60 Best Memorial Day Side Dishes for Your Cookout
We've got your popular sides, plus some healthier alternatives to try.
Time to fire up the grill and celebrate the unofficial start of summer! Memorial Day weekend marks warmer weather, and it's the perfect excuse to throw a BBQ party or a celebratory picnic. And no meal is complete without some flavorful and easy-to-prepare Memorial Day side dishes. We've picked our favorite delicious recipes —including traditional BBQ sides — that will add so much flavor to your plate. These easy Memorial Day foods, from potato salad to grilled peach caprese, are sure to satisfy.
Add some freshness, with our healthy salads, grilled vegetables and refreshing dips perfect for dunking. For those who need something more filling to bulk up the main course, try heftier side options like our grilled pizzas and loaded flatbreads. Don’t worry, we didn’t forget about the classics: Here you’ll find all of your summer favorites, like coleslaw, corn and delicious new.
Every one of these delicious side options will help round out your family's feast — just don't forget to save a smidge of room for Memorial Day dessert (of course!).
Ranch Slaw
Persian cucumbers and sugar snap peas — plus a healthy glug of ranch dressing — make this crunchy, zesty slaw the perfect partner to heavier dishes.
Get the Ranch Slaw recipe.
Grilled Cabbage Wedges With Creamy Caraway Dressing
Charring the cabbage causes it to caramelize, amping up its natural sweetness while adding a hint of smokiness. Try it!
Get the Grilled Cabbage Wedges With Creamy Caraway Dressing recipe.
Cheesy Bay Biscuits
These tender, craggy drop biscuits, made with Cheddar and Old Bay compound butter, are much easier to shape than the rolled kind.
Get the Cheesy Bay Biscuits recipe.
Cheesy Kale Nests
Laced with ribbons of kale, these bites are surprisingly light but big on flavor — we bet you can’t eat just one! Bonus: They air-fry in only five minutes.
Get the Cheesy Kale Nests recipe.
RELATED: 55 Easy Air Fryer Recipes That You Absolutely Need to Try
Shaved Fennel and Celery Salad
This light, refreshing salad gets a boost of flavor from chopped capers and Parmesan, which complement the honey-Dijon vinaigrette.
Cucumber Radish Salad
Slightly spicy radishes, fresh cucumbers and sweet basil are a perfect start-of-summer salad combination.
Get the Cucumber Radish Salad recipe.
RELATED: 33 Fresh Spring Salads That'll Make the Most of Seasonal Produce
Cheesy Garlic Bread
Turn leftover focaccia into a seriously crowd-pleasing side, best paired with any main.
Get the Cheesy Garlic Bread recipe.
Chickpea Salad with Smashed Cucumbers
Packed with irresistible veggies like red onion, crunchy cucumbers and sweet cherry tomatoes, this invigorating salad is great for Memorial Day and leftovers tomorrow.
Get the Chickpea Salad with Smashed Cucumbers recipe.
RELATED: 35+ Healthy Sides Dishes That Go With Any and Every Protein
Cobb Salad
This isn’t just your average healthy salad to enjoy while snacking at your desk, it's fit for a Memorial Day feast!
Get the Cobb Salad recipe.
Herby Red Potato Salad
You can't beat a classic, but you can elevate it! Potato salad gets a glow-up in this recipe with fresh dill, parsley, scallions and an irresistible dressing.
Get the Herby Red Potato Salad recipe.
Roasted Carrots and Chickpeas with Marinated Feta
Spice up this veggie dish with roasted chickpeas and herb-infused feta for a flavorful and filling side.
Get the Roasted Carrots and Chickpeas with Marinated Feta recipe.
Bright Radish Salad
This salad is so beautiful it's a centerpiece all on its own! Thinly slice a variety of radishes for this stunning and colorful side dish.
Get the Bright Radish Salad recipe.
Spiced Snack Mix
In addition to a perfect pre-meal snack, this savory mix is completely customizable: Add in parmesan cheese, nuts or any spices your heart desires to create your ideal salty concoction.
Get the Spiced Snack Mix recipe.
RELATED: 50+ Easy Appetizers and Snacks to Get the Party Started
Wedge Salad with Creamy Herb Dressing
The secret to this wedge salad? An all-green, herby dressing loaded with parsley, dill and chives.
Watermelon Salad with Feta
Searching for a unique and refreshing side dish? Look no further than this watermelon salad paired with feta, cucumber and mint.
Get the Watermelon Salad with Feta recipe.
Succotash
Get in all of your favorite summer veggies with this succotash loaded with corn, zucchini, tomatoes and green beans.
Get the Succotash recipe.
Green Slaw
Serve up this classic green coleslaw for a dish sure to please each and every one of your guests.
Get the Green Slaw recipe.
Peach Caprese Salad
This sweet and salty salad pairs peaches with honey, almonds, mozzarella and fresh basil. What more could you ask for?
Get the Peach Caprese Salad recipe.
Grilled Broccoli
Give fresh broccoli a major upgrade with a little time on the grill and a dunk in a spicy lemon-butter sauce.
Get the Grilled Broccoli recipe.
Cucumber and Cantaloupe Salad with Savory Quinoa Granola
If you're bringing this colorful side to a party, pack the granola on the side so it stays crispy. Everyone will love it!
Get the Cucumber and Cantaloupe Salad with Savory Quinoa Granola recipe.
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