Kick off the summer with these Memorial Day sides, mains, salads, and more.
We know we're jumping the gun here by a bit, as summer officially starts in June. But as far as we're concerned, Memorial Day is the annual first chance to get together with friends for a warm weather, summery cookout. Whether you’re just celebrating the return of BBQing or remembering those who died serving in the military, take this holiday as an opportunity to get your grill on. It’s also a great time for a picnic or potluck—don’t be that person who just brings a stack of cups (unless you’re also bringing a big-batch summer co*cktail for sharing)! Instead, check out this list of 81 delicious Memorial Day sides, mains, salads, and more for ideas.
We’ve included tons of burgers and hot dogs, of course, including some fun spins on the classics like our Big Mac hot dogs, our caprese turkey burgers, our beer can burgers (use a beer can to create a hole in the hamburger that you can stuff with cheese), and our hot dog Cubans. Not a bun fan? No worries, we’ve got tons of chicken, seafood, and steak recipes that are perfect on the grill too, like our butterflied grilled chicken drumsticks, our cowboy steak, our grilled honey-chipotle salmon foil packets, our carne asada, and more.
Lots of salads here as well, and we don’t just mean the green ones (though we love leafy summer salads too!). We’ve got tons of potato salad recipes, pasta salads, and bean salads here as well, like our , our cowboy pasta salad, our tzatziki potato salad, and our antipasto potato salad.
Speaking of greens, don’t be tempted to skip the veggies at your BBQ. While everyone loves the meaty options, it’s the vegetarian sides and mains recipes they consistently ask for, like our Thai-inspired cauliflower steaks, our tomato gnocchi skewers, our grilled broccoli, or our veggie kabobs. Plus, your plant-based friends will be SO thankful you thought of them!
Now you’ve got all your savory options down, don’t forget about dessert! Check out our fave grilled fruits (if you’ve never had a grilled peach, get ready), our best summer desserts, and our top easy fruit desserts too.
1
Caprese Turkey Burgers
We’ve Caprese-d everything from pasta salad to focaccia to stuffed peppers, but these Caprese turkey burgers are something special. Crowned with melty mozzarella, fresh tomatoes, and basil, this fresh twist on America’s perennial favorite will be a smash hit at every backyard BBQ and cookout around.
Get the Caprese Turkey Burgers recipe.
2
Honey Lime Grilled Corn
Nothing says summertime like the smell of corn on the grill. It also happens to be the easiest side you’ll make all season. For this recipe, juicy ears of corn get some char on a hot grill, then get brushed with an irresistible honey-lime butter that you'll want to put on everything.
Get the Honey Lime Grilled Corn recipe.
3
Cheddar, Bacon & Pea Pasta Salad
The best part about this pasta salad isn’t the crispy bacon (or the creamy dressing), but how strikingly simple it is. Cooking your bacon in the oven frees up your hands to mix the dressing together while the pasta and peas boil in the same pot. While you could use any kind of noodle for this pasta salad, we love that the peas get caught in our shells, and that the creamy dressing clings to them as well.
Get the .
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4
Watermelon Caprese
During the summer, we can’t get enough of simple, refreshing salads that put fresh fruit at the forefront. Two of our favorites? The classic caprese, and our watermelon feta salad. We loved these two summer sides so much, we decided to combine them into one refreshing recipe. The result is a simple, sweet-salty snack ready in 15 minutes (and isn’t that what summer is all about?).
Get the Watermelon Caprese recipe.
5
Grilled Teriyaki Cauliflower Steaks
Looking for a vegetarian centerpiece for your summer grill-out? Make these teriyaki cauliflower steaks. Slathered in a brown sugar and soy glaze and showered with scallions and toasted sesame seeds, these saucy cauliflower steaks might just upstage the ribs.
Get the Grilled Teriyaki Cauliflower Steaks recipe.
6
Antipasto Potato Salad
Potato salad is about as classic a summer side as it gets, and we love experimenting with different flavor combinations. If you’re looking to lighten up your usual potato salad, look no further—this version is bursting with all the flavors of your favorite antipasto.
Get the Antipasto Potato Salad recipe.
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7
Zucchini Bun Hot Dogs
Grilling zucchini not only turns it smoky and delicious, but makes it soft enough to serve as a perfect vessel for your grilled hot dog. The zucchini isn't trying to replace the bun by any means—think of this BBQ main as a perfect way to get your main and veggies in one.
Get the Zucchini Bun Hot Dogs recipe.
