40 Side Dishes For Your Memorial Day Cookout

These are no ordinary side dishes.

By

Updated on April 9, 2024

Classic Grilled Corn on the Cob — Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Pair your barbecue and burgers with a few of our tastiest summery side dishes for Memorial Day.

Whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue, cook-out, or sit-down meal, we have plenty of delicious sides dish ideas for your Memorial Day get-together. From spicy corn-on-the-cob to pasta salads, coleslaw, and baked beans, we have a side for every palate. These dishes will perk up your buffet (instantly!) with an infusion of fresh produce, colorful ingredients, and fantastic summer flavors.

These sides are easy to prep and make the most of your favorite fresh and juicy seasonal produce. They will have even the unlikeliest of dinner guests returning for seconds, guaranteed.

No matter the setting, these recipes will slot into your party plan seamlessly. Feel free to mix and match our favorite Memorial Day side dishes to create your own personalized holiday menu, and go ahead and add them to your dinnertime lineup all summer long.

01 of 40

Sautéed Squash And Zucchini

Southern Living Sauteed Squash and Zucchini in a serving bowl — Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

Squash and zucchini are the ultimate summer veggies, and this recipe is an easy and simple way to highlight them in peak season. Ready in just 15 minutes, this sautéed squash and zucchini mix makes for a quick crowd pleaser.

02 of 40

Strawberry-Spinach Salad

Southern Living Strawberry Spinach Salad on a platter to serve — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Strawberry season is in full effect, and this strawberry and spinach salad shines a spotlight on them. The sweetness from the strawberries, kick from the vinaigrette, and tang from the blue cheese creates a beautiful balance of flavors. This salad takes just 15 minutes to make and feeds 10, so it's perfect for a gathering.

03 of 40

Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus

Southern Living Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus on a platter to serve — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Take advantage of asparagus in their peak season with this prosciutto-wrapped asparagus recipe. This dish couldn't be easier to make and can be prepped the day before to make for a simple side at your Memorial Day get-together.

04 of 40

Fritos Corn Salad

Southern Living Fritos Corn Salad in a bowl to serve with corn chips — Jessica Furniss

Don't just use Fritos to dip—use them in dip with this Fritos corn salad. Perfect for a last-minute crowd pleaser, this recipe takes less than 15 minutes to whip up and can be served with chips, veggies, or anything else out on the table.

05 of 40

Broccoli Cornbread

Broccoli Cornbread in baking dish - Southern Living — Robby Lozano; Food Stylist: Jasmine Smith; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

While this isn't your typical Southern cornbread, its simplicity and versatility are perfect to serve at a gathering. With a variety of simple ingredients like Jiffy corn muffin mix and one secret ingredient that make this dish irresistibly fluffy, this recipe might be your new go-to for a

06 of 40

Ultimate Veggie Kebabs With Smoked Sausage

Southern Living Ultimate Veggie Kebabs With Smoked Sausage on a platter to serve — Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

If you've already got the grill going, throw on these beautiful veggie and sausage kebabs. Drizzled in a vibrant herb sauce, the chimichurri inspired dressing adds a bright pop of flavor to these charred veggie skewers made with whatever veggies you have on hand.

07 of 40

Grilled Baby Eggplants With Tomato-Corn Relish

Southern Living Grilled Baby Eggplants With Tomato-Corn Relish on a platter to serve — Fred Hardy II, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Add these delectable baby eggplants to your grill at the cookout for a bright and spicy side dish. The savory chili-garlic oil rubbed on the baby eggplants make these an irresistible snack that are perfect light bites for all to enjoy.

08 of 40

Zesty Corn-And-Squash Salad

Southern Living Zesty Corn-and-Squash Salad — Greg Dupree; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray

Nothing says summer like corn and squash, so this salad is a perfect way to welcome in the season. Bright in color and flavor, the zesty lime dressing brings out the fresh flavor that is sure to be enjoyed by everyone at your gathering.

09 of 40

Roasted Pepper-Tomato Salad With Crispy Black-Eyed Peas

Southern Living Roasted Pepper-Tomato Salad With Crispy Black-Eyed Peas — Greg Dupree; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray

You can't go wrong with a tomato salad, but you can always put an elevated spin on the classic. This recipe features roasted bell peppers and crunchy black eyed peas that make for a uniquely delicious side dish.

10 of 40

Cucumber-Tomato-Avocado Salad

Southern Living Cucumber Avocado Tomato Salad in a bowl to serve topped with feta — Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

If you need a last-minute side dish that doesn't lack in flavor, this cucumber-tomato-avocado salad is a fantastic option. Made in just 10 minutes, the combination of flavors from the veggies, cheese, and zesty dressing is a burst of satisfying flavors.

11 of 40

Sweet And Fiery Pepper Bruschetta

Southern Living Sweet and Fiery Pepper Bruschetta on a platter to serve with a glass of beer — Antonis Achilleos, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Andrea Fanning

Bruschetta is an Italian favorite among many Southerners, and this recipe adds a spicy kick that's perfect for a cookout. Fresno and Serrano peppers combined with honey, capers, and cheese makes for a unique and impressive side dish.

12 of 40

Creamy Corn Jalapeño Poppers

Southern Living Creamy Corn JalapeÃ±o Poppers on a blue platter to serve — Antonis Achilleos, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Andrea Fanning

Jalapeño poppers are a Southern staple at any cookout, and this recipe gives them a tasty, summery twist. Sweet summer corn, creamy mozzarella, and savory miso team up to add rich flavor and tame the heat of these zippy peppers for a crowd pleasing dish.

