What to Make For Memorial Day Picnic?

Whether you will be spreading out a beautiful blanket for a good old-fashioned picnic, hosting a big backyard cookout, or making a trip to the beach, you need to have an idea of the best foods for Memorial Day. This is a special day when we remember those who lost their lives fighting for their country. Not only should your grilling game be on point, but you should also carry with you the best sides, appetizers, and mains. Even if you will be picnicking in your backyard, below are some of the best dishes that will make your Memorial Day celebration a complete success. 

Appetizers

  • Red, White, and Blue Trifle

This classic patriotic trifle is layered with fresh fruit and pound cake and served in a glass bowl so that it can showcase all the layers.

Memorial Day Hamburger Picnic

Strawberries and blueberries are the main fruits used but you can easily swap in cherries and fresh raspberries too.

  • Beet Hummus

Another colorful addition to your Memorial Day picnic menu is a bright punk hummus made from tender cooked beets. Not only does it attract the eye with its vibrant hue but also delivers an earthy, sweet flavor at the same time.

  • Crab Cakes

Even if you are enjoying this special day in your backyard, you will feel like you are at the beach with these delicious homemade crab cakes. There are different ways you can prepare crab cakes for a Memorial Day picnic but most importantly, do not forget the spicy mayo remoulade!

Main dishes

  • Flag Pizza

A patriotic flag pizza is baked in the shape of a flag with purple potatoes for the sky and pepperoni slices or tomatoes for stripes. The procedure for preparing the pizza is more or less the same as long as you get the patterns right.

  • Baby Back Ribs

Nothing creates a perfect holiday weekend like grilling barbecue ribs with friends and family at a picnic. Opting for small-portioned meats is a good idea as they are already sorted out. They are called baby back ribs because they are shorter than the bigger spare ribs.

  • Vegan Blueberry Crumble

It only takes less than 10 minutes to prepare this dish before your oven does the rest of the work. It is a great Memorial Day recipe for vegans and blueberry lovers. Some of the filling ingredients include blueberries, cornstarch, lemon juice, brown sugar, and maple syrup.   

Sides

  • Baked Beans

No picnic is ever complete without a casserole dish of baked beans. This recipe calls for beans as the primary side dish alongside canned pork to help them come together easily. Fry up some bacon and make a sweet-spicy sauce using ketchup, dry mustard, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and sorghum syrup.

  • Roasted Tomato Macaroni and Cheese

Kids love mac and cheese but adding roasted tomatoes into the mixture will surely delight grown-ups too. Allow the white sauce to cool a bit before you whisk in the shredded cheese for the smoothest and creamiest results.

  • Broccoli, Grape, and Pasta Salad

Pasta salads can take out the guesswork of prepping for picnics because they are easy to assemble and transport. You can give your salad a colorful spin on Memorial Day by adding broccoli and grapes into the mix. You will need a sweet but tangy dressing to make all ingredients shine.

Drinks

  • Mermaid Lemonade

If you will be spending Memorial Day at the beach this weekend, then you will love this tropical cocktail made of blue curacao, lemonade, and rum. Mermaid lemonade is one of those drinks that leave you feeling like a ‘mermaid’. Just be sure to mix everything right.

  • Rainbow Sangria

Layering strawberries, blueberries, and other fruits of choice in a glass will make your rainbow sangria look extra pretty. Feel free to skip the layering if you do not want to bother but most importantly, do not skimp on the fruit!

  • Moscato Margaritas

Margaritas often get instantly better with the addition of strawberries and Moscato. They are perfect for picnics when blended to perfection, making them one of the best summer drinks. If you are not a strawberry fan, you can consider other options like mango, raspberry, and pineapple Moscato margaritas.

These are only a few of the many foods and drink ideas that you can make for a Memorial Day picnic. Regardless of what you want to try out on this special occasion, it is important to incorporate the patriotic theme in all your Memorial Day celebrations to make this day the best of what it can ever be.