Memorial Day Menu Ideas Your Guests Will Love: What’s on the Grill?

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Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer, a time to gather with the people you love most, fire up the grill, and create memories around a table full of good food. Whether you’re hosting a backyard cookout, a lazy poolside brunch, or a festive afternoon lunch, having the right recipes makes all the difference.

This year, we’re adding some truly special dishes to the family recipe collection, ones that have been tested, loved, and proven to impress. From a stunning breakfast spread to some grilled favorites and favorite desserts. These recipes bring bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and a whole lot of red, white, and blue to your holiday table. 

One of our favorite Memorial Day menu ideas is a platter of golden Swedish pancakes topped with fresh strawberries and blueberries, practically dressed for the occasion in patriotic colors.

Swedish Pancakes Recipe

Anya Bergland of construction2style is pouring organic maple syrup on three Swedish pancakes with strawberries and blueberries on a white plate | a great dish for memorial day menu ideas

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cup milk ( I use whole) 
  • 4 eggs 
  • 6 Tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 cup sifted flour 
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 5 Tbsp melted unsalted butter
  • Berries
  • Maple Syrup 

Instructions:

1. In the bowl combine eggs with milk. Mix with a hand mixer until completely smooth, 1 to 2 minutes.

2. Add sugar, salt, gradually sift your flour into the bowl, and vanilla. Mix well and make sure to scrape of the sides as needed. 

3. Melt butter in the microwave, don’t overheat. Pour it into your batter. Mix well. 

4. Heat an 8-inch frying pan over medium heat and melt 1 Tbsp of butter. Pour ¼ cup of batter into the hot pan while tilting the pan around so the batter forms an even thin circle.

5. Cook each pancake for about 40 seconds to 1 minute on your first side and 20 seconds on the other. You don’t want your Swedish pancakes to turn fully brown, just lightly. 

6. I fold mine right away, I think they look more presentable when you serve them folded. 

7. Drizzle your Swedish pancakes with warm maple syrup and add berries.  

Another item that belongs on the Memorial Day Menu Ideas list is zesty Grilled Chicken Sriracha Lime Naan Wrap. It is the best when it is hot off the grill. Truly perfect for a quick, healthy bite between pool games. 

Best Grilled Chicken Sriracha Lime Naan Wrap Recipe

a plate full of naan with Grilled Chicken Sriracha Lime | one of the favorite items on Memorial Day Menu Ideas list | construction2style

Ingredients: 

  • 2 chicken breasts
  • 4 slices mini naan bread
  • One 4 oz container crumbled goat cheese
  • 10 mini roma tomatoes
  • 1 avocado
  • 1/2 cucumber
  • 1/2 zucchini
  • 1 red onion
  • 1/2 cup cilantro
  • 1 TBSP olive oil
  • 1 TBSP garlic salt
  • 1 tsp salt- free lemon pepper
  • 1 pinch salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt
  • 1 TBSP sriracha
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder 
  • 1 pinch salt and pepper to taste

seasoned grilled chicken with avocado, onions, and cilantro in a bowl on a wooden board with grilled tortillas for Grilled Chicken Sriracha Lime Naan Wrap: a favorite item that belongs on Memorial Day menu ideas

Instructions:

Marinade:

First prepare the marinade and whisk together in a bowl:

    1. 1 TBSP olive oil
    2. 1 TBSP garlic salt
    3. 1 tsp salt-free lemon pepper
    4. 1 fresh lime or 3 TBSP lime juice

Chicken and Vegetables:

Then dice up the chicken into tiny cubes and toss it into a bowl with the above marinade. 

Following, chop up all of the vegetables.

      1. 1 avocado
      2. 1/2 cucumber
      3. 1/2 zucchini
      4. One red onion
      5. Bunch of cilantro

I tried it a few time with bell peppers and we enjoyed that as well but it got to be a lot of vegetables as well. All vegetables welcome, I don’t think you can go wrong.

Grill Chicken and Vegetables

Heat the grill and get it up to 350 degrees. Once the grill is heated, throw the wok on your grill. I always make sure I spray it down with pam cooking spray too to ensure the goods don’t get stuck. Toss the chicken on and once cooked through, throw the vegetables in along with the chicken. At this time you can also put your naan on the grill to warm them up. Grill for another 8 minutes or so.

