37 Memorial Day Food Ideas for a Crowd-Pleasing Cookout

Memorial Day heralds the beginning of summer break, and the three-day weekend is the perfect time to catch up with friends and family over a picnic, party or cookout. Plan a delicious celebration with these 37 Memorial Day food ideas and spend less time prepping and more time enjoying the sunshine. From cookouts to potlucks, we’ve got you covered.

1. Star-spangled layered dip

This beautiful dip is made with layered refried beans, guacamole, sour cream and salsa spooned in a stripe formation, with black olive “stars.” We recommend serving it with corn chips or your favorite tortilla chips, as an easy-to-scoop appetizer. It’s a great recipe to bring to any barbecue.

2. Turkey and cheese tortilla roll-ups with ranch

Consider these turkey and cheese tortilla roll-ups with ranch dressing for a simple and affordable Memorial Day food idea. Easy to prepare, these roll-ups involve stuffing soft tortillas with deli turkey meat, cheddar cheese, lettuce and a squeeze of ranch.

3. Cheese-stuffed baby peppers

For a crunchy vegetarian appetizer, make these stuffed baby peppers with only three ingredients: baby sweet bell peppers, cream cheese and chives. If you want to try something different, consider swapping the chives for a different topping, such as red onion or scallions. 

4. Cold spinach dip

Spinach dip is a simple crowd-pleaser that you can serve with your favorite chips or cubed bread; we recommend pairing it with delicious rye bread. Packed with fresh spinach and crunchy water chestnuts, your guests will munch on this dip throughout the entire Memorial Day party.

5. Shrimp salad stuffed avocados

This is another refreshing recipe for the summer festivities. Scoop avocados and fill them with cooked shrimp, diced avocado, cherry tomatoes and corn. Top with Greek yogurt and lemon juice for the perfect Memorial Day appetizer or side dish.

6. Hawaiian huli huli chicken with pineapple salsa

Dive into this Hawaiian huli huli chicken recipe, perfect for a Memorial Day barbecue and topped with a delicious pineapple salsa. Marinate the chicken in pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic and ginger. Then, prepare a fresh salsa with pineapple, red onion, bell pepper, cilantro, lime juice and jalapeño for a touch of heat.

7. Smash burgers

Smash burgers, aka hamburgers, are always a crowd-pleaser. From a vegan burger with apple slaw to a seared ahi tuna burger with pineapple and teriyaki sauce, there’re an endless number of tasty options for everyone at your Memorial Day celebration.

8. Chimichurri grilled flank steak

When you bring steak to a Memorial Day celebration, it quickly becomes the meal's centerpiece. Make this classic steak recipe with homemade chimichurri sauce, using fresh parsley, cilantro, oregano and olive oil. For a spicier chimichurri sauce, add chopped hot chile peppers.

9. Grilled hot dogs

Fire up the grill for hot dogs and split rolls. Set up a toppings table with sweet and sour pickles, grilled peppers, caramelized onions, marinated horseradish slaw and other favorites.

10. Crab cakes

For a yummy seafood option, consider a classic crab cake recipe. Crab meat is combined with mayonnaise and seasonings, formed into patties, and then baked to perfection. You can serve crab cakes individually, on a salad or as a sandwich with lettuce, tomato and tartar sauce.

11. Grilled chicken

Cook chicken wings, juicy thighs, whole split chickens or chicken kebabs. Try jerk chicken, Greek-style chicken, chicken satay or chicken with lemon, herbs and black pepper.

12. Grilled pork chops

Cook pork marinated in honey, soy sauce, garlic and red pepper flakes for eight minutes on each side and serve with a refreshing salad. While a simple dish, pork chops remain a traditional Memorial Day food that never disappoints.

13. Juicy grilled lamb chops with marinade

Cook for the carnivores at your Memorial Day event and impress them with these juicy grilled lamb chops. Before grilling, marinate the chops in olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, Dijon mustard, rosemary and red pepper flakes. Remember to let the lamb chops rest for at least five minutes after taking them off the grill to keep them juicy.

