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Home » Recipe Collections

22 Memorial Day recipes guests will talk about all weekend

Published: May 25, 2026 by Shruthi · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

Memorial Day gatherings call for recipes that feel festive, crowd-friendly, and worth remembering long after the plates are cleared. These dishes bring together smoky grill favorites, refreshing summer sides, and desserts made for sharing outdoors. They’re easy to serve, perfect for groups, and guaranteed to get plenty of compliments. If you want a menu people keep talking about, start here.

Grilled French Onion Pork Burgers

An open grilled French onion pork burger on a plate with greens.
Grilled French Onion Pork Burgers. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

These pork burgers come packed with French onion flavor and melt-in cheese. They’re a smart upgrade when you want your cookout to feel more pulled together.
Get the Recipe: Grilled French Onion Pork Burgers

Grilled Mango-Chipotle Chicken Wings

A plate of chicken wings on a white plate with a slice of mango.
Grilled Mango-Chipotle Chicken Wings. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Mango-chipotle wings cook quickly and bring sweet heat with no extra effort. They're great when you want the energy of the meal to match the crowd.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Mango-Chipotle Chicken Wings

Grilled Elote Corn Ribs

Grilled Elote Corn Ribs on a black platter.
Grilled Elote Corn Ribs. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Corn ribs grill up fast and bring just the right amount of kick. This is what you make when the side needs to turn heads.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Elote Corn Ribs

Grilled Garlic Lime Chicken with Cilantro Crema

Grilled chicken with cilantro crema on a white plate surrounded by limes, cilantro, and a glass of beer.
Grilled Garlic Lime Chicken with Cilantro Crema. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Grilled chicken with cilantro crema is fast, juicy, and light on prep. It’s perfect for when you want a no-stress meal that still stands out.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Garlic Lime Chicken with Cilantro Crema

Grilled Gorgonzola Buffalo Burgers in a Pretzel Bun

Four grilled gorgonzola buffalo burgers in a pretzel bun.
Grilled Gorgonzola Buffalo Burgers in a Pretzel Bun. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Gorgonzola buffalo burgers are rich, fast, and simple to make. They’re right for when you want something familiar that still brings something extra.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Gorgonzola Buffalo Burgers in a Pretzel Bun

Grilled Chile Lime Chicken

Sliced Tajín Grilled Chicken sits on a white plate surrounded by Tajín seasoning, a sliced lime, a white linen, and a small glass of beer.
Grilled Chile Lime Chicken. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Chile lime chicken has a clean kick and grills in no time. It’s a strong pick when you want flavor without slowing things down.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chile Lime Chicken

Ninja Woodfire Grilled Greek Chicken

Grilled Greek Chicken on a white plate with lemon slices.
Ninja Woodfire Grilled Greek Chicken. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Greek-style grilled chicken uses just herbs and lemon but still hits bold. It works great when you want something low-effort that doesn’t fade into the background.
Get the Recipe: Ninja Woodfire Grilled Greek Chicken

Grilled Asparagus

Grilled asparagus on foil-lined baking sheet with lemon slice.
Grilled Asparagus. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This asparagus comes together in 25 minutes with hardly any prep, making it perfect for busy holiday grills. It's a smart pick when you want a side that earns its spot.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Asparagus

Grilled Blackstone Acorn Squash

Overhead image of grilled blackstone acorn squash in a plate.
Grilled Blackstone Acorn Squash. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Grilled acorn squash adds seasonal flavor fast and doesn’t need much to stand out. It’s one of those easy sides that still feels like you planned ahead.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Blackstone Acorn Squash

Eggplant Tomato Stacks

Eggplant tomato stacks with grilled eggplant slices and tomato layers.
Eggplant Tomato Stacks. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

These eggplant and tomato stacks bring just the right char and acidity for something simple but sharp. They’re great for meals where vegetables need to lead, not follow.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Tomato Stacks

Grilled Green Beans

Close-up image of grilled green beans accompanied by a spoon on a white plate.
Grilled Green Beans. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Grilled green beans with garlic soy glaze hit the plate fast and don’t hold back. They easily steal attention from more expected sides.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Green Beans

Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp

Shrimp skewers on a white plate with lemon wedges.
Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Mediterranean shrimp with herbs and lemon cooks in minutes and still hits big on flavor. It’s a quick, reliable go-to for outdoor meals that need a boost.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp

Grilled Cauliflower Steaks

Three pieces of grilled cauliflower steaks on a black plate.
Grilled Cauliflower Steaks. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Cauliflower steaks grill up fast with an herbed oil that adds enough to make them memorable. They're a solid reason not to skip the vegetables this year.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Cauliflower Steaks

Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Skewers of vegetables and shrimp on a grill.
Grilled Shrimp Skewers. Photo credit: Low Carb - No Carb.

Shrimp skewers are quick to prep and even quicker to cook, great for busy grill days. They’re simple, strong, and right at home next to any main.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Easy Grilled Veggie Kabobs

Close-up image of grilled veggie kabobs on a dish.
Easy Grilled Veggie Kabobs. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

These veggie kabobs grill fast without extra work and keep things colorful. They’re a solid pick when you need something easy that holds up under pressure.
Get the Recipe: Easy Grilled Veggie Kabobs

Keto Grilled Veggies

Overhead view of grilled bell peppers, mushrooms, and zucchini on a white plate.
Keto Grilled Veggies. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

Grilled vegetables like these show how fast, basic ingredients can still lead the table. They’re proof that you don’t need much to make a strong impression.
Get the Recipe: Keto Grilled Veggies

Ninja Woodfire Grilled Vegetables

A variety of grilled vegetables on a platter.
Ninja Woodfire Grilled Vegetables. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

These marinated vegetables grab flavor quickly and shine on the Ninja Woodfire Grill. They hold their own and can carry a full meal if needed.
Get the Recipe: Ninja Woodfire Grilled Vegetables

Grilled Baby Bok Choy

Top view of a plate of Grilled Baby Bok Choys.
Grilled Baby Bok Choy. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Baby bok choy hits the grill fast and brings a clean, sharp bite without being heavy. It’s an easy green that fits into any cookout lineup.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Baby Bok Choy

Ninja Woodfire Grilled Asparagus

Grilled Asparagus on a white square plate.
Ninja Woodfire Grilled Asparagus. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Grilled asparagus cooks fast with just the right texture—crispy tips and tender stalks. It's an easy win when the side dish needs to pull its weight.
Get the Recipe: Ninja Woodfire Grilled Asparagus

Pollo Asado

Grilled Ratatouille top view.
Pollo Asado. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Pollo Asado leans on citrus and dark meat for something bold without being complicated. It’s a great match for relaxed outdoor dinners.
Get the Recipe: Pollo Asado

Grilled Zucchini Stack

Grilled Zucchini Stack. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Grilled zucchini and tomatoes with ricotta stack up fast and don’t need much else. It’s one of those dishes that can outshine what’s next to it.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Zucchini Stack

Grilled Ratatouille

Grilled Ratatouille. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Ratatouille takes familiar vegetables and turns them into something that feels bigger. It’s perfect for days when you want more than just a basic side.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Ratatouille

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Hi, I'm Shruthi! I am the owner and blogger at Parallel Plates. I love everything about food, and I hope that you can find the best recipe inspiration, trends, hacks, and more here.

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