25 Best Memorial Day Food Ideas for a Crowd

By / May 21, 2026
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Memorial Day is the perfect time to gather with family and friends for a fun backyard BBQ, summer picnic, or holiday cookout.

When feeding a large group, easy crowd-pleasing recipes make the celebration stress-free and delicious.

From juicy grilled meats and cheesy side dishes to refreshing salads and patriotic desserts, these Memorial Day food ideas are simple to prepare and full of amazing flavor.

Best of all, these recipes are family-friendly, budget-friendly, and perfect for serving a crowd during summer parties and outdoor gatherings.

25 Memorial Day Food Ideas for a Crowd

1. BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders

Ingredients:

  • 1 kg pork shoulder
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 12 slider buns

Method:

  1. Preheat the oven to 160°C so the pork cooks slowly and becomes tender.
  2. Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels and place it in a baking dish.
  3. Sprinkle garlic powder and salt evenly all over the pork. Rub the seasoning gently into the meat for extra flavor.
  4. Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake for about 3 hours until the pork becomes soft and easy to shred.
  5. Remove the pork from the oven and use two forks to pull the meat apart into small pieces.
  6. Pour BBQ sauce over the shredded pork and mix everything well.
  7. Fill the slider buns with the BBQ pork mixture and serve warm for your Memorial Day party.

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2. Baked Buffalo Chicken Pasta

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups cooked pasta
  • 2 cups shredded chicken
  • 1 cup buffalo sauce
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup cream cheese

Method:

  1. Preheat the oven to 190°C so the pasta bakes evenly and becomes cheesy.
  2. Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain the water and place the pasta in a large mixing bowl.
  3. Add shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, and cream cheese to the bowl. Stir everything together until creamy.
  4. Transfer the pasta mixture into a greased baking dish.
  5. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese generously over the top.
  6. Bake for about 20 minutes until the cheese melts and becomes bubbly and golden.
  7. Allow the pasta bake to cool slightly before serving warm.

3. Grilled Hawaiian Chicken Skewers

Ingredients:

  • 2 chicken breasts, cubed
  • 2 cups pineapple chunks
  • 1 bell pepper, chopped
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Method:

  1. Preheat the grill to medium heat, around 190°C, before cooking the skewers.
  2. Place the chicken cubes in a bowl and add soy sauce and olive oil. Mix well so the chicken gets coated evenly.
  3. Thread chicken, pineapple chunks, and bell peppers onto skewers one by one.
  4. Place the skewers on the hot grill and cook for about 12 to 15 minutes.
  5. Turn the skewers every few minutes so all sides cook evenly and get light grill marks.
  6. Cook until the chicken becomes juicy inside and slightly golden outside.
  7. Serve warm with rice or grilled vegetables.

4. Cheesy Taco Casserole

Ingredients:

  • 500 g ground beef
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 2 cups tortilla chips
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup salsa

Method:

  1. Preheat the oven to 180°C so the casserole cooks evenly.
  2. Heat a pan over medium heat and cook the ground beef until browned completely.
  3. Add taco seasoning and salsa to the beef. Stir well and cook for another 5 minutes.
  4. Spread crushed tortilla chips in the bottom of a baking dish.
  5. Pour the beef mixture over the chips and spread evenly.
  6. Sprinkle cheddar cheese generously over the top.
  7. Bake for about 15 minutes until the cheese melts and becomes bubbly.
  8. Serve warm with sour cream or guacamole.

5. Creamy Ranch Potato Salad

Ingredients:

  • 6 potatoes, boiled
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp ranch seasoning
  • ½ cup chopped celery
  • ½ tsp salt

Method:

  1. Boil the potatoes until soft, then let them cool completely before cutting them into cubes.
  2. Place the potato cubes into a large mixing bowl.
  3. Add mayonnaise, ranch seasoning, chopped celery, and salt.
  4. Mix gently until the potatoes are coated with the creamy dressing.
  5. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
  6. Serve chilled as a refreshing Memorial Day BBQ side dish.

6. Garlic Butter Grilled Corn

Ingredients:

  • 6 corn cobs
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ tsp salt

Method:

  1. Preheat the grill to medium heat, around 190°C.
  2. Boil the corn cobs in hot water for about 10 minutes until slightly soft.
  3. Melt butter in a small pan and add minced garlic. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Brush the garlic butter mixture generously over the corn.
  5. Place the corn on the grill and cook for about 8 minutes, turning often so all sides become lightly charred.
  6. Sprinkle salt over the grilled corn before serving warm.

