It’s starting to feel like summer here in Chicago and while we’re staying at home, I’m excited for evenings on the patio and endless dinners from the grill.
Memorial Day is next weekend and I’ve got over 30 (okay, over 50) recipes perfect for cooking and grilling right at hom. If you’re wondering what to serve at a Memorial Day picnic or party, I’ve got your back. Whether you’re celebrating solo, having an at-home picnic with your roommate, or heading to the backyard with your family, these seasonal recipes are perfect for your Memorial Day menu.
I picked out my go-to Memorial Day finger foods, mains & desserts to cover all of your bases. You’ll find grilling recipes and ones you can make without a grill, plus plenty of fresh salads to pair with juicy burgers.
GF = Gluten Free
V = Vegan
VT = Vegetarian
If you make any of these healthier Memorial Day recipes, be sure to leave a comment below and let me know how you liked it! You can also tag #ambitiouskitchen on Instagram so that I can see your creations.
Appetizers & Sides
Vegan Potato Salad with Herbed Tahini Sauce V, GF
Skinny Jalapeño Watermelon Margaritas V, GF
Sesame Garlic Grilled Sweet Potato Fries with Yogurt Curry Dip VT, GF
Best Healthy Coleslaw Ever (no mayo!) V, GF
Cauliflower Tots VT, GF
Fresh & Healthy 7-Layer Dip VT, GF
The Best Guacamole You’ll Ever Eat V, GF
Easy + Cheesy Southwest Bean Dip GF
Roasted Strawberry, Basil, and Goat Cheese Crostini VT
10-Minute Smoked Salmon Pinwheels
Spicy Maple Dijon Grilled Brussels Sprouts V, GF
Avocado Strawberry Mango Salsa V, GF
Jalapeño-Goat Cheese Grilled Stuffed Mini Peppers VT, GF
Peach, Goat Cheese & Basil Wonton Bites VT
Vegetarian Three Cheese White Bean Buffalo Dip VT, GF
Vegetarian Plantain & Black Bean Taco Cups VT
Tortilla Chip-Crusted Baked Jalapeño Poppers VT, GF
Pesto Tuna Caprese Cucumber Bites GF
Gluten Free Cornbread Muffins VT, GF
Garlic Fingerling Potatoes (roasted or grilled!) V, GF
Fresh Salads
Street Corn Pasta Salad with Cilantro Pistachio Pesto & Goat Cheese VT, GF
Vegan Curried Broccoli Chickpea Salad V, GF
Summer Strawberry Spinach Salad with Avocado VT, GF
Fiesta Mango Black Bean Quinoa Salad V, GF
Peach, Tomato & Corn Arugula Pasta Salad VT, GF
Famous Crunchy Cashew Thai Quinoa Salad V, GF
Kale, Edamame & Quinoa Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette V, GF
Avocado Tomato Chickpea Pasta Salad with Lemon Basil Vinaigrette VT, GF
Honey Lime Basil Peach Fruit Salad VT, GF
Healthy Summer Broccoli Salad V, GF
Avocado Blueberry Quinoa Salad VT, GF
Cashew Crunch Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad V, GF
The Easiest Chopped Greek Chickpea Salad VT, GF
Dad’s Dilly Greek Yogurt Cucumber Salad VT, GF
Roasted Sweet Potato Black Bean Salad with Pineapple Corn Salsa V, GF
Main Dishes
Seriously Good Sweet Potato Cheddar BBQ Chicken Burgers GF
Jerk Chicken with Caribbean Rice & Mango Salsa GF
Pesto Turkey Burger Sliders on Sweet Potato Buns GF
Vegan Turmeric Pineapple Tofu Kabobs V, GF
Blackened Salmon Tacos with Forbidden Rice & Mango Guacamole GF
How to Grill Chicken Breast that’s Perfectly Juicy GF
Ultimate Vegan Black Bean Burgers with Tahini Garlic Cream Sauce V, GF
Sweet & Spicy BBQ Bacon Hawaiian Turkey Burgers GF
3-Ingredient Grilled Stuffed Poblano Peppers VT, GF
Gaby’s Grilled Fish Tacos with Pineapple-Mango Salsa GF
How to Grill Pizza that’s Crispy, Chewy and Ready in only 15 Minutes VT
Incredible Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken Sandwiches GF
Jalapeño Curry Turkey Burgers GF
Ultimate Chili-Stuffed Sweet Potato Skins GF
Firecracker Salmon with Peach Avocado Salsa GF
Chipotle Chicken Tostadas with Pineapple Salsa GF
Amazing Easy Turkey Tacos (with a slow cooker option!) GF
Vegan Sweet Potato Burgers V, GF
Desserts
Grain Free Tahini Brownies (The Best Brownies I’ve Ever Eaten!) GF
Almond Flour Strawberry Shortcake Cake with Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Frosting GF
Blueberry Pie Bars with Oatmeal Crumble (vegan & gluten free) V, GF
Healthy Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats GF
The Best Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies You’ll Ever Eat GF
Spiced Zucchini Sweet Potato Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting GF
Fudgy Almond Butter Blondies GF
Lightened-up Vanilla Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp (vegan, gluten free) V, GF
Salted Tahini Caramel Millionaire Bars (vegan + paleo) V, GF
Healthier Flourless Monster Cookies GF
Grain Free Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake GF
The Best Zucchini Brownies You’ll Ever Eat GF
Healthy Peanut Butter Twix Bars (vegan & gluten free) V, GF
No Bake Chocolate Caramel Tahini Chex Bars (allergy-friendly!) V, GF
Small Batch Paleo Almond Flour Brownies with Raspberries GF
If you make any of these Memorial Day recipes, be sure to leave a comment below and let me know how you liked it! You can also tag #ambitiouskitchen on Instagram so that I can see your creations. Thank you, xo!
