Though it technically does not begin until the end of June, everyone knows that Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer. Which means, it’s almost time to plan that Memorial Day menu.
Whether you’re enjoying the inaugural weekend of warm weather and sun with a cookout on the beach, picnic in the park or a simple spread on your two by four balcony, the days ahead of you probably entail celebration in some form.
If you don’t have a sprawling beach house to retreat to [and let’s be honest, most of us don’t] all you need is a little bit of green space and some delicious food to enjoy under the sun with your friends, family or special someone.
If you’re in charge of planning your Memorial Day menu, all you need is this delicious guide to help you usher in the summer season in a tasty way.
From the Grill
The next best thing to dining alfresco?
Cooking alfresco. If you’re a carnivore, you’ll undoubtedly crave a burger – or one of its distant cousins – on the holiday weekend. With the smell of charcoal permeating the air no matter where you are, it will be hard to say no to second helpings.
Photo: Leigh Loftus
Feta-Stuffed Turkey Burgers from In Good Taste
Photo: No Recipes
Pomegranate Lamb Kebabs from No Recipes
Photo: Leite’s Culinaria
Bacon Chicken Wings from Leite’s Culinaria
Photo: In Jennie’s Kitchen
Ginger Soy Marinated Flank Steak from In Jennie’s Kitchen
Salads and Side Dishes
From the lighter and refreshing to the more indulgent – can you say bacon and potatoes? – no Memorial Day menu is complete without a selection of side salads.
Photo: Leigh Loftus
Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad from In Good Taste
Photo: Leigh Loftus
Bacon Potato Salad from In Good Taste
Photo: Kalyn’s Kitchen
Mediterranean Salad with Hummus Dressing from Kalyn’s Kitchen
Photo: Kelly Alesso
Nut-Crusted Baked Chevre Salad with Summer Berries by The Pink Apron
Sauces and Toppings
Easy and time-efficient, a sauce, salsa or topping can take your Memorial Day meal to the next level. Add a little something extra to your barbecue mainstays, like onions on your favorite burger or a barbecue sauce with a special New England touch.
Photo: Mango & Tomato
Pickled Onions from Mango Tomato
Photo: Leigh Loftus
Perfect Party Salsa from In Good Taste
Photo: Homemade Barbecue Sauce
Homemade Barbecue Sauce from The Perfect Pantry
Photo: Kiss My Spatula
Guinness Mustard from Kiss My Spatula
Photo: Sarah Walker Caron
Spicy Mango Salsa from Sarah’s Cucina Bella
Beverages and Cocktails
When you’re sweating it out on the beach, there is nothing better than a cool cocktail to take the edge off of the summer heat. If you’re planning to entertain in your backyard, whip up a pitcher of something and your guests might never leave.
Photo: We Are Not Martha
Tequila Thyme Lemonade from We Are Not Martha
Photo: Leigh Loftus
Strawberry Mojitos from In Good Taste
Photo: Sharon Damelio
Cucumber Lime Margaritas by Three Many Cooks
Photo: Leigh Loftus
White Strawberry Sangria from In Good Taste
68 Comments
Aarthi
June 1, 2011 at 5:14 amThis looks yummy….you have a lovely blog..
Tara
May 30, 2011 at 3:28 pmAwesome round up! I love summer barbecues, and memorial day is always the big kickoff. I want to try the mediterranean salad with hummus dressing!
Barbara
May 30, 2011 at 3:15 pmSuper round-up of dishes, Maris! I’m loving those bacon-wrapped chicken wings!
Have a lovely Memorial Day!
Blond Duck
May 30, 2011 at 10:56 amI hope you have a great Memorial Day!
Angie@Angiesrecipes
May 30, 2011 at 7:16 amThis is seriously a mouthwatering entry!
Thanks for the roundup!
Angie
Nami @ Just One Cookbook
May 30, 2011 at 6:20 amWhat a great comprehensive post on Memorial Day Weekend Menu! I love it! I think it’s not easy to think of the entire course meal and your list is very nicely done! I didn’t know that Memorial Day Weekend separates spring and summer. San Francisco is still too cold to feel it’s summer, but I definitely look forward to more warmer days. Thanks for the great post and have a great Memorial Day tomorrow!
Joanne
May 30, 2011 at 5:01 amI shall be spending tomorrow on an airplane but the whole time I’ll be wishing that I was making one of these delicious recipes! Awesome roundup!
BakerbyNature
May 30, 2011 at 2:51 amAfter reading this I am so hungry for Picnic food! Luckily tomorrow is Memorial day; I am hoping to see dishes as fantastic as these at my party!
Vanessa
May 29, 2011 at 5:41 pmThe Feta Stuffed Turkey Burgers and Smoked Mozarella Salad sound wonderful! I have been trying to get my family to eat ground turkey for soooo many years now. They just wont do it. Oh well..more for me he he 🙂 This is an awesome collection of recipes. Off to check out the other blogs.
