The grill is hot, the sun is out, and it’s time to eat. Memorial Day is all about easy food that tastes great and disappears fast. These 15 recipes are the kind that get grabbed up before you even sit down. If you’re cooking for a crowd or just a few folks, these dishes will be the first to go.
Lemon Marinated Chicken Kebabs
Fire up the grill and pass the skewers—these lemon chicken kebabs were made to please a crowd. The marinade makes the chicken juicy and full of bright flavor that stands up well to the smoky grill. Set them out with some dipping sauce and they’ll disappear before the next round of burgers.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Marinated Chicken Kebabs
Lime Marinated Grilled Chicken
Let the zesty lime do the heavy lifting and bring bold flavor to this easy grilled chicken. It stays tender on the inside with just enough crisp on the edges to keep everyone going back for seconds. This simple dish works great for Memorial Day when the grill is hot and folks are hungry.
Get the Recipe: Lime Marinated Grilled Chicken
Double Chocolate Cherry Cereal Bars
Skip the oven and whip up these chewy, chocolatey bars packed with sweet cherry flavor. They’ve got crunch from the cereal and just enough gooey chocolate to keep things fun. These are the kind of no-bake treats that vanish fast at a backyard gathering like Memorial Day.
Get the Recipe: Double Chocolate Cherry Cereal Bars
Baked Kale Chips
Grab a big bowl and make room for these crispy kale chips that are anything but boring. They come out of the oven light, crunchy, and just salty enough to keep your hand going back in the bowl. They’re perfect when you want to add something quick and green to the Memorial Day table.
Get the Recipe: Baked Kale Chips
Asian Marinated Steak
Let this bold marinade do the work and take your steak to the next level with rich soy and garlic flavor. The meat stays juicy and grills up with a nice sear that tastes great sliced and shared. Serve it family-style on Memorial Day and watch how fast it goes.
Get the Recipe: Asian Marinated Steak
Texas Sheetcake Brownies
Slice big, serve wide, and don’t expect leftovers with these crowd-pleasing chocolate brownies. The frosting soaks into the soft cake and gives each bite a rich, fudgy taste. Big-batch desserts like this make things easy when you’re feeding a Memorial Day crowd.
Get the Recipe: Texas Sheetcake Brownies
Garlic Sesame Kale
Keep things simple but tasty with this garlicky kale that gets a boost from toasted sesame oil. It cooks fast and adds a fresh, savory touch to any plate filled with grilled meats. Toss it in a bowl for Memorial Day and let everyone dig in between bites of burgers and brats.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Sesame Kale
Grilled S’mores Pizza
Bring dessert to the grill with this gooey mashup of Nutella, marshmallows, and graham crackers on warm pizza crust. The edges crisp up while the middle turns melty, sticky, and just the right kind of messy. This one’s a sweet ending that stands out at any Memorial Day cookout.
Get the Recipe: Grilled S’mores Pizza
Lemon-Marinated Kefir Chicken
Let kefir and lemon team up to make this chicken extra tender with a fresh, tangy kick. It cooks fast and stays juicy, making it perfect for slicing and stacking on a plate. Add this to your Memorial Day menu when you want something a little different that still hits the spot.
Get the Recipe: Lemon-Marinated Kefir Chicken
Raspberry Jam Bars
Layer up a little sweetness with these raspberry jam bars that walk the line between tart and rich. The buttery crust and crumbly topping sandwich a thick layer of fruit that holds its shape but melts in your mouth. Stack these on a tray and they’ll be gone long before the grill cools.
Get the Recipe: Raspberry Jam Bars
Beer Boiled Brats
Start these brats in a pot of beer and let the flavor soak in before they ever hit the grill. They come out juicy, full of snap, and ready for whatever toppings you’ve got on hand. Brats like these have earned a regular spot at Memorial Day cookouts for good reason.
Get the Recipe: Beer Boiled Brats
Grilled Baby Bok Choy
Throw something new on the grill with this baby bok choy that’s crisp, tender, and full of flavor. A quick marinade brings out its natural sweetness and adds a touch of char from the heat. It’s a side that fits right in with the burgers and ribs on Memorial Day.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Baby Bok Choy
Blueberry Crumb Bars
Sweeten things up with these crumb-topped bars that burst with blueberry in every bite. The soft middle and buttery topping make them easy to pick up and hard to stop eating. These are a favorite kind of treat when dessert needs to be shared on a holiday like Memorial Day.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Crumb Bars
Miso Glazed Salmon
Brush on this miso glaze and let the salmon shine with salty-sweet flavor and crispy edges. It cooks fast and holds together well, making it great for grilling or baking in big batches. When Memorial Day calls for something a little nicer without a ton of work, this dish does the trick.
Get the Recipe: Miso Glazed Salmon
7 Layer Bars
Stack up the sweetness with these bars filled with chocolate, coconut, and everything good in between. Every bite is a mix of crunchy, gooey, and chewy layers that hit all the right notes. These are a hands-down hit at any Memorial Day table where dessert should be easy and fun.
Get the Recipe: 7 Layer Bars