60 Memorial Day Sides, From Potato Salad to Veggie Kabobs
Time to fire up the grill and celebrate the unofficial start of summer! Memorial Day weekend marks warmer weather, and it's the perfect excuse to throw a BBQ party or a celebratory picnic. And no meal is complete without some flavorful and easy-to-prepare Memorial Day side dishes. We've picked our favorite delicious recipes —including traditional BBQ sides — that will add so much flavor to your plate. These easy Memorial Day foods, from potato salad to grilled peach caprese, are sure to satisfy.
Add some freshness, with our healthy salads, grilled vegetables and refreshing dips perfect for dunking. For those who need something more filling to bulk up the main course, try heftier side options like our grilled pizzas and loaded flatbreads. Don’t worry, we didn’t forget about the classics: Here you’ll find all of your summer favorites, like coleslaw, corn and delicious new.
Every one of these delicious side options will help round out your family's feast — just don't forget to save a smidge of room for Memorial Day dessert (of course!).
(MIKE GARTEN)
Persian cucumbers and sugar snap peas — plus a healthy glug of ranch dressing — make this crunchy, zesty slaw the perfect partner to heavier dishes.
Get the Ranch Slaw recipe.
RELATED: 55 Delicious BBQ Salads We Can't Wait to Eat
(MIKE GARTEN)
Charring the cabbage causes it to caramelize, amping up its natural sweetness while adding a hint of smokiness. Try it!
Get the Grilled Cabbage Wedges With Creamy Caraway Dressing recipe.
(MIKE GARTEN)
These tender, craggy drop biscuits, made with Cheddar and Old Bay compound butter, are much easier to shape than the rolled kind.
Get the Cheesy Bay Biscuits recipe.
(MIKE GARTEN)
Laced with ribbons of kale, these bites are surprisingly light but big on flavor — we bet you can’t eat just one! Bonus: They air-fry in only five minutes.
Get the Cheesy Kale Nests recipe.
RELATED: 55 Easy Air Fryer Recipes That You Absolutely Need to Try
(MIKE GARTEN)
This light, refreshing salad gets a boost of flavor from chopped capers and Parmesan, which complement the honey-Dijon vinaigrette.
Get the Shaved Fennel and Celery Salad recipe.
(MIKE GARTEN)
Slightly spicy radishes, fresh cucumbers and sweet basil are a perfect start-of-summer salad combination.
Get the Cucumber Radish Salad recipe.
RELATED: 33 Fresh Spring Salads That'll Make the Most of Seasonal Produce
(MIKE GARTEN)
Turn leftover focaccia into a seriously crowd-pleasing side, best paired with any main.
Get the Cheesy Garlic Bread recipe.
(MIKE GARTEN)
Packed with irresistible veggies like red onion, crunchy cucumbers and sweet cherry tomatoes, this invigorating salad is great for Memorial Day and leftovers tomorrow.
Get the Chickpea Salad with Smashed Cucumbers recipe.
RELATED: 35+ Healthy Sides Dishes That Go With Any and Every Protein
(MIKE GARTEN)
This isn’t just your average healthy salad to enjoy while snacking at your desk, it's fit for a Memorial Day feast!
Get the Cobb Salad recipe.
(Mike Garten)
You can't beat a classic, but you can elevate it! Potato salad gets a glow-up in this recipe with fresh dill, parsley, scallions and an irresistible dressing.
Get the Herby Red Potato Salad recipe.
RELATED: 70 Insanely Delicious Grilling Recipes to Try ASAP
(Mike Garten)
Spice up this veggie dish with roasted chickpeas and herb-infused feta for a flavorful and filling side.
Get the Roasted Carrots and Chickpeas with Marinated Feta recipe.
(Mike Garten)
This salad is so beautiful it's a centerpiece all on its own! Thinly slice a variety of radishes for this stunning and colorful side dish.
Get the Bright Radish Salad recipe.
(Mike Garten)
In addition to a perfect pre-meal snack, this savory mix is completely customizable: Add in parmesan cheese, nuts or any spices your heart desires to create your ideal salty concoction.
Get the Spiced Snack Mix recipe.
RELATED: 50+ Easy Appetizers and Snacks to Get the Party Started
(Mike Garten)
The secret to this wedge salad? An all-green, herby dressing loaded with parsley, dill and chives.
Get the Wedge Salad with Creamy Herb Dressing recipe.
(Mike Garten)
Searching for a unique and refreshing side dish? Look no further than this watermelon salad paired with feta, cucumber and mint.
Get the Watermelon Salad with Feta recipe.
