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20+ Best Memorial Day BBQ Recipes

Published: · Modified: by · 34 Comments

The ultimate guide to the best Memorial Day BBQ! Celebrate with quick and easy appetizers, juicy and tender grilled meats paired with all the fixins! Regardless of your holiday plans, I've got so many recipes that will work for any setting!

A collection of the most popular memorial day recipe ideas for a bbq.

Whether you're taking it easy or going all out, these Memorial Day BBQ recipes fit any venue and are guaranteed to please a crowd! From easy no cook recipes to grilled meats, you'll find food ideas that will meet all your needs. Start off with some finger foods to munch on throughout the day. Then dive into the main course with your favorite grilled recipes. Pair that meat with some savory side dishes and salads and then finish it off with a sweet treat!

Best Memorial Day Appetizers

Keep everyone full and happy with these finger foods. Things like having a simple charcuterie board is a big win for those who love the graze and it's so easy to prepare. Keep finger foods readily available so people can stay satisfied before the main meal!

Patriotic Charcuterie Board
Making a charcuterie board is an easy appetizer for your Memorial day and other summer holiday barbecues. It's simple, involves no cooking, and takes around 15 minutes to put together.
Make This Patriotic Charcuterie Board!
Memorial day charcuterie board filled with fruit, candy, cheese, and meats.
BBQ Grilled Chicken Wings
Wings are the perfect grilling food for summer. Grilled to perfection in a sweet and smoky homemade BBQ sauce, these wings can be eaten with one hand while holding a cold drink in the other! Perfect for Memorial day and a guaranteed crowd pleaser!
Make These BBQ Grilled Chicken Wings Here!
BBQ chicken wings on a white serving plate with dipping sauce.
Spinach Artichoke Dip
A creamy and warm appetizer dip filled with cheese, spinach, and chopped artichokes. Melted together and baked until it’s hot and bubbly in a skillet that’s ready for dipping!
Get This Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe!
spinach and artichoke dip in a skillet.
Mac And Cheese Bites
For the love of some Macaroni and Cheese! It's just one of those foods that everyone loves. Cheesy and creamy and cheesy again, this is the ultimate comfort food. The perfect pop in your mouth snack for your Memorial Day!
Get The Recipe For These Mac And Cheese Bites!
Six macaroni and cheese bites sitting on a white table, topped with chives.

BBQ Main Dish Recipes

Everyone looks forward to a Memorial Day BBQ and these main dishes are guaranteed to please! Have a variety of meats available so guests can pick and choose what they want to indulge in. Ribs, steaks, and burgers are some of the most popular recipes everyone looks forward to!

Herbed Skirt Steak
You don't have to buy a fancy, high-end cut of meat for your Memorial Day BBQ. Sometimes simple is best and that's what you get with this Herbed Skirt Steak recipe. I bet you already have all the ingredients in your pantry to make this marinade.
Get This Herbed Skirt Steak Recipe Here!
Sliced skirt steak cooked to a medium temperature sitting on a brown table, topped with parsley, squeezed lemon on table.
Memphis-Style Barbecue Pork Ribs
I am SO in love with this BBQ recipe! I'm from Tennessee so I know good BBQ ribs and this recipe screams real good ribs. These are Memphis-style barbecue pork ribs lathered with a pomegranate vinegar.
Make These Memphis Ribs!
Memphis Style ribs on a platter
Smoked Brisket Burnt Ends
Juicy and flavorful, these burnt ends are made from a beef brisket and are packed with an intense smoke flavor. Caramelized in a tangy, sweet Kansas City-style barbecue sauce, make sure you bring these to your Memorial Day gathering!
Get The Recipe For These Burnt Ends!
White dish with smoked brisket burnt ends in a kansas city-barbecue sauce with a glass of beer
BBQ Pulled Chicken Sliders
Need an alternative to a hamburger this Memorial Day weekend? Try this pulled chicken sandwich recipe. You'll make the chicken in the crockpot and add some homemade chipotle mayo. This is a great BBQ recipe, without using your grill!
Get The Recipe For These Chicken Sliders Here!
BBQ Chicken Sandwich with sliced pickles and a ciabatta bun sitting on a brown napkin.
Shrimp Boil In Foil
If you need a low maintenance Memorial Day meal, look no further. You'll add shrimp, sausage, corn, and spices in the foil and cook in the oven for 20 minutes. Full of flavor and easy to make.
Make This Shrimp Boil!
Tin foil containing sauteed shrimp and corn on the cob, shrimp fork serving.
Pesto Portobello Mushroom Burger
Most people grill hamburgers on Memorial Day weekend but if you're looking for a plant based burger, look no further. Made with basil pesto and topped with tomato and arugula, this burger is poppin with some amazing flavor.
Make This Portobello Burger!
Portabella burger topped with pesto, tomatoe and lettuce sitting on a white plate topped with a ciabatta bun.

