Memorial Day weekend is just around the corner, so now is the time to start thinking about what you’ll serve at your summer BBQ. You want to make sure that your menu has a great mix of delicious side dishes, tasty burger recipes and sweet summer desserts!

To get you started, we have rounded up some of our favorite Memorial Day foods that are perfect for your grilling plans. Plus, we’ve got some other ideas for easy Memorial Day recipes that you can prepare ahead of time!

Onion dip

Onion dip is a party favorite, and it’s easy to make at home. It’s a great addition to a backyard bbq, or you can serve it at your Memorial Day potluck.

You can use either fresh or dried French onion soup mix, or create your own version with a variety of ingredients. The simplest versions combine sour cream with dry French onion soup mix, but you can also create this dip using fresh ingredients.

Caramelized onions are key to homemade French onion dip. They give this dip a rich, sweet flavor that you won’t get in a store-bought soup mix.

Typically, caramelized onions are made using Vidalia or Walla Walla onions, but yellow or white onions will work just as well. When you’re making this dip, try to use onions that aren’t too thick or thin so they cook quickly and easily.

Then, stir in sour cream, mayonnaise, salt, pepper, and chives or parsley. You can serve this immediately, or it will be even better the next day if you chill it in the refrigerator.

In addition to being a great appetizer, onion dip is also delicious on burgers. You can also make it as a topping for baked potatoes or to baste chicken breasts before grilling.

While it takes a bit of time to prepare this recipe, the results are worth the effort. This is one of my all-time favorite dips, and you’ll never want to use a packet of soup mix again! The best part is that you’ll only need a handful of ingredients to make this dip. Plus, you can make it ahead of time, so all you need to do is mix it up the morning of your Memorial Day party!

Watermelon slices

Watermelon slices are a refreshing snack to serve alongside burgers, brats, and other meats at a barbecue. They are also a delicious and easy appetizer to make for your next Memorial Day party.

You can sprinkle the watermelon with salt and sugar before grilling to help it caramelize and char. This will enhance its natural sweetness and give it a subtle smokiness that complements all sorts of grilled foods.

To keep the melon from breaking on the grill, trim it into one-inch wedges or quarters before you start grilling. Then, lightly sprinkle both sides of each wedge with a mixture of sugar and salt.

The sugar and salt will help the melon char on the grill and help it remain juicy. You can also add any spices you want for extra flavor, like lime zest, Tajin, chili powder, or anything else that sounds good to you!

When grilling watermelon, it is important to use high heat. If you overcook it, the melon will taste burned and mushy.

In addition, you should be careful to flip the melon slices often so that they don’t burn. This will prevent the watermelon from becoming too mushy and losing its shape.

This recipe for grilled watermelon with chili and honey-lime sauce is a great side dish to any grilled food. It is sweet and spicy, with a hint of smoky flavor from the chile paste.

This is a quick and easy recipe that you can make ahead of time. You can even take it to a picnic or BBQ, as long as you bring extra lettuce and arugula to garnish it with. You can also add shaved cheese to make it more of a salad.

Grilled meats

Memorial Day is a time to gather with friends and family for a backyard cookout. It’s also a time to remember those who sacrificed their lives for the freedoms we enjoy today.

While burgers and hot dogs are popular dishes, it’s important to offer a variety of foods that will satisfy your guests. Besides meat, you should also include savory side dishes and salads. You can serve fresh fruits like watermelon and strawberries, as well as a few desserts such as strawberry Jello poke cake or fruit tarts with ice cream.

Whether you’re planning a simple barbecue or an extravagant celebration, you’ll find plenty of Memorial Day recipes that will please your guests. If you’re planning on serving alcohol, make sure to have a wide selection of delicious summer cocktails ready to go.

A great Memorial Day grill recipe includes a variety of different cuts of meat. From ribs to grilled chicken, you’ll be able to choose the perfect cut for your party.

The best grilled meats for the Memorial Day grill are ones that have been marinated in a flavorful sauce. You can also try a herbed skirt steak that’s sure to impress your guests.

If you want a delicious side dish to accompany the grilled meats, try this creamy cold broccoli salad with crispy bacon and dried cranberries. It’s a light and refreshing dish that’s easy to prepare.

No barbecue is complete without delicious side dishes and salads. You’ll find classic options for potato salad and coleslaw here, along with epic BBQ side dishes that will keep your guests coming back for more. There are even a few pasta salads that you can throw together for your Memorial Day menu, so it’s easy to make sure everyone has something they love!

Grilled vegetables

If you’re planning on hosting a memorial day barbecue, it’s important to have a variety of foods to keep your guests well fed. There are plenty of classic side dishes that you can serve, but if you’re looking for something a little bit more adventurous, try these fun recipes for grilled vegetables!

Grilled vegetables can be a great way to add a deliciously smoky flavor to a dish, but it’s also an excellent way to make your sides more colorful and healthy. For example, a platter of grilled summer corn will be the perfect addition to your holiday table, as will these refreshing skewers of Greek chicken souvlaki with a simple homemade tzatziki sauce.

Another great way to bring in extra flavors is to use a variety of fresh vegetables when making your salads. For example, a simple cucumber salad will make your Memorial Day get-together more lively, as will a classic Italian pasta salad.

These recipes are easy to prepare, and they’ll be sure to please your guests. They’re ideal for a picnic or BBQ, and can be prepared up to three days ahead.

If you’re bringing a grilled vegetable side, it’s important to apply a thin layer of oil before grilling to help the vegetables from sticking to the grates. This will help to maintain their texture and keep them from becoming soggy when they’re served outdoors.

If you’re planning a Memorial Day cookout, it’s important to plan your menu ahead of time. This will save you time and hassle when your guests start bringing food in. Keeping everything planned out will also ensure that you have enough food for everyone, as well as a variety of drinks for your guests to enjoy.

Desserts

Memorial Day is a great time to enjoy delicious desserts. Whether you’re hosting a potluck dinner or celebrating with your family and friends, there are many dessert options that can be made quickly and easily. Some of these are also easy to transport if you’re planning on serving them at a pool party or backyard barbecue.

A delicious and easy dessert that is perfect for summer parties is a fruit cobbler. You can make this dish ahead of time and it will be ready to serve when you need to. You can even use fresh or frozen berries, depending on the season and what your budget is.

You can add red and blue berries to this dessert for a patriotic touch. You can also decorate it with marshmallows, white chocolate chips, and red and blue candies to make it extra special for this holiday.

Another easy dessert that is perfect for this holiday is a cake with layers of white chocolate, cream cheese, and pudding. You can also add a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream to this delicious dessert to make it even more special!

If you’re looking for a patriotic dessert that is also easy to make, you should try these firecracker cupcakes. They’re super cute and fun to eat.

You can also make a patriotic dessert with fruit skewers that are layered with strawberries and blueberries. This dessert is super simple and is perfect for a Memorial Day barbecue.

These desserts are sure to be a hit at your next cookout or party! They’re easy to make and are perfect for any time of the year! You can even make them a week in advance if you’d like to save time.