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Aww, Memorial Day weekend is here! This long weekend marks for many the unofficial kickoff to summer, and we are here for all of the delicious gluten-free, paleo, and healthy Memorial Day Recipes to make at home or bring on-the-go to your next BBQ or potluck!
Our Favorite Memorial Day Food
Memorial Day weekend is essentially here, and as the unofficial start to summer, we’re ready for every BBQ and get-together the summer has in store for us. If you’re like me, you’ve been anxiously awaiting this weekend for weeks just for the sake of all of the good summer eats that are to be had. We’ve pulled our favorite summer-inspired appetizers, side dishes, main dishes, and treats that everyone will enjoy this weekend and all of the summer weekends to come.
Cocktails or Mocktails
Packing our drinks with all of the summer-esque flavors this weekend. If you’re looking for alcohol-free recipes, this section makes great mocktails, too – leave the alcohol out!
- Naturally Sweetened Mint Mojito
- Frosè
- The BEST Margarita Ever!
- Raspberry Gin Cocktails
- Aperol Spritz
- Rose Sangria
- Lightened Up Piña Coladas
- Cantaloupe Ginger Cocktails
- Watermelon Margarita
- Strawberry Lemonade with Mint
- Easy Watermelon Juice
Memorial Day Appetizers
These easy-to-make apps can be enjoyed at home or packed up and taken to your weekend BBQ or potluck. Bonus: all of these recipes are gluten-free and made with healthier ingredients!
- Roasted Eggplant Dip
- Deviled Eggs
- Melon Salad with Prosciutto
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Baked Hummus Dip
- Tropical Shrimp Ceviche
- Oven-Baked Zucchini Fries
- Easy Hummus Recipe
- 5-Ingredient Buffalo Chicken Baked Hummus Dip
- Blender Salsa
- Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Chili Garlic and Lime Chicken Satay Skewers
- Moroccan Eggplant with Chermoula Sauce
- Healthy Eggplant Parm Bites
- Braised Artichokes
- Cauliflower Hummus
- Jalapeño Popper Dip
- Homemade Guacamole
- 7 Layer Taco Dip
- 5-Minute Ají (Colombian-Style Salsa)
- Spinach Stuffed Mushrooms
- Pizza Burrata Dip
- Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip
Pasta Salads and Sides
Pasta salads are arguably one of the best side dishes of summer BBQs. You’ll find here a full round-up of our favorite Pasta Salads, along with other delicious summer side dishes that you need to make for either Memorial Day weekend or another summer get-together.
- Classic Macaroni Salad
- Thai Chicken Quinoa Salad with Thai Peanut Dressing
- Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad
- The Best Potato Salad
- Italian Pasta Salad
- Chopped Antipasto Salad with Chicken
- Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
- Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
- Mexican Street Corn Salad
- Chipotle Slaw
- Chicken Caesar Quinoa Salad
- Taco Salad
- Cucumber and Sweet Pepper Salad
- Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad
- The Best Spring Mix Salad Ever
- Crunchy Chicken Slaw
- Spiralized Chipotle Slaw
- Israeli Salad
- Avocado and Corn Salsa
- Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
- Easy Gluten Free Cornbread
- Watermelon Salad with Basil-Ginger Dressing
- Easy Cucumber Salad with Lots of Herbs!
- Grilled Corn on the Cob
- Gluten-Free BLT Pasta Salad
- Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread Muffins
- Grilled Sweet Potatoes with Chimichurri
Memorial Day BBQ Ideas
Fire up that grill, because it’s time to kick off summer! Maybe you’re like me and have been grilling for few weeks now, or maybe this is the weekend that kicks off grilling season for you. Here is a round-up of our favorite grilling recipes and BBQ staples without the grill.
- Skirt Steak with Italian Salsa Verde
- Garlic and Lime Marinated Flank Steak
- Strawberry and Mango Salsa Chicken
- Grilled Chicken and Vegetables with Tomato Vinaigrette
- Loaded Grilled Eggplant with Creamy Herb Sauce
- Moroccan Chicken Burgers
- Thai Turkey Burgers
- Sriracha Lime Chicken Chopped Salad
- Grilled Salmon and Shrimp Scampi
- Dry-Rub Grilled Wings
- Chicken Caesar Salad Burgers
- Bruschetta Chicken
- Slow-Cooker BBQ Ribs
- Tomato Jalapeño Salmon Burgers
- Grilled Caesar Salad with Blackened Shrimp
- Grilled Sweet Potato Salad with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette
- BBQ Chicken Pizza (toss the crust on the grill!)
- Grilled Chimichurri Chicken
- Buffalo Chicken Burgers
- Favorite Grilled Chicken Thighs
- Grilled Pork Chops
Healthier Desserts
This is the ultimate list of sweet treats to round out your weekend BBQ. From gluten-free air fryer S’mores to Lemon Bars and everthing in between, there’s at least one recipe that is bound to be a fit for your entire group.
- Air Fryer S’mores
- S’mores Pie
- Gluten Free Blueberry Pie
- Gluten Free Apple Pie
- Gluten Free Lemon Bars
- Gluten Free Strawberry Shortcake (with dairy free whipped cream)
- Raspberry Peach Crumble
- Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread
- Berry Cobbler
- Vanilla Bean Pear Crisp
- Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Gluten-Free Funfetti Blondies
- Healthy Carrot Zucchini Bars
- Chia Honey Lime Fruit Salad
- Festive Flag Cake
- Edible Cookie Dough Dip
- Caramel Chocolate Turtles
- Cherry Pie Bar
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Energy Bites
Looking for more grilling tips?
Check out my Guide to Grilling post to help you through the BBQ!
Love all of these recipes!! That shrimp ceviche is definitely on our menu 🙂 Thank you for sharing Lexi!!
I hope you love Marina! Xoxoxo.