You need Memorial Day recipes? We’ve got Memorial Day recipes. But allow us to make one thing clear: Yes, we’re going to refer to this time of the year as summer. Yes, we know that summer doesn’t actually start until the solstice in late June. No, we don’t care. Because while it may actually still be spring, we’ll be spending the holiday like it’s the first days of golden rays and beach vacays…and campsite stays…and, well, you get the picture. Here’s to the (unofficial) start of summer!
Our Favorite Memorial Day Grilling Recipes
Grilled fish tacos are just the start. Our collection of Memorial Day grilling recipes has all the barbecue ribs, burgers, and skewers you could want at a cookout (or anywhere else). Think crispy grilled chicken with lemon and thyme; the Ultimate Veggie Burgers made with a mushroom, barley, and black bean patty on squishy sesame seed buns; and spice-forward lamb kebabs with a garlicky yogurt sauce.
Don’t have a grill? You can still kick it summer style. How about a picnic fried chicken recipe? The best burgers you can make indoors? A caramelized leek tart? Or even a dinner that requires no cooking at all? Here are a few more of our favorite summer recipes, no matter your cooking setup.
Our Favorite Memorial Day Side Dishes
Memorial Day food isn’t all about marinated- and barbecue-sauce-slathered meats. What you serve on the side matters too. Coleslaw? A necessity. Watermelon? If you’re lucky enough to live in a place where it’s already ripe you have an obligation to consume. We’ve cobbled together 60 of the best Memorial Day sides we know. These recipes include our favorite pasta salad with romesco sauce, grilled baby artichokes, a juicy tomato salad with melon and feta, crisp cucumber wedges with a garlicky almond sauce, and plenty more.
Our Favorite Memorial Day Desserts
I scream, you scream, we all scream for summer to be here already! We’re also not done yelling about our super-simple, truly delish strawberry shortcakes, or this Spanish-style burnt cheesecake (which you could also serve with fresh strawberries because ‘tis the season), and, yeah, this no-churn chocolate ice cream (or its raspberry-almond, or cookies ‘n’ cream, or Thai tea, or granola-loaded siblings) which we JUST. CAN’T. STOP. EATING. Any of the desserts in this collection will close out your Memorial Day weekend nicely.
