This article was updated in May 2024 to include more of our favorite Memorial Day recipes.<\/em><\/p>\n There\u2019s a change in the air on Memorial Day<\/a>. It\u2019s a long weekend, it\u2019s finally grilling season<\/a>, and the last day of school is just a few weeks away. There\u2019s so much to get excited about on the first (unofficial) day of summer, starting with these 35 side dishes to serve with burgers<\/a>, ribs<\/a>, and more on Memorial Day.<\/p>\n Panzanella is, inherently, a summer salad. After all, it\u2019s a canvas for in-season tomatoes and fresh basil. This recipe emphasizes early<\/em> summer produce like garlic scapes, which are whirred into a pesto marinade (so much tastier than a splash of red wine vinegar, IMO).<\/p>\n Baked beans are a must-make side dish for Memorial Day gatherings and summer picnics. These homemade beans put the canned version to shame, but are nearly as easy to prepare, thanks to the efficient Instant Pot<\/a>.<\/p>\n I\u2019m not saying that I\u2019m metaphorically pushing pasta salad aside in favor of this nuttier, grainer, side salad\u2026but I\u2019m not not<\/em> saying that. Because farro is a small grain, it really allows for larger ingredients like fresh mozzarella, kalamata olives, and tomatoes to pop.<\/p>\n You didn\u2019t hear this from me but you don\u2019t actually need heirloom tomatoes to make a delicious Caprese salad<\/a>. This one introduces two seasonal produce all-stars\u2014peaches and eggplants\u2014which are dressed up with the more traditional fixings of mozzarella and basil.<\/p>\n We stan a no-cook salad: this one is hearty enough to serve as the main course thanks to a generous portion of prosciutto, but you can easily divide it up among a crowd for Memorial Day.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t tell the other Panzanella salad on the list but I like this one better, thanks to the cacio e pepe croutons (you heard me) and creamy burrata cheese. Sure, fresh corn isn\u2019t quite at its peak around Memorial Day, but it will be just as delicious with fewer perky cobs.<\/p>\n Despite the name, there\u2019s actually no cream\u2014or any dairy at all\u2014in this \u201ccreamed\u201d corn recipe. It gets its milky liquid from the corn liquid that\u2019s scraped straight from the cob.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Hot dogs<\/a> obviously need to make an appearance at your Memorial Day picnic, but bet you never expected them to come in the form of a side dish and especially in a salad.<\/p>\n We\u2019ve got lots of ideas for make-ahead side dishes\u2014this isn\u2019t one of them. The nature of cucumbers dressed in a combination of Greek yogurt and mayonnaise means that they\u2019ll get soggy quickly, so it\u2019s best to make just before serving in order to preserve the crunch.<\/p>\n This recipe uses a remarkable technique to ensure that the beans don\u2019t separate from the dressing, leaving a far-from-enticing salad on the table. \u201cEnter: the Spanish technique, escabeche, in which a warm ingredient cools in a tangy dressing, drawing flavor into the center of the ingredient as it comes down in temperature,\u201d explains recipe developer Abraberens.<\/p>\n Out of all the potato salad recipes on our site, our readers call this one their very favorite. There\u2019s still a little mayonnaise and a little mustard, but there are also really crispy spuds, which make the salad so much more appealing.<\/p>\n Everyone has their own definitions of what does and does not belong in a pasta salad so we paid attention to the consistent remarks: corkscrew-shaped pasta, olives, some element of greens, cured meat, and a tangy dressing.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n No Memorial Day picnic is complete without our very best coleslaw, which has \u201ca restrained amount of mayo, plus tangy Greek yogurt and tangier cider vinegar,\u201d according to recipe developer Josh Cohen.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Everything you love about a Parisian ham and cheese sandwich in the form of a crowd-friendly salad. It\u2019s not exactly patriotic, but it\u2019s too delicious to pass up.<\/p>\n Panzanella, meet grilled cheese. Grilled cheese<\/a>, met Caprese. These three dishes are so harmonious that we can\u2019t believe this is the first time they\u2019ve ever come together for a delicious summer salad.<\/p>\n Fresh corn on the cob is a symbol of summer, so of course we\u2019re going to use it every which way. Here, fresh corn kernels are saut\u00e9ed with diced red bell pepper; towards the end of the cooking process, Sriracha, chopped cilantro, Cotija cheese, and lime juice are folded in with the vegetables.<\/p>\n If there aren\u2019t potato chips at your Memorial Day picnic, I don\u2019t want to be there.<\/p>\n Grill is a little crowded? This simple, mess-free technique transforms corn on the cob into a sweet side dish without taking up any precious grill space.<\/p>\n Both the crowns and stems of broccoli are utilized in this side salad. If you\u2019re worried about using broccoli stems, peel the outer layer from them first\u2014that exposes the more tender part of the stalk.<\/p>\n Grilling tomatoes seems like a recipe for disaster but the truth is, if you just grill them on one side, it\u2019s far less likely that they\u2019ll completely fall apart through the grates.<\/p>\n This is a loosely defined side dish (meaning that it could just as easily be an appetizer or someone\u2019s lunch during the summer), but the combination of grilled eggplant and creamy ricotta is so delicious that no one will question whether or not to eat it.<\/p>\n Raw pineapple? Don\u2019t know her. Broiled pineapple, however, is my new favorite sweet-smoky salad topping.<\/p>\n No one will complain when they spot a platter of garlic bread on a table filled with other Memorial Day mains and sides.<\/p>\n Haricot verts are still in season around Memorial Day (but not for much longer!) so make the most of them. By cooking them in a combination of chicken stock, butter, and garlic, you\u2019ll impart them with so much flavor.