You want good food, easy prep, and zero stress this Memorial Day. These 10 ideas are simple, crowd-friendly, and made for hot summer days.
What You Need to Get Started
Before you shop: Most of these meals use the same base ingredients. Stock up on these and you are already halfway there.
- Chicken thighs or beef patties
- Shrimp (fresh or frozen)
- Pasta (any short shape)
- Corn on the cob
- Lemons and limes
- Olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper
- Fresh herbs (parsley, basil)
- Tomatoes, cucumbers, onions
- Cream cheese and heavy cream
- Graham crackers and butter
Easy Memorial Day Grilling Ideas
The grill is the star of every Memorial Day. These two ideas are the easiest things you can throw on it and still get everyone asking for the recipe.
1. BBQ Chicken Skewers
Chicken on a stick is always a win. You can prep these the night before and just toss them on the grill when you are ready.
- Chicken thighs, cut into chunks
- Bell peppers and onions
- Olive oil, garlic powder, paprika
- Salt and pepper
- Your favorite BBQ sauce
Step 1: Cut chicken into chunks. Mix with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Let it sit for 30 minutes.
Step 2: Thread chicken, peppers, and onions onto skewers. Alternate them so everything cooks evenly.
Step 3: Grill on medium heat for 12 to 15 minutes. Brush BBQ sauce on the last 3 minutes. Serve hot.
2. Juicy Beef Burgers
Nothing says summer like a real homemade burger. Keep it simple and the meat does all the work.
- Ground beef (80/20 fat ratio)
- Salt and black pepper
- Burger buns
- Toppings: lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese
Step 1: Form beef into patties. Press a small dent in the middle so they don’t puff up. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
Step 2: Grill on high heat for 3 to 4 minutes per side. Add cheese in the last minute.
Step 3: Toast buns on the grill for 1 minute. Build your burger and enjoy.
Memorial Day Salad Ideas That People Actually Eat
Skip the boring green salad. These two are fresh, filling, and disappear fast at any cookout.
3. Cold Pasta Salad
image credit: mamaghanouj_kitchen on ig
Make this in the morning and it just gets better as it sits. It is filling enough to be a meal on its own.
- Short pasta (rotini or penne)
- Cherry tomatoes, cucumber, olives
- Red onion
- Italian dressing
- Salt and pepper
Step 1: Cook pasta, drain, and rinse with cold water. Let it cool fully.
Step 2: Chop all veggies and mix with pasta. Pour dressing over everything and toss well.
Step 3: Cover and put in the fridge for at least 1 hour before serving.
4. Watermelon Feta Salad
This one looks fancy but takes 5 minutes. The sweet and salty combo stops people in their tracks.
- Watermelon, cut into cubes
- Feta cheese, crumbled
- Fresh mint or basil leaves
- A drizzle of olive oil and lime juice
Step 1: Cut watermelon into bite-size cubes and place in a wide bowl.
Step 2: Sprinkle feta and fresh mint on top. Drizzle olive oil and lime juice.
Step 3: Serve right away or chill for 15 minutes. Do not mix too much or it gets watery.
image credit: colorful.palate on IG.
Easy Summer Side Dishes for Memorial Day
Sides make or break a cookout spread. These are the ones that go with everything and take almost no effort.
5. Grilled Corn on the Cob
Corn on the grill hits different. The slightly charred bits are the best part.
- Corn on the cob
- Butter
- Salt, pepper, paprika
- Lime juice (optional)
Step 1: Pull back the husks and remove the silk. Brush corn with butter and sprinkle with salt and paprika.
Step 2: Wrap husks back up. Grill on medium heat for 15 to 20 minutes, turning every 5 minutes.
Step 3: Pull back husks, squeeze lime juice on top, and serve warm.
image credit: wynnskitchen on IG.
6. Grilled Veggie Platter
Great for everyone at the table. Grill them all at once and let people pick what they want.
- Zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, mushrooms
- Olive oil
- Garlic, salt, pepper
- Fresh parsley to finish
Step 1: Slice all veggies into even pieces. Toss with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper.