13 of 40

Creamy Broccoli Slaw

Creamy Broccoli Slaw — Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

If you want to make something a little different than classic coleslaw, give this crunchy broccoli slaw a try this year.

14 of 40

Baked Beans

a casserole dish of baked beans — Photographer: Fred Hardy II, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Props Stylist: Christina Brockman

No cookout is complete without a casserole dish full of baked beans. This recipe calls for canned pork and beans to help them come together easily.

15 of 40

Classic Grilled Corn on the Cob

Classic Grilled Corn on the Cob — Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Put your best plate forward by adding this fantastic corn-on-the-cob recipe to the mix.

16 of 40

Roasted Tomato Macaroni and Cheese

Roasted Tomato Macaroni and Cheese — Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Mac and cheese got a summer makeover with the addition of bright roasted tomatoes.

17 of 40

Summer Orzo Salad

Summer Orzo Salad — Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray

This salad can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week after it's prepared, so it's a great make ahead option.

18 of 40

Best Deviled Eggs

Our Best Deviled Eggs — Stacy K. Allen, Food Stylist: Torie Cox, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

We've perfected the process for making the best deviled eggs for a crowd.

19 of 40

Macaroni Corn Casserole

Macaroni Corn Casserole — Will Dickey; Prop Styling: Christina Daley; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

Two cookout classics come together in this cheesy dish.

20 of 40

Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Twice Baked Potato Casserole — Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland; Food Styling: Melissa Gray

Think of this casserole as a potluck-friendly version of a classic baked potato.

21 of 40

Quick Pickled Slaw

Quick Pickled Slaw — Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Tina Stamos

You can pull this recipe together from start to finish in just 15 minutes.

22 of 40

Deviled Egg-Potato Salad

Deviled Egg Potato Salad — Antonis Achilleos

If you just want to bring one dish to the Memorial Day cookout but can't decide between deviled eggs and potato salad, this easy-to-transport side is the recipe for you.

23 of 40

Whipped-Cream Corn Salad

Whipped-Cream Corn Salad — Southern Living

Just three ingredients (plus salt and pepper) come together to create this beautiful corn salad.

24 of 40

South Carolina Slaw

South Carolina Slaw — Will Dickey

A traditional Carolina slaw has a tangy dressing of vinegar and sugar, not mayo. This one serves up a hint of sweetness with apple cider vinegar, blunted by dry and Dijon mustards.

25 of 40

Texas Caviar

Texas Caviar Recipe — Photo: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

While this recipe calls for quite a bit of chopping, there's no cooking required.

26 of 40

Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Southern Living Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese after baking and ready to serve — Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman.

You can't go wrong with this family-favorite mac and cheese.

27 of 40

Texas-Style Baked Beans

Texas-Style Baked Beans — Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Loren Wood; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

These made-from scratch baked beans get their flavor from bacon drippings, barbecue sauce, dark beer, and plenty of seasonings.

28 of 40

Watermelon, Cucumber, and Feta Salad

Watermelon, Cucumber, and Feta Salad — Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Toni Brogan

For best results, we recommend tossing this salad together right before serving so the watermelon and cucumber juices don't water down the vinaigrette.

29 of 40

Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Salad

Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Salad — Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Melissa Gray

We made this recipe with bowtie pasta, but it can be made with other shapes if you prefer.

30 of 40

Heirloom Tomato Pie

Heirloom Tomato Pie Recipe in a pie pan with serving pieces nearby — Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist Christine Keely

This tomato pie is sure to be one of the first things to disappear from your Memorial Day spread.

31 of 40

Bacon-Ranch Pasta Salad

Bacon-Ranch Pasta Saladba — Micah A. Leal

Make sure to make this recipe a day in advance, as it will be better once the flavors have time to sit together.

32 of 40

Shout Hallelujah Potato Salad

Candied JalapeÃ±os — Hector Sanchez

You'll be shouting hallelujah once you have a bite of this side dish. (It's great with barbecue!)

33 of 40

Zucchini, Squash, and Corn Casserole

Zucchini, Squash, and Corn Casserole — Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Stylist: Buffy Hargett Miller

It wouldn't be a summertime get-together without this summer squash- and corn-filled casserole.

34 of 40

Broccoli, Grape, and Pasta Salad

Broccoli, Grape, and Pasta Salad — Jennifer Davick

Scoops of this cool and creamy side will balance out any Memorial Day menu.

35 of 40

Classic Coleslaw

Classic Coleslaw — Photography: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

There's nothing fancy about this coleslaw recipe, which is precisely what makes it so good.

36 of 40

Classic Macaroni Salad with Ham

Classic Macaroni Salad with Ham — Jen Causey

This salad recipe, sent in by Keva Colston of Baton Rouge Louisiana, was published in the June 2007 issue of Southern Living and quickly garnered many favorable reviews and comments from readers.

37 of 40

Creamy Cucumber Salad

Creamy Cucumber Salad With Dill — Hannah Zimmerman/Southern Living

A cooling creamy salad is always a perfect pairing.

38 of 40

Southern Cornbread Salad

Southern Living Cornbread Salad in a trifle bowl ready to serve — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Salad is a wide-ranging term in the South, and while this one might not include lettuce, it's still a delicious cookout side.

39 of 40

Tomato, Peach, and Corn Salad

Tomato, Peach, and Corn Salad — Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele

This salad celebrates three of the major highlights from the summer farmers' markets: corn, peaches, and tomatoes.

40 of 40

Loaded Potato Salad

Southern Living Loaded Potato Salad in a serving bowl ready to serve — Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Kelsey Moylan; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke

This recipe is make-ahead magic—it's even better when you prepare it in advance and let the flavors meld.

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