7. Crispy Baked Chicken Drumsticks

Ingredients:

  • 10 chicken drumsticks
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp salt

Method:

  1. Preheat the oven to 200°C so the chicken becomes crispy outside and juicy inside.
  2. Pat the chicken drumsticks dry using paper towels and place them in a large bowl.
  3. Add olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, and salt. Rub the seasoning evenly over all the drumsticks.
  4. Arrange the chicken on a baking tray lined with baking paper.
  5. Bake for about 40 minutes, turning the drumsticks halfway through cooking.
  6. Cook until the chicken becomes golden brown and fully cooked inside.
  7. Let the drumsticks rest for 5 minutes before serving hot.

8. Loaded Nacho Tray

Ingredients:

  • 1 large bag of tortilla chips
  • 2 cups shredded cheese
  • 1 cup cooked ground beef
  • ½ cup sliced olives
  • ½ cup chopped tomatoes

Method:

  1. Preheat the oven to 180°C before preparing the nachos.
  2. Spread tortilla chips evenly on a large baking tray.
  3. Top the chips with cooked ground beef, olives, and chopped tomatoes.
  4. Sprinkle shredded cheese all over the tray.
  5. Bake for about 10 minutes until the cheese melts completely.
  6. Remove the tray carefully from the oven and let it cool slightly.
  7. Serve warm with salsa, sour cream, or guacamole.

9. BBQ Sausage and Pepper Foil Packets

Ingredients:

  • 4 smoked sausages, sliced
  • 2 bell peppers, chopped
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 2 tbsp BBQ sauce
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Method:

  1. Preheat the grill to medium heat, around 190°C.
  2. Place sausage slices, bell peppers, and onions into a large bowl.
  3. Add BBQ sauce and olive oil. Mix everything until coated well.
  4. Divide the mixture evenly onto large foil sheets and fold tightly into packets.
  5. Place the foil packets on the grill and cook for about 15 minutes.
  6. Turn the packets once halfway through cooking for even heat.
  7. Carefully open the packets and serve them warm.

10. Strawberry Shortcake Trifle

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound cake, cubed
  • 2 cups whipped cream
  • 2 cups sliced strawberries
  • 2 tbsp sugar

Method:

  1. Wash and slice the strawberries, then mix them with sugar in a bowl.
  2. Let the strawberries rest for 10 minutes, so they become juicy and sweet.
  3. Place cake cubes in the bottom of a large trifle bowl.
  4. Add a layer of whipped cream followed by a layer of strawberries.
  5. Repeat the layers until the bowl is full.
  6. Chill the trifle in the refrigerator for about 1 hour before serving cold.

11. Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders

Ingredients:

  • 500 g ground beef
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 6 burger buns
  • 6 cheese slices
  • 4 bacon strips
  • 1 tbsp butter

Method:

  1. Preheat the oven to 180°C so the sliders cook evenly, and the cheese melts perfectly.
  2. Place the ground beef into a large bowl. Add salt and black pepper, then mix gently using clean hands.
  3. Shape the beef into small patties that fit the slider buns.
  4. Heat a frying pan over medium heat and cook the patties for about 4 to 5 minutes on each side until browned and fully cooked.
  5. In another pan, cook the bacon strips until crispy. Then place them on paper towels to remove extra oil.
  6. Place the bottom halves of the buns in a baking tray. Add one beef patty to each bun, followed by bacon and cheese slices.
  7. Cover with the top buns and brush melted butter over them.
  8. Bake the sliders for about 8 minutes until the cheese melts and the buns become warm.
  9. Serve hot with fries or chips.

12. Creamy Macaroni Salad

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups macaroni pasta
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup chopped carrots
  • ½ cup chopped cucumber
  • ¼ cup chopped onions
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper

Method:

  1. Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the macaroni pasta and cook according to package instructions until soft.
  3. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process. Let it cool completely.
  4. Place the cooked pasta into a large mixing bowl.
  5. Add chopped carrots, cucumber, and onions to the bowl.
  6. Pour mayonnaise over the pasta mixture and sprinkle salt and black pepper on top.
  7. Mix everything gently until all the pasta is coated with the creamy dressing.
  8. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving chilled.

13. BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza

Ingredients:

  • 2 flatbreads
  • 1 cup shredded chicken
  • ½ cup BBQ sauce
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese
  • ¼ cup sliced onions

Method:

  1. Preheat the oven to 190°C so the flatbread becomes crispy and cheesy.
  2. Place the flatbreads on a baking tray lined with baking paper.
  3. In a bowl, mix shredded chicken with BBQ sauce until fully coated.
  4. Spread the BBQ chicken mixture evenly over the flatbreads.
  5. Top with sliced onions and mozzarella cheese.
  6. Bake for about 12 to 15 minutes until the cheese melts and the edges become crispy.
  7. Remove from the oven and let the flatbread cool slightly before slicing and serving warm.

14. Honey Butter Biscuits

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup butter
  • ¾ cup milk
  • 2 tbsp honey

Method:

  1. Preheat the oven to 200°C so the biscuits bake evenly and rise properly.
  2. In a large bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt together.
  3. Add butter and rub it into the flour using your fingers until the mixture looks crumbly.
  4. Slowly pour in the milk and mix gently until a soft dough forms.
  5. Place the dough onto a lightly floured surface and flatten it gently.
  6. Use a round cutter or glass to cut biscuit shapes.
  7. Arrange the biscuits on a baking tray and bake for about 15 minutes until golden brown.
  8. Brush warm biscuits with honey before serving.

15. Grilled Lemon Pepper Wings

Ingredients:

  • 1 kg chicken wings
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp lemon pepper seasoning
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Method:

  1. Preheat the grill to medium heat, around 190°C, before cooking the wings.
  2. Wash the chicken wings properly and pat them dry with paper towels.
  3. Place the wings in a large bowl and add olive oil, lemon pepper seasoning, salt, and lemon juice.
  4. Mix well so the seasoning coats all the wings evenly.
  5. Place the wings on the grill and cook for about 20 to 25 minutes.
  6. Turn the wings every few minutes, so they cook evenly and become crispy outside.
  7. Cook until the wings are juicy inside with slightly charred edges.
  8. Let them rest for a few minutes before serving warm.

16. Loaded Deviled Eggs

Ingredients:

  • 8 boiled eggs
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tsp mustard
  • 2 bacon strips, cooked
  • ¼ tsp paprika

Method:

  1. Peel the boiled eggs carefully and cut them in half lengthwise.
  2. Remove the yolks and place them into a mixing bowl.
  3. Add mayonnaise and mustard to the yolks and mash everything together until smooth and creamy.
  4. Spoon or pipe the mixture back into the egg whites.
  5. Cook the bacon until crispy and crumble it into small pieces.
  6. Sprinkle bacon crumbs and paprika over the eggs for extra flavor.
  7. Chill the deviled eggs in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes before serving.

17. Cheesy Garlic Breadsticks

Ingredients:

  • 1 pizza dough
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese
  • 1 tsp dried herbs

Method:

  1. Preheat the oven to 200°C so the breadsticks become crispy and cheesy.
  2. Roll the pizza dough into a rectangle shape and place it on a baking tray.
  3. Melt butter in a small bowl and mix in minced garlic.
  4. Brush the garlic butter evenly over the dough.
  5. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese and dried herbs generously on top.
  6. Bake for about 15 minutes until the cheese melts and the edges become golden brown.
  7. Remove from the oven and cut into breadstick shapes.
  8. Serve warm with marinara sauce or dip.

18. Southwest Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups cooked pasta
  • 1 cup corn kernels
  • 1 cup black beans
  • ½ cup chopped tomatoes
  • ½ cup ranch dressing
  • 1 tsp taco seasoning

Method:

  1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until soft. Drain and let it cool completely.
  2. Place the pasta into a large mixing bowl.
  3. Add corn kernels, black beans, and chopped tomatoes.
  4. Pour ranch dressing over the pasta mixture and sprinkle taco seasoning on top.
  5. Mix everything gently until well combined and creamy.
  6. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes before serving chilled.

19. Teriyaki Chicken Skewers

Ingredients:

  • 2 chicken breasts, cubed
  • ¼ cup teriyaki sauce
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 onion, chopped

Method:

  1. Preheat the grill to medium heat, around 190°C.
  2. Place the chicken cubes into a bowl and add teriyaki sauce and olive oil. Mix well and let the chicken marinate for 10 minutes.
  3. Thread chicken, bell peppers, and onions onto skewers.
  4. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for about 12 to 15 minutes.
  5. Turn the skewers often so all sides cook evenly and become lightly charred.
  6. Brush extra teriyaki sauce over the chicken during the last few minutes for extra flavor.
  7. Serve warm with rice or noodles.

