Hosting a gathering? Explore the best Memorial Day food ideas for a crowd, including BBQ mains, classic sides, refreshing drinks, and patriotic desserts. These easy and crowd-pleasing recipes will make your celebration unforgettable!
BBQ, Sides & More: The Ultimate Memorial Day Food Ideas for a Crowd!
Throwing a Memorial Day bash and panicking about feeding a crowd? Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered!
Whether you’re planning a block party, hosting a backyard BBQ, enjoying a picnic in the park, or gathering indoors, make your celebration unforgettable with these Memorial Day food Ideas for a crowd.
From BBQ favorites and classic side dishes to refreshing summer drinks and patriotic desserts, this roundup of Memorial Day food ideas for a crowd has everything you need for a perfect celebration.
With a little planning and the right Memorial Day recipes, you can create a spread that’s completely crowd-pleasing—without feeling overwhelmed.
Red, White & Yum: Party-Ready Memorial Day Food Ideas for a Crowd!
Patriotic Snacks & Appetizers
Kick off your celebration with these easy patriotic appetizers and festive snacks! From red, white, and blue-themed treats to crowd-pleasing bites, these simple yet delicious recipes are sure to set the stage for a fun and memorable meal.
Patriotic Flag Charcuterie Board
Recipe by 30 Minute Kitchen
Ready in ~ 15 mins
Yields ~ 10 servings
Why It’s Great ~ Made with delicious cheeses, cured meats, fresh fruits, and veggies arranged in a festive flag design! Perfect for Memorial Day, it’s a fun and flavorful way to impress your guests.
Get the Recipe for Patriotic Flag Charcuterie Board!
Taco Salad Flag
Recipe by Amanda’s Cookin’
Ready in ~ 15 mins
Yields ~ 12 servings
Why It’s Great ~ A taco dip recipe turned into a patriotic taco salad flag, this festive dish is loaded with fresh veggies and taco-flavored goodness—perfect for your Memorial Day or 4th of July spread!
Get the Recipe for Taco Salad Flag!
Red White & Blue Colored Deviled Eggs
Recipe by Belly Full
Ready in ~ Prep: 20 mins Cook: 12 mins
Yields ~ 24 servings
Why It’s Great ~ Incredibly easy to make and guaranteed to be a hit at your party! With vibrant colors and classic creamy flavor, they’re the perfect patriotic appetizer for any celebration.
Get the Recipe for Red White & Blue Colored Deviled Eggs!
Patriotic Charcuterie Cups
Recipe by Walking On Sunshine Recipes
Ready in ~ 15 mins
Yields ~ 3 servings
Why It’s Great ~ Loaded with skewers of cheese, salami, olives, and fruit, these festive antipasto cups are the perfect walking charcuterie cups for Memorial Day! Easy to grab, fun to eat, and packed with flavor.
Get the Recipe for Patriotic Charcuterie Cups!
Red, White and Blue Funfetti Dip (No Bake!)
Recipe by Lemons & Zest
Ready in ~ 25 mins
Yields ~ 16 servings
Why It’s Great ~ This patriotic Funfetti Dip (aka Dunkaroo Dip) is a no-bake treat that’s perfect for parties! With just 5 ingredients and ready in about 5 minutes, it’s a fun, festive, and easy dessert everyone will love.
Get the Recipe for No-Bake Red, White and Blue Funfetti Dip!
American Flag Snack Board
Recipe by Love From The Oven
Ready in ~ 10 mins
Yields ~ 10 servings
Why It’s Great ~ This fun and festive American Flag Snack Board is made with a patriotic array of sweets and snacks in the shape of an American flag—perfect for Memorial Day parties and patriotic celebrations!
Get the Recipe for American Flag Snack Board!
Classic Side Dishes
Grilled Corn On The Cob
Recipe by Diethood
Ready in ~ Prep: 10 mins Cook: 25 mins
Yields ~ 4 servings
Why It’s Great ~ Tender, juicy, and flavorful! Slathered with garlic butter and wrapped in foil, it’s a crowd-pleasing side with easy clean-up.
Get the Recipe for Grilled Corn On The Cob!
4-Ingredient Cilantro Lime Slaw
Recipe by Hannah Magee RD
Ready in ~ 2 mins
Yields ~ 4 servings
Why It’s Great ~ This 4-ingredient cilantro lime slaw is light, zesty, and mayo-free! Made with bagged coleslaw mix, fresh cilantro, lime juice, and a pinch of salt.
Get the Recipe for Cilantro Lime Slaw!
Watermelon Salad with Feta
Recipe by The Mediterranean Dish
Ready in ~ 15 mins
Yields ~ 8 servings
Why It’s Great ~ This watermelon salad with feta is a refreshing combination of sweet watermelon, cool cucumbers, salty feta, and a pop of fresh mint—perfect for summer BBQs, cookouts!
Get the Recipe for Watermelon Salad with Feta!
Classic Potato Salad
Recipe by The Modern Proper
Ready in ~ Prep: 25 mins Cook: 10 mins
Yields ~ 8 servings
Why It’s Great ~ Creamy and a bit tangy potato salad, with ruby-pink radishes for a satisfying crunch—perfect for any summer gathering!
Get the Recipe for Classic Potato Salad!
Summer Corn and Tomato Salad
Recipe by A Simple Palate
Ready in ~ 20 mins
Yields ~ 6 servings
Why It’s Great ~ Bursting with sweet tomatoes, crisp corn, creamy avocado, and tossed in a fresh homemade basil vinaigrette—light, vibrant, and perfect side dish for summer!
