restaurant rather than your basic barbecue.
Dill Pickled Chicken Thighs Recipe
Pickled chicken thighs are soaked in a tangy dill pickle juice marinade until tender and grilled to perfection. Serve with homemade dill sauce for extra flavor!
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2. Slow Cooker Ground Beef
Set it and forget it. This melt-in-your-mouth shredded beef does all the work while you focus on everything else. Stack it on bread, add it to tacos, or serve it over rice. This is a move to feed the crowd without breaking a sweat.
Minced Beef Recipe
my Slow Cooker Ground Beef It’s super tender and full of flavor, making it a meal prep-friendly meal that’s not only packed with protein but also super versatile. You can eat it on a sandwich, in a bowl, or even as a taco. The options are endless.
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3. Grilled gnocchi skewers
Wait a minute – can you bake gnocchi?! Yes, it’s really genius. 🍢 These skewers are perfectly crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. Grill it with your favorite vegetables and enjoy. A guaranteed conversation starter at any cookout gathering.
Grilled Gnocchi Skewers Recipe
These delicious grilled gnocchi skewers feature colorful sliced vegetables and perfectly crispy baked potato gnocchi dressed in a zesty herb lemon dressing. This is a delicious vegetarian side dish.
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4. Deviled Egg Pasta Salad
Everything you love about deviled eggs—a creamy, tangy mustard filling—transformed into a pasta salad that serves a crowd. This goes away quickly from potluck to potluck, so I recommend making a double batch.
Deviled Egg Pasta Salad Recipe
This delicious Deviled Egg Pasta Salad is easy to make with simple ingredients. Perfect for picnics, grill outs and summer gatherings.
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5. Strawberry Broccoli Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
It’s fresh, colorful and incredibly delicious. This salad surprises with sweet strawberries, crunchy broccoli, and a fantastic poppy seed dressing. 🍑 This is a side dish that makes everyone ask for the recipe.
Strawberry Broccoli Salad
This strawberry broccoli salad is tossed with homemade poppy seed dressing. You’ll love the vibrant flavors of this summer salad.
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6. Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad
Cheesy tortellini tossed in a bright herb pesto actually makes for an interesting pasta salad. It comes together in about 20 minutes and gets better the longer it sits, making it the perfect makeup option for busy holiday weekends.
Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad Recipe
Up your pasta game with Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad. Made with cheese tortellini and a delicious pesto sauce, it’s perfect for any occasion.
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7. Sheet Pan Fruit Crisps
Dessert for a crowd made easy. These sheet pan fruit crisps are bubbled with jam-packed fruit and topped with the crunchiest oat topping, so you can feed everyone without having to fuss with individual portions. Eat it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and watch it disappear. 🍑
Sheet Pan Fruit Crisp Recipe
These sheet pan fruit crisps are super easy to make and use 3 different fruits to create a variety of flavors. The buttery sweet crumble topping pairs perfectly with the tartness of the berries to create a satisfying and comforting dessert.
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8. Maple Chocolate Chip Blondie Bar
Filled with fudge, chewiness, and chocolate chips, these blondie bars are the go-to dessert for your cooking needs. When you touch maple syrup, it goes from “great” to “I need this recipe immediately.” If you bake it the day before, it will turn golden.
Maple Chocolate Chip Cookie Blondie Bars
These delicious Maple Chocolate Chip Cookie Blondie Bars are inspired by Momma’s famous cookie bar recipe, but with a little maple to make them warm!
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9. Stone Whip
This frozen snack needs no introduction. 🍍 This Homemade Dole Whip is creamy, tropical, and incredibly easy to make at home. It’s the kind of thing that makes kids (and adults) very happy on a hot day.
stone whip
This 4-ingredient Homemade Dole Whip recipe is refreshing and creamy. Ready in 15 minutes!
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10. Wine slush – 3 ways
Want a frozen wine drink that takes 5 minutes to prepare and makes everyone feel like they’re on vacation? Yes, please. 🍷 Available in three flavors so everyone can enjoy them and can be perfectly prepared ahead of time. Mix and store in the freezer before your guests arrive.
Wine Slush – 3 Ways
Wine slushies are the most delicious frozen cocktail you can make! Here I share three wine slush recipes using frozen fruit and ice.
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11. Spicy Pickle Margarita
A tangy, spicy and very refreshing cocktail. This is the cocktail that always makes you think, “Wait, what is this?!” reaction. 🌶️ Pickle Brine + Jalapeño + Margarita = The most unexpected (and addictive) drink at a party. Your guests will love you.
Spicy Pickle Margarita
A spicy pickle margarita made with dill pickle juice, tequila, triple sec, lime, and fresh jalapeños!
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Tips for the Best Memorial Day Spread
Stay comfortable with a few simple strategies. Start your shredded beef in the slow cooker in the morning to make it completely hands-free until party time. Make both the pasta salad and blondie bars the night before. It just gets better overnight. Mix the wine slush with Dole Whip and store in the freezer before your guests arrive. And always make extra dill pickled chicken. It goes quickly.
