Memorial Day is all about gathering with friends and family, firing up the grill, and enjoying the start of summer. While the burgers and hot dogs get plenty of attention, the real stars of the cookout are the side dishes.
From fresh, vibrant salads to creamy, comforting classics, the right sides can take your Memorial Day feast to the next level.
Whether you’re planning a backyard barbecue, a picnic in the park, or a beachside cookout, these delicious side dishes will round out your menu and keep everyone coming back for more.
Memorial Day is all about good food, backyard BBQs, and time with loved ones.
Whether you’re planning the perfect cookout, need delicious Memorial Day food ideas, or want festive Memorial Day desserts, I’ve got you covered. And don’t forget the BBQ side salads to complete your spread.
Table of Contents
Memorial Day Side Dishes
Grilled Corn And Avocado
Grilled corn and avocado side dishes offer a delightful combination of smoky sweetness and creamy richness, adding vibrant flavors and textures to any meal.
Chop Chop Fresh Salad
The Chop Chop Fresh Salad is a vibrant medley of crisp vegetables and leafy greens, tossed together with zesty dressing, offering a refreshing burst of flavor and nutrition with every bite.
Veggie Kabobs
Veggie kabobs are a colorful and nutritious option, featuring a variety of fresh vegetables skewered and grilled to perfection, offering a delicious and satisfying way to enjoy the bounty of the garden in every bite.
Roasted Cauliflower Salad
The roasted cauliflower salad is a delectable fusion of tender roasted cauliflower florets, tossed with vibrant herbs and spices, creating a flavorful and satisfying dish that’s both hearty and healthy.
Roasted Potato Salad
The roasted potato salad is a comforting and flavorful twist on a classic dish, featuring tender roasted potatoes tossed with a creamy dressing and savory seasonings, offering a hearty and satisfying side dish for any meal.
Elote
Elote, also known as Mexican street corn, is a mouthwatering treat featuring grilled corn on the cob slathered in a savory blend of mayonnaise, cheese, chili powder, and lime juice, offering a delicious and addictive explosion of flavors with every bite.
Grilled Romaine Salad
The grilled romaine salad offers a unique and tantalizing twist on traditional greens, with crisp romaine lettuce halves grilled to perfection and topped with a medley of fresh veggies, tangy dressing, and savory toppings, creating a smoky, crunchy, and flavorful sensation that’s sure to delight the taste buds.
Watermelon Basil Salad
The watermelon basil salad is a refreshing and vibrant combination of juicy watermelon chunks, fragrant basil leaves, and tangy feta cheese, creating a harmonious blend of sweet, savory, and herbaceous flavors that’s perfect for summer gatherings and picnics.
Tomato And Mozzerela Caprese Salad
The tomato and mozzarella Caprese salad is a classic Italian dish featuring ripe tomatoes, creamy mozzarella cheese, fresh basil leaves, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze, creating a simple yet elegant appetizer or side dish bursting with flavor.
Broccoli Salad
The broccoli salad is a crunchy and flavorful dish featuring crisp broccoli florets tossed with a tangy dressing, crispy bacon bits, sweet raisins, and crunchy sunflower seeds, offering a delicious and nutritious side dish that’s perfect for picnics, potlucks, and barbecues.
Grilled Corn Salad
The grilled corn salad is a vibrant and summery dish featuring charred corn kernels tossed with colorful bell peppers, juicy tomatoes, creamy avocado, and zesty lime dressing, offering a delightful explosion of flavors and textures that’s perfect for backyard cookouts and picnics.
Mixed Cabbage Coleslaw Salad
The mixed cabbage coleslaw salad is a crisp and creamy blend of shredded cabbage, carrots, and bell peppers, offering a refreshing side dish for any summer gathering.
Greek Tomato Cucumber Salad
The Greek tomato cucumber salad is a refreshing and vibrant dish featuring ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, tangy red onions, and briny Kalamata olives, tossed in a zesty vinaigrette with fresh herbs, offering a taste of the Mediterranean with every bite.
Grilled Zucchini
Grilled zucchini is a simple and flavorful side dish featuring tender slices of zucchini lightly seasoned and cooked to perfection on the grill, offering a deliciously smoky and caramelized flavor that’s perfect for summer cookouts and barbecues.
Super Fresh Tomato And Cucumber Salad
The super fresh tomato and cucumber salad is a light and refreshing dish featuring juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and fragrant herbs, tossed in a tangy vinaigrette dressing, offering a burst of flavor and a cool crunch that’s perfect for hot summer days.
Baked Sweet Potato Wedges
Baked sweet potato wedges are a delicious and nutritious alternative to traditional fries, featuring tender sweet potatoes seasoned with herbs and spices, roasted to perfection in the oven until crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, offering a flavorful and satisfying side dish for any meal.
Greek Pasta Salad
The Greek pasta salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish featuring al dente pasta tossed with juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, briny olives, tangy feta cheese, and fresh herbs, all dressed in a zesty vinaigrette, offering a taste of the Mediterranean in every bite.
Air Fryer Vegetables
Air fryer vegetables are a quick and easy side dish featuring a colorful assortment of veggies, tossed with olive oil and seasonings, then air-fried until crispy and caramelized, offering a healthier alternative to traditional fried vegetables with the same delicious flavor and crunch.
