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Start your summer off right by hosting the BEST Memorial Day Party! From drinks and appetizers to must-make grilling recipes and summer side dishes, you can find all the best recipes, tips, and tricks right here. Whether you’re throwing a big party or hosting a family gathering, this delicious variety of recipes will put your celebration over the top!
Outdoor parties and cookouts have always been a favorite of mine, I think it just makes hosting much more fun! That being said, certain things like serving food can get harder when you’re in the heat. So, here are a couple of important tips to remember when hosting a backyard party…
- Invest in proper serving dishes, you want to make sure that all the dishes that should be hot will stay hot, and the ones that should be chilled stay cold.
- Make sure that you’ve timed all your recipes to be ready by the time folks start arriving. You want your appetizers and drinks ready to serve when people arrive, and your main dishes should be ready about 30 minutes to an hour after their arrival.
- Always buy more ice than you think you’ll need, people, go through it way faster than you’d expect.
- Set up an area at your drink table for folks to label their cups. I use chalkboard stickers on mason jars, but you can also just use sharpies on red solo cups.
When it comes to choosing the recipes you’ll serve, I definitely recommend basing it on the crowd. If you have a lot of kids coming, choose simpler recipes that everyone can enjoy. Below you’ll find a terrific variety of Memorial classic recipes, like potato salad and grilled chicken, as well as several tasty Crock Pot recipes and delicious summer salads and sides. With so many options, it’s hard to know which to pick first!
Items You’ll Need To Host A Memorial Day Party
If you’ve been following me for a while, I know you must be tired of hearing this by now, but a cook is only as good as the tools in their kitchen. Whenever you’re hosting a cookout, grill night, or party, and you’re feeding a crowd, you’ll need all the BEST tools and serving dishes. These are a couple of my favorites for hosting Memorial Day…
Refreshing Drink Recipes
Sparkling Berry Punch
With just 6 simple ingredients and 10 minutes of preparation, you can enjoy this refreshingly sweet, citrus drink at graduation parties and Memorial Day cookouts!
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Homemade Lemonade – A Southern Soul
Made with fresh-squeezed lemon juice and simple syrup, this simple drink recipe is perfect to serve at parties and cookouts.
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Classic Mojito Recipe – A Couple Cooks
Here’s a classic mojito recipe, perfectly balanced with lime, rum and fresh mint!
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Best Ever Red Wine Sangria
Made with fresh fruits, brandy, and red wine, this Sangria is great to serve at any party, from casual entertaining to Easter dinner, it’s certain to be a hit!
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Virgin Pina Colada Recipe – The Spruce Eats
This made-from-scratch drink is so refreshing and rich tasting, you won't even miss the alcohol.
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Watermelon Slushie – Fifteen Spatulas
This easy Watermelon Slushie is a natural alternative to the slushies bought at gas stations and convenience stores.
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Delicious Summer Appetizers To Feed A Crowd
Homemade Ranch Dip
Whether you’re serving it with a veggie platter or a pile of chips, this tasty dish is sure to have your friends and family begging for the recipe!
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Black Bean and Corn Salsa – A Southern Soul
Made with 6 simple ingredients and in just 10 minutes, this salsa makes a great appetizer.
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Crispy Potato Skins – Small Town Woman
These Crispy Potato skins are topped with smoked bacon, green onions, and plenty of sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack Cheese.
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Party Chicken Salad
Tender chicken, crunchy celery, toasted almonds, and juicy grapes are tossed together in a bright lemony dressing to create Party Chicken Salad.
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Quick and Easy Delicious Peach Salsa – Cooking Chew
Grilling the peaches softens them and gives them that smoky, caramelized flavor that will knock this recipe out of the park.
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Air Fryer Chicken Wings – A Southern Soul
Extra crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, these Air Fryer Chicken Wings are totally irresistible!
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BEST Pigs in A Blanket
Made using just 5 simple ingredients, you can enjoy this recipe as an appetizer, dinner, or an easy-to-make snack, in under 30 minutes!