14. Fried chicken sandwich

Everyone loves fried chicken, so why not serve these mouth-watering, easy-to-make sandwiches? They’re made with crispy buttermilk fried chicken thighs in burger buns. Fill sandwiches with crunchy coleslaw and fried onions and top with spicy chipotle mayonnaise.

15. Skirt steak fajitas

Fajitas are a popular dish that is easy to cook for a large crowd, making it ideal as a Memorial Day food. In addition to delicious skirt steak, this fajita recipe serves up onions and bell peppers. Consider serving with a side of tortillas and guacamole to level up your dish.

16. Chipotle tofu and pineapple skewers

Need a vegetarian option? Grill tofu skewers marinated in chipotle and guajillo chili with pineapple chunks. Serve de-skewered tofu and pineapple with flour or corn tortillas. This recipe can easily be adapted, replacing the tofu with chicken or another protein source.

17. Grilled chicken kabobs

There may not be a more perfect barbecue menu item than grilled chicken kabobs. Marinate the chicken in this recipe with olive oil, honey, soy sauce, garlic powder and onion powder, then thread it on skewers with your favorite vegetables. We recommend bell pepper, zucchini and onion.

18. Ham and cheese Hawaiian roll sliders

Prepare a quick and delicious Memorial Day food recipe with these ham and cheese Hawaiian roll sliders. This recipe calls for deli ham, but for an extra bit of flavor, consider using sliced spiral ham. The mustard, Worcestershire sauce, poppy seeds and brown sugar add an element of sweetness.

19. Grilled pizza

Cook pizza dough on the grill and top with tomatoes, thinly sliced mozzarella, fresh ricotta and any toppings your heart desires. Serve with chopped basil, pepper flakes and a drizzle of oil.

20. Grilled chicken wings with barbecue sauce

It's not easy to turn down grilled chicken wings at a barbecue cookout. Mix a marinade with barbecue sauce, olive oil, vinegar, honey, smoked paprika and garlic for a delicious finger-licking-good coating. Consider adding hot sauce if you prefer your wings to be spicy.

21. Beef-vegetable kebabs with orzo

Skewer top sirloin or tri-tip steak pieces between chunks of bell pepper, zucchini, onion and cherry tomatoes. Toss them on the grill and serve with cooked orzo pasta. Level up your orzo recipe by adding a bit of butter, Parmesan cheese and garlic.

22. Crab cakes with aioli sauce

This crab cake recipe includes a delicious aioli sauce made from mayonnaise, lemon juice and lemon zest. Add a bit of hot sauce to your aioli for a bit of added depth and spice. Serve the crab cakes on their own or on a hamburger bun with extra aioli, lettuce and tomato.

23. Buttery lobster rolls

Don’t miss out on these decadent lobster rolls. Toss lobster meat in mayonnaise, freshly squeezed lemon juice, chives and Dijon mustard. Chill in the fridge and serve on split toasted butter rolls with lettuce.

24. Corn chip salad

This corn chip salad combines a bit of crunch with fresh vegetables, such as bell pepper, corn and red onion. Serve this fun Memorial Day dish as a side with hot dogs, hamburgers and other hearty mains. For a lighter variation, replace the mayo with unflavored, non-fat Greek yogurt.

25. Watermelon salad with feta

A sweet and savory salad goes with burgers, sandwiches or grilled meat. Mix cubed watermelon and diced cucumber with feta, avocado, sliced onions and mint leaves with a simple olive oil and lime juice dressing.

26. Spicy bang bang corn

Kick your classic grilled corn up a notch with chili sauce, Sriracha, garlic and lime juice. The mix of acidity and heat gives you the perfect balance of spicy, sweet and tangy. If you love the classic bang bang shrimp recipe, you’ll adore this veggie-focused twist.

