20 EASY MEMORIAL DAY SIDES (BBQ SIDE DISHES EVERYONE WILL LOVE)

Memorial Day weekend means firing up the grill, gathering with loved ones, and celebrating the unofficial start of summer. But the real star of any BBQ? The sides! From creamy coleslaw and baked beans to potato salad, corn on the cob, and pasta salads — these 20 sides are easy, crowd-pleasing, and downright delicious.

These recipes are designed to be made ahead, travel well, and disappear fast. They balance the smoky, savory flavors of grilled meats with fresh, tangy, and creamy goodness. Most come together in under 30 minutes with simple ingredients you already have.

Whether you're hosting a big backyard bash or a small family cookout, these sides will steal the show. They're colorful, flavorful, and perfect for celebrating our heroes. Let's get this BBQ started!

So grab your cooler, fire up the grill, and get ready for the best Memorial Day spread ever. These 20 side dishes will make your BBQ unforgettable! 🇺🇸

20 EASY MEMORIAL DAY SIDES (BBQ SIDE DISHES EVERYONE WILL LOVE)

20. Classic Creamy Coleslaw

This classic creamy coleslaw is a BBQ essential. Shredded cabbage and carrots tossed in a tangy, creamy dressing made with mayo, apple cider vinegar, sugar, and celery seeds. Make it a day ahead — the flavors meld beautifully. It's crunchy, refreshing, and balances rich, smoky meats perfectly.

Ingredients:

• 1 head cabbage (shredded), 2 carrots (shredded)
• 1 cup mayo, 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon celery seeds, salt, pepper

Instructions:

1. Whisk mayo, vinegar, sugar, celery seeds, salt, pepper.
2. Toss with cabbage and carrots. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.

19. Southern Baked Beans

These Southern Baked Beans are smoky, sweet, and savory. Canned baked beans are elevated with crispy bacon, brown sugar, mustard, and bell peppers. Bake in the oven or simmer on the stovetop. Make them ahead and reheat on the grill. They're the ultimate BBQ side dish. Everyone asks for seconds!

Ingredients:

• 4 cans baked beans, 6 slices bacon (cooked, crumbled)
• ½ cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoon mustard, 1 onion (diced)
• 1 bell pepper (diced), ¼ cup BBQ sauce

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a baking dish.
2. Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes or simmer on stovetop 30 minutes.
3. Serve warm.

18. Old-Fashioned Potato Salad

This Old-Fashioned Potato Salad is creamy, tangy, and make-ahead friendly. Yukon gold potatoes are boiled until tender, then tossed with hard-boiled eggs, celery, onion, and a creamy mayo-mustard dressing. A sprinkle of paprika on top adds color. Serve chilled or at room temperature. A BBQ classic for a reason!

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs Yukon gold potatoes, 4 hard-boiled eggs (chopped)
• ½ cup mayo, 2 tablespoon mustard, ½ cup celery (diced)
• ¼ cup red onion (diced), paprika, salt, pepper

Instructions:

1. Boil potatoes until fork-tender. Cool and chop.
2. Mix mayo, mustard, salt, pepper. Toss with potatoes, eggs, celery, onion.
3. Refrigerate 2 hours. Sprinkle with paprika before serving.

17. Grilled Corn on the Cob (Elote Style)

This Grilled Corn on the Cob is slathered in Mexican crema, cotija cheese, chili powder, and lime juice. Grill corn until charred, then brush with crema mixture and sprinkle with cheese and spices. It's sweet, smoky, creamy, and spicy. Serve as a side or cut off the cob for elote salad.

Ingredients:

• 8 ears corn (husked), ½ cup Mexican crema or mayo
• ½ cup cotija cheese (crumbled), 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 lime (cut into wedges), fresh cilantro

Instructions:

1. Grill corn over medium-high heat 10-12 minutes, turning until charred.
2. Brush with crema. Sprinkle with cotija and chili powder.
3. Serve with lime wedges and fresh cilantro.

