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Easy Memorial Day BBQ Side Dishes

Modified: · Published: by · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

Easy Memorial Day BBQ Side Dishes are perfect for backyard cookouts, family gatherings, and summer celebrations.

This collection includes pasta salads, baked beans, grilled vegetables, potato salads, and other easy side dishes that pair perfectly with burgers, hot dogs, and all your favorite grilled recipes.

If you're planning your holiday menu, be sure to check out my Summer Grilling Recipes for even more easy cookout ideas

Collage of Memorial Day BBQ side dishes including baked beans, deviled eggs, grilled corn, pasta salad, garlic potatoes, and cucumber salad for summer cookouts.

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Here's What's Included

Classic BBQ side dishes: Pasta salads, baked beans, deviled eggs, and other cookout favorites.

Cold picnic salads: Refreshing cucumber, broccoli, pasta, and potato salads perfect for warm weather.

Grilled summer vegetables: Corn on the cob, grilled vegetables, and flavorful BBQ sides fresh from the grill.

Crowd-friendly cookout recipes: Easy dishes that pair well with burgers, hot dogs, chicken, and ribs.

Make-Ahead Cookout Tips

Taking a little time to plan your menu ahead of your gathering can help make holiday entertaining feel more organized and less stressful. A simple prep plan also makes it easier to enjoy time with family and friends once the cookout begins.

Which Dishes Can Be Prepared in Advance?

Many Memorial Day side dishes can be prepared ahead of time to make cookout day easier. Pasta salads, potato salad, macaroni salad, cucumber salads, and bean salads are all great make-ahead options for backyard BBQs and family gatherings.

You can also prep simple appetizers and dips the day before, including Homemade Salsa, Easy Appetizer Dip, and fresh vegetable trays.

For dessert, brownies, fruit salads, patriotic cookies, and even Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream can all be made ahead to save time on Memorial Day weekend.

Looking for even more sweet ideas? Be sure to check out my collection of Patriotic Desserts for Memorial Day.

Collage featuring Memorial Day cookout side dishes including potato salad, grilled vegetables, macaroni salad, fruit salad, baked mac and cheese, and pasta salad recipes.

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Memorial Day BBQ Side Dishes

These easy Memorial Day side dishes are perfect for backyard BBQs, family cookouts, and holiday gatherings. From creamy pasta salads to baked beans and grilled vegetables, these recipes are easy to serve alongside burgers, hot dogs, chicken, and ribs.

Kicked-Up Canned Baked Beans
Kicked-Up Canned Baked Beans
Give canned baked beans a flavorful upgrade with smoky bacon, onions, and extra seasoning. This easy Memorial Day side dish is perfect for feeding a crowd at your backyard BBQ.
VIEW RECIPE HERE
classic deviled eggs in egg plate on gingham napkin.
Easy Classic Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs are a classic Memorial Day side dish that always disappears quickly at family gatherings and BBQs. This version is creamy, simple, and easy to make ahead.
The BEST Potato Salad Recipe!
The BEST Potato Salad Recipe!
A traditional potato salad is a must-have for Memorial Day weekend. This creamy recipe is perfect for picnics, cookouts, and serving with all your favorite grilled foods.
VIEW RECIPE HERE
Homemade Mac and Cheese served from Walking on Sunshine Recipes
Easy Mac and Cheese
Creamy, cheesy, and always a family favorite, this easy mac and cheese recipe is a comforting side dish that pairs perfectly with grilled burgers, hot dogs, and barbecue chicken.
VIEW RECIPE HERE
Garlic Parsley Potatoes
Garlic Parsley Potatoes
These buttery garlic parsley potatoes are simple to prepare and make a great addition to any Memorial Day cookout menu. Serve them warm alongside grilled meats and vegetables.
VIEW RECIPE HERE

Easy Memorial Day Side Dishes for Cookouts

Whether you're planning a casual backyard BBQ or a large family gathering, these easy Memorial Day side dishes are simple to prepare and perfect for serving outdoors.