27. BLT pasta salad

BLTs aren't just sandwiches; you can make delicious bacon-inspired recipes like this BLT pasta salad. This pasta salad combines your favorite pasta with crumbled bacon, cherry tomatoes and lettuce. Prepare the dish ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

28. Grilled beans

Cooked canned kidney beans with onions, green peppers, tomato sauce, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, garlic and any other veggies you’ve got in your fridge. Serve with your favorite meat and some crusty bread.

29. BLT potato salad

This delicious potato salad is a combination of cherry or grape tomatoes, arugula leaves and cooked bacon tossed in sour cream and mayonnaise — the perfect accompaniment to any summer meal! It pairs especially well with the spicy bang bang corn above.

30. Cornbread salad

This salad is perfect for an early summer evening, made with black-eyed peas, corn, tomatoes, bell peppers, sour cream and cheese layered with cornbread. To vary the flavor profile of this dish, consider using different types of bread, such as honey or jalapeño cornbread.

31. Grilled summer squash

Try this quick and uncomplicated vegetarian grill recipe for yellow squash and zucchini lovers. Dress the squash in a sweet and tangy grilled lemon and scallion vinegarette, and let the veggies develop a beautiful char on the grill. This delicious recipe can also be made with other types of vegetables, including zucchini and pattypan squash.

32. Southwestern salmon Cobb salad

Grill adobo-marinated salmon and serve with a salad of tossed greens, avocado, tomatoes and blue cheese. Drizzle with a sour cream-chipotle dressing. This salmon recipe is an excellent option for the pescatarians at your holiday gatherings or potlucks.

33. Easy peach cobbler

A classic fruit cobbler will never disappoint a crowd, especially when paired with a large scoop of vanilla ice cream. If you aren't a fan of peaches, you can easily swap them out for your favorite summer fruits, such as blueberries, strawberries or nectarines.

34. Fluffy and fresh strawberry cake

Serve this fluffy and fresh strawberry cake for dessert, and you're sure to impress any guest. You won't find a boxed cake mix here, but it's still easy to throw together with essential baking ingredients, and you get the benefit of freshly pureed strawberries.

35. Banana pudding with strawberries

This show-stopping banana pudding with strawberries is a delicious dessert option made with fresh berries and bananas. Vanilla wafers make for an easy crust at the bottom of the pudding dish and repeated throughout. If strawberries aren't your favorite, consider swapping them for other berries, such as blueberries.

36. Peach cobbler pound cake

This peach cobbler pound cake combines fresh fruit with buttery pound cake for a delicious dessert. It's easy to make, and you can use canned or freshly sliced peaches. This recipe makes the pound cake from scratch, but you can pick up a boxed cake mix if you’re short on time; it will still be delicious.

37. No-bake peanut butter cookies

Peanut butter lovers will adore this no-bake cookie recipe at your Memorial Day celebration. It's easy to make, using limited ingredients: vanilla extract, oatmeal, honey, sugar and peanut butter. Simply let the cookies set on a baking sheet lined with parchment — no oven required.

Memorial Day menu planning tips

Enjoy a stress-free holiday by planning your Memorial Day BBQ food ideas ahead of time with these handy tips:

• Choose your recipes and list the corresponding ingredients you’ll need, considering the number of guests you’ll have present.
• Add the ingredients to your cart and schedule your delivery through the Insacart app or website; no need to run to the store yourself.
• Prep the ingredients by washing and chopping the veggies, preparing the salad sans dressing, marinating meats and making all dressings, sauces and dips ahead of time.
• Make some recipes ahead of time, such as pasta salads! Remember to store everything in airtight containers in the fridge for freshness.
• Dust off your plates, cutlery and Memorial Day decorations and set up the day before so you can be stress-free on the day of the party.

Plan your Memorial Day celebration with Instacart

Whether you’re firing up the grill for outdoor festivities or having an intimate family dinner indoors, you can get all your Memorial Day weekend groceries through Instacart. Order your Memorial Day essentials through Instacart and schedule your delivery at checkout.