16. Macaroni Salad

This Macaroni Salad is creamy, tangy, and packed with flavor. Elbow macaroni tossed with a mayo-yogurt dressing, celery, red bell pepper, and fresh dill. Add ham or peas for extra color. Make it a day ahead — the flavors meld beautifully. A classic BBQ side that everyone expects and loves!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb elbow macaroni, 1 cup mayo, ½ cup Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoon white vinegar, 1 tablespoon mustard, 1 cup celery (diced)
• ½ cup red bell pepper (diced), ¼ cup fresh dill

Instructions:

1. Cook macaroni, rinse with cold water, drain.
2. Whisk mayo, yogurt, vinegar, mustard. Toss with macaroni and vegetables.
3. Refrigerate 2 hours before serving.

15. Watermelon & Feta Salad

This Watermelon & Feta Salad is sweet, salty, and incredibly refreshing. Juicy watermelon cubes, crumbled feta, fresh mint, and a squeeze of lime. No cooking, no complicated dressing. Perfect for hot Memorial Day afternoons. Serve chilled. It's like dessert and salad in one. So simple and so good!

Ingredients:

• 6 cups watermelon (cubed), 1 cup feta (crumbled)
• ¼ cup fresh mint (chopped), juice of 1 lime

Instructions:

1. Combine watermelon, feta, mint in a large bowl.
2. Squeeze lime juice over top. Toss gently.
3. Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes.

14. Three-Bean Salad

This Three-Bean Salad is tangy, colorful, and no-mayo. Green beans, kidney beans, and chickpeas tossed in a sweet-sour vinaigrette with bell peppers and red onion. Make it a day ahead — it actually tastes better. It's healthy, refreshing, and perfect for large gatherings. A classic BBQ side!

Ingredients:

• 1 can green beans, 1 can kidney beans, 1 can chickpeas
• ½ cup sugar, ½ cup vinegar, ¼ cup oil, 1 bell pepper
• ¼ red onion, 1 teaspoon celery seeds

Instructions:

1. Whisk sugar, vinegar, oil, celery seeds. Toss with beans, bell pepper, onion.
2. Refrigerate overnight for best flavor.

13. Broccoli Slaw with Poppy Seed Dressing

This Broccoli Slaw is crunchy, creamy, and addictive. Shredded broccoli stems, carrots, dried cranberries, and sunflower seeds tossed in a creamy poppy seed yogurt dressing. No mayo! It's a healthier take on classic coleslaw. Perfect for meal prep and travels well. Make it a day ahead.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups broccoli slaw mix, 1 carrot (shredded)
• ½ cup dried cranberries, ¼ cup sunflower seeds
• ½ cup Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon poppy seeds

Instructions:

1. Whisk yogurt, honey, vinegar, poppy seeds for dressing.
2. Combine slaw, carrot, cranberries, seeds. Toss with dressing.
3. Refrigerate 1 hour before serving.

12. Grilled Vegetable Skewers

These Grilled Vegetable Skewers are colorful and delicious. Thread zucchini, bell peppers, red onion, and mushrooms onto skewers. Brush with balsamic-herb marinade and grill until tender and slightly charred. They're a hit with vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. Perfect alongside any BBQ main. Easy, healthy, and beautiful!

Ingredients:

• 2 zucchinis (sliced), 2 bell peppers (chunks)
• 1 red onion (chunks), 8 oz mushrooms
• ¼ cup benefits of olive oil, 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon herbs

Instructions:

1. Whisk oil, vinegar, herbs. Toss with vegetables.
2. Thread onto skewers. Grill over medium heat 10-12 minutes.
3. Serve warm.

11. Cowboy Caviar (Texas Caviar)

Cowboy Caviar is a fresh bean salad that doubles as a dip. Black beans, black-eyed peas, corn, tomatoes, bell peppers, and avocado tossed in a zesty lime-cilantro vinaigrette. Serve with tortilla chips or as a side salad. Make it a day ahead — the flavors get better. Colorful, healthy, and so addictive!

Ingredients:

• 1 can black beans, 1 can black-eyed peas, 1 cup corn
• 1 bell pepper (diced), 1 tomato (diced), ¼ red onion
• ¼ cup cilantro, 2 tablespoon lime juice, 2 tablespoon benefits of olive oil, 1 avocado

Instructions:

1. Combine beans, corn, bell pepper, tomato, onion, cilantro.
2. Whisk lime juice and olive oil. Toss with salad.
3. Fold in avocado just before serving. Serve with chips.