Creamy Pasta Salad
Loaded with fresh vegetables and tossed in a creamy dressing, this pasta salad is an easy make-ahead recipe that works well for Memorial Day cookouts and summer parties.
VIEW RECIPE HERE
Italian Antipasto Pasta Salad (With Homemade Dressing!)
Italian Antipasto Pasta Salad (With Homemade Dressing!)
Brimming with salty olives, creamy mozzarella balls, and tender artichoke hearts, this Italian Antipasto Pasta Salad is the ultimate summer dish!
VIEW RECIPE HERE
Deli Style Macaroni Salad
Deli Style Macaroni Salad
Creamy macaroni salad is a BBQ classic that belongs at every Memorial Day gathering. This deli-style version is simple, flavorful, and easy to prepare ahead of time.
VIEW RECIPE HERE
German Cucumber Salad with Homemade Sour Cream Dressing
German Cucumber Salad
Cool and refreshing, this cucumber salad is a great cold side dish for warm weather cookouts and Memorial Day celebrations.
VIEW RECIPE HERE
Asian Quick Pickled Cucumbers (5-min) - Greedy Girl Gourmet
Asian Quick Pickled Cucumbers (5-min) - Greedy Girl Gourmet
Beat the summer heat with this refreshing 5-minute Asian Quick Pickled Cucumber recipe! This no-cook side dish delivers a delightful sweet and sour crunch that perfectly complements any meal.
VIEW RECIPE HERE
Best Fruit Salad with Honey-Lime Dressing
Best Fruit Salad with Honey-Lime Dressing
Fresh fruit salad is an easy Memorial Day side dish that adds color and freshness to your cookout spread. Serve it chilled for a refreshing summer favorite.
VIEW RECIPE HERE

Memorial Day BBQ Side Dishes with Corn and Vegetables

closeup of fork filled with corn salad.
Corn Fiesta Salad
This colorful corn salad is packed with fresh vegetables and makes an easy cold side dish for Memorial Day picnics and summer cookouts.
VIEW RECIPE HERE
Elotes Recipe - Mexican Street Corn
Elotes Recipe - Mexican Street Corn
Grilled corn coated with creamy sauce, cheese, and seasoning makes this flavorful side dish perfect for Memorial Day BBQs and outdoor parties.
VIEW RECIPE HERE
Grilled Corn on the Cob in Foil
Grilled Corn on the Cob in Foil
Corn on the cob cooked in foil is an easy side dish for your Memorial Day grill menu. It’s simple to prepare and always a crowd favorite.
VIEW RECIPE HERE
a plate of grilled vegetables.
Grilled Vegetables
These grilled vegetables are colorful, easy to prepare, and perfect for serving alongside burgers, steak, or barbecue chicken during Memorial Day weekend.
VIEW RECIPE HERE
Creamy Bacon Broccoli Salad Recipe with Cheddar
Creamy Bacon Broccoli Salad Recipe with Cheddar
Crunchy broccoli, crispy bacon, and cheddar cheese make this cold salad a flavorful addition to your Memorial Day side dish lineup.
VIEW RECIPE HERE
Doritos Corn Salad (Or Dip)
Doritos Corn Salad (Or Dip)
This creamy corn dip served with crunchy chips is a fun and easy recipe for Memorial Day parties, cookouts, and casual backyard gatherings.
VIEW RECIPE HERE
Pinterest collage featuring easy Memorial Day BBQ side dishes including baked beans, pasta salad, potato salad, deviled eggs, grilled corn, cucumber salad, and cookout recipes for summer gatherings.

About Lois

Originally from Queens, NY, Lois is the voice behind Walking on Sunshine Recipes, where she shares easy, family-friendly meals made with simple ingredients. She believes dinner doesn’t have to be complicated to be delicious and offers practical recipes, monthly meal plans, and free printables to help busy families cook with less stress and more joy. When she’s not in the kitchen, Lois enjoys time with her family, gardening and sharing inspiration from her home in rural Pennsylvania.

Comments

  1. Evelyn Osborn says

    Jalapeño Garlic Bread is screaming my name!!

    Reply

  2. Blondee says

    Your mac and cheese is delicious no matter what day of the year it is!

    Reply

  3. Vee says

    Oh those are some great ideas for side dishes. I'm sitting here wondering if I'm supposed to be thinking about Memorial Day. I am thinking about graves, but not BBQs. Suppose that I'd better get a grip on this.

    Reply

  4. Beth says

    Everything looks delicious!

    Reply

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