Easy Memorial Day Recipes for Summer Entertaining

Memorial Day officially marks the arrival of summer- a season meant for lingering evenings spent outdoors creating new memories. It is a holiday marked not only by remembrance, but by gathering- by tables carried into the backyard, the scent of something sweet charring on the grill, pitchers of iced tea sweating gently beneath the afternoon sun, and the sound of laughter filling the air that makes the days feel endless. Today, we are sharing a collection of recipes perfect for the long weekend ahead- simple dishes meant for passing, sharing, and savoring with the people we love most.

Jump to:

• Grilling Recipes
• Summer Salads
• Cookout Sides
• Drinks
• Desserts
• Hosting Tips

Grilling Recipes

• Steakhouse Burgers -  Our Steakhouse Burgers combine the robustness of grilled ground beef, the tangy richness of steak sauce, and the irresistible charred goodness that can only be achieved on a hot cast-iron pan or grill. Each bite is a harmonious symphony of juicy meat, smoky goodness, and a touch of zesty steak sauce that helps elevate the entire experience. For fish-lovers, our Crispy Flounder Fillet Sandwich is the perfect option!
• Asian-Style Hot Dogs with a Teriyaki Glaze - We're elevating summer's menu with our Asian-Style Hot Dogs that are slightly sweet, savory, spicy, and bursting with umami flavors. These hot dogs are grilled and glazed with a homemade Teriyaki sauce, then topped with vibrant toppings like pickled onions, refreshing cucumbers, ginger, and a drizzle of spicy mayo.
• Savory Skirt Steak with Garlic, Butter, & Basil - Few dishes captivate the senses quite like the elegant simplicity of a perfectly cooked steak. From the telltale sizzle to the rich aroma of beef searing in a mix of butter and herbs, to the crisped exterior giving way to the succulent and juicy meat, each bite becomes an indulgence. It's an experience that almost perfectly encapsulates the essence of what defines a satisfying and flavorful meal.

• Spicy Relish Hot Dogs - We're dressing up these franks with a jalapeno relish, fresh sliced tomato, plenty of cheddar, and caramelized onions. Grilled watermelon, peaches, and corn to complete the summer seasonal platter.
• Chicken Caprese Skewers - Savor the flavors of summer with our mouthwatering Chicken Caprese Skewers! This delightful recipe brings together the vibrant essence of a classic Caprese salad and turns it into a delightful, Mediterranean-inspired experience.
• Lemon Garlic Chicken Wings - Today's wings are prepared with a lemon-garlic marinade that's equal parts savory and zesty and then baked to tender perfection with a crispy panko coating. Easy to prepare and easy to love, this chicken wing recipe is sure to be a hit at your next gathering.

Summer Salads

• Charred Corn and Peach Salad - Perfect for a summer barbecue party, this salad combines a medley of smoky, sweet, and tangy flavors that will delight your guests and brighten your table. Featuring the smokiness of grilled corn and bell peppers with the sweetness of fresh peaches, all brought together with a zesty citrus dressing, this salad is simply a delight to indulge in.
• Watermelon Salad - This cool, refreshing watermelon salad is the perfect combo of sweet and salty. It's so easy to toss together and perfect all season long.
• Perfect Picnic Coleslaw - This dressed-up Coleslaw is a nod to the classic cabbage salad we grew up loving and perfect for all those warm-weather cookouts and picnics. It's easy to prepare and perfect to make ahead!

Cookout Sides

• Mexican Street Corn - Sweet grilled corn is brushed with a creamy, mayo-based spread, then seasoned with warm spices. Serve it with a squeeze of citrus and crumbled cotija for a delicious summer side!
• Shrimp Aguachiles (Mexican Ceviche) - This delicious aguachile recipe is deceptively easy to make, combining fresh raw shrimp marinated in a zesty lime marinade, prepared with fresh-squeezed lime juice, and then smothered in a single layer of green chile and cilantro sauce. Best served cold, topped with a combination of fresh avocado slices, pickled onions, and cucumber, this flavorful Mexican appetizer is a perfect side for crispy tortilla chips on warm summer days. That's warm-weather perfection right there.
• Simple Fresh Tomato Bruschetta - This recipe starts with toasted Italian bread, which we top with a simple yet delicious mix of sliced vine-ripe tomatoes, diced red onion, roasted garlic, fresh basil, and extra virgin olive oil. A dusting of grating cheese finishes the recipe, tying it all together. The end result is a back-to-basics bruschetta recipe that's easy to make and easy to love.

