Memorial Day Recipes for the Potluck and Grill-Out

I have a few rules for Memorial Day potluck and cookout recipes: they should be easy to share, easy to transport, and good enough that everyone asks you for the recipe. These dishes all fit the bill!

American Flag Cake. Made with REAL ingredients! From scratch fluffy yellow sheet cake, topped with Greek yogurt cream cheese frosting, fresh strawberry, and blueberry to look like an American flag. The perfect patriotic dessert recipe for the Fourth of July, Memorial Day, and Labor Day. Recipe at wellplated.com | @wellplated

Email Me the Recipe!

From time to time, we'll send you Well Plated emails. You can unsubscribe anytime. Have an account? Log In.

Kick off summer get-together season with these crowd-pleasing recipes!

cookbook author erin clarke of well plated

Summer is my season. I love getting together with friends, days at the lake, dining al fresco, and Memorial Day is when it all kicks off.

So whether you’re planning a Memorial Day party or just attending one, you should start the summer off right with some good food.

The best cookout recipes are unfussy and crowd-pleasing, but still offer something a little different so people are impressed. They should be able to sit out for a bit, and cooking on the grill or make-ahead dishes are always a plus.

These Memorial Day potluck and grill-out recipes have earned repeat invitations at all my summer parties!

Chicken Kabobs

Here’s my little pro-tip for making grilled kabobs for a crowd. Make some skewers with both veggies and chicken, then do some with chicken only and some with veggies only—that way the vegetarians and veggie-haters can all be happy!

Check out this recipe

Grilled Corn Recipe

Grilled corn is a summertime must! I love setting out a little topping bar when I make it for a party, with seasoned salts, compound butter, hot sauce, lime wedges, street corn fixings, etc.

Check out this recipe

a double stacked smash burger on a bun with cheese, lettuce, and tomato

Smash Burger Recipe

Instead of going with your standard burger recipe, switch things up with crispy-edged smash burgers. (Bonus: they cook faster too since they’re thinner!)

Check out this recipe

Flag Cake

Part dessert, part centerpiece, there’s a reason why this recipe is a classic for Memorial Day and the 4th of July.

Check out this recipe

Healthy Potato Salad

Still creamy and satisfying, this lightened up potato salad is just a little fresher and lighter than the ultra-heavy versions that turn pretty unappetizing on a hot summer day.

Check out this recipe

BLT Pasta Salad

Crunchy bacon, juicy tomatoes, pasta, creamy dressing—it’s basically everything people want from a cookout side dish in one bowl.

Check out this recipe

Watermelon Salad

Cold watermelon and salty feta are one of those combinations that you just need to experience to appreciate. This recipe is refreshing and it feels a little fancier than your standard fruit salad.

Check out this recipe