Side Dishes to Round Out Your Memorial Day Menu
Memorial Day weekend is often all about what’s on the grill, but the side dishes are what make the meal feel complete. And the best part? Many of them can be made ahead, which makes entertaining much easier.
For this week’s newsletter, I’m focusing on make-ahead Memorial Day side dishes, from classic cookout favorites like potato salad, coleslaw, and cornbread to a few fresh twists that add color, texture, and a little something unexpected to the table.
My favorite approach is to choose one classic side, then add one or two more distinctive dishes to keep the menu balanced and interesting. If you need one more item, add a bowl of fresh berries or sliced watermelon. No recipe required, and it instantly makes the table feel more summery.
Memorial Day Sides to Mix and Match
Here are a few make-ahead side dishes to mix and match, from classic cookout favorites to fresh takes that add color and variety.
Classic Memorial Day Sides
These are the familiar sides that always feel right at a Memorial Day gathering: comforting, crowd-pleasing, and easy to make ahead.
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Creamy Potato Salad
This classic potato salad recipe gets extra flavor and crunch from cucumber, radishes, green onions, hard-boiled eggs, and a tangy yellow mustard dressing..
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Lemon Mayonnaise Coleslaw
Classic creamy coleslaw gets a bright, tangy lift from lemon juice, jicama, green onions, and celery seeds.
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Parmesan Cornbread
Passed down from my grandmother Nama, this Southern-style cornbread recipe is moist and tender,with buttermilk, Parmesan, and chopped onion for extra flavor.
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Fresh Takes on Memorial Day Sides
These sides bring more color, texture, and flavor to the table while still pairing well with most main dishes.
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Green Bean Salad
Crisp green beans, creamy feta, and toasted pecans are tossed with a cool mint vinaigrette for a bright, fresh side that holds up well after dressing.
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Stuffed Tomatoes with Artichoke Hearts
Fresh tomatoes are filled with a creamy artichoke mixture and topped with crisp bacon for an elegant, no-bake side dish.
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Orzo Pasta Greek Salad with Tahini Dressing
Tender orzo and colorful vegetables get a fresh Mediterranean flavor boost from a lemon-basil-tahini dressing.
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Wild Rice Salad
Earthy wild rice, colorful vegetables, artichoke hearts, and toasted almonds come together with a sharp Parmesan vinaigrette.
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Curried Pea Salad with Bacon
Green peas, smoky bacon, cashews, celery, and green onions are folded into a creamy no-mayo curry dressing.
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Broccoli Salad with Caesar Dressing
This lighter take on broccoli salad skips the mayo, bacon, and Cheddar in favor of olives, Parmesan cheese, and a tangy Caesar dressing.
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My Easy Side Dish Formula
When I’m planning a Memorial Day menu, I like to include one classic cookout side, then add one or two sides with fresher flavors or more color. That way, the meal still feels familiar, but not predictable. The goal is contrast: something creamy, something crisp or fresh, and something colorful.
Here are a few suggested combinations:
- Potato Salad + Cold Green Bean Salad + Cornbread
- Coleslaw + Orzo Pasta Greek Salad + fresh berries
- Cornbread + Wild Rice Salad + sliced watermelon
- Potato Salad + Curried Pea Salad + Stuffed Tomatoes
Each of these combinations gives guests a few different flavors and textures to enjoy, and they’ll work whether you’re serving baby back ribs, grilled steak, BBQ chicken, or another favorite main dish.
Whether you’re hosting a cookout, taking a dish to a potluck, or keeping the weekend relaxed, I hope these make-ahead side dishes help you put together a Memorial Day offering that feels festive, balanced, and easy to enjoy.
And, as we enjoy the long weekend, may we also pause to remember and honor those who gave their lives in service to our country.
Warmly,
Lee
