These are the Memorial Day recipes I return to every year—the dishes that have earned a permanent place on my summer menu.
From incredibly juicy burgers (including a turkey burger that’s surprisingly tender) to fall-off-the-bone ribs, crispy wings, bright make-ahead salads, and a lineup of summer desserts, these recipes make hosting simple and delicious.
The key to a stress-free Memorial Day cookout is advance prep and a handful of reliable recipes. Save what you love and enjoy the easiest, most delicious Memorial Day spread yet.
1. Juicy Mushroom Burgers with Swiss
Blending mushrooms into beef burgers adds moisture and deep umami flavor. These Juicy Mushroom Burgers with Swiss lock in juiciness and develop a rich, savory taste that keeps people asking for seconds. Grill them first—they disappear fast.
2. Turkey Burger
Turkey burgers often get a bad rap for dryness. My simple trick is folding a little mayonnaise into the patty. It keeps the meat moist and tender, producing a juicy, failproof burger every time.
3. Ground Chicken Burgers
These Ground Chicken Burgers convert skeptics: sautéed onions help retain moisture and a bit of mayonnaise in the patty keeps them juicy. Top with your favorite condiments and enjoy a lighter burger option that still satisfies.
4. Moist and Flaky Salmon Burgers
These salmon burgers are simple, quick, and surprisingly special. With just a few ingredients they come together fast; top them with avocado and a crunchy slaw for a fresh, summery sandwich.
5. Easy Sloppy Joes
From-scratch Easy Sloppy Joes made in a single skillet in about 30 minutes. Browning the tomato paste before adding the rest deepens the flavor, giving the sauce a caramelized richness that beats anything from a can.
6. Ham & Cheese Sliders
These sliders layer Swiss, deli ham, and sharp cheddar under a buttery Dijon-poppy seed glaze. Pre-baking the bottom buns keeps them crisp, and a touch of Worcestershire in the butter adds a savory depth people notice.
7. Tender Beef Ribs
These oven-baked beef ribs become so tender the meat slides off the bone. Wrapping them tightly in foil traps steam and breaks down collagen; finishing under the broiler with barbecue sauce creates a sticky, caramelized crust.
8. Spare Ribs
Oven-baked spare ribs get fall-apart tender with a smoky dry rub and a brown-sugar BBQ glaze. Cooked low and slow in a sealed foil packet, they finish under the broiler so the sauce caramelizes into a sticky, finger-licking crust.
9. Oven-Baked Honey BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
With just five ingredients and one sheet pan, these drumsticks are easy and addictive. Tossed in a sticky honey-BBQ sauce on parchment and baked until caramelized, they deliver big flavor with minimal fuss.
10. Light and Crispy Buttermilk Fried Chicken
This fried chicken gets a super-crisp coating from baking powder in the flour mix. Tiny bubbles form in the crust while frying, producing a light, shatteringly crisp exterior—just like restaurant-style fried chicken.
11. Tandoori Chicken Wings
A yogurt-based tandoori marinade tenderizes and flavors chicken with garam masala, ginger, garlic, and a touch of cayenne. While the recipe features drumsticks, the same marinade works great on wings—finish under the broiler for charred spots.
12. Baked Buffalo Wings
These wings crisp up in the oven—no deep fryer needed—then get tossed in a buttery hot sauce and served with a tangy homemade blue cheese dip. A squeeze of lemon in the dip brightens the whole dish.
13. Creamy Potato Salad with Egg
This classic potato salad uses a few smart techniques: salt the boiling water, cube potatoes for even cooking, and cool them completely before dressing to prevent the mayo from breaking. The dressing blends lemon, mayo, and Greek yogurt for a tangy, light finish.
14. World’s Best Macaroni Salad
After testing many versions, this macaroni salad wins for texture and seasoning. It’s creamy without being heavy, perfectly seasoned, and balanced with grated carrots and finely chopped celery for crunch. If it sits overnight, add a splash of mayo before serving.
15. Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing
This bright pasta salad of rotini, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and parsley is tossed in a homemade Italian vinaigrette. Cook the pasta to al dente and rinse under cold water so it stays springy and absorbs just the right amount of dressing.
16. Mexican Street Corn Salad (Esquites)
This esquites captures the flavors of elote without the mess. Charred corn kernels, cotija cheese, lime, cilantro, and a touch of mayo create a creamy, tangy side with smoky grill-like notes.
17. Strawberry Caprese Salad
Strawberries, creamy mozzarella, basil, and good olive oil make this Strawberry Caprese Salad a quick, beautiful summer dish. It takes minutes to assemble and always gets compliments at picnics.
18. Thai Noodle Salad with Sweet Chili Dressing
This herby, vegetable-packed Thai noodle salad shines when made ahead—the flavors meld and intensify. The sweet chili dressing provides the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy alongside grilled mains.
19. Kale Caesar Salad
Shredded raw kale holds up to a bold Caesar dressing without wilting. Tossed with garlic-forward dressing, parmesan, and bacon, this salad is hearty, flavorful, and even better when made ahead.
20. Crockpot BBQ Chicken
Crockpot BBQ Chicken is the definition of low effort, high reward. Slow-simmering the chicken yields fall-apart tenderness as it bastes in its juices and the sauce, producing succulent, richly flavored meat perfect for sandwiches or a buffet.
21. Flaky Buttermilk Onion Rings
These onion rings are soaked in buttermilk with hot sauce and Creole seasoning, then coated thin for a light, flaky crunch. Fry at the right temperature and salt immediately for the best texture and flavor.
22. Cornbread Casserole
This cornbread casserole is tender and moist with juicy corn kernels throughout. A blend of cornmeal and flour gives it a soft, pudding-like center and crisp golden edges—comforting and easy to serve to a crowd.
23. Fruit Pizza with Sugar Cookie Crust
Make a patriotic fruit pizza using a soft sugar cookie base and a light whipped cream cheese filling. Top with strawberries and blueberries for a festive, easy-to-decorate dessert that kids love.
24. Strawberry Icebox Cake
This no-bake Strawberry Icebox Cake uses six ingredients and fifteen minutes of prep. After chilling, the graham crackers soften into a tiramisu-like texture while the cream cheese filling stays fluffy and bright with fresh strawberry juices.
25. Philadelphia Cheesecake
A classic Philadelphia-style cheesecake with a buttery graham crust and a simple, creamy filling. To avoid cracks, fold eggs in gently on low speed and bake until the center reaches the ideal doneness for a silky texture.
26. Blueberry Pie
A homemade blueberry pie is the perfect finish to a Memorial Day meal. Filled with fresh berries and wrapped in a flaky all-butter crust, it’s the sort of dessert that invites a quiet moment of appreciation after the first bite.