Get the grill going and bring on the long weekend. Memorial Day is the perfect time to cook outside, hang out with friends, and eat good food in the sun. Whether you’re feeding a big crowd or keeping it low-key, simple recipes can still bring big flavor. These 21 easy dishes are just right for kicking off summer without spending all day in the kitchen. Fire up the flavor and make your cookout one to remember.
Blueberry Pudding Cake
This blueberry pudding cake is rich and gooey in the best way, with soft cake baked right over juicy berries. Each bite gives you that perfect mix of fluffy and warm with a sweet fruit center. It’s a delicious Memorial Day dessert that feels homemade without much fuss.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Pudding Cake
Grilled Chicken Foil Packets
These grilled chicken foil packets are easy to prep, packed with juicy chicken, melty cheese, and seasoned vegetables. Everything cooks together in one foil wrap, which means fewer dishes and more time to relax. They’re a tasty choice for a low-stress Memorial Day meal.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Foil Packets
Blueberry Crumb Bars
These blueberry crumb bars are packed with sweet berries and topped with a golden, buttery crumble. Each square has a soft middle, crisp top, and just the right amount of fruit. They’re one of those easy Memorial Day desserts everyone grabs without thinking twice.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Crumb Bars
Chipotle Burger with Jalapeño Mayo
These burgers bring the heat with smoky chipotle flavor and a jalapeño mayo that gives each bite a bold, creamy kick. The patties stay juicy, and the spice adds something extra without being too much. If you’re planning a Memorial Day cookout, this burger belongs on the grill.
Get the Recipe: Chipotle Burger with Jalapeño Mayo
Chocolate Chip Oat Bars
These bars mix soft oats with plenty of gooey chocolate for a dessert that’s chewy, sweet, and super comforting. They’re easy to make ahead and cut into squares for snacking. This is the kind of treat that keeps disappearing during Memorial Day hangouts.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Chip Oat Bars
Lemon Marinated Chicken Kebabs
The lemon marinade makes the chicken tender and bright with flavor, and the grill adds that smoky char everyone loves. Paired with vegetables on skewers, it’s a full meal on a stick. These kebabs are a fresh, easy pick for Memorial Day grilling.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Marinated Chicken Kebabs
Grilled Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce
These skewers have juicy grilled chicken with a slightly sweet, nutty peanut sauce that pulls it all together. The flavors are simple but bold and work great with anything else you throw on the grill. It’s a fun, hands-on dish that fits right into any Memorial Day spread.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce
Frosted Banana Bars
These banana bars are soft and moist, with just the right amount of natural sweetness. The creamy frosting on top adds that extra layer that makes them feel like a treat. They’re a smart Memorial Day dessert if you’ve got ripe bananas and don’t want to waste them.
Get the Recipe: Frosted Banana Bars
Homemade Smoky Baked Beans
These baked beans have that sweet, smoky flavor that just hits different when you make them from scratch. They’re warm, saucy, and go great next to burgers, hot dogs, or anything off the grill. They’re a solid side dish choice for any Memorial Day cookout.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Smoky Baked Beans
Fresh Strawberry Pie
This pie is loaded with fresh strawberries and has a light glaze that brings everything together without being too heavy. The crust is buttery and flaky, which balances the fruit perfectly. It’s a classic dessert that works great for Memorial Day gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Strawberry Pie
Kefta Kebabs
These kebabs are filled with spices and flavor, offering a break from the usual burger routine. The meat stays juicy and grills up fast, which means less time cooking and more time enjoying. They’re a great Memorial Day choice if you want something a little different that still feels easy.
Get the Recipe: Kefta Kebabs
Bacon Deviled Eggs
These deviled eggs have smoky bacon in the mix, which takes the classic version to the next level. The filling is smooth and creamy, and the bacon gives it a salty crunch that works every time. They’re an easy win for Memorial Day tables, and they disappear quick.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Deviled Eggs
Classic Brownies
These brownies are rich, chewy, and full of chocolate from the first bite to the last crumb. They’ve got that perfect crackly top and soft center that makes them hard to resist. If you need a no-fail dessert for Memorial Day, these should be the first thing on your list.
Get the Recipe: Classic Brownies
Candy Cookie Brownies
These brownies are loaded with candy pieces and cookie dough, baked right into thick chocolatey squares. Each bite has a bit of crunch, chew, and sweet that hits all the right notes. It’s the kind of over-the-top treat that gets passed around fast at Memorial Day parties.
Get the Recipe: Candy Cookie Brownies
7 Layer Bars
These bars have layer after layer of sweet goodness—chocolate, coconut, nuts, and more in every bite. The texture is chewy, gooey, and crunchy all at once, which keeps things interesting. They’re a go-to Memorial Day dessert that’s easy to make and even easier to share.
Get the Recipe: 7 Layer Bars
Raspberry Jam Bars
A thick layer of raspberry jam sits between a buttery crust and crumbly topping, making each bite sweet and just a little tart. The fruit filling cuts through the richness in a way that feels balanced. These are a great choice when you want an easy, fruity Memorial Day treat.
Get the Recipe: Raspberry Jam Bars
Garlic Sesame Kale
This kale dish is quick to toss together with garlic and sesame oil that give it a savory boost. It pairs well with grilled meats and adds something green to your Memorial Day table. It’s an easy side that feels a little lighter without being boring.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Sesame Kale
Bacon Cheddar Stuffed Burger
These burgers are packed on the inside with melted cheddar and crisp bacon, so every bite is rich and loaded with flavor. The cheese stays gooey and the bacon adds that salty bite you want. It’s a great option when you want your Memorial Day burgers to feel extra special.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Cheddar Stuffed Burger
Cherry Crumb Bars
Sweet cherry filling sits between a soft bottom crust and a crumbly topping that gives each bar great texture. They’re easy to cut and even easier to eat with your hands. These are a sweet and simple Memorial Day dessert that everyone can grab and go.
Get the Recipe: Cherry Crumb Bars
Orange Ginger Grilled Cornish Hens
These Cornish hens are marinated in orange and ginger for a citrusy flavor with a little kick. They grill up golden and juicy, giving you something a little fancier without extra effort. If you’re hosting Memorial Day and want something that feels special, these are a smart pick.
Get the Recipe: Orange Ginger Grilled Cornish Hens
Asian Marinated Steak
This steak sits in a marinade of soy sauce, garlic, and sesame oil that soaks in tons of flavor. It cooks up juicy and tender with just enough char from the grill. It’s a bold and easy way to serve steak at your Memorial Day gathering without making it complicated.
Get the Recipe: Asian Marinated Steak