Memorial Day Recipes

By Sam MerrittPublished May 21, 2026

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Today I’m rounding up 25+ of my best Memorial Day recipes! Barbecue, summer salads, patriotic desserts, and refreshing drinks–all perfect for a summertime picnic or potluck.

Collage of Memorial Day recipes including smash burgers, macaroni salad, lemonade, star cookies, and pulled BBQ chicken.

Top Memorial Day Recipes

The unofficial start of summer is nearly here–are you ready? If not, my Memorial Day recipes will have you prepped in no time. I’ve collected a few of my most popular summer recipes and patriotic desserts (like my star spangled cookies!) into one comprehensive guide.

Of all the recipes in this list, my macaroni salad comes out on top every year. In fact, it’s one of my top performers year-round! Why? Creamy, a little sweet, and full of crunchy veggies, it pairs well with just about any protein and is usually the first to go at any potluck. It’s simple to make, but has that classic taste so many love!

Let’s get to the rest of the list 👏

1. Macaroni Salad

A crowd-favorite with hamburgers, hot dogs, and so much more! I also have a shrimp pasta salad that is very similar, if you want to try that version.

4.97 from 1440 votes

Macaroni Salad

Macaroni, crisp veggies, and a creamy dressing–what's not to love?! This recipe is a summer staple and very popular for potlucks and barbecues.

MACARONI SALAD RECIPE

2. Pulled Chicken

BBQ is extremely popular on Memorial Day, and this pulled chicken is no exception. My BBQ chicken meatballs are another great option!

4.98 from 316 votes

Crock Pot BBQ Chicken

Slow cooker pulled chicken comes together so easily and is perfect for parties and potlucks.

CROCK POT BBQ CHICKEN RECIPE

3. Coleslaw

The perfect pairing with BBQ, my coleslaw recipe skips the pre-shredded veggies and bottled sauce for the BEST flavor and texture.

large bowl of homemade coleslaw full of shredded green and purple cabbage, carrots, and creamy dressing co

4.99 from 54 votes

Easy Coleslaw Recipe

Shredded cabbage and carrots tossed in a creamy homemade dressing. A simple staple!

COLESLAW RECIPE

4. Blueberry Cobbler

An easier alternative to blueberry pie! Serve with ice cream for the ultimate experience.

5 from 13 votes

Blueberry Cobbler

Juicy, jammy blueberries topped with a tender, flavorful biscuit-like topping. Ready in under an hour!

BLUEBERRY COBBLER RECIPE

5. Deviled Eggs

Another classic Memorial Day recipe! My version is a crowd-favorite with an extra special addition to the filling.

4.96 from 1469 votes

Million Dollar Deviled Eggs

A simple staple that's always a huge hit at parties! My recipe is an elevated version of the classic.

DEVILED EGGS RECIPE

6. Red, White, & Blue Cookies

A fun and festive version of classic chocolate chip cookies! These transport nicely if you are traveling for Memorial Day.

5 from 2 votes

Red White & Blue Chocolate Chip Cookies

Classic chocolate chip cookies with a patriotic twist! Perfect for Memorial Day or the Fourth of July.

RED WHITE AND BLUE COOKIES

7. Potato Salad

A summer cookout classic! Make sure you keep this one chilled if it’s hot where you’re celebrating.

4.96 from 21 votes

Potato Salad

My potato salad has sweet pickles, smoked paprika, and a few other flavor boosters that set it apart from the rest.

POTATO SALAD RECIPE

8. Strawberry Shortcake

A sweetened version of my popular biscuit recipe layered with homemade whipped cream and macerated strawberries. So good!

4.97 from 31 votes

Strawberry Shortcake

Buttery, sweetened shortcakes topped with juicy berries and fluffy whipped cream. A summer favorite!

STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE RECIPE

9. BLT Dip

A fun twist on the classic sandwich! This one is a big hit at summer parties.

5 from 13 votes

BLT Dip

A creamy, bacon-infused base topped with lettuce, tomato, cheese, green onions, and even more bacon. Easy and unique!

BLT DIP RECIPE

10. Blueberry Crumb Bars

I also have strawberry crumb bars and lemon crumb bars, if you want more options.

4.86 from 28 votes

Blueberry Crumb Bars

Buttery shortbread crust topped with jammy blueberries and an equally buttery crumb topping. Works with fresh or frozen berries and transports beautifully!

BLUEBERRY CRUMB BARS RECIPE

11. Lemonade

I have so many other flavors: pink lemonade, blueberry lemonade, watermelon lemonade, strawberry lemonade, raspberry lemonade.

4.91 from 286 votes

Homemade Lemonade Recipe

Homemade lemonade is far better than any prepared mix! My simple recipe uses just 3 ingredients and is so refreshing.

HOMEMADE LEMONADE RECIPE

12. Star Spangled Cookies

So fun and pretty! These may look tricky, but the decoration is actually quite simple.

Red white and blue marbled cookies with silver star sprinkles

4.96 from 22 votes

Star-Spangled Cookies

Soft, buttery, vanilla glazed sugar cookies with whirls of red, white, and blue on top. So festive, and fun to make too!

STAR SPANGLED COOKIES RECIPE

13. Broccoli Salad

One of my most popular memorial day recipes! It pairs well with just about everything.

4.99 from 943 votes

Broccoli Salad

Broccoli salad made with bacon, sunflower seeds, cranberries, and cheddar. The homemade dressing makes it over the top delicious!

