Whether you’re celebrating Memorial Day with a backyard BBQ or enjoying some time out on a boat, lake, by a pool; it’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy some dayyyummm good eats! This Memorial Day Recipe Roundup is a list of some of the best dishes to kick off the summer with. Think: cookouts, picnics, a cold treat on a hot day…do I need to say more?
Summer suppers.
While a hamburger or hot dog fresh off the grill is the best dinner during the summer, it’s fun to mix it up sometimes.
Smoked Chicken & Mango Bowl
The smoky flavor from the chicken paired with sweet mangos in a hearty bowl equals a perfect entrée.
The grocery list.
- ButcherBox chicken breast
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Traeger Texas Spicy BBQ sauce
- Cooked white rice or roasted sweet potatoes
- Mangos
- Green onions
- Cilantro
Pork Chops & Summer Fruit Salsa
This recipe uses delicious seasonal fruits to make a refreshing summer fruit salsa that tops juicy, tender pork chops.
The grocery list.
- Bone-in pork chops
- Kosher salt and cracked black pepper
- Whole grain mustard
- Nectarines (or peaches)
- Blueberries
- Basil
- Olive oil
- Shallots
- Balsamic vinegar
- Red pepper flakes
- Cardamom
- Honey
- Cooked white rice or rice pilaf
Feta Turkey Burgers w/ Sun-dried Tomatoes & Kale
A flavorful twist on a classic turkey burger.
The grocery list.
- Ground turkey
- Sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil
- Crumbled feta cheese
- Lacinato kale
- Brioche burger buns
- Mayonnaise
- Avocados
- Heirloom tomato
- Lettuce leaves
BBQ Meal Prep Mason Jars
These BBQ Meal Prep Mason Jars are tasty and easy, and they’re great for summer because meal prepping means you spend less time in the kitchen later in the week! Imagine coming home from a long day outside in the summer heat to already have dinner waiting for you in the fridge, perfectly portioned out in mason jars. Plus, nothing fits the summer aesthetic as well as mason jars do.
The grocery list.
- Baked beans
- Pressure Cooked Mashed Potatoes
- Traeger Smoked Pulled Pork
- Shredded purple cabbage
Summer sides.
Every good summer cookout has a few delicious side dishes that you can pile onto your paper plate. Extra points if that side dish is extra colorful and has a bunch of fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Grapefruit & Avocado Salad
It’s summer, so the rules are different. You’re going to see a whole bunch of salads that have fruit in them. Just get used to it now. This Grapefruit & Avocado Salad is citrusy and fresh. The avocado balances the tartness of the grapefruit.
The grocery list.
- Grapefruits
- Avocados
- Green onions
- Cilantro
- Fresh mint
- Lime zest
- Red pepper flakes
- Lime juice
- Olive oil
- Flaky salt
Heirloom Tomato & Peach Burrata Salad
Every year on May 1, you better believe I’m at the grocery store looking for peaches. If every meal from May to September doesn’t incorporate peaches in some way, I’m not interested. Tomato and burrata is a classic combo, but throw peaches into the mix and it automatically gets taken to the next level.
The grocery list.
- Heirloom tomatoes
- Peaches
- Burrata
- Olive oil
- Fresh basil
- Flaky salt
Melon and Prosciutto Salad
Sweet and salty, this Melon and Prosciutto Salad is simple and easy, just like everything should be during the summer.
The grocery list.
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Honey
- Dijon Mustard
- Kosher salt
- Pepper
- Cantaloupe
- Honeydew
- Feta
- Prosciutto
- Smoked almonds
- Fresh basil
Nectarine & Edamame Couscous Salad w/ Smoked Almonds & Pickled Shallots
This summer salad has a little bit more substance to it than some of the others. The couscous provides a hearty base that makes it so you can enjoy this as a side dish or a whole meal.
The grocery list.
- Pearl couscous
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Dijon mustard
- Kosher salt
- Red pepper flakes
- Arugula
- Edamame
- Nectarines
- Feta cheese crumbles
- Smoked almonds
- Quick Pickled Shallots
Don’t skip dessert.
When it’s hot out, the last place you want to be is in the kitchen with the oven on. Save baking for the winter! These dessert recipes are summer safe and sweat-free. The absolute best way to beat the heat is with a cold treat!
Cherry & Chocolate Icebox Cake
A cake that doesn’t have to go in the oven but also isn’t an ice cream cake?? Delicious sorcery!
The grocery list.
- Heavy whipping cream
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Chocolate bar
- Honey graham crackers
- Bing cherries
- Chocolate graham crackers
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips
PB S’mores
It just isn’t summer without s’mores! Add peanut butter to absolutely change your life for the better.
The grocery list.
Berry Bursting Angel’s Food Cake
Ok, ok, I know I promised no baking but this Berry Bursting Angel’s Food Cake is worth it. Super light and covered in fresh summer berries, how could you say no to this colorful cake??
The grocery list.
- Store-bought angel food cake (check recipe for homemade)
- Fresh strawberries
- Cool whip
- Freeze dried berries
Grilled Peach, Granola, Vanilla Ice Cream & EVOO
This one is amazing for two reasons. One, it’s delicious (obviously). Two, your kids won’t try to steal a bite from you because they’ll be turned off by the olive oil (which is what makes this dessert so good, but they don’t need to know that).
The grocery list.
- Peaches
- Olive oil
- Vanilla Ice Cream
- Healthy Homemade Granola
Looking for more summer recipes?
Here are a few to try:
Santa Maria Tri-Tip with Chimichurri
Extra Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream
Grilled Sweet Potato Fries w/ Goat Cheese & Hot Honey
Lastly, if you make this Memorial Day Recipe Roundup, be sure to leave a comment! Above all, I love to hear from ya’ll and do my best to respond to every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to snap a pic and tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of your dayyyummm good recreations is my favorite!
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