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  4. 30 Fabulous Recipes for Your Memorial Day Celebration

30 Fabulous Recipes for Your Memorial Day Celebration

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By Kelly Vaughan May 05, 2021
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Tuscan Ribs
Credit: Ryan Liebe

Usher in the unofficial start of summer with these all-American dishes.

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Tuscan Ribs
Credit: Ryan Liebe

Memorial Day is an important holiday in the United States, a chance for the nation to honor those who have died serving in the military. While it's a solemn day of remembrance, it also marks the unofficial start of summer and is often celebrated with parades, picnics, and family cookouts. To make your Memorial Day festivities as delicious as ever, we rounded up 30 of the best recipes for the holiday—everything from potato salad to fruit crumbles, a no-bake cheesecake, and burgers and hot dogs galore.

This holiday is also when many people will commence grilling on a regular basis, but outdoor cooking is not the only way to serve up summertime fare. While you could certainly grill your ribs, our recipe for Tuscan Ribs, pictured here, puts the oven to good use. Three racks of baby back ribs marinate with olive oil, paprika, fennel seeds, sage, thyme, and rosemary. They slow-roast in the oven for two hours until the meat is fork-tender and releases its juicy flavor. Serve the ribs with another Memorial Day classic: potato salad. There's a recipe for potato salad that has rich balsamic glaze that pairs oh so well with these ribs, but you'll also find a recipe for a classic mayonnaise- and mustard-based potato salad in this collection, too.

Other favorite Memorial Day recipes you'll find are are baked beans with homemade barbecue sauce, seasonal fruit desserts such as berry cobblers and pies, homemade ice cream, plenty of crowd-friendly main courses (most of which are, yes, cooked on a grill), and a few cocktails and mocktails to keep you cool all weekend long.

Have a festive and fabulous Memorial Day cookout with these casual recipes that everyone will love.

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Quick BBQ Sauce

Quick BBQ Sauce
Credit: Amy Neunsinger
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Everyone's favorite barbecue sauce recipe is just the thing for adding to pulled pork sandwiches, grilled ribs, or even burgers. Our recipe calls for just six ingredients: ketchup, light brown sugar, white wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, and cayenne for heat.

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Test Kitchen's Favorite Potato Salad

Test Kitchen's Favorite Potato Salad
Credit: Ren Fuller
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Potato salad is a classic Memorial Day recipe and our version is as good as it gets. Mayonnaise brings the necessary creaminess, while a couple tablespoons of whole grain mustard and sliced cornichons give it a sharp edge.

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Red, White, and Blue Potato Chips

Red, White, and Blue Potato Chips
Credit: Noe Dewitt
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Skip store-bought potato chips and make our special Memorial Day recipe instead. We use three different types of taters to give these chips some all-American color.

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Blueberry Crumble

blueberry crumble
Credit: Bryan Gardner
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Summer's shining stars—blueberries—form the base for the sweet, jammy filling. The topping is a crumbly combination of butter, brown sugar, and flour.

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Iced Watermelon-Lemon Tea

watermelon lemon tea
Credit: Ren Fuller
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Cool off on Memorial Day with this bright pink twist on a classic Arnold Palmer. Simply blend cubed watermelon and then mix with store-bought half-and-half lemonade and tea (of course you can prep this yourself, too).

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Classic Burger-Joint Cheeseburger

burger lettuce tomato pickle cheese
Credit: Armando Rafael
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It's not a true Memorial Day cookout without a cheeseburger. This recipe calls for all the fixings—American cheese, thick slices of tomato, dill pickle slices, and shredded lettuce.

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Perfect Lobster Roll

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Even if you're not spending Memorial Day at the beach, your tastebuds will be transported seaside with this lobster roll. It's the perfect blend of a hot lobster roll and cold lobster salad—poached lobster meat is tossed with just a touch of mayonnaise, plus lemon juice and drawn butter.

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Simple Coleslaw

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Credit: Jason Varney
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Complete your Memorial Day cookout with our quick coleslaw recipe. There's nothing fussy or unexpected—just plenty of crunchy cabbage and carrots and the stellar duo of mayonnaise and Dijon mustard.