20. Chili Cheese Hot Dog Bake

Ingredients:

  • 6 hot dogs
  • 6 hot dog buns
  • 1 cup chili
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese
  • 1 tbsp butter

Method:

  1. Preheat the oven to 180°C so the hot dogs become warm and cheesy.
  2. Place the hot dog buns in a baking dish and lightly brush them with melted butter.
  3. Add one hot dog into each bun.
  4. Spoon chili generously over the hot dogs.
  5. Sprinkle cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
  6. Bake for about 15 minutes until the cheese melts completely and the buns become warm.
  7. Let the hot dogs cool slightly before serving.

21. Creamy Coleslaw

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups shredded cabbage
  • 1 carrot, grated
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • ½ tsp salt

Method:

  1. Wash the cabbage and carrot properly before shredding and grating them.
  2. Place the cabbage and carrot into a large mixing bowl.
  3. In another bowl, mix mayonnaise, sugar, lemon juice, and salt until smooth.
  4. Pour the creamy dressing over the vegetables.
  5. Mix gently until the cabbage and carrot are fully coated.
  6. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving chilled.

22. Mini Cheeseburger Cups

Ingredients:

  • 500 g ground beef
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese
  • 1 pack biscuit dough
  • ½ tsp salt

Method:

  1. Preheat the oven to 190°C so the cheeseburger cups bake evenly.
  2. Cook the ground beef in a pan over medium heat until browned fully.
  3. Add garlic powder and salt to the beef and mix well.
  4. Press biscuit dough pieces into muffin cups to form small bowls.
  5. Fill each dough cup with cooked beef and top with cheddar cheese.
  6. Bake for about 15 minutes until the dough becomes golden brown and the cheese melts.
  7. Allow the cups to cool slightly before serving warm.

23. Grilled Veggie Platter

Ingredients:

  • 1 zucchini, sliced
  • 1 bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper

Method:

  1. Preheat the grill to medium heat, around 190°C.
  2. Wash and slice all the vegetables into medium-sized pieces.
  3. Place the vegetables in a bowl and drizzle olive oil over them.
  4. Sprinkle salt and black pepper evenly and toss everything together.
  5. Arrange the vegetables on the grill and cook for about 10 minutes.
  6. Turn the vegetables often so they become tender and lightly charred on all sides.
  7. Remove from the grill and serve warm as a healthy Memorial Day side dish.

24. Patriotic Fruit Skewers

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup strawberries
  • 1 cup blueberries
  • 2 bananas, sliced
  • Wooden skewers

Method:

  1. Wash the strawberries and blueberries carefully under cold water.
  2. Cut the bananas into thick, round slices.
  3. Thread strawberries, banana slices, and blueberries onto skewers in a colorful pattern.
  4. Arrange the fruit skewers on a serving tray neatly.
  5. Place the tray in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes before serving cold.
  6. Serve as a healthy and refreshing Memorial Day party snack.

25. S’mores Dip

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups chocolate chips
  • 2 cups mini marshmallows
  • Graham crackers for serving

Method:

  1. Preheat the oven to 190°C so the marshmallows become golden and soft.
  2. Spread chocolate chips evenly into a baking dish.
  3. Top the chocolate with mini marshmallows until fully covered.
  4. Bake for about 10 minutes until the marshmallows become puffed and golden brown.
  5. Remove the dish carefully from the oven and let it cool slightly.
  6. Serve warm with graham crackers for dipping.

Final Thoughts:

These Memorial Day food ideas for a crowd are perfect for backyard BBQs, summer cookouts, family reunions, and holiday parties.

From cheesy casseroles and grilled chicken skewers to refreshing salads and easy desserts, these crowd-pleasing recipes are simple to make and packed with delicious flavor.

Even better, many of these dishes can be prepared ahead of time, which helps make your Memorial Day gathering more relaxing and stress-free.

Whether you are feeding a small family or a large group of guests, these easy Memorial Day recipes will help create a fun and memorable celebration filled with tasty food and happy moments.

Mix and match your favorite BBQ dishes, side dishes, party snacks, and patriotic desserts to build the perfect holiday menu everyone will enjoy.

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