24 Delicious Memorial Day Food and Drink Ideas
Brittany Barber
Contributor
If you're looking for Memorial Day food and drink ideas, you've come to the right place! We've gathered some of the best Memorial Day recipes to provide you with the inspiration for your Memorial Day party.
Even if you're hiring a bartender or caterer to help you with your setup, check out these ideas to get the ball rolling! From classic dishes you can grill up on the BBQ to red, white and blue-themed cocktails, we've got you covered.
READ MORE:
- Awesome Memorial Day Party Ideas and Entertainment
- How to Host a Memorial Day Celebration
- 25 Fun Ideas for a Memorial Day Party
Here are 24 food and drink ideas for your upcoming Memorial Day party:
Juicy Grilled Chicken Breasts
Most people tend to kick off BBQ season on (or around) Memorial Day, so why not include some classic dishes you can toss on the grill? This grilled chicken recipe from Once Upon A Chef will show you how to get super juicy chicken breasts, step by step.
Homemade Hamburgers
Head outside this Memorial Day for a round of burgers and hot dogs in the backyard! Take your hamburgers to the next level with this homemade patty recipe from A Spicy Perspective. It might not be as easy as throwing store-bought patties on the grill, but trust me, it's worth it! Your guests will appreciate the extra effort.
Baked Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
Your vegetarian pals will appreciate these finger-lickin' buffalo cauliflower bites from Feel Good Foodie, and so will everyone else.
Pro Tip: You can make a batch with half the spice level by swapping hot sauce for a mild buffalo sauce — or substituting some of the hot sauce you're using for butter.
Loaded Nachos
Nachos are always an easy (and delicious) dish that'll make sure your guests are full. Check out this loaded nachos recipe from The Pioneer Woman for step-by-step instructions on the ultimate plate of nachos (including tips on how to layer 'em just right).
Grilled Veggie Skewers
Keep it simple with this veggie skewers recipe from The Forked Spoon. It calls red onion, zucchini, peppers, and garlic — but feel free to mix it up with your own favorite vegetables.
Red White and Blue Potato Salad
This potato salad recipe from Recipe Girl calls for red, white, and blue potatoes — for a subtle hit of patriotism. It's easy to make and easy to serve up as a side at your Memorial Day celebration.
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches
If you really want to up the ante with your Memorial Day menu this year, try this slow-cooked pulled pork recipe from Chow Hound. Grab a pack of brioche buns for a truly mouthwatering extravaganza.
Vegan Pulled Pork Sandwiches
If you are hosting any vegetarians, vegans, or non-pork eaters, try this vegan pulled pork sandwich recipe from Minimalist Baker. Made with lentils, shredded carrots, and flavorful spices, your meat-eating pals will want to try some, too.
Caesar Salad
Here's a caesar salad recipe from Recipe Tin Eats that'll serve as a simple (but super tasty) side dish at your Memorial Day get-together.
Grilled Asparagus
This grilled asparagus recipe from Foodie Crush only calls for four ingredients: Asparagus, salt, pepper, and olive oil (served with lemon wedges, if you want). I don't think it could get much easier than this!
Homemade Coleslaw
Try this colorful coleslaw recipe from Inspired Taste. You and your guests can snack on it as a side dish, or use it as a condiment to pile on top of a pulled pork sandwich.
Pro Tip: If you've got any leftover dressing, save it to use as a spread for sandwiches or as a dip for sliced veggies.
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
This grilled cheese sandwich recipe from Cookie and Kate is sure to be a hit — especially if you're expecting a gathering of kids at your Memorial Day celebration. They're super easy to whip up, and even easier to eat!
Pasta Salad
This flavorful pasta salad recipe from Pinch of Yum is a great dish to include in your Memorial Day spread — and easy to make a ton of. It'll even show you how to make your very own Italian Dressing to serve along with it.
Memorial Day Desserts:
Red, White and Blue Cheesecake Bars
Who says you can't eat your Memorial Day decorations? It really doesn't get much more patriotic than these red, white and blue cheesecake bars from Inside BruCrew Life.
Fruit Salad with Honey-Lime Dressing
Get some red and blue on your table with a fresh fruit salad. Check out this easy-to-follow fruit salad with honey-lime dressing recipe from Just A Taste for the step-by-step instructions.
Raspberry Pie
I don't think anyone could turn down a slice of this mouthwatering raspberry pie from Bake. Eat. Repeat.
Homemade Red, White and Blue Popsicles
Try your hand at a batch of The Little Kitchen's homemade popsicles this Memorial Day. It'll be a fun activity for the kids to help with, too.
Red, White and Blue Cookie Sandwiches
Check out this patriotic cookie sandwich recipe from Life Love and Sugar. The recipe calls for an icing filling, but you could also substitute it for icecream and turn 'em into red, white and blue ice cream sandwiches if you'd like!
Rainbow M&M Cookies
Sometimes keeping it simple is the best way to go about a batch of cookies. Check out this rainbow M&M cookie recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction and whip up a batch for your Memorial Day get-together.
Pro Tip: Separate your M&Ms and only use the red and blue ones, so they fit your Memorial Day theme.
And Memorial Day Cocktails:
Red, White and Blue Margarita Slushies
These refreshing margarita slushies from The Cookie Rookie are delicious, boozy, and of course, will look great with the rest of your Memorial Day decorations. Don't forget to make a few alcohol-free batches, so the kids (and non-drinking friends) can have some, too!
Red, White and Blue Frozen Sangria
Try this layered, frozen sangria recipe from The Fitchen for a fun and fresh take on your typical glass of sangria.
Vodka Lemonade
This vodka lemonade recipe from What The Fork Food Blog is ultra-refreshing and super easy to make big batches of. It uses mint as a garnish for an extra hit of freshness!
Raspberry Mojitos
Check out this vibrant raspberry mojito recipe from Joyful Healthy Eats for a tasty twist on the classic cocktail. It'll also add a pop of color to your Memorial Day spread.
Red, White and Blue Coconut-Rum Slushies
Check out this rum-based red, white and blue cocktail recipe from Cooking Light. With coconut milk, fresh strawberries, and pineapple, prepare a batch large enough to expect seconds!
Pro Tip: Just skip the rum to make it a non-alcoholic slushie that the kids can enjoy, too!
Find more Memorial Day party ideas and inspiration here on The Bash.
About Brittany Barber
Brittany Barber, lover of books, dogs, and romance, graduated from Bishop’s University with a Communications and Theatre degree. After spending some time working abroad in the theatre world, she is now a freelance writer covering a range of lifestyle topics including event planning for The Bash, WeddingWire, 2life and Fluttr, and shopping for BuzzFeed.
