Memorial Day Weekend is the time where everyone breaks out their grills and comes together to enjoy some good food and delicious drinks together in the sunshine. It’s almost like the official turn to summer. However you’re spending it, I gathered some recipes that are perfect for a holiday weekend to take a little bit of the planning off your shoulders from the BBQ classics to refreshing summer salads and cocktails. Enjoy!
Apps & Sides
Prosciutto & Melon: Took this one from a trip in Italy and never looking back – this is the best app for a warm day.
Shrimp Ceviche: Super light and easy to make app or side for a BBQ.
Jalapeño Bacon Corn Casserole: Great as a side or an app with some corn chips to dip. Perfect combo of sweet and savory.
World’s Best Guacamole: Try not to eat this one in one sitting before your guests even arrive…it’s that good.
La Scala Chopped Pasta Salad: Serve as a side or add your BBQ chicken to it for a bomb salad. This one went viral for a reason!
Peach Burrata Prosciutto Salad: The most delicious summer salad! It’s sweet and savory and grilling your peaches really take it to the next level.
Spring Orzo Pasta Salad with Crispy Shallot Vinaigrette: The pasta salad that comes with the best dressing you will ever taste. I recommend making double the suggested amount to drizzle on literally any and everything.
Dishoom’s Chili Broccoli Salad: The salad with all the best tastes and textures!
Mains
Slow Cooker Shredded Steak Tacos: Perhaps not the traditional Memorial Day weekend food, but it’s super easy and so delish.
Healthified Crispy Chicken Sandwich: That chicken sandwich dupe you can make for when you get that forbidden closed on Sundays chicken sandwich craving.
The Best BBQ Chicken: The classic. You can’t go wrong with some BBQ chicken!
Crunchy Chopped Salad with Jalapeño Lime Ranch: A yummy crunchy salad that is PERFECT with my BBQ chicken on top.
Deli-Style Turkey Sub with Sweet Pepper Relish: If you aren’t in the mood to grill, don’t have one or need to make something that can be on the go – these subs are so fresh and easy, while tasting gourmet.
Balsamic Grilled Chicken: If you want chicken, but want a different flavor than BBQ, this marinade is so insane and also tastes great on veggies if you want a more balanced meal.
Grilled Chipotle Chicken Sandwich: The perfect backyard BBQ alternative to burgers. Goes great with sweet potato fries!
Greek Style Smash Burgers: A twist on the smash burger trend to level it up. It tastes like the best Gyro I have ever had!
Peruvian Chicken Thighs with Green Sauce: The sauce and marinade for these are so good and can be made ahead of time so all you have to do day-of is heat up the grill and serve.
Filet Mignon Skewers with Chimichurri: These are simple to make while looking fancy and pair perfectly with grilled veggies.
Grilled Fish Sandwich: This sandwich is the most fresh fish sandwich you have ever tasted and the Spicy Green Onion Remoulade sauce that goes with it will make it a crowd favorite summer dish!
Grilled Summer Vegetable Sandwich: If you are looking for a scrumptious meat-free option, here it is! Sandwich of the summer.
Cocktails
Passion Fruit Margarita: This one can be made with passion fruit or mango, but either way it is paradise in a cocktail.
Strawberry Aperol Spritz: The epitome of a refreshing summer drink.
Frozen Chamoy Mango Margarita: This one can serve as your boozy little sweet treat.
Spicy Watermelon Margarita: A drink that screams summer.
Stawberry Frosè: A pink boozy little sweet treat. If that doesn’t sell you, I don’t know what will!
Desserts
Berry Cobbler: Nothing more delicious and comforting than some cobbler and this one is too good not to share.
Brown Butter S’mores Rice Krispies: The perfect handheld treat that gives you that cozy camping feeling without all the fuss. Ooey gooey goodness!
Homemade Magic Shell: Something about a chocolate shell that is so nostalgic and perfect over your favorite ice cream.