Get inspired by some of the season’s best and brightest flavors with these 30 homemade recipes to try for your Memorial Day weekend gatherings. Whether you’re looking for a baking project like cherry pie, a quick and easy favorite like s’mores cookie bars, or something savory for the grill (hello, black bean burgers!), this list has a little something for everyone.
Memorial Day Weekend Recipe Ideas
A time to honor the country’s fallen soldiers, Memorial Day weekend is often observed in the company of family and friends. If you’re planning to gather with loved ones during this holiday weekend and are in need of a special dish to share, my team and I gathered some popular recipes that shine this time of year.
Think fresh fruit pies and cobblers, cool ice cream treats, and savory dishes featuring the season’s best produce. What are you most looking forward to making this upcoming season?
I anxiously await the summer months each year for their abundance of colorful fruits. You know those gorgeous bright red containers of strawberries that finally arrive in the grocery stores and farmers’ markets? I plan on picking up a few to make these strawberry shortcake cupcakes. They’re like traditional strawberry shortcake, but in cupcake form.
Real strawberry goodness in each bite—literally!
How about dinner? When I’m not using up my berries in a dessert, I love making this fresh berry quinoa salad. If you’re in charge of the grill, try my recipes for jalapeño turkey burgers, caprese pesto chicken burgers, and black bean burgers (loved dearly by non-meat eaters and meat eaters alike!). Creamy chicken pasta salad is endlessly customizable and feeds a crowd. And my cold veggie pizza makes a fantastic appetizer or side.
You’ll enjoy this easy honey chipotle salmon, too.
Whether you’re making dessert, dinner, or a side, everyone can appreciate the effort that goes into something homemade. I hope you find a new recipe to love from the list below. Be sure to let my team and me know what you try!
30 Memorial Day Recipes
No-Bake Greek Yogurt Fruit Tart
This wholesome Greek yogurt fruit tart comes together with a simple 3-ingredient crust, protein-packed Greek yogurt, and all your favorite seasonal fresh fruits. Naturally gluten free, this no-bake recipe is quick to make and is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a healthy dessert.
Blueberry Pie Bars
This is blueberry pie without the hassle of making a homemade pie crust—win! A layer of buttery brown sugar crust, jammy blueberry filling, and crumbly oat topping come together for an easy bar version of a favorite summer pie.
Fresh Berry Quinoa Salad
Easy, wholesome, and fresh, this berry quinoa salad is full of texture and flavor. Throw it together in a matter of minutes for a truly impressive (and, might I say, beautiful) summer salad.
Lemon Cupcakes With Strawberry Buttercream Frosting
Incredibly soft and bursting with lemon flavor, I love pairing these homemade lemon cupcakes with pretty pink strawberry buttercream frosting. Use freeze-dried strawberries in the frosting for all-natural flavor and color.
Any Flavor Focaccia
You only need 6 simple ingredients to make the softest, chewiest, and most flavorful homemade focaccia. Enjoy it plain or try it with your favorite toppings like garlic, herbs, tomatoes, and more.
Strawberry Cream Cheese Pie
This fresh strawberry cream cheese pie combines a crumbly, buttery graham cracker crust, mousse-like whipped cheesecake filling, and jammy strawberry topping. This is a great make-ahead recipe because it takes a while to set up, so it’s actually best made a day ahead.
Lemon Blueberry Tart
Cool, creamy, and undeniably beautiful, this lemon blueberry tart recipe features a buttery shortbread crust, fresh lemon filling, and homemade blueberry sauce swirl. One taste and you’ll understand why this is consistently one of the most popular summertime recipes on my site.
Southwestern Chopped Chicken Salad
My easy recipe for southwestern chopped chicken salad is packed with flavor and texture. This colorful salad comes together in a snap and features crisp corn, fresh avocado, juicy tomatoes, crunchy tortilla chips, and a zesty taco seasoning-spiced Greek yogurt dressing.