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Creamy Greek Feta Dip – Damn Delicious
Takes just 15 minutes (or less) to whip up using feta, cream cheese, Greek yogurt, lemon juice and fresh herbs!
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BEST Guacamole Recipe – Well Plated By Erin
Guac lovers each have their personal definition of what makes the Best Guacamole Recipe, and this is mine.
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Easy Beef and Cheddar Sliders
These delicious sliders are great served as an appetizer for parties, game day celebrations, potlucks, and family gatherings.
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Cowboy Caviar – Dinner At the Zoo
This cowboy caviar is a colorful and hearty dip that’s loaded with beans, avocado and veggies, all tossed in a zesty homemade sauce.
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Mexican Corn Dip – A Southern Soul
Mexican Corn Dip is creamy, cheesy with just the right amount of spice from chilies.
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Amazing Crock Pot Dishes For Hosting
Best Crock Pot Pulled Pork
Juicy, perfectly seasoned pulled pork cooked low and slow is the ultimate recipe for casual entertaining and parties!
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Crock Pot Ribs – Spend With Pennies
Crock Pot Ribs come out melt in your mouth tender and so full of flavor.
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Slow Cooker Crack Chicken – Bake it With Love
This Slow Cooker Crack Chicken is an absolutely creamy and cheesy shredded chicken bacon ranch that's perfect for sandwiches, dips, potlucks, and so much more!
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Crock Pot Hawaiian Meatballs – A Southern Soul
Hawaiian Meatballs smothered in a sweet tangy sauce with pineapple and fresh ginger are cooked low and slow in the crock pot.
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Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip – The Cookie Rookie
Creamy, cheesy, tangy and a little bit spicy, this Crockpot buffalo chicken dip is one delicious game day appetizer.
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BBQ Little Smokies (Slow Cooker) – The Life Jolie
BBQ Little Smokies are everything you could possibly want for your game day spread!
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Ultimate Crock Pot Party Meatballs
Tender, succulent meatballs smothered in a sweet and spicy sauce is a crowd-pleasing recipe you can enjoy any time of year!
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Queso Blanco In The Slow Cooker – Rachel Cooks
Queso Blanco in the slow cooker is a breeze to make – easy crockpot queso!
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Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken Sliders
With only 5 ingredients, Mississippi Chicken cooked in the slow cooker is tender, juicy, and packed with spicy flavors.
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Family Favorite Grilling Recipes
Grilled Lemon Chicken – A Southern Soul
Tender, juicy grilled chicken gets an extra boost of flavor from lemons, this simple, flavorful recipe for Grilled Lemon Chicken has so many uses.
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Grilled Watermelon Recipe – Love and Lemons
This grilled watermelon recipe is such a fun summer side dish! I top each wedge with a tangy, spicy mix of fresh corn, feta, avocado, and basil.
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Grilled Jerk Chicken Kebabs – The Modern Proper
Loaded with warm spices and brightened up with pineapple and peppers this family-friendly dinner is always a hit.
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Alabama White BBQ Sauce – A Southern Soul
This classic sauce is terrific on chicken, pork, fish, or fries and just about anything in between, plus it’s made in just 5 minutes!
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Spicy Grilled Shrimp with Pineapple Sauce – Jar Of Lemons
Savory, delicious Spicy Grilled Shrimp topped off with cilantro, lime, and a sweet minced tomato and pineapple sauce.
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Perfect Grilled Steak – Iowa Girl Eats
Perfect Grilled Steak with Herb Butter features a homemade steak seasoning and buttery herb finish.
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BBQ Chicken Legs – A Southern Soul
This quick and easy-to-master recipe makes the best, most flavorful chicken you’ll ever sink your teeth into.
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Low Country Boil – Baked Bree
It’s a South Carolina classic that you can pour out onto a newspaper lined table, crack a beer and go to town.
