Memorial Day is coming soon, and families all over the country are preparing to celebrate the occasion, which marks the beginning of summer. For many, this means having a cookout or feast with the family. What Memorial Day side dishes can you prepare for the holiday? Let’s find out.
Best Memorial Day Side Dishes
A simple meal is usually enough to celebrate holidays like Memorial Day. However, if you want to plan a more special holiday for the family, preparing Memorial Day side dishes is an easy way to add variety to your meals. The recipes are often easy and do not take up much time.
What are the best Memorial Day side dishes you can prepare? Here are our top recommendations.
1. Broccoli Salad
This broccoli salad is both nutritious and delicious, and it is sure to be a crowd favorite at your neighborhood Memorial Day BBQ!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 3 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 2 tbsp vinegar
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 7 cups chopped fresh broccoli florets
- 8 slices of bacon, drained, crumbled, and crisp-cooked
- 1/2 cup shelled sunflower kernels
Directions:
- Stir the onions, sugar, raisins, vinegar, and mayonnaise in a large bowl.
- Add the broccoli and stir it to coat. Cover and chill for 2-24 hours.
- Stir in the bacon and sunflower seeds before serving.
2. Corn Salad With Stone Fruit and Herbs
One of the simplest Memorial Day sides is a fresh corn salad with stone fruit and herbs. It mixes sweet, sour, and savory flavors in one multicolored dish.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup sweet onion, chopped
- 2 pita bread rounds, horizontally split
- 1/4 cup cider vinegar
- 3 ears corn, silks and husks removed
- 2tbsp and 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 nectarines, peaches, and/or plums, chopped or sliced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
- 1/2 cup fresh mint, coarsely chopped
- 2 green onions, green and white parts chopped
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Get a baking sheet and place pita bread rounds on top. Brush with 2 tbsp olive oil. Bake for 8 minutes. Break into small pieces.
- Cut the kernels off the corn cobs. Toss the corn with sweet onion, green onions, and fruit in a large bowl. Drizzle with 1/4 cup olive oil and vinegar. Sprinkle with 1/4 tsp black pepper and 1 tsp salt. Add pita pieces and herbs, then toss. Season with additional vinegar and/or salt. Serve immediately.
3. Grilled Potato Slices
Grilled potato slices are some of the best Memorial Day BBQ side dishes. They are flavorful and add carbs to protein-filled BBQs, making the meal a bit more balanced overall.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/3 pound russet, red-skin, or sweet potatoes
- 3 tbsp snipped oil-packed dried tomatoes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup purchased creme fraiche
- Coarse salt
- 2 tbsp drained capers
- 1 tbsp snipped fresh chives
- 1/4 cup dairy sour cream
- Cracked black pepper
- 1/4 cup whipping cream
Directions:
- For the creme fraiche, stir the sour cream and whipping cream in a small bowl. Cover using plastic wrap and let it stand at room temperature for 2-5 hours. Let it chill in the refrigerator until serving time. Stir then serve.
- For the grilled potatoes, scrub them and cut them into half-inch slices. Brush either side of each slice with oil. Sprinkle with pepper and salt.
- Place potatoes onto a grill rack over medium heat using a charcoal or gas grill. Grill for 15-20 minutes, turning once.
- Arrange slices on a serving platter. Sprinkle with capers and dried tomatoes. Spoon the creme fraiche into a small bowl and sprinkle with chives. Serve the slices warm with the creme fraiche.
4. Loaded Creamed Corn With Bacon and Tomato
Eager for something creamy and salty? This recipe is sure to satisfy your cravings this Memorial Day!
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cup of light cream
- 4 12-ounce packages of frozen whole kernel corn, thawed
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 cup large opinion, chopped
- 5 thick bacon slices
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 3/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese with jalapeño peppers
- 1/8 tsp sugar
- 1/4 cup butter, cut up
- 1 tsp red wine vinegar
- 2 tbsp snipped fresh Italian parsley
Directions:
- Combine the light cream and corn from one package in a blender. Cover and blend until smooth. Combine the mixture, onion, butter, 1 teaspoon sugar, salt, parmesan cheese, butter, and remaining corn in a 4-quart slow cooker.
- Cover and cook for 3-4 hours on low heat.
- Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat, turning once. Let it crisp up, and then drain the bacon on towels. Cool the bacon and cut into 1-inch pieces.
- Sprinkle the bacon and cheese over the corn in the slow cooker. Cover and let it stand for 5 minutes.
- Stir the vinegar, tomato, parsley, and 1/8 tsp sugar in a small bowl. Spoon the tomato mixture over the corn in the cooker before serving.
5. Ricotta and Parmesan Spread
Do you need Memorial Day cookout side dishes? Spread is one of the best appetizers to serve at a cookout, and this cheesy appetizer is sure to delight your taste buds!
Ingredients:
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 3/4 cup parmesan cheese, finely shredded
- 1 15-16 ounce container of whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup snipped fresh basil
- 1 tsp black pepper, cracked
- 2 tbsp snipped fresh oregano
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp snipped fresh chives
- 1 8-ounce loaf of baguette-style French bread, cut into slices
Directions:
- Beat the ricotta on medium for 2 minutes. Add parmesan and beat to combine. Stir in the basil, oregano, chives, salt, and black pepper. If the spread is dry, add olive oil. Chill for 1 hour while covered (up to 12 hours).
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Place the slices of bread on a baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes. Turn the slices and bake for 3 minutes. Let the bread cool. Serve the spread with cooled bread.
6. Zucchini, Summer Squash, and Chicken Salad
What better way to celebrate Memorial Day than with a simple salad? This zucchini, summer squash, and chicken mix offer a variety of nutrients with a bit of sweetness.
Ingredients:
- 1 lemon
- 1/2 of a cousa squash
- 1 medium zucchini
- 2 ears of fresh sweet corn, silks, and husks removed
- 12 ounces of skinless, boneless halves of chicken breasts
- 1 small yellow squash
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh dill, coarsely chopped
- 1 cup of yellow cherry tomatoes
Directions:
- Juice and zest the lemon into 1 tsp of zest and 3 tbsp of juice. Reserve the lemon halves.
- Place the chicken and lemon halves in a medium saucepan. Add water and 1 tsp kosher salt. Cover the chicken by one inch. Simmer over medium-high, but do not boil. When it starts to simmer, cover the pan and turn off the heat. Let the chicken cook for 20 minutes. Drain and cool. Cut into slices.
- Slice the yellow squash, cousa squash, and zucchini into thin, long strips.
- Cut the corn from the cobs and halve the cherry tomatoes. Arrange the tomatoes, corn, squashes, and chicken on plates.
- Whisk the lemon zest and juice with 3 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 tsp kosher salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and dill in a small bowl. Drizzle it over the salad and let it stand for 10 minutes. Garnish with additional dill.
Get Ready for Memorial Day
Memorial Day officially marks the beginning of summer, so many people want to celebrate the occasion. By preparing these delicious Memorial Day side dishes, you can make the day more memorable for your family and friends. They’re sure to be popular no matter who you serve them to!
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