Drinks

• Summer Sangria - I call this summer's elixir made up of dry wine, summer fruit, and nostalgia. It's fruity, sweet, refreshing, and one of the most delicious ways to serve wine for the summer.
• Green Tea Slushie - If you want a drink that is refreshing but not complicated, that is satisfying but clean (and preferably without alcohol), then this Green Tea Slushie Recipe checks off all the boxes. It's easy and accessible and is the perfect warm-weather refreshment you can make all season long.
• Watermelon Margarita - Imagine yourself lounging by the pool, feeling the cool breeze on your skin, and taking a moment to indulge in the simple pleasures of summertime. Watermelon Margaritas are the epitome of a perfect summer drink - they're vibrant, juicy, and effortlessly refreshing. With their captivating pink hue and invigorating flavors, they embody the essence of this cherished season.

Desserts

• Summer Peach Crumble - I've always been a fan of fruit desserts, especially in the summer. Fresh pies, cobblers, crisps- these are the best way to make the most of summer's harvest in my opinion. A scoop of ice cream, and honestly, what more do you need?
• Lemon Curd Tartlets - A sweet & zesty lemon curd is set over a shortbread-like crust and topped with sweet cream for a refreshing summer dessert.
• Blueberry Shortbread Bars - Ripe blueberries are baked over a sweet shortbread crust for a simple, but irresistible dessert! You can also use stone fruits, strawberries, raspberries, or apples!

• Chocolate Bliss S'mores Bars - Baked over a buttery graham cracker crust, we layered an assortment of chocolate candies and a golden marshmallow topping. These bars make for a perfect treat to celebrate the new season!
• No-Bake Whipped Cream Cheesecake - This cheesecake is decadently textured and blissfully sweet, featuring a sweetened cheese and cream filling in a graham cracker crust, with a strawberry preserve and fresh blueberry topping.  As a nice bonus, this is - believe it or not - one of the simpler desserts that you can make at home.
• No-Churn Brown Butter Ice Cream - Everything is better with butter. This no-churn delight is cool, creamy, and swirled with brown butter for an ultra decadent treat you'll be craving year-round.

Hosting Tips

• Plan Ahead - The easiest menus are often the ones prepared in stages. Pasta salads, marinated sides, picnic salads, desserts, and refreshments can all be made ahead, allowing the grill to become the only last-minute task once guests arrive.
• Self-Serve Drink Station - A self-serve drink station instantly creates ease for both the host and guest. An ice bucket is the best investment for your summer parties. Nearby, set up bottles of chilled sparkling water, lemonade, teas, and soft drinks in a cooler.
  • Pro Tip: Grace the table with bowls of fresh lemon slices, berries, and mint, not only to elevate the presentation but also to allow guests to garnish their drinks!
• Effortless Tablescapes - The table is most inviting when it feels collected rather than overly styled. A simple linen tablecloth keeps the mood light and effortless. I like arranging the platters family-style to create a welcoming and relaxed feeling.
  • Pro Tip: To keep the tableclothes in place, these weights are a must! Don't forget to protect your spread from pesky summer bugs with these food tents.
• Beyond the Grill - While the grill often becomes the centerpiece of Memorial Day cooking, the dishes guests remember most are often the ones waiting on the table from the moment they arrive. With the warmer weather, I love preparing colorful grazing boards such as this Arisant Charcuterie. Having appetizers prepared before guests arrive will save you so much time in the long run and allow you to enjoy your company.
  • More Ways to Save Time: Serving cold salads allows you to make them the day before, which makes a huge difference on the day of the party. If you're making baked beans for your BBQ, use the slow cooker so you don't have to heat up your kitchen or stand over the stovetop. Lastly, make sure dessert is portioned and sliced for easy serving. By the end of the day, I'm always exhausted, so every little detail matters.

✨ Final Touches

• The Perfect Party Playlist - Music is as essential as a well-thought-out menu in my book of hosting tips. Here's my personal Dinner Party Playlist filled with nostalgic tunes- perfect for easy listening that won't drown out the conversation.
• Shaded Seating - Set up umbrellas around the tables and hang sheer patio curtains to filter sunlight while creating a warm ambiance.
• Keep the Bugs at Bay - Summer evenings are the best part. Sitting around the fire pit with s'mores, watching the fireflies in the garden, sipping coffee while lost in good conversation- only one thing could ruin such a moment. Don't forget the citronella candles to keep mosquitoes from chasing everyone inside. Last year, I discovered this bug repellent, and it saved us all summer long.
• Take-home Containers - Everyone loves taking leftovers home, but I don't love giving away all my glass storage containers. So these compostable, non-toxic take-home containers are durable and affordable for guests.

In many ways, Memorial Day entertaining

This post contains affiliate links.

is less about hosting and more about creating space for conversation and for remembrance. The recipes may anchor the table, but it is the feeling of the gathering that lingers long after the holiday weekend has passed.

From all of us at Living the Gourmet, we wish you a safe and memorable holiday! Cheers!

^{**Note: If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. We recommend only products we genuinely like. Thank you so much.}

0