Sides Dishes For BBQ

The perfect pairings, these side dishes are perfect for any BBQ and taste beyond amazing! And it's always a good idea to have a variety. From grilled corn to baked beans and salads galore, find the perfect sides to compliment your meal!

Elote Corn (Mexican Corn)
You just can't have a BBQ without corn on the cob. But this recipe is special because it's full of seasoning including chili powder, cayenne pepper, fresh lime, and Cotija cheese. It's a crowd favorite. Super easy and crazy delish. It's a classic BBQ recipe that everyone will enjoy!
Get This Elote Corn Recipe Here!
A plate of Corn on the cob and Cotija cheese on a white plate.
Créme Fraîche Potato Salad Recipe
Potato salad pairs amazingly well with a plethora of BBQ recipes and it's a must for Memorial Day. With this recipe, you'll use red potatoes. And make sure you leave the peels on. Creamy and tangy flavors, this potato salad is made with lemon, capers, and red onion.
Learn How To Make Potato Salad Créme Fraîche
Creme fraiche potato salad.
“Secret Sauce” BBQ Baked Beans
Tangy, spicy and sweet, these baked beans are fabulous! The secret is in the sauce. If  you really want to impress your guest this Memorial Day weekend, this recipe is a must try!
Make These BBQ Baked Beans!
White casserole dish containing baked beans sitting on a checked table, side of parsley and fork on side.
Coleslaw
Another Memorial Day food idea that's great for any BBQ is Coleslaw. Coleslaw is a classic must have side dish for any BBQ on Memorial Day. Skip the mayo and season your coleslaw with lemon and pineapple juice using fresh fruits and vegetables.
Get This Homemade Coleslaw Recipe Here!
White bowl containing purple cabbage, squash, apple and celery, sitting on a white granite table, sprinkled with purple cabbage shavings.
Watermelon & Blackberry Fruit Salad Recipe
Nothing screams the beginning of summer like watermelon and blackberries! Not only is it a refreshingly delicious fruit salad, it calls for only 4 simple ingredients!
Make This Watermelon Salad!
White bowl containing cubed watermelon and blackberries, topped with fresh mint.
Macaroni Salad
Pasta salads are a must for summer and should be required at every BBQ! This mac salad is creamy and perfect for summer time! And it's a huge hit whenever I bring it to gatherings!
Make This Macaroni Salad Recipe
Jalapeno Cornbread Muffins
The perfect mixture of sweet and spicy, these cornbread muffins are just the carb you need with your BBQ this Memorial Day Holiday! The finely chopped jalapenos brings for the flavor in every bite.
Get The Recipe For These Jalapeno Cornbread Muffins!

Memorial Day Desserts

Finish up the day with a patriotic sweet treat! These dessert ideas are fun to make and taste amazing. Ice cream, cupcakes, and cool whip berry trifles are some fun choices for your dessert table. These tasty treats are guaranteed to please!

