Brazil Reveals Top Memorial Day Recipes for 2024
Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, and with it comes the season’s most anticipated foods. From juicy watermelon and smoky grilled mains to fresh salads, frozen desserts, and margaritas, the holiday offers a chance to enjoy a festive, flavor-packed menu. Whether firing up the grill, packing snacks for the beach, or looking for easy recipes, a lineup of dishes can help kick off the season.
Appetizers
A rainbow beet salad brings instant color to the table, with heirloom tomatoes, fresh herbs, and a crunchy dukkah finish. A roasted red pepper caprese pasta salad is easy to transport and full of flavor, working well at room temperature. Hummus toast with tomatoes, feta, and za’atar is simple and customizable, offering a fresh, snackable option before the main meal. Charred cabbage with cashew cream adds smoky flavor and texture. A crispy torn halloumi salad is bright and salty, while grilled romaine with cherries and feta turns a simple salad into a bold dish. Ricotta and plum bruschetta offers a fancy-looking appetizer with minimal effort.
Mains
Sheet pan chicken fajitas bring a hands-on energy to the table with spiced chicken and sweet peppers. Spice-rubbed chicken thighs are rich and tender on the grill. Grilled shrimp tacos with grapefruit-avocado salsa are easy to serve and customize. Burst tomato pasta uses blistered tomatoes for a light, saucy base. Cedar plank halibut with salsa verde offers a lighter option with just-off-the-grill flavor. Grilled salmon with stone fruit salsa combines classic salmon with a sweet, colorful peach salsa.
Desserts
A strawberry cream cheese galette is rustic and elegant, perfect served warm with ice cream. Peach crumble icebox cake is a make-ahead dessert that is cool and fruit-filled. Strawberries and cream pavlova looks like a centerpiece with airy meringue and fresh fruit. Summer fruit salad with crushed meringue lets seasonal produce shine. No-churn fruit sorbet is a refreshing, colorful option. Cherry berry ice cream pie is cool and creamy for a summer cookout. Grilled peaches with honey can top ice cream sundaes. Gluten-free and vegan carrot cake cupcakes offer a casual dessert option.
Drinks
Honeydew melon slushies are bright and refreshing with a frozen texture. A non-alcoholic summer spritz bar offers crisp, colorful drinks for all guests. A spicy mezcal paloma swaps tequila for mezcal for a bold flavor. A spicy margarita is bold and festive. A Lillet rosé spritz adds floral, honeyed notes. A limoncello spritz cocktail brings fizz and is suitable for a holiday gathering.
This post was last updated on May 17, 2026, to include new insights.