(Mike Garten)
Get in all of your favorite summer veggies with this succotash loaded with corn, zucchini, tomatoes and green beans.
Get the Succotash recipe.
RELATED: 48 Creative Corn Recipes to Make All Summer Long
(Mike Garten)
Serve up this classic green coleslaw for a dish sure to please each and every one of your guests.
Get the Green Slaw recipe.
(Mike Garten)
This sweet and salty salad pairs peaches with honey, almonds, mozzarella and fresh basil. What more could you ask for?
Get the Peach Caprese Salad recipe.
(Mike Garten)
Give fresh broccoli a major upgrade with a little time on the grill and a dunk in a spicy lemon-butter sauce.
Get the Grilled Broccoli recipe.
(Mike Garten)
If you're bringing this colorful side to a party, pack the granola on the side so it stays crispy. Everyone will love it!
Get the Cucumber and Cantaloupe Salad with Savory Quinoa Granola recipe.
(Mike Garten)
This cheesy onion flatbread is a mouthwatering side perfect for sharing.
Get the Onion Flatbread recipe.
(Mike Garten)
Our take on this Thai dish stars green papaya, which is a mild-flavored fruit similar to an unripe mango.
Get the Thai Green Papaya Salad recipe.
(Mike Garten)
For the plant-based guests at your Memorial Day party, this creamy salad doubles as a main dish.
Get the Vegan Caesar Salad recipe.
(Mike Garten)
Switch up your potato salad this year by ditching classic mayo for crème fraîche.
Get the Creamy Basil Potato Salad recipe.
(Danielle Occhiogrosso Daly)
Raw zucchini (a.k.a. summer’s finest veggie) gets “cooked” when added to the hot pasta. Bonus: It’s a cinch to make ahead of time and easy to double for big families.
Get the Lemon Orzo Salad recipe.
(Mike Garten)
This sweet-salty salad with fruit, feta and fresh herbs takes 10 minutes to make.
Get the Tomato, Peach and Basil Salad recipe.
(Mike Garten)
We lightened up the usual gooey baked version and made ours with tons of herbs, walnuts for crunch and cheese for a hit of savory flavor.
Get the Best Ever Spinach and Artichoke Dip recipe.
(Mike Garten)
Balance out the creamy and spicy flavors on your plate with this tangy salad, complete with fresh rhubarb and Cara Cara oranges.
Get the Rhubarb and Citrus Salad with Black Pepper Vinaigrette recipe.
(Mike Garten)
This Turkish-inspired dip is made with roasted red peppers, walnuts, lemon juice, garlic and ground sumac for a rich, intensely flavorful spread that will be the hit of your party.
Get the Muhammara Dip recipe.
RELATED: 80 Best Party Dip Recipes That Are Easy to Serve a Crowd
(Mike Garten)
Lightly charring wedges of cabbage before cutting it into smaller pieces transforms ordinary slaw into extraordinary.
Get the Tangy Charred Coleslaw recipe.
Sick of salads? Try this fresh, crunchy version that contains zero lettuce.
Get the Sesame Cucumber Salad recipe.
(Mike Garten)
Grilled carrots tossed with spicy harissa paste and a drizzle of honey make the perfect sweet and smoky complement to any main dish.
Get the Grilled Carrots recipe.
(Mike Garten)
The citrusy vinaigrette seeps into the crunchy salad as it sits, making this a great make-ahead option.
Get the Shaved Carrot and Radish Salad recipe.
(Mike Garten)
An added bonus: If there are any vegetarians at your picnic, this grilled eggplant dish can easily become a hearty main once you sandwich it between a burger bun.
Get the Cayenne Grilled Eggplant with Fresh Tomato Salad recipe.
(Mike Garten)
Marinate zucchini and yellow squash in vinegar to add even more flavor to this perked-up pesto dish.
Get the Pesto Zucchini Orzo recipe.
(Mike Garten)
Give summer a warm welcome by complementing your main with these sweet and spicy corn wheels. Top tip: The more honey butter, the better.
Get the Corn Wheels with Hot Honey Butter recipe.
(Danielle Occhiogrosso Daly)
Loaded with black eyed peas, tomatoes, scallions, yellow pepper, jalapeño and corn, this dip is practically a meal in itself.
Get the Cowboy Caviar recipe.
(Mike Garten)
Keep things light, fresh, and low-cal with Asian-inspired zoodles. Best of all, they only take 15 minutes from start to finish.
Get the Asian Sesame Zucchini Noodles recipe.