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Classic North Carolina Pulled Pork

pork-sandwich-051-d112000.jpg
Credit: Jason Varney
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Instead of slow-cooking pulled pork, try grilling the boneless pork shoulder, which gives it an extra smoky flavor that complements the sweet and sticky barbecue sauce.

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Cross-Country Hot Dogs

three varieties of cross-country hot dogs
Credit: Kristen Francis
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Want to impress loved ones at your Memorial Day cookout? Give them something to talk about, like these hot dogs inspired by three classic sandwiches: a Philly cheesesteak, a muffaletta, and a Cubano.

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Martha's Strawberry Ice Cream

strawberry ice cream
Credit: Marcus Nilsson
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Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer, which means it's also start of ice cream season. Our founder has perfected a pretty-in-pink ice cream recipe that's made with an entire pound of strawberries. For a boozy edge, add a generous splash of tequila or vodka.

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Chewy Brownies

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No matter the occasion, brownies are sure to be a winner but we especially love them for a casual backyard barbecue or Memorial Day cookout. This easy recipe makes the ultimate fudgy treat.

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Grilled Corn with Chile-Lime Salt

corn cob grilled
Credit: Lauren Ross
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Grilled corn is always juicy and delicious as is, but accessorized with grated Parmesan cheese, chipotle-chile powder for some heat, and lime zest, it's just sublime.

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Lemonade

lemonade in serving container
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Our homemade lemonade is sweet as can be and couldn't be easier to make. All you need is freshly squeezed lemon juice and granulated sugar to make this Memorial Day beverage.

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Strawberry Biscuit Sheet Cake

strawberry biscuit sheet cake
Credit: Alpha Smoot
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How adorable is this crowd-friendly format of old-fashioned strawberry shortcakes? It takes less than an hour to come together but the flaky, cakey biscuits, airy whipped cream, and juicy berries make a very special dessert.

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Grilled Sausages with Charred Tomato Relish

Grilled Sausages with Charred Tomato Relish
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Choose your own adventure by selecting either hot and spicy or sweet Italian sausage. Grill them, then serve them alongside a jammy relish made from grilled mixed chile peppers, plum tomatoes, and garlic.

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Barbecue Chicken

test kitchens favorite grilled chicken
Credit: Armando Rafael
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Our all-star recipe calls for an entire chicken, which we cut into breasts, thighs, and wings. They're grilled, then tossed with a simple yet spectacular sauce made from ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce.

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No-Bake Blueberry Cheesecake for a Crowd

no-bake ricotta blueberry cheesecake
Credit: Alpha Smoot
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Come summer, we're all about no-bake desserts and this one fits the bill for Memorial Day weekend. That's because the light and creamy cheesecake is topped with a sweet blueberry compote that makes use of this in-season berry.

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Baked Beans with Bacon

baked beans bacon
Credit: Bryan Gardner
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Homemade baked beans are an essential Memorial Day recipe. A little bit of garlic and fresh thyme add an earthiness that offsets the sweet barbecue-style sauce. And no one will be able to resist the crispy, savory strips of bacon on top.

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Lemon Mezcal Margarita

lemon mezcal margarita
Credit: Bryan Gardner
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Surprise (and delight!) your loved ones with this smoky twist on a classic margarita. Instead of tequila, we used mezcal and fresh lemon juice for a bright Memorial Day drink.

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Grilled Dry-Rubbed Rib-Eye Steaks

rancho san julian ribeyes
Credit: Lauren Ross
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Rib-eye steaks are extra-special treat for a Memorial Day gathering. Here, we seasoned them with a fabulous and flavorful mixture of Spanish smoked paprika, garlic powder, dried oregano, and crushed coriander seeds.

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Pinwheel Cherry Pie

pinwheel cherry pie
Credit: Jonathan Lovekin
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Show off your stars and stripes for Memorial Day with this festive cherry pie that's the ultimate sweet ending.

