From whole foods like Grilled Pineapple Rings and simple Grilled Tomatoes, to a couple of slow cooker recipes, dips and salsas, plus finger foods galore, I hope you find a couple Memorial Day appetizers you add to your rotation every year!
Take a scroll through our list and see if there are ingredients you can use up in the pantry first before heading to the store!
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Honey Garlic Meatballs
As the sauce simmers, the brown sugar melts into the ketchup, the honey lends a gentle sheen, and the soy sauce and garlic deepen the glaze into something savory-sweet.
Add our bacon ranch biscuits to make a handy slider. How can you go wrong with easy biscuits that start with a bag of frozen Grands?
Mini BLTs
These 3-bite BLTs start with a baguette, toasted to your desired crispness, and layered with the traditional fixings we all know and love. We use arugula or spring mix, but you can use a hardy lettuce like romaine if you think these will sit out on a platter for a while. (They won’t stick around for long, though!)
Apple Pie Dip + Cinnamon Chips
This could double as a sweet treat, of course, but it’s got the not-quite-pie, very-dippable party snack going on, so don’t sell this easy party treat short. This Memorial Day appetizer will go perfect on any snack table.
White Bean Dip
Let’s talk about how economical and easy this one is. Want to make something homemade but get it done in 5 minutes? You’re basically putting beans, lemon juice, salt, garlic and olive oil in a small food processor. Add some taco seasoning if you want it to taste more tex-mex. Grab a bag of Tostitos on the way out and you’re a Memorial Day cookout hero.
Peach Salsa
So delectable and refreshing, this easy Peach Salsa is just perfect when you’re spending the day outside. Make this salsa recipe when peaches are at their peak of flavor— ripe, fresh, and juicy. Heavenly alongside grilled chicken, pork, and fish, too!
Cowboy Caviar
Cowboy Caviar delivers! It is made with a mix of beans, sweet corn, and chopped crunchy vegetables tossed in a tangy marinade. It can serve as a dip or topping on grilled meat or a side dish. It is a must-make recipe for parties and Memorial Day weekend picnics alike.
Caprese Salad Skewers
Caprese salad is a simple recipe made with fresh mozzarella, basil leaves, and ripe tomatoes. These snacks on a stick make it easy to grab and go and look great on a platter. The sweet tangy tomato balances the rich taste of the mozzarella, while basil adds a snap of freshness. Leave a squeeze bottle of balsamic glaze nearby for individual servings!
Taco Crescent Ring
Man, this thing is a lot of fun and tasty too! You get all your favorite tex-mex flavors but in a hearty appetizer. If you are spending some time inside (Memorial Day definitely means we are turning the A/C on here in Texas), you just may want to put this easy crescent roll dough appetizer out for the crowd.
Easy Ham & Cheese Pinwheels
Since you have your oven on for the Taco Crescent Ring, let’s pull out some puff pastry. Some ham lunchmeat, any cheese you want and a baking sheet is basically all you need to end up with more hearty snacks that are easy and fairly budget-friendly: only a handful of ingredients!
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Grilled Pineapple Rings
When we first made these in 2019, it surprised me how LONG the fresh pineapple rings needed to stay on the grill rack without being nudged or turned to get that gorgeous char. Use thick-cut slices of fresh pineapple, dried well, then dredge in a butter-cinnamon-sugar mop sauce. They barely made it onto a plate; everyone was waiting for a ring hot off the grill.
Grilled Tomatoes
While the grill is hot, I’ve got a couple more recipes here for making some of the best and easiest Memorial Day appetizers that start with whole foods. They’re so tasty, you’ll wonder why you haven’t tried these sooner.
Grilled Corn 4 Ways
Yep, let’s duke it out and see which one wins. They’re all winners, but you may find one you like better. There’s something so perfect about that char only grills can offer, so I hope you find just the right way to grill corn for you.
Grilled Peaches
The hot grill, particularly a charcoal grill, brings out the finest in fresh peach halves. Leave the skin on and let these babies sear. If you have a bumper crop from a neighbor or a fruit stand, this will wow your guests for sure.
Bacon Cheddar Smashed Potatoes
These Bacon Cheddar Smashed Potatoes are crispy, cheesy, and loaded with bacon! An easy side dish or appetizer perfect for Memorial Day lunch or dinner. Here’s our air fryer recipe too.
7-Layer Dip Cups
I love that they’re served in individual portions, giving you all the Tex-Mex flavors in one convenient cup. They’re perfect for game day, potlucks, and any festive gathering, made with creamy guacamole, zesty salsa, and your favorite toppings. Have Fritos Scoops or Tostitos nearby.
