44 Memorial Day Side Dishes We Can't Wait to Make (2024)

Home Holidays Memorial Day

Updated: May 24, 2024

The unofficial start to the summer season is here! From salads to fresh dips, these delicious BBQ sides are all perfect for your Memorial Day meal.

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Grilled Vegetable Platter

The best of summer in one Memorial Day side dish! This pretty grilled vegetable recipe is meant for entertaining. Grilling brings out their natural sweetness, and the easy marinade really kicks up the grilled vegetables’ flavor. —Heidi Hall, North St. Paul, Minnesota

Go to Recipe

Don’t forget to whip up one of these Memorial Day desserts!

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Southern Mac and Cheese

No down-home meal is complete without Southern mac and cheese. Three types of cheese and a squirt of mustard make this comforting Memorial Day side dish sing! —Katie Sloan, Charlotte, North Carolina

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Ranch-Style Beans

This ranch-style beans recipe is served at all of our barbecues. It seems most people who live here like spicy, flavorful food, and this fits the bill just right. —Wilma Ruth James, Ranger, Texas

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Zucchini Patties

These zucchini patties have a nice flavor and are compatible with just about any entree. My sister gave me this recipe and I, in turn, have given it to many of my friends. —Annabelle Cripe, Goshen, Indiana

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Potatoes Romanoff

These tangy potato cubes, topped with cheddar cheese, can be mixed ahead and refrigerated until you’re ready to bake them. What a timesaver! I like to serve them with steak and green beans. —Rita Deere, Evansville, Indiana

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Smoky Baked Beans

They’ll be standing in line for this saucy bean recipe, full of campfire flavor. A variation on colorful calico beans, it’ll make a delightful Memorial Day side dish with many of your favorite entrees. —Lynne German, Cumming, Georgia

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Buttery-Onion Corn on the Cob

My mother has been making this oven-roasted corn on the cob recipe for years. Every time I make it for company, they rave and can’t believe how easy it is! —Lisa Denson, Decatur, Alabama

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Berry Nectarine Salad

I’ve been making this recipe for years. Whenever my family has a summer get-together, everyone requests it. The nectarines and berries look beautiful together, and the topping is the perfect accent. —Mindee Myers, Lincoln, Nebraska

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Cucumbers with Dill

Sprinkling cucumber slices with salt and letting them stand in a colander draws out excess water so they stay crisp when set on a barbecue buffet. Try this cucumber dill salad alongside any grilled entree. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Don’t forget these classic Memorial Day appetizers!

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Herbed Feta Dip

Guests can’t get enough of this thick, zesty dip that bursts with fresh Mediterranean flavor. The feta cheese and fresh mint complement each other beautifully, creating the perfect sidekick for crunchy carrots, toasted pita chips, sliced baguettes or any other dipper you fancy.—Rebecca Ray, Chicago, Illinois

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Easy Baked Beans

My family enjoys this easy baked beans recipe with cornbread, but it also rounds out any Memorial Day cookout recipes. Canned pork and beans make meal prep quick. —Phyllis Schmalz, Kansas City, Kansas

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Lemon Artichoke Romaine Salad

"I created this dish when I was trying to duplicate a very lemony Caesar salad," recalls Kathy Armstrong of Post Falls, Idaho. "I think my version is not only delicious but more healthful, too!"

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Chocolate Fruit Dip

I've been told I'm not allowed to come to neighborhood parties unless I bring this dip! It's always a big hit. I usually serve it with strawberries and pineapple, but it's good with other fruit, such as apples and melon. —Sarah Maury Swan, Granite, Maryland

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Green Beans in Bacon Cheese Sauce

This Memorial Day side dish is easy to make and always popular. It’s perfect to bring along for holiday parties and potlucks! —Karen Lewis, Pleasant Grove, Alabama

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Honey-Mustard Brussels Sprouts Salad

Even if you dislike Brussels sprouts, you will love this dish. The dressing is so tasty, and it pairs amazingly with the apples, grapes and walnuts. You can also add whatever cheese, nuts or fruit you prefer. —Sheila Sturrock, Coldwater, Ontario

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Creamy Twice-Baked Potatoes

With a yummy cream cheese filling, these rich potatoes tucked into their own skins are sure winners. They look fancy but are not tricky to make. —Linda Wheeler, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

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Effortless Guacamole

Here’s one delicious, extra-easy Memorial Day side dish you’ll turn to again and again. “I’ve been making this recipe since I started cooking, and that was a long time ago.” DeAnn Lokvam — Tijeras, New Mexico

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Roasted Asparagus With Thyme

