Easy Side Dishes for Memorial Day: Simple Recipes to Complete Your BBQ Menu

Easy Side Dishes for Memorial Day is a time to honor those who have sacrificed their lives for our country. It is also a time to gather with family and friends, enjoy the warm weather, and indulge in delicious food. If you’re planning a BBQ or outdoor party for Memorial Day, you’ll want to have an array of mouthwatering side dishes to accompany your grilled meats. In this article, we’ll provide you with 15 easy side dish recipes that will complete your Memorial Day menu. From classic potato salad to refreshing watermelon salad, we’ve got you covered.

1. Classic Potato Salad

Potato salad is a classic side dish that is always a crowd-pleaser. This recipe is easy to make and can be prepared ahead of time, which makes it perfect for a Memorial Day BBQ. To make this classic potato salad, you’ll need:

• 2 pounds of potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 cup of mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup of Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup of chopped green onions
• 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper

Boil the potatoes in salted water until they are tender. Drain and let cool. In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, parsley, green onions, apple cider vinegar, salt, and black pepper. Add the potatoes to the bowl and mix until everything is well combined. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

2. Grilled Corn on the Cob

Grilled corn on the cob is a simple yet flavorful side dish that is perfect for a Memorial Day BBQ. To make this dish, you’ll need:

• 6 ears of corn
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Brush the ears of corn with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill the corn for about 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until it is tender and charred in spots.

3. Coleslaw

Coleslaw is a refreshing side dish that pairs well with BBQ meats. To make this coleslaw recipe, you’ll need:

• 1 head of cabbage, finely shredded
• 1 carrot, peeled and grated
• 1/2 cup of mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon of honey
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper

In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and black pepper. Add the shredded cabbage and grated carrot to the bowl and mix until everything is well combined. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

4. Watermelon Salad

Watermelon salad is a refreshing and colorful side dish that is perfect for a hot summer day. To make this salad, you’ll need:

• 1/2 a seedless watermelon, cubed
• 1/4 cup of crumbled feta cheese
• 1/4 cup of chopped fresh mint
• 1/4 cup of chopped fresh basil
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of honey
• Salt and pepper

In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper. Add the cubed watermelon, crumbled feta cheese, chopped mint, and chopped basil to the bowl and toss everything together. Serve immediately.

5. Baked Beans

Baked beans are a staple at any BBQ, and this recipe is sure to impress your guests. To make these baked beans, you’ll need:

• 2 cans of navy beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce
• 1/2 cup of ketchup
• 1/4 cup of brown sugar
• 1/4 cup of chopped onion
• 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper

Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, whisk together the BBQ sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, chopped onion, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Add the navy beans to the bowl and mix everything together. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and bake for 45 minutes, until the sauce is bubbly and the beans are tender.

6. Caprese Salad Skewers

Caprese salad skewers are a simple yet elegant side dish that is perfect for any occasion. To make these skewers, you’ll need:

• Cherry tomatoes
• Fresh mozzarella balls
• Fresh basil leaves
• Balsamic glaze

Thread one cherry tomato, one fresh mozzarella ball, and one fresh basil leaf onto a skewer. Repeat until you have as many skewers as you need. Drizzle the skewers with balsamic glaze before serving.

7. Grilled Vegetables

Grilled vegetables are a healthy and delicious side dish that is easy to prepare. To make grilled vegetables, you’ll need:

• Assorted vegetables, such as bell peppers, zucchini, squash, eggplant, and onions
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Slice the vegetables into thick rounds or strips. Brush the vegetables with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill the vegetables for about 5-10 minutes, until they are tender and lightly charred.

8. Macaroni and Cheese

Macaroni and cheese is a comfort food that everyone loves. To make this dish, you’ll need:

• 1 pound of elbow macaroni
• 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter
• 4 tablespoons of all-purpose flour
• 3 cups of whole milk
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
• 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese

Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, until the mixture is smooth and bubbly. Gradually whisk in the whole milk, salt, and black pepper. Cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens and begins to bubble. Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until it is melted and smooth. Drain the macaroni and add it to the cheese sauce. Stir everything together until the macaroni is well coated.