Mix the Sauce

While everything is cooking up, prepare the sauce. Whisk together in a bowl … 

  1. 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt
  2. 1 TBSP sriracha
  3. 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
  4. 1 pinch salt and pepper to taste

A rich, homemade BBQ sauce straight from Grandma H’s kitchen (Kayla’s family favorite), the kind of recipe you guard with your life. 

Delicious Grandma H’s Homemade BBQ Sauce 

Delicious Grandma H’s Homemade BBQ Sauce | great to use for Memorial Day Menu

Ingredients:

ingredients for Delicious Grandma H’s Homemade BBQ Sauce for Memorial Day Menu

Instructions:

Add all ingredients into a saucepan on medium heat and bring to a slow boil.

Turn burner down to low & simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally 

A classic, creamy potato salad that belongs at every cookout. Morgan’s family swears by it, no questions asked.

Guest House Potato Salad

  • 4-5 lbs red potatoes
  • 8-12 hardboiled eggs
  • 2 cups celery 
  • 4 cups miracle whip
  • 1 cup of sugar
  • 1/2 cup whipping cream
  • 1/2 cup mustard

Instructions

1. Prep the PotatoesPeel 4–5 lbs of red potatoes. (If you’re ahead of the game, do this step the night before.)Place in a large pot of water and bring to a boil. Cook for about 10–12 minutes until a fork can easily pierce through but the potatoes still have a bit of firmness — not mushy. Drain and let cool.

2. Boil the EggsIn another pot, place 8–12 eggs in cold water and bring to a boil. Once boiling, set your timer for 7 minutes.After 7 minutes, remove from heat and transfer eggs into an ice bath for another 7 minutes before peeling.(Pro tip: do this the night before too.)

3. Cube EverythingOnce potatoes and eggs are cool, grab your French Fry Cutter. Push each potato through to make perfect little cubes, scraping with a knife as needed. Repeat the same with the eggs.

4. Make the DressingIn a mixing bowl, whisk together:

  • 4 cups Miracle Whip
  • 1 cup sugar
  • ½ cup whipping cream
  • ½ cup mustard

Mix until smooth and creamy.

5. CombineAdd your diced potatoes, eggs, and celery into a large bowl. Pour the dressing over and mix until everything is evenly coated.

It might seem a little wet at first — that’s exactly how it should be. The potatoes will soak it all up, and trust me, dry potato salad is no fun.

6. Finish + ChillTop with chives, salt, and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate for at least a few hours (overnight is best).

This potato salad actually tastes even better on day two once all the flavors have had time to blend. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

English Trifle Recipe 

a beautifully displayed english trifle by the pool at the Memorial Day Pool Party | construction2style

For Yellow Cake:

  • 1 Cup Water
  • 1/3 Cup Vegetable Oil
  • 3 Eggs

Instructions:

1. Heat oven to 325°F for nonstick pan. 
2. Mix Yellow Cake mix, eggs, oil and water with hand mixer on medium speed. Pour into pan.
3. Bake until inserted toothpick comes out clean. Around 22-25 minutes. 

4. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pan. Cool completely before frosting.

For Homemade Whipped Cream: 

3 cups heavy cream 
1 cup powdered sugar 
2 tsp vanilla 

Instructions:

1. Place your metal bowl (I only use metal bowls to beat cream) in the freezer for at least 15 minutes to chill.  Make sure your bowl is sparkling clean, random grease or water will prevent cream from reaching its’ proper thickness. 
2. Once bowl has chilled, remove from freezer and pour heavy cream and add vanilla, start beating with your hand mixer at medium speed for about 2 minutes. It will start looking thicker, now you are ready to gradually add powdered sugar and continue beating. 
3. Beat until stiff peaks start forming ( another 2-3 minutes). Don’t over-beat. 
 

These recipes work beautifully as a brunch spread, a relaxed lunch, or a poolside party menu when you want something fresh and satisfying without spending the whole day in the kitchen. They’re flexible, festive, and most importantly, delicious.

Let’s eat.

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