Sauteed Mushrooms
Sauteed mushrooms are a simple and flavorful side dish featuring tender mushrooms cooked in butter or olive oil with garlic and herbs, offering a savory and earthy flavor that pairs perfectly with any meal.
Grilled Asparagus With Parmesan And Lemon
Grilled asparagus with parmesan and lemon offers a burst of flavor with tender spears, tangy cheese, and zesty citrus, perfect for any meal.
Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts
Air fryer Brussels sprouts are a crispy and flavorful side dish, featuring tender sprouts tossed in olive oil and seasonings, then air-fried until golden brown and delicious, offering a healthier alternative to traditional fried Brussels sprouts with the same irresistible crunch and taste.
Easy Creamed Corn
Easy creamed corn is a comforting and creamy side dish featuring sweet corn kernels cooked in a rich and velvety sauce made with butter, cream, and a hint of seasoning, offering a simple and delicious addition to any meal.
Bacon Wrapped Brussel Sprouts
Bacon-wrapped Brussels sprouts are a savory and indulgent side dish, featuring tender Brussels sprouts wrapped in crispy bacon and roasted to perfection, offering a delicious combination of flavors and textures that’s sure to be a hit at any gathering.
Southern Coleslaw
Southern coleslaw is a classic and tangy side dish featuring shredded cabbage and carrots tossed in a creamy dressing made with mayo, vinegar, sugar, and mustard, offering a refreshing and flavorful accompaniment to any Southern-inspired meal.
Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad
Broccoli and cauliflower salad is a crisp and refreshing side dish featuring crunchy broccoli and cauliflower florets tossed with a creamy dressing, crispy bacon, shredded cheese, and tangy red onions, offering a delicious combination of flavors and textures that’s perfect for a side.
Quinoa Greek Salad
Quinoa Greek salad is a nutritious and flavorful dish featuring fluffy quinoa mixed with crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, briny olives, tangy feta cheese, and fresh herbs, all tossed in a zesty lemon vinaigrette, offering a delicious and satisfying twist on the classic Greek salad.
Tortellini Salad
Tortellini salad is a delightful and flavorful dish featuring tender cheese-filled tortellini pasta tossed with crisp vegetables, tangy Italian dressing, and savory toppings like olives and cheese, offering a delicious and satisfying meal or side dish that’s perfect for all gatherings.
Classic Three Bean Salad
Classic three bean salad is a tangy and flavorful dish featuring a mix of kidney beans, green beans, and wax beans tossed in a sweet and tangy dressing, offering a refreshing and satisfying side dish that’s perfect for gatherings.
Proscuitto Wrapped Asparagus With Raspberry Sauce
Prosciutto-wrapped asparagus with raspberry sauce offers a delightful blend of salty and sweet flavors, perfect for any occasion.
Savory Cucumber Sandwiches
Savory cucumber sandwiches are light and flavorful, ideal for any occasion.
Fresh Green Beans
Fresh green beans are a crisp and nutritious side dish, offering a vibrant and flavorful addition to any meal.
Loaded Baked Potato Salad
Loaded baked potato salad is a hearty and flavorful side dish featuring tender potatoes tossed with crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, tangy sour cream, and fresh chives, offering all the delicious flavors of a loaded baked potato in salad form.
Fresh Cucumber Salad
Fresh cucumber salad is a light and refreshing dish featuring thinly sliced cucumbers tossed with tangy vinegar, fragrant dill, and a hint of sweetness, offering a cool and crisp side dish that’s perfect for gatherings.
Mexican Street Corn
Mexican street corn, or elote, is a flavorful and iconic dish featuring grilled corn on the cob slathered in a creamy mixture of mayonnaise, chili powder, cotija cheese, and lime juice, offering a deliciously savory and tangy flavor experience that’s a favorite street food in Mexico and beyond.
Mint Summer Salad
Mint summer salad is a refreshing and vibrant dish featuring crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, and fragrant mint leaves, all tossed in a light vinaigrette dressing, offering a cool and invigorating flavor combination that’s perfect for hot summer days.
Avocado Black Bean Salad
Avocado black bean salad is a vibrant and nutritious dish featuring creamy avocado, protein-rich black beans, sweet corn kernels, juicy tomatoes, and zesty lime dressing, offering a delicious and satisfying combination of flavors and textures that’s perfect for gatherings.
Cracked Corn Salad
Cracked corn salad is a delightful and hearty dish featuring tender cracked corn kernels tossed with colorful bell peppers, red onions, fresh herbs, and a zesty vinaigrette dressing, offering a flavorful and satisfying side dish that’s perfect for summer barbecues and potlucks.
Kale Cranberry Salad
Kale cranberry salad is a nutritious and flavorful dish featuring hearty kale leaves tossed with tart cranberries, crunchy almonds, all dressed in a light vinaigrette dressing, offering a delicious combination of sweet, savory, and crunchy flavors that’s perfect for any meal.
Wrapping Up The Best Side Dishes For BBQs and Picnics
No Memorial Day gathering is complete without a spread of delicious side dishes to complement the main course.
Whether you go for classic favorites like potato salad and baked beans or mix it up with fresh, vibrant options, the right sides bring everyone together around the table.
With these recipes, you’ll have plenty of inspiration to make your cookout memorable. So fire up the grill, fill your plate, and enjoy good food with great company as we celebrate the holiday and the start of summer!