9. Greek Salad

Greek salad is a healthy and flavorful side dish that is perfect for a Memorial Day BBQ. To make this salad, you’ll need:

• 1 head of romaine lettuce, chopped
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup of crumbled feta cheese
• 1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar

• 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
• Salt and pepper

In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Add the chopped romaine lettuce, diced cucumber, diced bell pepper, thinly sliced red onion, cherry tomatoes, crumbled feta cheese, and chopped fresh parsley to the bowl. Toss everything together until the salad is well coated with the dressing.

10. Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs are a classic side dish that is easy to make and always a hit. To make deviled eggs, you’ll need:

• 6 hard-boiled eggs, peeled
• 1/4 cup of mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• 1/8 teaspoon of black pepper
• Paprika, for garnish

Slice the hard-boiled eggs in half lengthwise and remove the yolks. In a small bowl, mash the egg yolks with a fork. Add the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper to the bowl and mix everything together until the mixture is smooth. Spoon the egg yolk mixture back into the egg whites. Sprinkle the deviled eggs with paprika before serving.

11. Pasta Salad

Pasta salad is a versatile side dish that can be customized to your liking. To make this pasta salad, you’ll need:

• 1 pound of pasta, cooked and drained
• 1/2 cup of Italian dressing
• 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup of chopped green onions
• 1/4 cup of chopped bell pepper
• 1/4 cup of sliced black olives
• Salt and pepper

In a large bowl, whisk together the Italian dressing, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped fresh parsley, chopped green onions, chopped bell pepper, sliced black olives, salt, and pepper. Add the cooked and drained pasta to the bowl and toss everything together until the pasta is well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

12. Fruit Salad

Fruit salad is a refreshing and healthy side dish that is perfect for a Memorial Day BBQ. To make this fruit salad, you’ll need:

• Assorted fresh fruit, such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, grapes, kiwi, pineapple, and mango
• Honey
• Lime juice

Cut the fruit into bite-sized pieces and add it to a large bowl. Drizzle the fruit with honey and lime juice, and toss everything together until the fruit is well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

13. Green Bean Salad

Green bean salad is a simple and delicious side dish that is perfect for a Memorial Day BBQ. To make this salad, you’ll need:

• 1 pound of green beans, trimmed and blanched
• 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts
• 1/4 cup of crumbled blue cheese
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar
• Salt and pepper

In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper. Add the blanched green beans, chopped walnuts, and crumbled blue cheese to the bowl and toss everything together until the salad is well coated with the dressing.

14. Sweet Potato Fries

Sweet potato fries are a healthier alternative to regular French fries. To make sweet potato fries, you’ll need:

• 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into fries

• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon of paprika
• Salt and pepper

Preheat your oven to 425°F. In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Add the sweet potato fries to the bowl and toss everything together until the fries are well coated with the seasoning. Spread the fries out in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes, turning the fries halfway through, until they are crispy and golden brown.

15. Grilled Pineapple

Grilled pineapple is a sweet and tangy side dish that is perfect for a Memorial Day BBQ. To make grilled pineapple, you’ll need:

• 1 pineapple, peeled and sliced into rings
• 1/4 cup of honey
• 2 tablespoons of lime juice
• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, lime juice, and cinnamon. Brush the pineapple slices with the honey mixture. Grill the pineapple for 2-3 minutes per side, until it is lightly charred and caramelized.

Conclusion

These 15 easy side dishes are perfect for your Memorial Day BBQ. From classic potato salad to grilled corn on the cob to refreshing watermelon salad, there’s something for everyone on this list. These dishes are all easy to make and can be prepared ahead of time, which means you’ll have more time to enjoy the company of your family and friends.

FAQs

Can I make these side dishes ahead of time?

1. Yes, most of these dishes can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge until you’re ready to serve them.

Are these side dishes healthy?

2. Many of these side dishes are healthy, such as the grilled vegetables, green bean salad, and fruit salad. However, some dishes, such as the macaroni and cheese and sweet potato fries, are more indulgent.

Can I customize these recipes to my liking?

3. Absolutely! These recipes are just a starting point, and you can customize them to your liking by adding or subtracting ingredients.

How long will these side dishes keep in the fridge?

4. Most of these dishes will keep in the fridge for 2-3 days.

Can I make these side dishes for a vegetarian or vegan BBQ?

5. Yes, many of these dishes are vegetarian or vegan, or can be easily modified to be vegetarian or vegan.