10. Creamy Cucumber & Dill Salad

This Creamy Cucumber & Dill Salad is refreshing, tangy, and so easy. Thinly sliced cucumbers and red onion tossed in a Greek yogurt and dill dressing with a splash of vinegar. It's light, crunchy, and perfect for barbecues. Make it ahead — the flavors get better as it sits. A classic spring side dish!

Ingredients:

• 2 English cucumbers (thinly sliced), ½ red onion (thinly sliced)
• 1 cup Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoon fresh dill (chopped)
• 2 tablespoon white vinegar, 1 tablespoon honey, salt, pepper

Instructions:

1. Whisk yogurt, dill, vinegar, honey, salt, pepper.
2. Toss cucumbers and onion with dressing.
3. Refrigerate 30 minutes before serving.

9. Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread

This Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread is moist, cheesy, and slightly spicy. Fresh jalapeños and sharp cheddar cheese folded into a buttery cornbread batter. Bake in a cast-iron skillet for crispy edges. Serve with honey butter. It's the perfect side for chili, ribs, or pulled pork. So good!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cornmeal, 1 cup flour, ½ cup sugar, 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 2 eggs, 1 cup buttermilk, ½ cup butter (melted)
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, 2 jalapeños (diced)

Instructions:

1. Mix dry ingredients. Add eggs, buttermilk, butter. Fold in cheese and jalapeños.
2. Pour into greased cast-iron skillet. Bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes.
3. Serve warm with honey butter.

8. Pesto Pasta Salad

This Pesto Pasta Salad is bright, herby, and so easy. Rotini pasta tossed with basil pesto, cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls, and toasted pine nuts. Serve cold or at room temperature. It's a fresh alternative to heavy mayo-based salads. Ready in 15 minutes. A spring favorite!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb rotini pasta, 1 cup basil pesto, 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 8 oz fresh mozzarella balls, ¼ cup pine nuts (toasted), Parmesan

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta, rinse with cold water, drain.
2. Toss with pesto, tomatoes, mozzarella, pine nuts, Parmesan.
3. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

7. Roasted Potato Wedges

These Roasted Potato Wedges are crispy on the outside, fluffy inside. Toss potato wedges with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, and rosemary. Roast at high heat until golden and crunchy. Serve with ketchup or aioli. They're easier than fries and perfect for feeding a crowd. A BBQ favorite!

Ingredients:

• 4 russet potatoes (cut into wedges), ¼ cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon rosemary, salt, pepper

Instructions:

1. Toss potatoes with oil and spices. Spread on baking sheet.
2. Roast at 425°F for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway.
3. Serve hot with ketchup or aioli.

6. Creamed Corn

This Creamed Corn is rich, sweet, and creamy. Fresh or frozen corn simmered in butter, cream, and a touch of sugar until thick and luscious. It's a Southern classic that's impossible to resist. Make it on the stovetop in 15 minutes. So much better than canned. A comforting BBQ side!

Ingredients:

• 4 cups corn kernels, 2 tablespoon butter, 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon sugar, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, 2 tablespoon Parmesan

Instructions:

1. Melt butter in saucepan. Add corn, cream, sugar, salt, pepper.
2. Simmer 10-15 minutes until thickened. Stir in Parmesan.
3. Serve warm.

5. Deviled Eggs

Deviled Eggs are a BBQ staple. Hard-boiled eggs filled with a creamy mixture of yolks, mayo, mustard, and pickle relish. Sprinkle with paprika and fresh chives. Make them a day ahead. They're portable, protein-packed, and always disappear first. A must-have for any Memorial Day spread!

Ingredients:

• 12 hard-boiled eggs, ½ cup mayo, 1 tablespoon mustard
• 2 tablespoon pickle relish, paprika, fresh chives

Instructions:

1. Halve eggs, remove yolks. Mash yolks with mayo, mustard, relish.
2. Pipe or spoon into egg whites.
3. Sprinkle with paprika and chives. Chill before serving.

