Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, a time for honoring those who served our country, gathering with loved ones, and enjoying the sunshine. What better way to celebrate than with a delicious and healthy menu? Whether you're hosting a backyard BBQ, attending a potluck, or simply enjoying a relaxing day at home, there are plenty of options to satisfy every palate while keeping your health goals in check. This article provides a variety of recipes perfect for a Memorial Day feast, from appetizers and salads to main courses, desserts, and refreshing drinks.
Appetizers to Kick Off the Celebration
Start your Memorial Day gathering with flavorful and healthy appetizers that will tantalize your guests' taste buds.
Antipasto Platter
Bring an Italian vacation to your backyard with an aperitivo-inspired platter, loaded with marinated mozzarella balls, gigante beans, olives, and other Mediterranean delicacies.
Caprese Skewers
Enjoy the classic Caprese salad in a bite-sized form with these skewers featuring fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and basil leaves. Drizzle with balsamic glaze for an extra touch of flavor.
Summer Fruit Platter
A simple yet refreshing appetizer, a summer fruit platter with a variety of seasonal fruits and cheeses is always a crowd-pleaser.
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Mango Salsa
Add a tropical twist to your appetizer selection with a fresh and fruity mango salsa, perfect for dipping with tortilla chips or serving as a topping for grilled fish or chicken.
Easy Bruschetta
Celebrate the summer's bounty of tomatoes and basil with a classic Italian bruschetta. Toast slices of baguette and top them with a mixture of diced tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic, and olive oil.
Dairy-Free Stuffed Mini Peppers
These easy-prep appetizers come together in minutes. Simply slice mini peppers lengthwise, and load them up with your favorite dip or spread, such as guacamole or hummus. For a creamy cheese-like texture, use a cashew-based filling. Blend soaked cashews with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, and sea salt until smooth and creamy.
Air Fryer Artichoke Hearts
Got an air fryer? Perfect! Now all you need is artichoke hearts for this easy-prep recipe. Add to air fryer basket and bake on 400 F for 15 minutes or until golden. Once tender, remove from the air fryer and top with any additional garnish, such as parmesan cheese or fresh herbs.
Fresh and Vibrant Salads
No Memorial Day celebration is complete without a variety of refreshing salads. These recipes showcase the best of summer produce and offer a healthy alternative to traditional heavy side dishes.
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Easy Pasta Salad
What’s a summer BBQ without a pasta salad? Combine your favorite pasta shape with fresh vegetables, herbs, and a light vinaigrette for a crowd-pleasing dish.
Pesto Pasta Salad
If you can’t get enough basil pesto in the summertime, this recipe is for you! Toss cooked pasta with homemade or store-bought pesto, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and toasted pine nuts.
Macaroni Salad
This twist on the nostalgic picnic dish is filled with crunchy veggies and tangy dill pickles and tossed in a creamy dressing.
Grilled Corn on the Cob
Serve it slathered with butter or dress it up with elote fixings.
Greek Salad
Filled with a refreshing jumble of crisp and juicy veggies, this classic salad tastes like summer.
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Best Potato Salad
This classic potato salad is creamy, pickle-y perfection!
Best Broccoli Salad
A fresher twist on the Midwest classic!
Cucumber Salad
This sweet and tangy salad is incredibly easy to make. Just toss cucumbers and red onions in a 3-ingredient dressing and top them off with fresh herbs.
Mexican Street Corn Salad
This elote-inspired salad gets RAVES whenever you bring it to a summer gathering.
Creamy Coleslaw
The secret to great coleslaw? A great homemade coleslaw dressing!
Red Potato Salad
If creamy potato salad isn’t your thing, try this ultra-herby one instead.
Avocado Salad
Ok, guacamole lovers-this avocado salad is the Memorial Day recipe for you!
Watermelon Feta Salad
This salad is a favorite to make on a hot summer day!
Broccoli Slaw
A delicious mashup of coleslaw and broccoli salad!
Italian Pasta Salad
This Italian pasta salad is one of the favorite Memorial Day recipes! Combine cooked fusilli or rotini pasta with cherry tomatoes, mini fresh mozzarella cheese balls, red bell pepper, English cucumber, red onion, kalamata olives, pepperoncini, and parsley. Toss with Italian dressing, salt, pepper, and fresh basil leaves.