Get the Recipe for Summer Corn and Tomato Salad!
Main Dishes
Grilled Chicken Wings
Recipe by So Much Food Blog
Ready in ~ Prep: 10 mins Cook; 30 mins
Yields ~ 6 servings
Why It’s Great ~ Made with a bold spice blend and that irresistible charred flavor from the grill! Perfectly smoky, juicy, and packed with flavor—these wings are a crowd favorite for summer parties, backyard BBQs, and game days.
Get the Recipe for Grilled Chicken Wings!
Best Flank Steak
Recipe by Carlsbad Cravings
Ready in ~ Prep: 5 mins Cook; 12 mins
Yields ~ 3-5 servings
Why It’s Great ~ Melt-in-your-mouth tender and juicy! Packed with complex savory, tangy, sweet, and spicy flavors. Just marinate, then grill – that’s it! Perfect for tons of flavor at any BBQ or dinner.
Get the Recipe for Marinated Flank Steak!
Vegetarian Chili
Recipe by Pinch of Yum
Ready in ~ Prep: 15 mins Cook: 1 hour
Yields ~ 5-6 servings
Why It’s Great ~ A hearty and satisfying vegetarian chili that’s “meaty” without all the meat! Packed with a bold blend of walnuts, mushrooms, and carrots, full of rich texture and deep flavor in every bite!
Get the Recipe for Vegetarian Chili!
Grilled Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa
Recipe by Wellness Sleuth
Ready in ~ 35 mins
Yields ~ 4 servings
Why It’s Great ~ Filled with tender, perfectly seasoned fish, topped with zesty mango salsa and crisp red cabbage for a refreshing burst of sweetness and a hint of spice.
Get the Recipe for Grilled Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa!
Grilled BBQ Chicken
Recipe by Food Folks and Fun
Ready in ~ Prep: 10 mins Cook; 50 mins
Yields ~ 6 servings
Why It’s Great ~ Starts with a flavorful brine that locks in moisture and creates irresistibly crispy skin. Juicy, tender, and packed with bold taste, it’s perfect for summer cookouts, backyard parties, and a great option when feeding a hungry crowd.
Get the Recipe for Grilled BBQ Chicken!
Patriotic Desserts & Sweets
Patriotic Fruit Cones
Recipe by Princess Pinky Girl
Ready in ~ Prep: 15 mins Chill: 10 mins
Yields ~ 6 servings
Why It’s Great ~ These easy, no-bake treats are made by layering berries and yogurt in chocolate-dipped waffle cones, then topping with festive sprinkles and a fun cookie “straw.” Perfect for summer parties and holiday celebrations!
Get the Recipe for Patriotic Fruit Cones!
Mixed Berry Trifle
Recipe by Olive and Mango
Ready in ~ Prep: 15-20 mins No Active Time: 4-24 hours
Yields ~ 6-8 servings
Why It’s Great ~ This no-bake dessert is a showstopper— a mixed berry trifle bursting with berries and layered with light, airy lemon curd cream and slices of sweet tsoureki bread (or challah/brioche) for a rich, fruity treat.
Get the Recipe for Mixed Berry Trifle!
Flag Cake
Recipe by The Recipe Critic
Ready in ~ Prep: 20 mins Cook: 35 mins
Yields ~ 12 servings
Why It’s Great ~ Perfect patriotic dessert for summer BBQs, made with sweet layers topped with juicy strawberries and blueberries arranged to resemble the American flag—festive, fruity, and fun!
Get the Recipe for Flag Cake!
American Flag Pie
Recipe by Everyday Elizabeth
Ready in ~ approx. 60 – 75 mins
Yields ~ 16 servings
Why It’s Great ~ This American Flag Pie is a festive slab pie recipe made right on a cookie sheet, filled with tarty blueberries and sweet strawberries, and decorated with stars and stripes for a patriotic touch.
Get the Recipe for American Flag Pie!
Patriotic Trifle
Recipe by Sweet and Savory Meals
Ready in ~ 45 mins
Yields ~ 12 servings
Why It’s Great ~ This festive Patriotic Trifle is a stunning red, white, and blue dessert made with fluffy angel food cake, juicy fresh fruit, rich and creamy lemon cream, and a swirl of tangy lemon curd—perfect for summer celebrations!
Get the Recipe for Patriotic Trifle!
Red White and Blue Layered Cake
Recipe by Little Sunny Kitchen
Ready in ~ Prep: 30 mins Cook: 25 mins Rest: 1 hour
Yields ~ 12 servings
Why It’s Great ~ This Red, White, and Blue Layered Cake is a festive treat that’s easy and fun to make from scratch—perfect for patriotic celebrations, with vibrant layers that wow inside and out!
Get the Recipe for Red White and Blue Layered Cake!
Patriotic Poke Cake
Recipe by Sweet and Savory Meals
Ready in ~ Prep: 30 mins Cook: 30 mins
Yields ~ 16 servings
Why It’s Great ~ This festive Patriotic Poke Cake starts with a boxed cake mix and food coloring, filled with creamy vanilla pudding blended with white chocolate, and topped with fluffy whipped cream and fresh berries for a colorful, crowd-pleasing patriotic sweet treat!
Get the Recipe for Patriotic Poke Cake!
And there you have it— best bbq side dishes that are sure to satisfy your cravings!
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Happy cooking!
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