55 Best Memorial Day Recipes for the Long Weekend
Kick off a summer full of grilling.
Every item on this page was chosen by an editor from The Pioneer Woman. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
Memorial Day is not only a long weekend full of patriotic pride, it's considered the unofficial start of the summer. That means it's also the unofficial kickoff to cookout season! It’s the perfect time to dust off your grill and break out your favorite BBQ recipes. Whether you’re hosting a big backyard party or just a small dinner with the family, this list of Memorial Day recipes has something for everyone.
You can kick things off with summer appetizers and a pitcher of freezer door margaritas, then make a spread of burgers, hot dogs, and BBQ sides. Of course, you can’t go wrong with Ladd Drummond’s grilled tenderloin—it's perfect alongside veggie kebabs and Ree's favorite potato salad! The only thing that could make your patriotic party better would be a red, white, and blue dessert. (It is berry season, after all. You'll want to savor those blueberry desserts and strawberry recipes.)
Looking to try something new this year? There are tons of creative Memorial Day foods like pork burgers and bacon ranch pasta salad. Otherwise, stick to the classics with grilled steak, beer can chicken, ribs, and skillet cornbread. And of course, with these 55 Memorial Day menu options, you’ll be making these cookout favorites way beyond the holiday. They're here for you all summer long. Now it's time to get grillin'!
Chili Dogs
Chances are, hot dogs will be on the menu. But if you make homemade chili with all the fixings for on top, it'll make them worthy of a holiday celebration.
Get Ree's Chili Dogs recipe.
Hanger Steak
Hanger steak is a more affordable cut of beef, which means it's great if you need to feed a lot of people without spending a fortune. The secret? The longer it marinates, the better it gets.
Get Ree's Hanger Steak recipe.
Freezer Door Margaritas
Batch cocktails for the win! Mix everything in a glass bottle and stash it in your freezer. Then when you're ready to serve, give it a good shake and pour!
Get Ree's Freezer Door Margaritas recipe.
Red, White, and Blue Berry Dessert
A patriotic party deserves a patriotic dessert, and this layered beauty fits the bill. Combining Jell-O with fresh berries doubles the color and flavor.
Grilled Chicken Wings
Go for the two-zone grilling method on these! First, the wings cook low and slow over indirect heat to keep them tender and juicy. Then crisp and char them up over direct heat to finish.
Get the Grilled Chicken Wings recipe.
Strawberry and Cream Sheet Cake
It's peak strawberry season so take advantage of it while you can by adding them inside the cake and on top. The cream cheese frosting strikes the perfect balance of tangy and sweet.
Get Ree's Strawberry and Cream Sheet Cake recipe.
Bow Tie Pasta Salad
This pasta salad is so full of flavor, it's practically a meal in itself. Not only does it have ham and cheddar cheese, but it also has crunchy bell pepper, flavorful green onion, and green peas.
Get the Bow Tie Pasta Salad recipe.
Pork Burgers
While you might think of beef burgers first, don't sleep on pork! It's a great vehicle for flavorful mix-ins like bacon, sage, and onions. Add a slice of provolone cheese on top!
Get the Pork Burgers recipe.
Beer Can Chicken
Crack open a cold one and flavor a whole chicken with just one can of beer! It's a great hands-off way to cook, too. You don't even need to worry about flipping the chicken while it cooks.
Get the Beer Can Chicken recipe.
Grilled T-Bone Steak
There's nothing boring about these steaks! They have a ton of flavor thanks to the homemade spice rub made of salt, paprika, black pepper, garlic powder, brown sugar, onion powder, and cumin.
Get Ree's Grilled T-Bone Steak recipe.
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
This classic pasta salad is creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet. It has bits of chopped celery, shredded carrots, and green onion for a welcome contrasting crunch.
Get the Hawaiian Macaroni Salad recipe.
Grill-Fried Chicken
Fried chicken is delicious, but the thought of standing over a pot of hot oil isn't that fun. That's why making this crispy chicken on the grill will blow your mind! It's less mess and the same great reward.
Get the Grill-Fried Chicken recipe.
Watermelon-Feta Orzo Salad
This cool, refreshing salad is an excellent addition to any cookout menu. The sweet watermelon and salty feta cheese are an incredible combo for flavor and texture.
Get Ree's Watermelon-Feta Orzo Salad recipe.
Blackberry Pie
This seasonal homemade pie will win high marks with your family and friends. The flaky butter crust and juicy berries are begging for a scoop of ice cream or dollop of whipped cream!
Get the Blackberry Pie recipe.
Grilled Veggie Skewers
The best part about this vegetable side is that they can go with just about any main course. Serve them up with burgers, steak, or chicken. Don't forget the tangy balsamic marinade!
Get the Grilled Veggie Skewers recipe.
Juicy Lucy
Take your burgers to the next level by stuffing them with cheese! The mouth-watering burger comes topped with caramelized onions for even more irresistible flavor.
Get the Juicy Lucy recipe.
Grilled Flank Steak
This versatile steak can be served up in so many different ways. Top it with melty cowboy butter, fresh mango salsa, or herby chimichurri.
Get the Grilled Flank Steak recipe.
Grilled Shrimp Skewers
These lemony shrimp skewers cook up in just a matter of minutes on the grill. Serve them on skewers or pile them over a big salad or pasta dish for a full meal.
Get the Grilled Shrimp Skewers recipe.
BBQ Chicken Wings
What's more American than a big ol' plate of BBQ wings? Ree's secret is cooking them both before and after they're sauced so they're equally crispy and sticky-sweet.
Get Ree's BBQ Chicken Wings recipe.
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
This recipe features three of Ree's favorite ingredients: ranch dressing, crispy bacon, and hearty pasta! You really can't go wrong when they're combined into one delicious BBQ salad.
Get the Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad recipe.
Eat Grilled Veggie Skewers Al Fresco This Summer
Homemade Blackberry Smash Sweet Tea
40 Sweet, Fresh Corn Recipes to Try This Summer
Watermelon Gazpacho Tastes Like Summer