Corn and Black Bean Salad
This lively Corn and Black Bean salad will be a mainstay on your summer table. A fantastic accompaniment to barbeque or seafood and pure magic when heaped into tacos or burritos.
Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
Mediterranean Chickpea Salad with grilled halloumi cheese and a tangy sumac vinaigrette.
Heirloom Tomato and Peach Salad
A fresh heirloom tomato salad with juicy sweet peaches, creamy avocado, and fresh herbs.
Bulgur Salad
A light refreshing salad filled with fresh herbs, veggies, and heart healthy bulgur.
Main Courses for the Grill Master
Fire up the grill and get ready to impress your guests with these healthy and flavorful main course options.
Grilled Vegetables
Can’t choose between grilled corn and grilled zucchini? You don’t have to! These colorful veggie skewers are a flavorful and festive addition to any summer cookout.
Best Veggie Burger
Seriously, the best ever.
Portobello Mushroom Burger
Don’t underestimate humble mushroom caps!
Mushroom Tacos
Not in the mood for hot dogs or burgers? Make these mushroom tacos for your Memorial Day cookout!
BLT Chicken Lettuce Burgers
Unlike traditional burgers served on white bread and loaded with cheese and mayo, these BLT chicken lettuce burgers are equally delicious but way more nutritious. Add cooked chicken breast, onion, tomato, avocado, and cooked, crumbled bacon to lettuce leaves. Drizzle with dressing and top with another lettuce leaf.
Shawarma Spiced Grass-Fed Beef Burger
Shawarma spiced grass-fed beef burger grilled to perfection and layered on toasted naan bread with a yogurt feta cheese sauce, and a ton of veggie toppings.
Quick and Easy Healthy Steak Tacos
Quick and easy healthy steak tacos topped with a mouthwatering lime cilantro coleslaw.
Nashville Hot Chicken
Get all that crunchy, spicy goodness in this healthier version of Nashville hot chicken. These chicken tenders are doused in the signature red-hot spice and have a juiciness from a good dunk in buttermilk.
Blackened Scallop Tacos
The perfect veggie treat! Blackened scallops are magic when tucked into warm tortillas and crowned with a peppy mango and avocado salsa.
Korean Turkey Lettuce Wraps
Seriously the most flavorful moist turkey burger you have ever had! Piled high in crisp lettuce leaves with carrots, kimchi, avocado, and a special Korean inspired sauce.
Refreshing Drinks to Quench Your Thirst
Keep your guests cool and hydrated with these refreshing and healthy drink options.
Red Sangria
The perfect cocktail for a crowd!
Margarita
Margaritas at a summer gathering are never a bad call.
Mojitos
Garden overrun with fresh mint? Put it to work in this fizzy rum cocktail.
Healthy Mojito
Naturally sweetened with a drizzle of honey, this healthy mojito recipe proves it’s totally possible to enjoy a cocktail without hurting your fitness goals. It’s refreshing, cooling, and the perfect way to kick off summer. Muddle fresh mint leaves, add honey and lime juice, fill the glass with ice, and top with club soda or sparkling water.
Festive Memorial Day Cocktail
This festive memorial day cocktail will have you sipping your way to good health. Make a big pitcher with vodka, cranberry juice, lime juice, orange juice, and fresh fruit. Top with a splash of seltzer and garnish with fresh berries, lime, or rosemary.
Light and Fragrant Mocktail
This light and fragrant mocktail will have you sipping your way through MDW without feeling like you’re missing out on all the fun. Free from alcohol, low in sugar, and made with healthy ingredients, this refreshing drink will be a beloved summer beverage, whether you’re going booze-free or not! Combine kombucha, orange juice, and sparkling water. Serve over ice with optional fresh fruit and muddled mint.
Skinny Margaritas
No Memorial Day menu is complete without a good drink or two.
Watermelon Tequila Punch
The most summer-y cocktail there is!
Blackberry Pineapple Smash
It’s a simple cocktail of muddled blackberries, clear rum, fresh lime juice, pineapple juice and a touch of mint.
Strawberry Basil Lemonade
A refreshing blend of homemade lemonade, fresh strawberries, and basil. Depending on who’s enjoying this with me, I’ll add a bit of vodka or just leave it non-alcoholic and add a splash of sparkling water and enjoy it over some ice. Either way it's absolutely delicious.