Bacon Deviled Eggs
I grew up eating traditional deviled eggs at every family cookout; we added a twist of cooked, crumbled bacon. Renee’ likes her less sweet and I like mine more sweet and you can adjust your level of sweetness to taste. Bacon makes everything better, and now that eggs are a little cheaper, these might be Memorial Day snacks that are snapped up first.
Easy Beer Cheese Dip
The creamy cheese and the hoppy beer create a unique and delicious flavor that everyone will love, whether inside the house or hanging out by the pool. Serve it with crackers, pretzel sticks, or bread chunks for a delicious and easy snack.
Red, White & Blue Cheesecake Salad
In the south (and the midwest, too, I hear), it’s standard to pop a big bowl of “salad” on the table to go as a side to a big ham, grilled burgers, or sandwiches. Sweet as all get out, so the salad moniker is certainly a mystery to me. But this one is delicious and with all the blueberry, raspberry and strawberry colors to bring out those colorful party favors you got just for your Memorial Day BBQ.
BBQ Kielbasa Appetizer
More substantial than those Lil Smokies, here’s a Crock-Pot full of rich, barbecue sauce enrobed slices of kielbasa. Set it and forget it, but be prepared for everyone to serve themselves a nice scoop.
3-Ingredient Chili Cheese Dip
Not kidding about the three ingredients: a block of Velveeta, can of rotel, and a can of chili without beans. Dump it all in a slow cooker on low and stir frequently. You can add whatever else you want, but this recipe is an easy foundation for you to add your favorites, like cooked sausage or ground beef, jalapenos, and more.
Baked Sausage Balls
This one is a classic and I grew up making these by the dozen. They are good warm or room temp, which makes them super flexible for a party to go, out back or inside where the A/C is. Start with an easy box of biscuit mix, a chub of bulk sausage and your favorite shredded cheese. Nothing healthy here—this is a winner in every picky eater’s club.
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
Rotini catches the creamy lime-mayo dressing, while sweet corn, cotija, and chopped jalapeño bring just the right balance of richness, salt, and heat. It’s easy to prep ahead—even better after a night in the fridge—and it sits comfortably next to grilled meat, tacos, or a cold beer. Makes a great side to all the great grilled food, too.
Tequila & Lime Grilled Shrimp
Shrimp takes a marinade super fast and grills to a perfect pink in moments! That is why we are excited to share this lime and tequila grilled shrimp recipe. When it comes to grilling shrimp you generally have two choices. You can either grill the shrimp in a grill basket or you can use skewers.
Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes
Cute, refreshing, and totally poppable on a warm day, I think you’ll love a Memorial Day appetizer like this one. These take a little more time since you have to core the tomatoes, but they are so good, you may want to make sure you get a couple before putting them out…or just may not get one at all. Fresh herbs are great, but if dried is what you have, they will do just fine.
Pico De Gallo
Pico De Gallo is an original Mexican bulky salsa recipe that’s easy to prepare at home and won’t stress you out. When marinated, the natural juices from the onion, lime, pepper, and tomatoes come together for a great dip alongside the taco crescent rings, any grilled meats, or sandwiches, too.
It’s savory and delicious with a spicy kick.
Watermelon Feta Salad
The fresh watermelon complements the salty feta in this delightful and sweet combo; that’s an effortless and flavorful appetizer for an exciting Summer Memorial Day celebration! Serve in the shell of the watermelon for extra charm.
Mango Salsa
Ripe, juicy mango with bright-colored veggies for a striking side or appetizer. Both delicious and straightforward, with a bit of sweetness and a little warmth, mango salsa is a nice switch-up from the standard tomato-based salsas.
Serve with meal bowls, tacos, tortillas, and more for a one-of-a-kind taste buds party!
Sheet Pan Nachos
We’re pretty old school around here. I can appreciate the TikTok trend of sliding a whole baking sheet of melted goo onto my nachos, but I am nowhere near coordinated enough (yet). So here are the simple steps for sharing your favorite party, get-together, Memorial Day pool party or whatever-Tuesday-night-demands nachos! Includes air fryer directions too.
The bottom line
Embrace the beginning of summertime, celebrate the Memorial Day holiday with people you actually like, and start cooking these easy, budget-friendly, or few-ingredient recipes. Nothing better than giving yourself a break and making your loved ones surprised and delighted too.
Cheers to a memorable celebration and the sunny days ahead!