Step 2: Grill on medium heat for 4 to 6 minutes per side until you see nice grill marks.
Step 3: Arrange on a big plate. Sprinkle fresh parsley on top and serve warm or at room temperature.
Pro tip: Make your sides the day before and store them in the fridge. Day-of cooking gets so much easier when you are not running around doing everything at once.
image credit: glutenfreemim on IG.
No-Cook and Easy Seafood Ideas for Summer
Not everyone wants to be standing at a hot grill all day. These are lighter, faster, and still totally delicious.
7. Shrimp Tacos
Shrimp tacos are fast, fun, and feel like a treat. The lime and slaw take them from good to really good.
- Shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Small tortillas
- Shredded cabbage
- Lime juice, garlic powder, cumin
- Sour cream or mayo
Step 1: Season shrimp with garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook in a pan or on the grill for 2 to 3 minutes per side.
Step 2: Mix shredded cabbage with lime juice, a pinch of salt, and a spoon of mayo or sour cream.
Step 3: Warm tortillas, add shrimp, top with slaw, and squeeze more lime over everything.
image credit: dishingouthealth on IG.
8. Caprese Skewers
No cooking needed. These are ready in 10 minutes and look beautiful on any table.
- Cherry tomatoes
- Fresh mozzarella balls
- Fresh basil leaves
- Olive oil, salt, balsamic glaze
Step 1: Thread one tomato, one basil leaf (folded), and one mozzarella ball onto small skewers. Repeat until done.
Step 2: Arrange on a plate. Drizzle with olive oil and a little balsamic glaze.
Step 3: Sprinkle with salt and a little black pepper. Serve right away.
image credit: eleftheriacheese on IG.
9. Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken
This one is simple but the lemon and herbs make it taste like you spent way more time on it than you did.
- Chicken thighs or breasts
- Lemon juice and zest
- Olive oil, garlic, fresh parsley
- Salt, pepper, dried oregano
Step 1: Mix lemon juice, zest, olive oil, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. Pour over chicken and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Step 2: Grill on medium high heat for 6 to 7 minutes per side until cooked through.
Step 3: Rest the chicken for 5 minutes before cutting. Top with fresh parsley and lemon slices.
image credit: eat.in.style.nepal on IG.
10. No-Bake Cheesecake Cups
End the day on a sweet note. These need no oven and you can make them the night before.
- Cream cheese, softened
- Heavy cream
- Powdered sugar and vanilla
- Graham crackers, crushed
- Butter (to mix with crumbs)
- Fresh berries to top
Step 1: Mix crushed graham crackers with melted butter. Press a spoon into the bottom of small cups.
Step 2: Beat cream cheese, heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth and thick.
Step 3: Spoon filling over the crust. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Top with fresh berries before serving.
image credit: daniascuisine on IG.
Memorial Day Summer Meal FAQ
Can I make any of these the day before?
Yes. The pasta salad, cheesecake cups, and caprese skewers are all great to prep ahead. The chicken marinade can also be done overnight.
What is the easiest thing to make for a big crowd?
Pasta salad and grilled corn. Both are easy to scale up and need almost no attention once they are done.
What should I grill first?
Chicken takes the longest so start with that. Then corn. Shrimp and veggies are last because they only take a few minutes.
How do I keep food warm at a cookout?
Wrap grilled meats in foil and they stay warm for 20 to 30 minutes. Sides like pasta salad are served cold so no need to worry.
What if I don’t have a grill?
A grill pan on the stove works great for chicken and shrimp. Corn can go right in the oven at 400F for 20 minutes.
Can kids eat all of these?
Yes. All 10 ideas are family friendly. Skip the spicy seasoning on the shrimp tacos if you are feeding little ones.
How far ahead can I buy the ingredients?
Shop 2 days before. Most of these ingredients stay fresh easily. Just keep the shrimp and chicken in the fridge until the day of.
Now go enjoy your weekend. You have everything you need.
