It’s starting to feel like summer here in Chicago (at least for now), and I couldn’t be more excited for evenings on the patio and endless dinners from the grill.
Memorial Day is already NEXT weekend, and I’ve got over 30 recipes perfect for cooking and grilling with friends and family. If you’re wondering what to serve at a Memorial Day picnic, BBQ, or party, I’ve got your back. These fresh, seasonal recipes are perfect for your Memorial Day menu!
I picked out my go-to Memorial Day appetizers, mains & desserts to cover all of your bases. You’ll find grilling recipes and ones you can make without a grill, plus plenty of fresh salads to pair with juicy burgers.
GF = Gluten Free
V = Vegan
VT = Vegetarian
If you make any of these healthier Memorial Day recipes, leave a comment below and let me know how you liked it! You can also tag #ambitiouskitchen on Instagram so that I can see your creations.
Don’t forget our easy grilling tutorials
Dips & Salsas
Fresh & Healthy 7-Layer Dip VT, GF
Whipped Feta Bruschetta Dip VT, GF
Fresh Mango Salsa Recipe V, GF
Garlic & Herb Whipped Cottage Cheese Dip VT, GF
The Best Guacamole You’ll Ever Eat V, GF
Just a Really Good Corn Salsa V, GF
Garlic White Bean Basil Hummus V, GF
Avocado Strawberry Mango Salsa V, GF
Handheld Appetizers
Lemon Parmesan Chicken Wings with Herby Yogurt Ranch GF
Pizza Puff Pastry Tarts VT
Roasted Strawberry, Basil, and Goat Cheese Crostini VT
Thai-Inspired Peanut Chicken Wings
Grilled Mini Sweet Peppers with Goat Cheese + Jalapeño Cilantro Pistachio Pesto VT, GF
Strawberry Balsamic Bruschetta VT, GF
Peach Crostini with Whipped Cottage Cheese, Basil & Hot Honey VT, GF
Grilled Crostini with Roasted Cherries, Ricotta & Basil VT, GF
Easy Side Dishes
Best Healthy Coleslaw Ever (no mayo!) V, GF
Homemade Slow Cooker Baked Beans GF
Honey Lime Basil Peach Fruit Salad VT, GF
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs with Bleu Cheese Yogurt Dip GF
Gluten Free Cornbread Muffins VT, GF
Parmesan Tomato Zucchini Tart VT
Cucumber Jalapeño Cilantro Cabbage Slaw V, GF
Fresh Salads
*Use gluten-free pasta to make any of the pasta salads gluten-free
Herby Chickpea and Feta Pasta Salad VT, GF
Summer Glow Strawberry Kale Salad VT, GF
Italian Chopped Brussels Sprouts Salad GF
Spicy Ranch Chopped Chicken Cabbage Salad GF
The Easiest Chopped Greek Chickpea Salad VT, GF
Street Corn Pasta Salad with Cilantro Pistachio Pesto & Goat Cheese VT, GF
Damn Good BLT Pasta Salad with Creamy Jalapeño Cashew Dressing GF
Herby Olive Italian Orzo Salad VT, GF
Copycat Portillo’s Chopped Salad GF
Grilled Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad GF
Summery Main Dishes
Jalapeño Curry Turkey Burgers GF
Smashed Buffalo Chicken Tacos with Herby Ranch Slaw GF
Slow Cooker Gochujang Chicken Sandwiches GF
Buffalo Zucchini Chicken Burgers GF
Grilled Tahini Chicken Caesar Sandwiches GF
Seriously Good Sweet Potato Cheddar BBQ Chicken Burgers GF
Crazy Good Street Corn Chicken Tacos GF
Moroccan-Spiced Turkey Burgers with Creamy Feta Sauce GF
Easy Grilled Proteins
Greek Chicken Kabobs GF
Grilled Jalapeño Cilantro Chicken GF
Baked or Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken (with the best honey mustard marinade!) GF
Grilled Sesame Chicken GF
Sazon Grilled Chicken Thighs GF
Sticky, Sweet & Spicy Grilled Ginger Chicken GF
Cocktails
Frozen Strawberry Margarita
Spiked Tropical Green Juice (aka Green Margarita)
Spiked Cherry Limeade
Frozen Mango Margarita
Coconut Lime Margarita
Watermelon Frosé
Skinny Jalapeño Watermelon Margaritas
Easy Fruit Desserts
Mixed Berry Cobbler with Lemon-Pistachio Biscuits
Strawberry Crumble Bars GF
Strawberry Crisp with Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookie Crumble GF
Blueberry Pie Bars with Oatmeal Crumble V, GF
Vibrant Lime Bars GF
Lemon Cream Pie with Pecan Gingersnap Crust
The Best Cookies, Brownies & Bars
S’mores Peanut Butter Cookie Skillet (or bars!) GF
Scoopable Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies GF
Lemon Cookies with Lovely Lemon Glaze
Grain Free Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies GF
Fudgy Almond Butter Blondies GF
Grain Free Chocolate Chunk Skillet Cookie V, GF
Tahini Monster Cookie Bars GF
Healthy Peanut Butter Twix Bars (vegan & gluten free) V, GF
If you make any of these Memorial Day recipes, be sure to leave a comment below and let me know how you liked it! You can also tag #ambitiouskitchen on Instagram so that I can see your creations. Thank you, xo!
