What I Bring to Memorial Day Every Year: 10 Easy Side Dishes for a Crowd

What I Bring to Memorial Day Every Year: 10 Easy Side Dishes for a Crowd

Easy Memorial Day Side Dishes That Actually Get Eaten

If you’re looking for easy Memorial Day side dishes that actually get eaten, these are the ones I make every year.

I don’t experiment on Memorial Day.

I used to. Once. Maybe twice.
It did not go well.

Now I stick to the things I know:

• are easy

• feed a crowd

• and work for BBQs, cookouts, and family gatherings

Because there’s nothing worse than loading a full dish back into your car like… cool, glad no one touched that.

I’ll link a few of the things I use throughout because some of them have honestly just made this whole process easier.

1. Classic Pasta Salad for Memorial Day

What you need:

• 1 box rotini pasta

• Italian dressing

• cherry tomatoes

• cucumber

• red onion

• mozzarella pearls or cubed cheese

• pepperoni or salami

• salt + pepper

What you do:

Cook the pasta, rinse it cold, and throw everything into a large bowl. Pour in dressing and mix it up. Chill before serving.

Real-life note:

This is one of my go-to Memorial Day side dishes because it gets better as it sits.
Also, use a big enough bowl or you’ll be chasing pasta around your counter.

2. Easy Corn Salad for Summer BBQs

What you need:

• corn

• red onion

• red bell pepper

• feta

• lime

• olive oil

• salt + pepper

What you do:

Mix everything together and let it chill.

Real-life note:

This is one of those dishes people keep going back to without even realizing it.

Great for a summer BBQ when you want something fresh but still easy.

3. Crispy Roasted Potatoes for a Crowd

What you need:

• baby potatoes

• olive oil

• garlic powder

• paprika

• salt + pepper

What you do:

Cut, toss, spread on a sheet pan, and roast at 425 until crispy.

Real-life note:

If they aren’t crispy, they were too crowded. Give them space.

4. Broccoli Crunch Salad

What you need:

• broccoli

• shredded carrots

• sunflower seeds

• dried cranberries

• mayo

• apple cider vinegar

• honey

What you do:

Mix everything together and let it sit.

Real-life note:

This is the one people say they “don’t like” and then eat anyway.

5. Summer Fruit Bowl

What you need:

• watermelon

• strawberries

• grapes

• blueberries

What you do:

Cut everything up and toss it in a bowl.

Real-life note:

Perfect for cookouts and one of the first things gone every time.
Make more than you think you need.

6. Creamy Cucumber Salad

What you need:

• cucumbers

• red onion

• sour cream or Greek yogurt

• vinegar

• a little sugar

• salt + pepper

What you do:

Slice everything thin, mix, and chill.

Real-life note:

This is one of those easy Memorial Day recipes that just works when it’s hot out.

7. Easy Baked Beans for a Crowd

What you need:

• canned baked beans

• onion

• bacon

• brown sugar

• mustard

What you do:

Mix everything together and bake.

Real-life note:

No one needs to know these started from a can.

8. Simple Caesar Salad

What you need:

• romaine

• Caesar dressing

• croutons

• parmesan

What you do:

Toss right before serving.

Real-life note:

Do not make this early unless you enjoy soggy lettuce.

9. Easy Snack Board for a Crowd

What you need:

• crackers

• cheese

• deli meat

• fruit

• pretzels

What you do:

Put everything on a board and spread it out.

Real-life note:

Takes 10 minutes and somehow looks like you tried.

10. Street Corn Dip

What you need:

• corn

• mayo

• sour cream

• feta or cotija

• lime

• chili powder

• salt

What you do:

Mix, chill, and serve with chips.

Real-life note:

This one draws a crowd every time. People hover.

What I Actually Use for Memorial Day (That Makes This Easier)

Nothing fancy, just the things that help when you’re trying to feed a crowd and get out the door without losing your mind:

• a large mixing bowl that actually fits everything

• sturdy sheet pans for roasting

• food storage containers so you can prep ahead

• a big serving tray so you’re not juggling everything

• a cooler bag to keep things cold in the car

These are the things I reach for every single time!

These are the kinds of easy Memorial Day recipes I come back to every year because they’re simple, reliable, and people actually eat them.

You don’t need:

• a complicated recipe

• a perfect setup

• or anything over the top

You just need something easy, something shareable, and something that works.

And if your kids are asking for snacks while you’re trying to make all of this…

Same over here.

And while we’re enjoying the food, the sunshine, and time together, it’s always worth taking a moment to remember what this weekend is really about—honoring those who gave everything for the freedoms we get to enjoy every day.