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Carolina Vinegar BBQ Sauce – A Southern Soul
Originating in North Carolina, this sauce is easy to make with just 6 ingredients. This traditional sauce is for anyone who takes their pork BBQ seriously.
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Must-Make Salads and Side Dishes
Potato Salad For A Crowd
Potato Salad For A Crowd is a classic side dish that’s a must-serve for any family gathering, covered-dish supper, and great for cookouts.
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Chipotle Bacon Baked Beans – A Southern Soul
Smokey, sweet with just the right amount of spice, Chipotle Bacon Baked Beans are great for family dinners, potlucks, and a must for cookouts and barbecues!
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BEST Elote (Mexican Grilled Corn) – A Couple Cooks
Elote is classic Mexican street corn, grilled and slathered in an irresistible sauce. Built-in handles make for easy eating!
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Strawberry Spinach Salad (Fresh and Easy)
Spinach, fresh strawberries, candied pecans, and feta cheese crumbles are tossed together with a vibrant and flavorful dressing to create a salad that’s perfect for spring and summer celebrations!
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Macaroni Salad – Sugar Spun Run
Made with classic ingredient staples including celery, red pepper, and onion and dressed up in a simple creamy mayo-based dressing, this is guaranteed to be a hit at every cookout and potluck this year!
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Spicy Cucumber Tomato Salad
It’s loaded with fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions along with creamy Feta cheese then tossed in a bright, spicy herb dressing.
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BLT Pasta Salad
Smoky bacon, crisp lettuce, and sweet ripe tomatoes tossed in a creamy dressing with your favorite pasta is a perfect salad or side dish.
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Classic Coleslaw – Ahead Of Thyme
Whether you need a side dish to bring to a family barbecue or picnic, or an easy make ahead lunch to pack for work or for a potluck, classic coleslaw brings a fresh, crisp, and creamy game-changer to the table.
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Mediterranean Pasta Salad – A Southern Soul
Juicy tomatoes and cucumbers along with salty olives, red onion, tender pasta, and spinach are tossed together with creamy feta cheese in a homemade dressing for a crave-able salad that’s so easy to make!
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Sunshine Fruit Salad
Sunshine Fruit salad is sweet, fresh, and perfect for any party or celebration at any time of the year!
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Fresh Watermelon Salad With Feta – Erin Lives Whole
Perfect for a warm day where you don’t feel like cooking, this watermelon salad will satisfy both your sweet and savory cravings!
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Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
Loaded with tender chicken, smokey bacon, gooey cheese and seasoned with ranch dressing flavor, this dish is always a crowd-pleaser.
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Summer Dessert Recipes
Lemon Curd Thumbprint Cookies
Melt in your mouth, tender buttery cookies filled with lemon curd are a dessert lover’s dream come true!
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5-Ingredient Strawberry Lemonade Pie – Southern Bite
Cool Whip, sweetened condensed milk, and canned frozen lemonade concentrate in a graham cracker crust, they’re just so delicious and just taste like summer!
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Fresh Peach Crumb Bars – Saving Room For Dessert
These Fresh Peach Crumb Bars also travel well and keep for days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
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Best Ever Key Lime Pie – Once Upon A Chef
Made with ordinary limes, this “Key lime” pie tastes every bit as authentic as the real deal — plus it’s easier to make!
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Creamy 3-Ingredient Fruit Dip – A Southern Soul
Creamy, sweet, and made with only 3 ingredients, this fruit dip is terrific served any time of the year!
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Homemade Cherry Pie – Sally’s Baking Addiction
My homemade cherry pie is perfectly sliceable with a thick almond-hinted cherry pie filling and a golden brown buttery flaky pie crust.
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No Churn Ice Cream (6 Flavors) – Life Made Simple
This Easy No-Churn Ice Cream Is Made With Just 4 Simple Ingredients. It’s Creamy, Sweet And Makes The Perfect Base For Your Favorite Mix-Ins.
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