Memorial Day honors members of the U.S. military who have died while serving their country. If you are looking for a way to celebrate the holiday while also paying respect to American soldiers, incorporate military history into the food you serve. Making these dishes this Memorial Day commemorates the bravery and sacrifices of the armed forces.
How food can honor the American military and culture on Memorial Day
Since the Civil War, Memorial Day has been an occasion to remember and mourn the men and women who have died while in military service. In recent years, Memorial Day has also become a celebration of the start of summer, a chance to gather family and friends and a reason to start up the grill and eat.
In 2023, 44% of families grilled out on Memorial Day, according to the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association. This made it the second most popular day for grilling last year. Food is a centerpiece of Memorial Day, whether you prepare it on the grill or in the kitchen.
Food can also be a powerful way to connect with history and remember those who have fought. The meals eaten by soldiers represent sustenance during uncertain wartime as well as memories of home. By reflecting on the cultural values and emotional comfort of food as you prepare for Memorial Day on May 27, 2024, you can honor America’s military.
A history of food on the front lines
When looking for menu ideas that honor those who served, it is important to recognize the role of food. Different foods bring together the country’s diversity, invoke an emotional response and show how resilient people can be in the face of challenges.
Rations for troops during war usually consist of filling, long-lasting and affordable foods. They are another aspect of the American military spirit, but can also be comforting when returning home. You can even incorporate some of these in your own Memorial Day recipes.
SPAM was a common ration for the U.S. military during World War II when Hormel shipped over 100 million pounds of it to the front. Memorial Day recipes like SPAM burgers or SPAM skewers with pineapple are an easy way to grill up modern dishes with this classic food.
Today, service members in the field receive MREs — Meals, Ready-to-Eat — when fresh food is not available. Many of the items on the MRE menu are hearty, comforting foods, and homemade versions fit well on a Memorial Day table. Try chili with beans, Italian sausage with vegetable skewers or vegetarian taco pasta for your party.
On the home front, food also plays an important role. During World War II, citizens at home were forced to ration meat, dairy, fruit and other foods. Learning to make due with what they had and supplementing with victory gardens — home gardens to provide fresh produce — helped Americans support troops abroad. Fresh vegetables from your own garden are a great addition to Memorial Day this year. Serve them as a salad or cut them up for a snack tray.
Bring history to a traditional Memorial Day barbecue
Beyond a chance to welcome the start of summer, barbecuing can also be a fitting way to honor America’s fallen soldiers. Barbecuing meat has historical connections to the military. Many popular dishes at barbecues also have roots in wartime when home cooks needed to prepare economical and tasty meals.
How barbecue honors the military
People have cooked meat over an open fire for millennia, but today’s barbecuing techniques likely originated from indigenous peoples in the Caribbean in the 1500s. Destination BBQ explains that this method of cooking spread to North and South America via soldiers. As early as the Revolutionary War, General George Washington ordered meat barbecued for his troops.
In the 1800s, pork was plentiful in the southern U.S. and barbecuing was a delicious and cost-effective way to prepare the meat. Civil War soldiers likely ate barbecue for a practical and delicious meal while fighting. When the Civil War was over, The Bitter Southerner notes that thousands of Union and Confederate soldiers attended peace barbecues together.
This Memorial Day, elevate your grilling while honoring this traditional meal with elk burgers. If the weather hasn’t warmed up enough or you don’t have access to a grill, a reverse seared tri tip is another option that is as good on the stove as it is on the barbecue.
Barbecue sides from history for Memorial Day
A Memorial Day party needs sides. These ideas can help you reflect on the history and diversity of American culture at your celebration while also offering a tasty dish to accompany your main meal.
Pork and beans have been a staple food for troops starting in the Civil War and a comforting food for soldiers returning home, according to Edible Indy. Canned pork and beans are classic, but making homemade pork and beans for your side dish is a great way to tailor this dish to your tastes.
Sauerkraut is a tangy topping for bratwurst and hotdogs that also mixes well with coleslaw. Katherine Beck at Tasting Table notes that sauerkraut was also a patriotic dish during World War I when it was renamed liberty cabbage to combat anti-German sentiment. Red cabbage sauerkraut is a bright and flavorful addition to a Memorial Day potluck.
At the same time, hamburgers became liberty steaks, and frankfurters became liberty sausages. While eating these foods during the war was patriotic, preparing them now honors America’s cultural diversity.
Cook Memorial Day foods that honor those who served
If food is already a centerpiece of your Memorial Day celebration, consider making foods that help you remember those who have died in service this year. These dishes can bring a rich history to your table that honors the cultural diversity of the United States and the resilience of its military and civilians. Cook up these foods for family and friends this Memorial Day, and everyone can enjoy delicious food that reflects the unyielding spirit of all those who have served.
Gina Matsoukas is the writer, photographer, recipe developer and founder of Running to the Kitchen — a food site focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network magazine.