• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Blues Best Life
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • How To
  • Contact
  • About
  • Work With Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • How To
    • Contact
    • About
    • Work With Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Roundups

    23 Memorial Day Food Ideas (BBQ, Sides & Desserts)

    Published: May 23, 2025 by bobbieblue

    102 shares
    • Facebook

    For your Memorial Day cookout, you can't go wrong with classic grilled fare like burgers, hot dogs, and chicken. But there are also plenty of options to keep things interesting! Consider kebabs with colorful veggies, or try grilling side dishes for a fun twist. Don't forget refreshing sides like cucumber salad or creamy Mexican street corn salad. And for dessert a red, white and blue cheesecake will be the perfect ending for the holiday.

    Want to Save This Recipe?

    Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!

    Save Recipe

    By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Blue's Best Life.

    Huli Huli Chicken

    Photo Credit: Love From The Oven

    This grilled chicken recipe is made with a flavorful marinade and then grilled to perfection and served with pineapple slices. You will feel you are on a Hawaiian vacation without leaving your backyard.

    Get the recipe: Huli Huli Chicken

    Pineapple Pork Skewers

    Photo Credit: On My Kid's Plate

    These delicious pork skewers are made with a savory marinade of soy sauce, garlic an pineapple for a mouthwatering dinner that is perfect for a summer BBQ.

    Get the recipe: Pineapple Pork Skewers

    Red White and Blue No-Bake Cheesecake

    Photo Credit: Sparkles To Sprinkles

    These Red, White, and Blue no-bake cheesecake desserts in a jar are layered with strawberries, blueberries, and a creamy vanilla no-bake cheesecake, topped with whipped cream, more berries, and graham cracker crumbs!

    Get the recipe: Red White and Blue No-Bake Cheesecake

    Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

    Photo Credit: She's Not Cookin'

    Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad is the perfect side dish for your summer barbeques. The sweet corn pairs perfectly with the tangy dressing and cheese!

    Get the recipe: Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

    Smoked Brats in Beer

    Photo Credit: XOXO Bella

    This smoked bratwurst in a beer bath with just six ingredients is so easy to make and tastes amazing. Perfect for a crowd or to enjoy on the weekend.  

    Get the recipe: Smoked Brats in Beer

    7 Layer Dip

    Photo Credit: She's Not Cookin'

    This classic 7-Layer Dip brings all your favorite Tex-Mex flavors together in one incredible appetizer. Layers of refried beans, salsa, guacamole, cheddar cheese, and sour cream create a delicious dish that's guaranteed to be a hit at any get together!

    Get the recipe: 7 Layer Dip

    Beer Marinade for Chicken

    Photo Credit: The Slow Roasted Italian

    This Beer marinade for chicken is super simple to make using fresh ingredients to keep the chicken moist and juicy. It's a great flavor punch marinade to try.

    Get the recipe: Beer Marinade for Chicken

    Baked Beans From Scratch

    Photo Credit: Garlic & Zest

    These baked beans from scratch are full of Southern flavor and soul. Slow cooked and packed full of tasty flavors they are the perfect BBQ side dish.

    Get the recipe: Baked Beans From Scratch

    Smoked Chicken Legs With Chimichurri On The Traeger

    Photo Credit: The Sweet Simple Things

    These smoked wings are made on a pellet grill and flavored with a chimichurri sauce made with fresh herbs. These are perfect for a backyard BBQ.

    Get the recipe: Smoked Chicken Legs with Chimichurri on Traeger

    Red White, and Blue Cake Balls

    Photo Credit: To Simply Inspire

    These Red White and Blue Cake Balls are the perfect festive treat for the 4th of July party or Memorial Day. They have a simple decorated candy coating on the outside but the surprise center of sweet cake.

    Get the recipe: Red, White, and Blue Cake Balls

    Cheesy Juicy Lucy Burgers

    Photo Credit: Sunny Little Kitchen

    Juicy Lucy Burgers! A thick, pan-seared, juicy hamburger stuffed with melty, gooey American cheese is as delicious as it is fun to eat.

    Get the recipe: Cheesy Juicy Lucy Burgers

    Easy Broccoli Salad With Creamy Greek Yogurt Dressing

    Photo Credit: Blue's Best Life

    This broccoli salad is full of crunchy almonds, sunflower seeds and sweet dried cranberries with a light Greek yogurt dressing. This light and fresh salad is the perfect side dish for a BBQ.