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Creamy Macaroni Salad

macaroni-0711med107220-fav001b.jpg
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The duo of mayonnaise and low-fat yogurt bring the creaminess—and a touch of tang—to this classic Memorial Day recipe. For some crunch, we added thinly sliced radishes, celery, and dill pickles, which also cut through the richness of this staple side.

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Grilled Chicken Breasts with Lemon-Thyme Sauce

Grilled Chicken Breasts with Lemon-Thyme Sauce
Credit: Kate Sears
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Dress up ordinary chicken breasts with an earthy and zesty sauce made from lemon juice, fresh thyme leaves, a pinch of sugar, and red-pepper flakes.

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Cucumber-Herb Salad

cucumber-herb salad served in floral-patterned dish
Credit: Noe Dewitt
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When it comes to entertaining for a holiday such as Memorial Day, our philosophy is the more that can be made ahead, the better. This low-key, fragrant salad fits the bill. You only need four ingredients, which can be made into a salad an hour—or up to a day—in advance.

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Gazpacho Salad with Croutons

gazpacho salad with croutons
Credit: Christopher Testani
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Inspired by the cool Spanish soup, this genius salad combines small tomatoes, yellow bell peppers, mini cucumbers, and croutons for one colorful cookout side dish.

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Herbed Celery-Potato Salad

herbed celery-potato salad
Credit: Linda Pugliese
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If you're not a fan of the heavier, creamier potato salads, we bet that you'll love this more delicate recipe. Peewee potatoes are tossed with a combination of extra-virgin olive oil and apple cider vinegar, plus a cup and a half of fresh minced herbs.

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Zucchini Dill Pickles

zucchini dill pickles
Credit: Dana Gallagher
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For an extra-special Memorial Day cookout, try your hand at making homemade pickles using zucchini, which is at its best and brightest during the summer. The squash are pickled in white vinegar and fresh dill along with mustard seeds, cumin seeds, celery seeds, and chile peppers. You can serve them right away, or let them marinate for up to one month.

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Rose Sangria with Nectarines and Strawberries

Rose Sangria with Nectarines and Strawberries
Credit: Noe Dewitt
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Get the party started with this sangria recipe that uses everyone's favorite summer wine. Combine vodka, fresh strawberries, and sliced nectarines and let the fruit absorb the booze—then top with two bottles of rosé and garnish with fresh mint.

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    1 of 30
    2 of 30 Quick BBQ Sauce
    3 of 30 Test Kitchen's Favorite Potato Salad
    4 of 30 Red, White, and Blue Potato Chips
    5 of 30 Blueberry Crumble
    6 of 30 Iced Watermelon-Lemon Tea
    7 of 30 Classic Burger-Joint Cheeseburger
    8 of 30 Perfect Lobster Roll
    9 of 30 Simple Coleslaw
    10 of 30 Classic North Carolina Pulled Pork
    11 of 30 Cross-Country Hot Dogs
    12 of 30 Martha's Strawberry Ice Cream
    13 of 30 Chewy Brownies
    14 of 30 Grilled Corn with Chile-Lime Salt
    15 of 30 Lemonade
    16 of 30 Strawberry Biscuit Sheet Cake
    17 of 30 Grilled Sausages with Charred Tomato Relish
    18 of 30 Barbecue Chicken
    19 of 30 No-Bake Blueberry Cheesecake for a Crowd
    20 of 30 Baked Beans with Bacon
    21 of 30 Lemon Mezcal Margarita
    22 of 30 Grilled Dry-Rubbed Rib-Eye Steaks
    23 of 30 Pinwheel Cherry Pie
    24 of 30 Creamy Macaroni Salad
    25 of 30 Grilled Chicken Breasts with Lemon-Thyme Sauce
    26 of 30 Cucumber-Herb Salad
    27 of 30 Gazpacho Salad with Croutons
    28 of 30 Herbed Celery-Potato Salad
    29 of 30 Zucchini Dill Pickles
    30 of 30 Rose Sangria with Nectarines and Strawberries

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    30 Fabulous Recipes for Your Memorial Day Celebration
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