Patriotic Celebration Pretzels
These are possibly the easiest desserts you can make and are the perfect combination of sweet and salty! All you need are pretzel rods, candy melts, and sprinkles!
Make These Celebration Pretzels!
Red, white, and blue dipped pretzel sticks.
Patriotic Mini Fruit Tarts
The cutest tarts! This is a perfect dessert for Memorial Day. Can you believe these tarts are healthy? Made with blueberries, strawberries, and greek yogurt these tarts taste incredible!
Get The Recipe For These Fruit Tarts!
Cheesecake Ice Cream
I'm just not sure words are need for this recipe because the picture speaks for itself. Amazing. DELICIOUS. Mouthwatering. Scrumptious! If you love cheesecake and you love ice cream, you'll love this homemade dessert. I mean seriously....who would not want to make this for their Memorial Day weekend party!
Get The Recipe For This Cheesecake Ice Cream!
Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes
End your Memorial Weekend with a taste of summer! These Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes remind me so much of my favorite childhood ice cream.  I've made these cupcakes many times and they are delish! Such a fun summer taste!
Get This Cupcake Recipe Here!
Nine Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes sitting on a white lace napkin topped with vanilla frosting and topped with orange slice.
Summer Berry Fruit Trifle Recipe
Layer upon layer of angel food cake, summer berries, and a custard like filling, this fruit trifle recipe is a cold dessert that is perfect for any hot summer day!
Make This Summer Berry Fruit Trifle!
Trifle bowl containing strawberries, blueberries and cheesecake filling sitting on an white table, scattered berries.

Expert Tips For The Best Memorial Day BBQ

  • Choose as many portable recipes as possible. You'll want dishes that can easily be moved from the kitchen counter to the backyard table without much fuss.
  • Stick to using disposable plates, cups, and silverware. No one wants to do dishes after a holiday get together.
  • Have a signature drink available! This singapore sling is a classic gin based drink has a sweet-tart taste! It's perfect for both springtime and summer!
  • Have multiple food stations so people can scatter and munch wherever they are hanging out.
  • Everyone hates flies but those flies sure do love your food. Keep your food covered with some food nets and tents. Fly traps and fly swatters are also a good idea to have around. Also, consider getting a bug repellent citronella candle to keep those pests away.
  • Make sure you have plenty of chairs and tables. It's relatively inexpensive to buy extra folding chairs and tables. Cover them with a disposable tablecloths for an easy cleanup!
  • Have lots of trash cans out and available. Put them in different areas of the house and backyard and make sure they are being emptied when they are starting to get full.

There you have it! A plethora of Memorial Day BBQ recipes and some tips and tricks that will please everyone! I can't wait to hear which recipe you try first so make sure you leave me a comment and let me know how it turns out!

There's always leftovers from a holiday get together that you don't want to go to waste. Here are some leftover food recipes that will satisfy your tastebuds and help clean out your refrigerator.

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About Amanda Mason

Hi! I'm Amanda, the founder and creator behind Recipes Worth Repeating! Simply put, I focus on creating delicious recipes for everyone. I offer variety. I offer convenience. I offer yumminess! And that's why people keep coming back. The recipes I create are absolutely worth repeating.

Founded in 2012, Recipes Worth Repeating grew from people routinely asking me to email them the recipe for my latest dish. Recipe development comes naturally to me and I find cooking relaxing. Originally from Nashville, Tennessee, I developed a passion for cooking at an early age and I love to showcase a variety of recipes on my blog.Creating delicious new recipes, still photography, and video for Recipes Worth Repeating is the driving force behind what engages my readers to keep coming back for more recipes they will love.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ashley @ Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen

    This is such a great assortment of recipes! Makes me wish we were doing a backyard BBQ today!

    Reply

    • Amanda Mason

      I hope you had a great Memorial Day!

      Reply

  2. Veronika

    My top three I wanna try this year is definitely the shrimp boil, elotes, and the watermelon salad with blackberries but all the recipes sound amazing!

    Reply

    • Amanda Mason

      I can't wait to hear which ones you make and how they turn out!!

      Reply

  3. Ann

    This is a great list! We always go camping over Memorial Day weekend, so I will definitely be making some of these recipes! Thanks for the share!

    Reply

    • Amanda Mason

      I cant wait to hear what you make, Ann!!

      Reply

  4. Andrea

    Loving all the cute patriotic desserts! I'm having a tough time deciding which ones to make!

    Reply

    • Amanda Mason

      I know right? They are all so yummy! Let me know which one(s) you end up making!

      Reply

  5. Erin

    So many awesome recipes to make sure that your Memorial Day guests are well fed!

    Reply

    • Amanda Mason

      Enjoy, Erin!

      Reply

  6. Sean

    These recipes will make for a great Memorial Day gathering pool party, thanks for sharing!

    Reply

    • Amanda Mason

      yes - perfect for Memorial Day!

      Reply

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