Rosa
May 29, 2011 at 1:20 pmPerfect! You made me hungry…
Have a lovely weekend!
cheers,
Rosa
Susan
May 29, 2011 at 1:02 pmThank you for putting together such a tempting list of dishes! They all sound wonderful and I’m going to delve into a few 🙂
Hope you have a wonderful weekend too, Maris!
velva
May 29, 2011 at 12:53 pmWhat amazing suggestions for a memorial Day food spread. All of these dishes are perfect to begin ringing the long summer days. Awesome. Thanks for sharing.
Have a great weekend.
Velva
Gina (The Candid RD)
May 29, 2011 at 11:29 amWow, thanks for the great collection of summer recipes! This weekend I will be making watermelon salsa (a favorite of mine, even though I’m not technically allowed to eat watermelon on my IBS diet!), and avocado burgers. I’m pretty excited. I think a bacon potato salad would go well with that too! And a strawberry sangria 🙂
The Harried Cook
May 29, 2011 at 3:08 amWhat an amazing roundup of recipes! Though we don’t have Memorial Day where I live, I am going to try & find an excuse to make some of these. Thanks for sharing 🙂 I love your blog…
Tracy
May 28, 2011 at 11:51 pmThanks for the inspiration! Have a happy Memorial Day weekend!!
Heather @girlichef
May 28, 2011 at 10:50 pmMmmmm…everything sounds amazing. I’m thinking I really need to try the smoked Mozzarella pasta salad. And though we have no beach house 🙁 …it has totally been beach-y weather around here lately. Thanks for the great menu ideas!
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen
May 28, 2011 at 1:34 pmWhat great recipes! They all look so good. After just getting back from an indulgent vacation, all I want are simple, green or grilled foods right now. So many to choose from!
BBQ Memorial Day Recipe Round Up: Healthy Simple Food for Entertaining — Family Fresh Cooking
May 28, 2011 at 1:14 pm[…] Plan the Perfect Memorial Day Menu In Good Taste […]
marla
May 28, 2011 at 1:12 pmMaris, I love all of your recipe suggestions. Hope you have a wonderful long weekend 🙂 xo
Liz
May 28, 2011 at 12:36 pmWhat an incredible array of recipes! I don’t know which to choose first…but I better get off the computer and into the kitchen. Have a fabulous holiday weekend!
Liz
May 28, 2011 at 12:34 pmWhat an incredible list of recipes…mmmmm….I don’t know which to try first. I better get off the computer and into the kitchen. Have a wonderful weekend~
Blond Duck
May 28, 2011 at 10:27 amI’m craving a burger and Mexican–what’s a girl to do!
Tasha
May 28, 2011 at 1:53 amWhat a fantastic collection of recipes for Memorial Day! There are several I see myself trying out ASAP.
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen
May 28, 2011 at 1:03 amI’m thinking I might just need the grilled bacon…without the chicken wing. 🙂
Maria @ Scandifoodie
May 27, 2011 at 5:22 pmGreat round-up! Have a great long weekend!
Mary
May 27, 2011 at 9:46 pmWith all those lovely choices, it will be possible for anyone reading your blog to have a feast on Memorial Day. I hope you enjoy the long weekend. Blessings…Mary
Betty @ scrambled hen fruit
May 27, 2011 at 9:36 pmThat’s a tasty round-up of tempting picnic treats! I hope you have a wonderful safe weekend! 🙂
Christina @ Sweet Pea's Kitchen
May 27, 2011 at 8:57 pmSo many yummy recipes to try! I am so super excited for summer. Time to fire up the grill! 🙂
Gen
May 27, 2011 at 8:33 pmYum!!! Great list!
Sherilyn
May 27, 2011 at 8:28 pmHave a wonderful day! With this line up it is bound to be very satisfying.
Natalie
May 27, 2011 at 5:51 pmI love smoked mozzarella, haven’t had it for ages. Now you’ve reminded me I’m going to have to hunt some down. Thanks for all the links and have great weekend!!
Chrissy
May 27, 2011 at 5:19 pmWell, it looks like Lauren and I are set for our Memorial Weekend BBQ! Thanks for the great ideas and links!
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen
May 27, 2011 at 5:07 pmAhh that first pic makes me want to be outside. So many good recipes…I’m off to check them out! Mmm
Caroline
May 27, 2011 at 4:38 pmThanks for all of the great recipe ideas, everything looks/sounds amazing! Hope you have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. 🙂
Kate (What Kate is Cooking)
May 27, 2011 at 3:01 pmThe best part about Memorial Day is definitely grilling! I can’t wait to grill tofu 🙂
emily (a nutritionist eats)
May 27, 2011 at 2:39 pmGreat links – I hope you have a lovely long weekend!
Andrea@HighLowFoodDrink.com
May 27, 2011 at 2:10 pmGreat collection on wonderful recipes from my fave blogs (incl yours!) Have a wonderful weekend! Cheers to fun time and delicious food!
Greg
May 27, 2011 at 1:50 pmWhat a round up! Guinness mustard. Yum.