    Get the recipe: Easy Broccoli Salad With Creamy Greek Yogurt Dressing

    12 Hour Hold Texas-Style Smoked Brisket

    Photo Credit: Umamiology

    This is a 12-Hour Hold Texas-Style Smoked Brisket recipe that will give you the most moist, juicy, and melt-in-your-mouth brisket you’ve ever tasted. You have to try it!

    Get the recipe: 12 Hour Hold Texas-Style Smoked Brisket

    Grilled Veggie Skewers

    Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon

    These easy-to-make vegetable skewers have zucchini, onion, and bell peppers. They are grilled to perfection and glazed with a tangy balsamic dressing. perfect as a main meal or a side dish to your favorite meat and fish recipes.

    Get the recipe: Grilled Veggie Skewers

    Chicken Cesar Pasta Salad

    Photo Credit: Blue's Best Life

    This Chicken Cesar Pasta Salad recipe has crunchy croutons, chicken and a homemade creamy Cesar dressing. This is perfect for a weekend cookout or a quick dinner.

    Get the recipe: Chicken Cesar Pasta Salad

    Red Potato Salad

    Photo Credit: Little Sunny Kitchen

    Using red potatoes, celery, and red onions, this flavorsome potato salad is dressed in a creamy and tangy dressing. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, and summer BBQs.

    Get the recipe: Red Potato Salad

    Barbeque Chicken Sliders Recipe

    Photo Credit: She's Not Cookin'

    These Barbecue Chicken Sliders are so flavorful with juicy chicken, a tangy BBQ sauce, and gooey melted cheese. Served on Hawaiian rolls, every bite is a perfect blend of sweet, savory, and tangy. To top it all off, a delicious garlic butter adds a finishing touch that will have you reaching for seconds!

    Get the recipe: Barbeque Chicken Sliders Recipe

    Tortellini Caprese Pasta Salad With Balsamic

    Photo Credit: Blue's Best Life

    Caprese salads are perfect for summer when tomatoes are at peak season. Try this twist by adding tortellini pasta to your caprese salad. This has a delicious balsamic dressing and a balsamic glaze to add extra flavor!

    Get the recipe: Tortellini Caprese Pasta Salad With Balsamic

    Ever Ever Juicy Burgers

    Photo Credit: The Cookin Chicks

    BEST EVER Juicy Burgers are quick to prepare and packed with flavor! Next time you’re in the mood to fire up the grill, this is the recipe to make!

    Get the recipe: Best Ever Juicy Burgers

    Cucumber Onion Salad

    Photo Credit: A Cedar Spoon

    This Cucumber Onion Salad is a simple salad mixing together crisp cucumbers, thinly sliced red onion and tossed in a light tangy dressing with fresh dill. It makes a great side dish to bring to a get together, bbq or picnic. It pairs nicely with grilled meats and seafood!

    Get the recipe: Cucumber Onion Salad

    BBQ Chicken Marinade

    Photo Credit: Dinner At The Zoo

    This BBQ chicken marinade is a blend of ketchup, brown sugar, oil, and plenty of spices. It’s the perfect way to add a smoky flavor to chicken breasts and chicken thighs.

    Get the recipe: BBQ Chicken Marinade

    The Best Smoked Deviled Eggs

    Photo Credit: A Table Full Of Joy

    These aren't your average deviled eggs. Infused with smoky goodness, they're bursting with flavor that will have you reaching for seconds (and thirds!). Want to elevate your deviled egg game? This is the recipe for you!

    Get the recipe: The Best Smoked Deviled Eggs

    How To Grill Frozen Corn

    Photo Credit: Blue's Best Life

    Enjoy sweet grilled corn on the cob anytime of year. Frozen corn is easy to grill and takes only a few simple ingredients.

    Get the recipe: How To Grill Frozen Corn

    More Roundups

    • 23 Fudge Recipes For The Holidays
    • 9 Delicious Pasta Salad With Chicken Recipes
    • 14 Grinch Dessert Recipes
    • 47 Delectable Chocolate Desserts

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    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!

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Lazy Ravioli Lasagna
    • Cranberry Brie Bites
    • 13 Must-Try Pasta Recipes That Are Always A Hit
    • Crockpot Beef Chili

    Copyright © 2025 Blue's Best Life

    Privacy Policy