BROCCOLI SALAD RECIPE

14. Angel Food Cupcakes

A mini version of my popular angel food cake! Whipped cream and berries are optional, but they help sell the cupcake look.

4.62 from 21 votes

Angel Food Cupcakes

Fluffy angel food cupcakes topped with whipped cream and fresh berries. Ready in half the time it takes to make a the full cake!

ANGEL FOOD CUPCAKES RECIPE

15. Strawberry Cobbler

Perfect with in-season May strawberries! Or try my apple cobbler or peach cobbler.

5 from 11 votes

Strawberry Cobbler

Sweet and juicy berries topped with a cobbled biscuit-like topping. Takes just minutes to prep and has a gourmet, bakery-style taste!

STRAWBERRY COBBLER RECIPE

16. Street Corn Salad

Unique and refreshing, this salad is a summer favorite. I also have a Mexican street corn pasta salad!

5 from 2 votes

Mexican Street Corn Salad

Sweet corn, salty cheese, fresh cilantro, and more come together in this crowd-pleasing side dish. Can be served hot or cold!

STREET CORN SALAD RECIPE

17. Pulled Pork

Ready in just over an hour! Serve with my homemade BBQ sauce for best results.

5 from 12 votes

Instant Pot Pulled Pork

Pulled pork in just over an hour! This recipe tastes slow-cooked but is ready in a fraction of the time, thanks to a pressure cooker.

INSTANT POT PULLED PORK RECIPE

18. Cheesecake Bites

My no-bake cheesecake and no-bake chocolate cheesecake would be great Memorial Day recipes as well!

cheesecake bites in a sugar cookie crust topped with blueberries and sliced strawberries

4.89 from 9 votes

No-bake cheesecake in crisp, buttery sugar cookie cups. Just an hour to make and entirely from-scratch!

CHEESECAKE BITES RECIPE

19. Strawberry Pretzel Salad

A party favorite, but from-scratch! This recipe is especially good with ripe May strawberries.

Slice of strawberry pretzel salad made completely from-scratch.

4.34 from 6 votes

Strawberry Pretzel Salad (no Cool Whip or Jello)

No Cool Whip or gelatin! My version substitutes homemade versions of each for the BEST flavor.

STRAWBERRY PRETZEL SALAD RECIPE

20. Smash Burgers

Serve on my burger buns if you’re feeling extra ambitious!

Hands holding a smash burger topped with American cheese, onion, tomato, and lettuce.

5 from 8 votes

Smash Burger Recipe

Learn how to make restaurant-quality smash burgers at home! They have the same crisp, caramelized crust and irresistible sauce you'd get from a restaurant burger.

SMASH BURGER RECIPE

21. Blueberry Cream Cheese Pie

I also have a lemon cream cheese pie and a strawberry cream cheese pie.

5 from 5 votes

Blueberry Cream Cheese Pie

Crisp, buttery graham cracker crust, creamy filling, and a juicy blueberry topping. This one will be the hit of your summer parties!

BLUEBERRY CREAM CHEESE PIE RECIPE

22. Pasta Salad

Another summer cookout favorite, this pasta salad is a must-have among my Memorial Day recipes!

Bowl of pasta salad made with tri-color rotini, veggies, and feta cheese.

5 from 4 votes

(The Best) Pasta Salad Recipe

Crunchy veggies, perfectly cooked pasta, and a zippy homemade dressing! Serve it with just about anything–it pairs well with so many dishes.

PASTA SALAD RECIPE

23. Cucumber Salad

Need a quick Memorial Day recipe? This cucumber salad takes just 10 minutes to prep.

5 from 4 votes

Cucumber Salad

So quick and easy! This cucumber salad combines a few simple ingredients into an incredibly tasty side dish. We make it all summer long!

CUCUMBER SALAD RECIPE

24. Strawberry Shortcake Cake

Top with blueberries for a red, white, and blue dessert 🇺🇸

4.79 from 32 votes

Strawberry Shortcake Cake

Tender vanilla cake layered with juicy berries and homemade whipped cream. This cake is celebration-worthy!

STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE CAKE RECIPE

25. Corn Salad

Use ripe summer corn and crisp cherry tomatoes in this simple summer salad.

5 from 16 votes

Corn Salad

Sweet corn, juicy tomatoes, and ripe avocado tossed in a light and flavorful dressing. This is a unique summer side dish!

CORN SALAD RECIPE

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most popular food for Memorial Day?

Grilled meats (burgers, hot dogs, etc.) are the most popular foods prepared on Memorial Day, and they are usually paired with side dishes like potato salad and coleslaw. Cold watermelon, corn on the cob, pies, and refreshing drinks are also popular!

What’s a good dessert for Memorial day?

Something red, white, and blue! I included a few tasty and patriotic Memorial Day desserts above, like my cheesecake bites, angel food cupcakes, star spangled cookies, and red, white, and blue chocolate chip cookies. Some more crowd-favorites include s’mores cookies, apple pie, chantilly cake (another patriotic option!), and banana pudding.

Glasses of homemade raspberry lemonade garnished with fresh berries, lemon slices, and striped straws. — Raspberry lemonade is one of my most refreshing Memorial Day recipes!

I’ll end on an important note: let us not forget that the real significance of this day isn’t the food, it’s about honoring the sacrifices that have been made by our military 🇺🇸

Enjoy!

If you try any of these recipes, be sure to tag me on Instagram, and you can also find me on YouTube and Facebook 💜