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    Home » Articles

    13 Best Memorial Day Side Dishes That Belong At Your Cookout

    Published: May 19, 2026 by bobbieblue

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    Because Memorial Day is the unofficial beginning to summer many choose this weekend as a time to get together with family and friends for a cookout. Of course the typical menu will consist of hamburgers, BBQ chicken and hotdogs but what about the sides to accompany those grilled meats? In this collection you will find the BEST sides for your Memorial Day feast. Creamy potato salad, cornbread, baked beans and of course mac and cheese are on this list. So fire up the grill this weekend and plan a few delicious sides to pair with your BBQ!

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    American Potato Salad

    Photo Credit: Served From Scratch

    A creamy dreamy potato salad made creamy thanks to hard-boiled eggs! This potato salad is a classic and has been being made in our family for generations!

    Get the recipe: American Potato Salad

    Cucumber Tomato Salad

    Photo Credit: Blue's Best Life

    This vibrant cucumber tomato salad with vinegar is one of the easiest ways to freshen up your summer meals. It’s light, refreshing, and comes together in minutes—perfect for BBQs, potlucks, or a simple weeknight dinner.

    Get the recipe: Cucumber Tomato Salad With Vinegar

    Copycat KFC Coleslaw

    Photo Credit: Blue's Best Life

    Coleslaw is a classic side dish many of us first fell in love with at KFC—sweet, creamy, finely chopped, and the perfect pairing for Southern fried chicken. This copycat KFC coleslaw recipe brings back that nostalgic flavor, so you can enjoy it anytime. Serve it alongside seafood, BBQ, hot dogs, or your favorite grilled dishes.

    Get the recipe: Copycat KFC Coleslaw

    Cilantro Lime Rice

    A bowl of Cilantro Rice, with slices of lime, and some cilantro leaves.
    Photo Credit: Blue's Best Life

    Cilantro Lime Rice features vibrant, zesty, and fresh flavors that go best with the fluffy, soft textures of the rice. This rice dish is the best option of side to enjoy with the bold, savory mains. Check it out and try it soon!

    Get the recipe: Cilantro Lime Rice

    Jalapeno Cornbread Recipe with Honey

    Freshly baked Jalapeno Cornbread with Honey
    Photo Credit: The Silly Girl's Kitchen

    Level up your cornbread by adding a new flavor to it, like incorporating a kick of spiciness. Jalapeno cornbread with honey is a celebration of flavors, the spiciness and sweetness is just so perfect that you would want to have another bite after a bite.

    Get the Recipe: Jalapeno Cornbread Recipe with Honey

    Baked Beans with Ground Beef

    Baked beans with ground beef on a skillet.
    Photo Credit: Britney Breaks Bread

    If you are looking for a crowd-pleasing side dish that is easy to make, baked beans with ground beef would be a perfect choice. It is delicious and full of spices, and ground beef adds flavor. It's one of the best Southern baked beans dishes!

    Get the Recipe: Baked Beans with Ground Beef

    BLT Salad Recipe With Creamy Dressing

    A bowl of salad with two wooden spoons.
    Photo Credit: Blue's Best Life

    BLT Salad is a classic dish that will always give the best flavors for everyone to enjoy. This recipe will show you how you can easily make this dish in no time!

    Get the recipe: BLT Salad Recipe With Creamy Dressin

    Ultimate Mac and Cheese

    Photo Credit: Garlic & Zest

    This 3 cheese mac and cheese is the ultimate cheesy dish that is perfect when you want a comfort food meal. Forget about calorie counting when you dive into this delicious mac and cheese recipe!

    Get the recipe: Ultimate Mac and Cheese

    Cold Southwest Pasta Salad With Creamy Dressing

    A bowl of Cold Southwest Pasta Salad With Creamy Dressing.
    Photo Credit: Blue's Best Life

    The stunning Cold Southwest Pasta Salad with Creamy Dressing is a true culinary masterpiece. With an incredible balance of flavors from perfectly cooked al dente pasta, sweet corn, hearty black beans, vibrant red tomatoes, crisp bell peppers, rich cotija cheese, zesty jalapeños, and fresh cilantro, all brought together by a fantastic Southwest dressing, this dish is nothing short of exceptional. This Tex-Mex delight will impress everyone at your table. Don’t miss out—check out the easy recipe and prepare to savor this delicious salad!

    Get the Recipe: Cold Southwest Pasta Salad With Creamy Dressing

    Honey Lime Fruit Salad

    Photo Credit: Blue's Best Life

    This Fresh Fruit Salad with honey lime dressing is a great snack to enjoy. A burst of fresh, ripe fruit and berries combined into a beautiful, refreshingly sweet summer bowl. Easy to make, packed with vibrant colors, and tastes amazing.

    Get the recipe: Honey Lime Fruit Salad

    Healthy Tuscan Pasta Salad with Sun Dried Tomatoes

    Photo Credit: Lauren Fit Foodie

    This Healthy Tuscan Pasta Salad with Sun Dried Tomatoes makes a great side dish for a summer BBQ. Or you can add grilled chicken to make it a complete meal!

    Get the recipe: Healthy Tuscan Pasta Salad with Sun Dried Tomatoes

    Watermelon Arugula Salad

    Photo Credit: A Cedar Spoon

    This Watermelon Arugula Salad is the perfect light, fresh and fruity salad for hot summer days. Simple fresh ingredients make a delicious salad.

    Get the recipe: Watermelon Arugula Salad

    Creamy Cucumber Salad

    Photo Credit: Little Sunny Kitchen

    Creamy Cucumber Salad with onion and dill is an easy summer side dish that is a true classic. Enjoy making this fresh cucumber salad just like your grandmother made! Perfect as a side dish with your favorite recipes.

    Get the recipe: Creamy Cucumber Salad

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    Hi, I'm Bobbie! Welcome to Blue's Best Life. I'm a self-taught cook that loves to cook wholesome meals while still enjoying a truly decadent dessert, because there is always room for a little something sweet!

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