8
Summer Squash Sheet Pan Tacos
Put squash, hummus, and pickled shallots in front of us, and we'll make one mean taco. These vegetarian tacos have layers of tender summer squash (imagine them picked right from the garden), whipped garlicky hummus, smoky tahini sauce, and za’atar pickled shallots layered in warm corn tortillas.
Get the Summer Squash Sheet Pan Tacos recipe.
9
Big Mac Hot Dogs
Love a Big Mac? Us too! So much so that we're not consigning their delicious flavor to just burgers. These hot dogs are everything you love about them (mm, Mac sauce), with a twist!
Get the Big Mac Hot Dogs recipe.
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10
Watermelon Pizza
At first glance, the idea of combining watermelon with savory ingredients might seem unconventional. But as you take your first bite, you'll quickly discover the magic of this unusual combination. The sweetness of the watermelon provides a refreshing base that perfectly complements the savory toppings, creating a harmonious balance of flavors that dance across your palate.
Get the Watermelon Pizza recipe.
11
Cilantro-Lime Chicken Skewers
Get your grill out: This is a chicken dish that goes with everything! Get the marinade and grilling technique down, then turn these cilantro-and-lime chicken skewers into a variety of meals, each with different flavor profiles so they never get boring. The only problem? These super-tender and flavorful chicken bites won’t last long. Once you start snacking on one, you’ll want to eat them all.
Get the Cilantro-Lime Chicken Skewers recipe.
12
Summer Couscous Salad
Here we're using couscous as the base for a confetti of colored vegetables (cucumbers! bell peppers! red onion!), doused in a creamy lemon Dijon dressing. We’ve also added tangy feta and sun-dried tomatoes, crunchy toasted almonds, and nutty, earthy chickpeas to give it a little added oomph. It’s simple and light, but still special enough for a Memorial Day celebration.
Get the Summer Couscous Salad recipe.
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13
Italian Pasta Salad
In our opinion, pasta salad is a Memorial Day must. We have plenty of beloved variations of this staple side dish, but this Italian-inspired recipe is our guaranteed go-to when we need a reliable BBQ side.
Get the Italian Pasta Salad recipe.
14
Grilled Shrimp Piccata Skewers
These grilled shrimp piccata skewers are the perfect combination of juicy, charred shrimp, bright lemon zest, briny capers, and white wine butter sauce that will make your friends beg you for the recipe. Since it only takes 45 minutes from start to finish, it’s ideal for everything from a backyard bash to a quick weeknight dinner.
Get the Grilled Shrimp Piccata Skewers recipe.
15
Caprese Chicken Foil Packs
This recipe combines three things we love—Caprese, chicken, and foil packets—for a SUPER-easy and bright chicken dinner that only takes about 30 minutes to make. Whether you're throwing a BBQ or having a chill family meal, everyone will love them!
Get the Caprese Chicken Foil Packs recipe.
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16
Hawaiian Mac Salad
Hawaiian macaroni salad is a creamy, tangy, iconic comfort food that is practically synonymous with the state. It’s very simple to prepare—you might already have all the ingredients on hand!—making it the perfect easy side to bring to any Memorial Day celebration.
Get the Hawaiian Mac Salad recipe.
17
Greek Salad
When you’re looking for simple, refreshing, and reliable, you’d be hard pressed to find a dish better than classic Greek salad. Filled with fresh veggies, tangy feta, and a simple dressing made of ingredients you might already have in your fridge, this bright salad only takes 15 minutes to prepare, making it a perfect last-minute addition to your Memorial Day celebration.
Get the Greek Salad recipe.
18
Watermelon Quinoa Salad
We love to snack on bites of watermelon all summer long, but one of our favorite ways to enjoy the juicy, sweet fruit is in a refreshing salad. With mint, feta, red onion, cucumber, and a balsamic glaze, this one's got everything you love about traditional watermelon salad, but with an additional protein boost from one of our favorite grains, fluffy and nutritious quinoa.
Get the Watermelon Quinoa Salad recipe.
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19
Harissa Grilled Chicken
In the world of powerhouse pantry staples, harissa is a flavor bomb. We’re no strangers to its magic here at Delish, and now we’re tapping it again for this easy, throw-together marinade for grilled chicken that's perfect for Memorial Day.
Get the Harissa Grilled Chicken recipe.
20
Classic Potato Salad
A classic potato salad is a must-have at every picnic and BBQ, and Memorial Day is no different. Ours is the best—it's creamy and tangy, with a little bit of crunch from the onion and pickles. What it's not: too sweet, which is one of our potato salad pet peeves. If you’re looking for a classic, no-fuss potato salad that won’t disappoint, this is it.
Get the Classic Potato Salad recipe.
