Memorial Day is a time to relax, reflect, and honor those who served. I’m especially grateful to veterans—my grandfather served—and this holiday always brings memories of family gatherings. For me, food sits at the heart of any celebration, and Memorial Day is the perfect moment to enjoy the season’s fresh produce. Below are ideas and recipes to help you create a delicious menu that kicks off summer right.
Good food brings people together—friends, family, neighbors—and holiday weekends are ideal for savoring that togetherness. Slow down, take a breath, and use the long weekend to craft memorable moments around simple, delicious meals.
Memories of Mom’s House: A Celebration of Family, Music, and Patriotic Holidays
Before we lost my mom, holidays always took place at her house. Kids and grandkids gathered to swim, chat, and enjoy good food. On patriotic holidays a 5K would pass our home and my mom loved setting up a cheering section. She also played in a band and often brought music to our Memorial Day gatherings, letting the kids join in for a lively, special atmosphere.
Fabulous, Simple Recipes for a Flavorful Memorial Day Weekend
Holidays like this call for easy, crowd-pleasing recipes—especially grilled dishes. While I grill year-round, Memorial Day officially launches peak grilling season. Here are favorite recipes that are straightforward, flavorful, and perfect for your Memorial Day menu.
Smashburger with Special Sauce
Smashburgers are simple in concept but require a bit of technique to get the perfect crust. They’re quick to make and always a hit at casual gatherings.
Crispy Grilled Brick Chicken
Brick chicken is ideal for feeding a crowd. It crisps beautifully on the grill and keeps the kitchen cool, producing a satisfying main course with minimal fuss. You can have dinner ready in about an hour, making it a great choice for Memorial Day.
Grilled Vegetable Salad
This salad is a flexible, easy option—use peppers, asparagus, zucchini, potatoes, sausage, or whatever’s fresh and local. It’s highly customizable and forgiving, which makes it perfect for a holiday spread.
Epic Skirt Steak Taco Salad
This Epic Taco Salad is one of my favorites—full-flavored and satisfying. I use a few tricks from my cookbook to build layers of texture and taste for a salad that feels like a feast.
Tuna Treasure
A Tuna Treasure poke bowl is bright, fresh, and light—an excellent addition to a Memorial Day menu when you want something flavorful but not heavy.
Panzanella Salad
Panzanella is a great make-ahead option. Prep the components in advance, store them in jars or containers, and assemble just before serving. The combination of bread, tomatoes, and cheese keeps it simple and crowd-pleasing all summer long.
Vegan Pesto Grilled Vegetable Salad
This vegan pesto grilled vegetable salad is a simple, delicious choice for any summer day. I share tips for grilling vegetables to get a nice char while keeping them crisp—perfect for a holiday meal.
Chicken Salad with Mandarins
This Asian-inspired chicken salad is easy to prep ahead and transports well for potlucks. Sauté the chicken in advance and toss everything together at the event for a fresh, crowd-pleasing dish.
Tropical Thunder Esquite Salad
On a recent trip to Mexico I fell in love with an esquite-style salad by the pool. It inspired my own version tossed with a Coconut Lime Vinaigrette—bright, tropical flavors that pair beautifully with summer menus.
Ice Cream Pie
This no-bake ice cream pie is an effortless, crowd-pleasing dessert. Pick your favorite ice cream and assemble for a cool, indulgent finish to any Memorial Day meal.
Gluten-Free Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble
Crumble desserts are forgiving and simple, making them ideal when you don’t want to spend hours baking. Using ripe, in-season fruit makes all the difference—strawberries and rhubarb are a classic, flavorful pairing for summer.
Whatever you decide to cook or enjoy this holiday weekend, I hope you take a moment to breathe, savor the food, and celebrate with the people you love.
If you try any of these Memorial Day recipes, please leave a comment to let me know how they turned out. For more inspiration, sign up for the Friday Favorites newsletter and follow along on social channels for recipes and ideas.
Do you have a copy of the No Crumbs Left cookbook yet?
Food is my love language, and this cookbook invites you into the kitchen with practical recipes, Teri’s Tips, and approachable techniques to rekindle your joy of everyday cooking. It’s a personal collection that celebrates home cooking and the meaning food brings to family life.