4. Quinoa Salad with Lemon & Herbs

This Quinoa Salad is light, healthy, and packed with protein. Fluffy quinoa tossed with cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, fresh parsley, and a lemon-herb vinaigrette. Top with crumbled feta. It's gluten-free, vegan-adaptable, and perfect for meal prep. A refreshing alternative to heavy sides.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked quinoa, 1 cucumber (diced), 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• ¼ red onion, ¼ cup parsley, ¼ cup feta
• 3 tablespoon olive oil, 2 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon oregano

Instructions:

1. Whisk oil, lemon juice, oregano. Toss with quinoa and vegetables.
2. Top with feta and fresh parsley. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

3. Honey BBQ Baked Beans

These Honey BBQ Baked Beans are sweet, smoky, and irresistible. Canned beans are baked with bacon, onions, BBQ sauce, honey, and mustard until thick and caramelized. The perfect balance of sweet and tangy. Make them in a slow cooker or oven. A BBQ essential that everyone loves.

Ingredients:

• 4 cans baked beans, 6 slices bacon, 1 onion, ½ cup BBQ sauce
• ¼ cup honey, 2 tablespoon mustard

Instructions:

1. Cook bacon until crispy, crumble. Sauté onion in drippings.
2. Combine beans, bacon, onion, BBQ sauce, honey, mustard.
3. Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes or simmer in slow cooker 2 hours.

2. Caprese Skewers

These Caprese Skewers are fresh, colorful, and no-cook. Cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls, and basil leaves threaded onto toothpicks. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. They're elegant, easy to grab, and disappear fast. Make them the morning of the party. A perfect healthy option!

Ingredients:

• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, 8 oz mini mozzarella balls
• Fresh basil leaves, balsamic glaze, salt, pepper

Instructions:

1. Thread tomato, basil, mozzarella onto toothpicks.
2. Arrange on platter. Drizzle with balsamic glaze.
3. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

1. Red, White & Blue Fruit Salad

This Red, White & Blue Fruit Salad is our #1 memorial day side. Fresh strawberries (red), banana slices (white), and blueberries (blue) tossed with a honey-lime dressing. It's healthy, beautiful, and patriotic. Serve in a clear glass bowl to show off the colors. A refreshing, no-cook side everyone loves!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups strawberries (sliced), 2 bananas (sliced), 2 cups blueberries
• 2 tablespoon honey, 2 tablespoon lime juice, fresh mint (optional)

Instructions:

1. Combine all fruits in a large bowl.
2. Whisk honey and lime juice. Drizzle over fruit.
3. Toss gently. Garnish with fresh mint if desired. Serve chilled.

FAQs About Easy Memorial Day Sides

What sides should I serve at a Memorial Day BBQ?

Plan a mix of fresh salads (coleslaw, potato salad, pasta salad), grilled vegetables, classic comfort sides (baked beans, cornbread), and lighter options (fruit salad, watermelon). According to tradition, Memorial Day became an official US holiday in 1971 to honor military service members, with backyard BBQs becoming a beloved part of the celebration.

How many sides should I make?

For a full BBQ, plan 3-5 sides for guests to choose from. A mix of textures and temperatures works best — creamy, crunchy, hot, and cold. For more party inspiration, see our 15 best Memorial Day appetizers.

Which sides are best made ahead?

Coleslaw, potato salad, pasta salad, three bean salad, and macaroni salad all benefit from being made 4-24 hours ahead. Their flavors meld and improve as they sit chilled in the fridge.

How much potato salad per person?

Plan about ½ cup of side dishes per person if serving multiple sides. For a side dish that's the only side, plan ¾ to 1 cup per person. Always make extra — leftovers are loved.

What desserts pair with these sides?

Round out your Memorial Day BBQ with patriotic desserts. Browse our 20 easy Memorial Day desserts for the perfect sweet ending.

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If you loved these easy Memorial Day sides, share this post with everyone planning a BBQ! Pin it, share it on Facebook, or send it to a friend who lives for backyard celebrations. 🇺🇸🌭✨