This Memorial Day side dish is so easy to prepare, yet the simply seasoned spears look appealing enough to serve guests or take to carry-in dinner. —Sharon Leno, Keansburg, New Jersey

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Glazed Fruit Medley

The homemade orange dressing on this salad complements the fresh fruit flavors beautifully. It’s perfect for a spring or summer brunch. —Karen Bourne, Magrath, Alberta

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Cowboy Beef Dip

In a foods class, a group of us developed this recipe for the North Dakota's annual Beef Bash. We won the contest!—Jessica Klym, Killdeer, North Dakota

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Spiced Sweet Potato Fries

A spicy homemade seasoning blend shakes up everyone’s favorite finger food in this rendition of sweet potato fries. It’s the perfect Memorial Day side dish to serve alongside any tangy barbecue recipe. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Homemade Potato Chips

Forget buying a bag of potato chips at the grocery store when you can make these at home. This quick and easy Memorial Day side dish will delight everyone in the family. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Potluck Antipasto Pasta Salad

I love trying new recipes, and this one for Italian pasta salad tops all other varieties I've tried. With beans, cheese, sausage and vegetables, it's a hearty complement to any meal. —Bernadette Nelson, Arcadia, California

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Broccoli Slaw

Here's my favorite twist on broccoli salad. It's so easy to make and has an irresistible tangy crunch. —Konny Thomas, Citrus Heights, California

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Tzatziki Potato Salad

My son has an egg allergy, so this potato salad is perfect for him. For extra color, add radish, apple and garlic dill pickles. —Cindy Romberg, Mississauga, Ontario

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At our house, we love the summer tastes of sweet grilled nectarines and fresh basil over goat cheese. I can usually find all the ingredients at the farmers market to make this summer side dish. —Brandy Hollingshead, Grass Valley, California

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Ruby Raspberry Slaw

Give ordinary coleslaw a "berry" tangy twist. It's sure to get raves at your next picnic or potluck. —Deborah Biggs, Omaha, Nebraska

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Colorful Quinoa Salad

My youngest daughter recently learned she has to avoid gluten, dairy and eggs, which gave me a new challenge in the kitchen. I put this dish together as a side we could all share. We love it for leftovers too. —Catherine Turnbull, Burlington, Ontario

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Sliced Tomato Salad

I got this recipe from my grandmother. It’s a perfect Memorial Day side dish to serve with burgers or hot sandwiches. —Kendal Tangedal, Plentywood, Montana

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Mushroom Cheese Bread

This savory Memorial Day side dish is delightful with barbecued steak, baked potatoes and corn on the cob. For variation, we sometimes use half cheddar cheese and half mozzarella. —Dolly McDonald, Edmonton, Alberta

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Minty Watermelon-Cucumber Salad

Capturing the fantastic flavors of summer, this refreshing, beautiful watermelon-cucumber salad will be the talk of any picnic or potluck. —Roblynn Hunnisett, Guelph, Ontario

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Refreshing Tropical Fruit Salad

Want a family-friendly Memorial Day side dish? This colorful medley is kid-pleasing and a great way to encourage healthy eating. —Sharon Ricci, Spooner, Wisconsin

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Layered Garden Bean Salad

For easy entertaining, cover and refrigerate this Memorial Day side dish a few hours before guests arrive so you don’t have to bother with last-minute assembly. Turn it into a light lunch by adding sliced rotisserie chicken, salmon or tuna. —Melissa Wharton, Cincinnati, Ohio

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Cucumber and Red Onion Salad

This cucumber and onion salad is one of the first recipes I came up with myself. It's a great salad for picnics or potlucks. I always come home with an empty bowl! —Brynn Steckman, Westerville, Ohio

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A squeeze of lime, a sprinkle of cilantro and a little avocado make this a creamy and zingy pasta salad. —Carrie Farias, Oak Ridge, New Jersey

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Campers’ Coleslaw

Crispy and crunchy, this old family slaw recipe makes a refreshing Memorial Day side dish for picnics and parties. —Kimberly Wallace, Dennison, Ohio

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Fast Macaroni Salad

Chopped veggies provide crunch, and cherry tomatoes add vibrant color to this refreshing and creamy Memorial Day side dish. —Frankiee Bush, Freedom, Indiana

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Dill Garden Salad

I love to cut up whatever fresh vegetables I have on hand and toss them with this delicious dressing and fresh dill. This salad shows up on our table regularly during the summer. —Bethany Martin, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania

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Juicy Watermelon Salad

This fruit salad has such a surprising yet fabulous mix of flavors that friends often ask for the recipe. Combine seedless watermelon varieties in yellow, red and pink for a colorful twist. —Heidi Haight, Macomb, Michigan

Originally Published: April 20, 2020