RELATED: 50+ Zucchini Recipes That Are Easy, Healthy and Delicious
This Iranian-inspired dip combines plain yogurt with spinach and mint for a tangy, fresh option at the snack table. Pass the pita!
Get the Spinach and Yogurt Dip recipe.
(Mike Garten)
This heirloom and grape tomato salad gives summer's finest the spotlight they deserve.
Get the Heirloom Tomato Salad recipe.
RELATED: 40 Easy Summer Salads That Pack in the Best Seasonal Flavors
(Danielle Occhiogrosso Daly)
This is our kind of salad, packed with feta, veggies, capers and tons of flavor.
Get the Greek Salad recipe.
(Mike Garten)
You'll never go back to plain old pasta once you've had a cheesy side salad. Bonus: the Romesco sauce can also be tossed with potatoes, used as a dip or a killer sandwich spread.
Get the Chilled Tortellini Romesco recipe.
(Mike Garten)
Your favorite sandwich totally works as a pasta salad with bacon, tomatoes and arugula.
Get the BLT Pasta Salad recipe.
RELATED: 20 Healthy Sandwiches to Pack for Lunch
See? You greens (and reds and yellows) can be exciting. Just throw them on the grill until they're slightly charred before tossing with homemade vinaigrette.
Get the Grilled Veggies with Honey-Thyme Vinaigrette recipe.
That niçoise salad that you can't get enough of? This is basically the same thing but with potatoes as the main ingredient. Yum.
Get the Parisian Potato Salad recipe.
RELATED: 58 Easy Potato Recipes For Weeknight Dinners, Thanksgiving and More
(Mike Garten)
This pizza with fresh ricotta, Pecorino Romano and a touch of honey will be the hit of the party.
Get the Tomato-Ricotta Grilled Pizza recipe.
(Mike Garten)
Marinated in a sweet n tangy dressing, these 'shrooms can dress up any boring burger.
Get the Marinated Mushrooms recipe.
RELATED: 33 Unique, Homemade Burger Recipes to Cook on Repeat
While you're making burgers and hot dogs, toss these seasoned veggies — tomatoes, broccoli, squash and mushrooms — onto the grill.
Get the Rainbow Veggie Kabobs recipe.
(Mike Garten)
Get in your greens with this butter lettuce, watercress and cucumber salad. It's almost too pretty to eat!
Get the Spring Salad Recipe with Apricot Vinaigrette recipe.
(Mike Garten)
Get all the flavors — sweet, spicy and creamy — in one bite with this corn, cabbage and cayenne blend.
Get the Cabbage and Corn Slaw recipe.
(Mike Garten)
Asparagus "ribbons" may sound fancy, but really they're just fresh asparagus shaved with a vegetable peeler. Easiest party trick ever.
Get the Tahini-Lemon Quinoa with Asparagus Ribbons recipe.
(Mike Garten)
Toss this mild oniony veg on the grill for a boost of charred flavor to a classic grainy mustard potato salad.
Get the Grilled Leek Potato Salad recipe.
(Mike Garten)
Miso, a fermented soybean paste, adds saltiness to roasted radishes for a quick and easy side.
Get the Miso-Glazed Radishes recipe.
(Mike Garten)
Turn your college go-to into a standout summer side dish by mixing in chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, and cabbage.
Get the Honey-Lime Ramen Salad recipe.
(Mike Garten)
Add some flair to your family picnic with this cheesy, Mexican-inspired corn.
Get the Mexican Grilled Corn recipe.
(Mike Garten)
Thanks to red pepper flakes, this beans and greens salad brings the heat to your table.
Get the White Bean and Broccolini Salad recipe.
(Mike Garten)
This summer stunner topped with zucchini, yellow squash, fresh herbs and goat cheese goes with anything.
Get the Summer Squash Pizza recipe.
(Mike Garten)
Fruit salad but fancy. Lean on summer's staple trio feta cheese, watermelon and tomatoes for a pretty side.
Get the Melon Mosaic recipe.
RELATED: The Easiest Way to Cut a Watermelon Like a Pro
Grilled corn is even better when paired with creamy ricotta cheese and warm baguettes. This recipe is proof.
Get the Grilled Corn and Ricotta Dip recipe.
(Danielle Occhiogrosso Daly)
A plate full of sourdough bread and sliced tomatoes? Your picnic table is looking better already.
Get the Tomato Panzanella recipe.
(Mike Garten)Ahead of your Memorial Day barbecue or picnic, make these easy Memorial Day side dishes to pair with your burgers, hot dogs or other grilled staples.