<\/p>\n Hummus is so<\/em> much better when you make it yourself, but it\u2019s always way<\/em> more time-consuming. Ottolenghi and Tamimi share a quick trick for soaking the chickpeas quickly so you can get to dipping.<\/p>\n Food52 founder Amanda Hesser loves serving this juicy salad as a side dish and we can\u2019t recommend it enough for Memorial Day.<\/p>\n Our brightest pasta salad ever! We love how the pasta\u2014in this case, orzo\u2014takes a back seat to summer vegetables like fresh green beans and cherry tomatoes.<\/p>\n If there are burgers, ribs, and pulled pork around, there\u2019s gotta be cornbread too. \u201cUsing half cornmeal and half all-purpose flour, our recipe ensures corny flavor with a light, tender crumb,\u201d writes recipe developer Emma Laperruque.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer, which means that we\u2019re grilling anything and everything in sight. Romaine hearts are brushed with olive oil, sprinkled with salt, and grilled until charred.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t reserve stone fruit for dessert. Let them come to the party early with this savory salad that also invites prosciutto, feta cheese, and kale.<\/p>\n If you prefer your guacamole to have a chunky texture rather than a super smooth one, you\u2019ll love the taste of this version. It has all the classic call-outs\u2014avocado, cilantro, lime juice, and jalape\u00f1o peppers\u2014plus tomatillos and a touch of garlic.<\/p>\n One of our most popular recipes of all time<\/a>, community member KayKay combines pancetta, garlic, pine nuts, and citrus to create a bright, savory side that pairs well with anything grilled. Bonus: This comes together in under 30 minutes.<\/p>\n Recipe developer Asha Loupy<\/a> writes \u201cSomething truly magical happens when you grill chicories.\u201d We especially agree when you heed her advice and pair your freshly charred chicories with a dressing \u201cbolstered by spicy serrano chiles, a hearty dose of garlic, and aromatic fennel seeds.\u201d<\/p>\n Grilled eggplant lacquered in miso and doenjang belongs at your barbecue for two reasons. One, its sweet and savory notes make it the perfect counterpart for hot dogs and sausages. Two, the next day, you can repurpose your leftovers into a snackable eggplant dip by blending them with tahini and olive oil.<\/p>\n Charred, whole favas spiced by chili, brightened with lemon, and boosted with anchovy\u2014these snackable, grilled beans are what you\u2019ve always wanted from a plate of blistered shishitos.<\/p>\n
\n1. Early Summer Panzanella<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n2. Instant Pot Baked Beans With Bacon<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n3. Summer Farro Salad<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n4. Grilled Eggplant & Peach Caprese Salad<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n5. Spicy Watermelon With Tomatoes, Prosciutto & Salted-Lime Yogurt<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n6. Cacio e Pepe Panzanella With Corn & Burrata<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n7. Creamed Corn<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n
8. Grilled Romaine With Hot Dog Crispies & Pickle-Mustard Vinaigrette<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n9. Creamy Cucumber Salad<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n10. Grilled Zucchini With Big Beans, Kale & Mustard Vinaigrette<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n11. Garlicky Roasted Potato Salad<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n12. Pasta Salad<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n
13. Coleslaw<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n
14. Bread & Butter Salad With Dijon Vinaigrette<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n15. Marcy Ragan’s Grilled Panzanella Caprese<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n16. Sriracha-Lime Corn Salad<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n17. Homemade Potato Chips<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n18. Effortless Oven-Roasted Corn on the Cob With Husks<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n19. Roasted & Raw Broccoli Salad With Creamy Miso Dressing<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n20. Grilled Tomatoes With Bracing Vinaigrette<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n21. Smoky Eggplant With Whipped Ricotta & Pistachios<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n22. Maricel E. Presilla’s Cuban Avocado, Watercress & Pineapple Salad<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n23. Garlickiest Garlic Bread<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n24. Michel Richard’s Glazed & Glistening Haricots Verts<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n25. Yotam Ottolenghi & Sami Tamimi’s Basic Hummus<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n26. Watermelon Tomato Salad With Cumin & Fennel<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n27. Orzo With Blistered Green Beans, Burst Tomatoes & Feta<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n28. Cornbread<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n
29. Fully Grilled Caesar Salad<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n30. Grilled Peach & Apricot Salad<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n31. The Chunkiest, Herbiest, Greenest Guacamole<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n32. Absurdly Addictive Asparagus<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n33. Grilled Chicory Salad With Chile-Fennel Dressing<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n34. Grilled Eggplant With Miso & Doenjang<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n35. Ignacio Mattos\u2019 Grilled Favas<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n
\nWhat are your go-to side dishes to serve on Memorial Day?<\/em>
\n<\/center>\n <\/div>\n