Homemade Cherry Pie
This is my better-than-ever homemade cherry pie. After plenty of testing, my recipe promises a thick almond-hinted cherry pie filling set between 2 layers of the best buttery flaky pie crust. Top with vanilla ice cream or a big dollop of fresh whipped cream.
S’mores Cookie Bars
Graham cracker and brown sugar cookie dough sandwiches a thick layer of homemade marshmallow creme and plenty of chocolate chips in these undeniably delicious s’mores cookie bars. They’re chewy, soft, gooey, and always a top recipe each summer.
Popular Black Bean Burgers
These are the best black bean burgers I’ve ever had—and readers around the world agree! They’re big, thick, hearty, and flavorful, and you can make them on the grill or bake them in the oven. Even meat-eaters rave that these burgers are not only tasty but satisfying, too.
Easy Berry Icebox Cake
If there was one summer recipe that checked all the boxes, this would be it. My easy berry icebox cake is simple to prepare, feeds a crowd, doesn’t require baking, and is made with fresh, cool homemade whipped cream and sweet seasonal berries.
Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes
A favorite summer dessert in hand-held form, these vanilla bean-speckled strawberry shortcake cupcakes are filled with homemade strawberry filling and topped with strawberry whipped cream—all made with real fresh strawberries.
Easy Corn Fritters
Crispy, savory, and easy corn fritters get mixed together in 1 bowl and are bursting with fresh flavors like corn, cilantro, and green onion. Serve them as part of any summertime meal along with a cool and creamy honey jalapeño yogurt dip.
Blueberry Yogurt Swirl Popsicles
These super simple, protein-packed 3-ingredient blueberry yogurt swirl popsicles are naturally gluten free and hit the spot when the weather heats up. A cool treat you can feel good about!
Creamy Strawberry Feta Pasta Salad
When it comes to pasta salads, this one is anything but boring. My creamy feta pasta salad is a texture-lover’s dream, feeds a crowd, keeps for days in the refrigerator, and has the most incredible homemade poppy seed dressing. You’ll absolutely go back for seconds!
Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
These soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies are the most popular cookies on my site, and they’re guaranteed to be the most popular treat at any gathering, too! Melted butter, more brown sugar than white sugar, and an extra egg yolk promise the absolute chewiest chocolate chip cookie.
Mixed Berry Cobbler
Carefree summer dessert at its finest! Syrupy seasonal berries are nestled below a lightly sweetened biscuit crust and finished off with a (not-so-) optional scoop of vanilla ice cream. Prepare this easy dessert in a casserole dish or small ramekins for individual servings.
Strawberry Biscuit Cookies
These strawberry biscuit cookies are made from real strawberries without the crutch of artificial flavor. Each buttery cookie is tender and flaky in the centers, packed with juicy strawberries, and topped with a sprinkle of crunchy sugar and sweet icing.
Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Jalapeños
If spicy foods are your thing, you’ll love these bacon wrapped cheesy stuffed jalapeños. They’re halved and stuffed with cream cheese, shredded cheese, paprika, and garlic, and wrapped up with crispy bacon. These always FLY off the plate at any gathering.
Key Lime Pie
Tangy and sweet key lime pie is deliciously simple with a 3-ingredient filling and extra thick and nutty crust. Each bite is a refreshing, tropical treat!
Mini Fruit Galettes
These mini fruit galettes are everything we love about fruit-filled pies with half the work and a fraction of the time. Grab your littlest bakers and your favorite summer fruits and have fun preparing (and eating!) these kid-friendly mini desserts.
Jalapeño Turkey Burgers
My recipe promises medium-spicy turkey burgers that are plump and juicy with mega flavor from a variety of spices, herbs, and shredded pepper jack cheese right in the patty. Enjoy them fresh off the grill or sautéed, and don’t forget all your favorite burger fixings!
Zucchini & Herbed Ricotta Flatbread
Give homemade flatbread pizza a fresh summer spin with the addition of zucchini, herbed ricotta, roasted tomatoes, and fresh basil. Use my 1-hour flatbread pizza dough as the base for a quick and delicious lunch, dinner, or appetizer.
Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches
Make your own cookie ice cream sandwiches at home using my quick no-chill cookie recipe and your favorite ice cream. Dip the edges in even more mini chocolate chips for a classic look, or for a colorful variation, try rainbow sprinkles.
Oatmeal Lemon Crumble Bars
Creamy, crumbly, and refreshing, these oatmeal lemon crumble bars are made with a simple oatmeal crumb crust and a 2-ingredient lemon filling. If you love lemon bars but are looking for a little more texture, you won’t regret making a batch—or two!
Fresh Berry Cream Cake
This minimally decorated naked-style cake is layered between fluffy whipped cream and piled high with juicy seasonal berries. I typically make this with a vanilla cake, but feel free to use your favorite flavor to really make this cake your own.
Maryland Crab Cakes
From my family to yours, here is our favorite recipe for Maryland crab cakes. They get the stamp of approval from locals and out-of-towners alike! For the best taste and texture, use lump crab meat, little filler, and bake the cakes in a very hot oven.
Strawberry Vanilla Crisp
Consider this quick and simple dessert your new summer staple. Vanilla bean seeds add wonderful depth to the fresh strawberry filling, while the lightly cinnamon-spiced brown sugar oat topping tastes like nostalgic comfort food.
And finally, let me leave you with a fresh take on an old favorite!
Have you tried my fruit pizza recipe before? It’s a summertime staple and would be the perfect addition to your Memorial Day weekend plans. The recipe below uses the same sugar cookie crust but finishes with a lovely lemon cream cheese frosting, your favorite assortment of fresh berries, and an optional glaze. This is always a crowd pleaser!
Memorial Day Recipes: Lemon Berry Pizza
Prep Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours
Yield: serves 10-12
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Description
This colorful dessert pizza features a vibrant bounty of summer berries atop a soft sugar cookie crust and thick, tangy lemon cream cheese frosting. Choose your favorite berries to customize this classic summertime dessert!
Sugar Cookie Crust
Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting
Topping
Instructions
- Make the crust: Follow the instructions for the fruit pizza dough, steps 1–3. You could also use store-bought sugar cookie dough. Cool crust completely before decorating.
- Make the frosting: In a medium bowl using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle or whisk attachment, beat the cream cheese and butter together on medium speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the confectioners’ sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Beat for 1 minute or until creamy and combined. Spread a thick layer over the cooled sugar cookie crust.
- Garnish with fresh fruit. To make the optional glaze, whisk together a Tablespoon each of apricot preserves and lemon juice, warm for about 15 seconds in the microwave, then brush on top of the fruit.
- Cut into slices and serve. Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Notes
- Make Ahead Instructions: Prepare the cookie crust and frosting 1 day in advance—cover each tightly and keep the cookie at room temperature and the frosting in the refrigerator. Frost and assemble the day of serving.
- Special Tools (affiliate links): Electric Mixer (Handheld or Stand Mixer) | Zester | Citrus Juicer | Icing Spatula | Glass Mixing Bowl | Whisk | Pastry Brush
- Sugar Cookie Dough: If you’d like to add a little more flavor to the sugar cookie dough, add 1 teaspoon lemon zest.
- Pizza Pan: Make sure you aren’t using a pizza crisper pan with the little holes/air vents in it. The pizza pan I use is this nonstick pizza pan.
- Can I make this without a pizza pan? Yes, you can press this crust into a 9–10-inch circle or square on a regular baking sheet or press into a very thin crust in a 9×13-inch baking pan. Bake time is about the same, usually a minute or two less if using a 9×13-inch pan. No need to chill the cookie dough if using a 9×13-inch pan.
- Can I make this in a half sheet/jelly roll pan? Yes, but double the crust and frosting. Press crust into a greased 12×17-inch pan. About the same bake time. No need to chill the cookie dough if doubling and pressing into a 12×17-inch pan.
