This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
Memorial Day Recipes to Kick Off Summer – Memorial Day is almost here, and we’re sharing some of our most-loved recipes to help you celebrate. This collection includes everything from easy grilling favorites to fresh, vibrant salads, berry-filled desserts, and my go-to summer cocktails and mocktails.
The long days, warm nights, and easy summer vibes are just around the corner—I can already feel the excitement through the screen! I’m right there with you, dreaming up what I hope will be our best summer yet. Planning trips, throwing surprise parties, building out summer menus, and picturing dinners outside in that sweet, humid summer air.
After a much-needed (but far too short!) trip to Florida, I’ve officially caught the summertime bug. I want an Ina Garten-style summer—laid-back dinner parties, backyard cookouts, lots of baking, and fun drinks to sip on all season long.
Thankfully, I’ve pulled together a list of recipes that will help get us started—and hopefully inspire your own Memorial Day and summer cooking too!
In this round-up, you’ll find longtime reader favorites, newer dishes we shared last summer, and—after pulling this post together—a fresh list of ideas I can’t wait to create in the months ahead.
What recipes are you hoping to see this summer? And of course, I’d love to hear what you’re cooking for Memorial Day!
drinks
Salted Spicy Watermelon Margarita Popsicles
Strawberry Lemonade Aperol Margarita
Frosted Watermelon Rosemary Frosé
Pink Vodka Watermelon Lemonade
appetizers
Strawberry Jam with Honey Whipped Goat Cheese
Pull Apart Italian Sub Sliders
Caprese Garlic Bread with Crispy Prosciutto
Easy White Chicken Chili Corn Dip
Pull Apart Street Corn Dip Sliders
Marinated Cherry Tomatoes with Burrata
Easy Mediterranean Mezze Platter
Peach Burrata Parmesan Crostini with Hot Honey
Sun-Dried Tomato Garlic Olive Oil Dip
Roasted Garlic Tomato Burrata Caprese
Jalapeño Cheddar Popovers with Honey Butter
dinners and side
Strawberry Feta Salad with Candied Pecans
Pull Apart Cheeseburger Sliders
Chicken Tzatziki Skewers with Feta Fries
Pesto Chicken Caesar Salad with Tomatoes and Burrata
Grilled Caprese Pesto Chicken Skewers
Creamy Avocado Ranch Chicken Pasta Salad
Honey Mustard Chicken Avocado Sandwich with Tahini Ranch
Chipotle Pineapple Bang Bang Chicken Skewers
Chopped Buffalo Chicken Skewer Salad
Chipotle Cheddar Chicken Burgers
Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken Avocado Orzo Salad
Greek Chicken Chopped Salad with Lemon Tahini Vinaigrette
Roasted Tomato Basil and Feta Orzo
Lemon Chicken Skewers with Creamy Feta Sauce
Crispy Salt and Vinegar Smashed Potatoes
Corn, Tomato, and Avocado Pasta Salad
Tomato, Peach, and Burrata Salad
Pesto Chicken and Avocado Bacon Salad Wraps
Picnic Style Pesto Turkey and Avocado Bacon Sandwich
sweets
No Churn Creamy Strawberry Ice Cream
Chocolate Chip Zucchini Pecan Bread
Easy Strawberry Ice Cream Cake
Chewy Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Bars
Frozen Chocolate Peanut Butter Cream Pie
4 Ingredient Creamy Fruit Popsicles
Old School Easy Brown Sugar Peach Cobbler
Easy Ginger Blackberry Peach Cobbler
No Churn Chocolate Malt Oreo Ice Cream
Frozen Chocolate Banana Yogurt Clusters
Cinnamon Maple Brown Butter Blackberry Peach Crisp
Blackberry Lavender Naked Cake with White Chocolate Buttercream
Nonnie’s 6 Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream Cake
Simple Blueberry Basque Cheesecake
Toasted S’mores Ice Cream Sandwiches
5 ingredient Raspberry Peach Sherbet
Salty Pretzel Banana Pudding Ice Cream Cake
Blackberry Lavender Ice Cream Sandwiches
Swirled Blackberry Lavender Sheet Cake
Lastly, if you make these Memorial Day Recipes to Kick Off Summer, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram or Facebook! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
