These Memorial Day recipes are perfect for barbecues, picnics, pool parties and all kinds of sunny, start-of-summer get togethers! You’ll find mains, sides, appetizers, cocktails and desserts for delighting friends and family.
These are some of my favorite recipes for Summer entertaining in the back yard with friends. They’re easy to mix and match, full of bright colors, fun flavors and refreshing cocktails that are easy to make in a batch! A little of everything and a little red white and blue.
Help yourself to these sunny Memorial Day Recipes!
1. Loaded Instant Pot Chicken Enchiladas
Loaded Instant Pot Chicken Enchiladas
These Instant Pot chicken enchiladas are positively loaded with seared corn, pico de gallo, 2 sauces and creamy, melty cheese! They can be as spicy as you like, they’re easy to make ahead and take only 45 minutes to cook, mix, roll and serve!
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2. Red White & Blue Vanilla Cheesecake Mousse
Red White & Blue Vanilla Cheesecake Mousse
This no-bake vanilla cheesecake mousse is dreamy, creamy and layered with blueberries, raspberries and a scrumptious Nilla Wafer crumble! Truly one of the EASIEST, and PRETTIEST desserts you’ll ever make – and perfectly patriotic for the 4th or July or Memorial day!
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3. Barbecue Blue Cheese Beyond Beef Sliders
Beyond Meat Barbecue Burgers
These vegetarian Beyond Meet barbecue burgers are a perfect summer recipe for both your veggie friends and omnivores alike! With just a few ingredients: vegetarian “beef,” blue cheese, sautéed onions, pickles and a little arugula, you’ll be in and out of the kitchen in less than 20 minutes!
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4. Delicious White Claw Ice Pops
Delicious White Claw Ice Pops
These White Claw ice pops are such tasty, frosty, pretty Summer desserts!.. for grownups, of course. This recipe includes three different delicious flavors: Mango Pineapple Sunrise, Watermelon Honeydew and Lemon Basil Pink Grapefruit!
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5. Esquites (Mexican Street Corn Salad)
Esquites (Mexican Street Corn Salad)
This delicious toasted Mexican street corn salad (Esquites) recipe is incredible hot or cold, it can be served as just a salad or like a salsa with chips – it’s crunchy, it’s creamy, it's spiced with smoky, authentic Mexican flavor and it's also gluten free!
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6. Cucumber Mint Margarita
Cucumber Mint Margarita
This delightfully refreshing margarita is a traditional recipe with a minty, cucumber twist! It’s not too sweet, not too sour, it has a delicately salted rim and it’s muddled to perfection. A perfect pool-party signature cocktail!
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7. Beautiful Pesto Ricotta Crostini
Tomato and Pearl Onion Pesto Crostini
These beautiful crostini are layered with pesto ricotta, olive tapenade and topped with tiny balsamic pearl onion roses and cherry tomatoes. What appetizers could possibly be prettier for a summer party!?
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8. Spicy Sriracha Egg Salad
Spicy Sriracha Egg Salad
This Sriracha egg salad is perfectly creamy, a little bit crunchy and sizzling with that irresistible Sriracha spiciness. It can be served on crackers or on sandwiches with crispy lettuce. Definitely a show-stopper at any picnic or BBQ!
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9. Spicy, Smoky Deviled Eggs Recipe
Spicy, Smoky Deviled Eggs Recipe
These smoky deviled eggs are nice and spicy, dreamily creamy, and absolutely beautiful, if I do say so myself! Spiced with smoked Spanish paprika, cayenne pepper and Old Bay seasoning around the rim, they’re original, so special, fantastically delicious, so incredibly easy to make, and no grill required!
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10. Spicy Ginger Pineapple Punch
Spicy Ginger Pineapple Punch
This delightfully spicy ginger pineapple party punch comes with its own sunny, tropical heat! Flavored with jalapeño-infused juice, lime and fresh ginger, this sparkly prosecco party-pleaser makes a perfectly sizzling signature cocktail.
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11. Homemade Coleslaw with Fennel and Carrot
Homemade Coleslaw with Fennel and Carrot
This fennel and carrot coleslaw is such a surprising addition to any burger, sandwich, hot dog or just as a side dish. With a licorice, anise flavor, crunch of carrot and tangy dill zing, you can make any BBQ staple extra tasty!
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12. Lavender Lemon Bars
Lavender Lemon Bars
These enchanting sunshiny lavender lemon bars will become your favorite dessert to serve at any summer party! They look so bright and beautiful, and smell absolutely divine!
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13. Easy Rotisserie Chicken Salad with Dill
Easy Rotisserie Chicken Salad with Dill
This easy rotisserie chicken salad with dill has a delightful zing and a celery-radish crunch! Serve this chicken salad with crackers or use it to make the tastiest sandwiches at the picnic!
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14. Crostini with Balsamic Strawberries and Ricotta
Crostini with Balsamic Strawberries and Ricotta
These crostini with balsamic strawberries and ricotta are sweet, tart, creamy and perhaps the prettiest appetizers you can serve at your next fancy picnic, Mother’s Day brunch or bridal shower.
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15. Picnic Perfect Pesto Pasta Salad
Picnic Perfect Pesto Pasta Salad
This picnic-perfect pesto pasta salad recipe is full of fresh, enchanting summer flavors! Sweet corn, golden cherry tomatoes, chopped olives, mozzarella pearls and a creamy, light pesto sauce make this pasta salad one of my favorite summer picnic side dishes!
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