Geni
May 27, 2011 at 1:23 pmGreat collection of outdoor holiday meals. Thanks for compiling them and making it easy for us. The smoked mozzarella salad is definitely making it to my BBQ this weekend. Have a great long weekend!
yummychunklet
May 27, 2011 at 1:07 pmGreat menu! I’ll definitely be making several of your chosen recipes this weekend!
brandi
May 27, 2011 at 12:52 pmNow if only I could get someone else to make all of this for me 🙂 Everything looks great – thanks for the links!
Beth @ DiningAndDishing
May 27, 2011 at 12:29 pmGreat guide!! That Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad looks amazing. Nothing can beat soft little bites of super fresh Mozzarella!
jessica
May 27, 2011 at 12:05 pmit all sound so delicious. I can’t just pick one from each category. The pasta salad is my favorite I think though. Great post, perfect for this weekend or any get together you have this summer! Have a great memorial day
Lucy @ The Sweet Touch
May 27, 2011 at 12:00 pmThis list is making my mouth water at 7am! Saving your recipe for white strawberry sangria, hope you have a great long weekend!
McKayla @ Green Groats
May 27, 2011 at 11:33 amWhat a thoughtful collection of Memorial weekend eats! Love it 🙂
A Plum By Any Other Name
May 27, 2011 at 11:28 amI’ve been trying to conquer making mustard for over a year with less than tasty results. The Guinness recipe sounds amazing. (I should have known Guinness would be at the bottom of a good mustard.) Can’t wait to give the recipe a try. Happy Memorial Day!
Lydia (The Perfect Pantry)
May 27, 2011 at 11:24 amSo many great ideas here, and of course I’m a last-minute menu planner so I’m glad to have a starting point. Thanks for including one of my recipes, too.
Maureen
May 27, 2011 at 9:39 amWhat great picnic ideas! Thanks a lot. I did a picnic post today but nothing as elaborate as yours. I have blog post envy now.
theUngourmet
May 27, 2011 at 5:49 amWhat a wonderful Memorial Weekend feast! We are expecting a rainy weekend so we will have to take our picnic indoors. 🙂
Kristen
May 27, 2011 at 5:31 amWow – so many wonderful links and great ideas! Have a great weekend, Maris! Enjoy!
Melissa (MelissaLikesToEat)
May 27, 2011 at 4:14 amSo many delicious choices! I’m so ready for summer!
Laura @ SweetSavoryPlanet
May 27, 2011 at 3:42 amNice collection of recipes. My recipe: A cooler full of refreshing local beer, a crisp rose or two, snacks and a floating chair in a beautiful, tranquil lake. Oh yeah, and no weather systems bearing down on you! I think everyone needs a break.
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective
May 27, 2011 at 3:31 amOooo, good list! They all sound divine!
Lorraine Not Quite Nigella
May 27, 2011 at 3:05 amWe don’t have memorial day but that doesn’t mean that I cant drool over these dishes! 😉
Amanda
May 27, 2011 at 2:14 amGreat list! I’m going to make your panzanella for our Memorial Day party. I hope you have a great weekend too!
Kalyn
May 27, 2011 at 2:10 amI am so ready! Thanks for including me.
Jen @ keepitsimplefoods
May 27, 2011 at 1:57 amGreat recipes! Thanks for the inspiration!
mandy
May 27, 2011 at 1:33 amIt all sounds delicious. Have a fantastic long weekend!
Kate@Diethood.com
May 27, 2011 at 1:16 amLoving your bacon potato salad! Have a great weekend!!
chopinandmysaucepan
May 27, 2011 at 12:34 amHave a great day Maris. That first photo spells of weekends and thank godness it’s Friday today 🙂
Lisa @ Tarte du Jour
May 27, 2011 at 12:19 amGreat links… i enjoyed this post! The glass of wine is so inviting. Happy Memorial Day!
Reeni
May 27, 2011 at 12:07 amWhat wonderful ideas for the holiday weekend! I just finished reading your PR post – twice! It clarified a lot for me and I understand now why I get press releases. I’m still processing some of the information. Thanks for taking the time to write it!
Nelly Rodriguez
May 27, 2011 at 12:04 amCertainly makes me wish we celebrated Memorial Day in the DR!
bellini
May 26, 2011 at 10:36 pmIt is defininitely the beginning of grilling season, although for us it began last weekend on the Victoria Day long weekend. It was fin to meet you in Washington. I look forward to continue following as we both grow. It was so much fun wasn’t it!!!!
Tanvi
May 26, 2011 at 10:01 pmI think I can live on those beverages and appetizers for the whole weekend..They sound soo awesome.
The Waspy Redhead
May 26, 2011 at 9:27 pmHave a happy Memorial Day weekend! This all looks so delicious!
Daryl
May 26, 2011 at 9:22 pmI am so busy clicking all these delicious links! Thanks for the selection of great recipes
Erica
May 26, 2011 at 9:22 pmHow fun! Lots of yummy choices on the menu. My favorites are the Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad and panzanella! SO, so good! Hope you have a great long weekend!