So, you’re hosting Memorial Day this year, huh? Congratulations… and also, my deepest sympathies.
You’re picturing sizzling burgers, cold drinks, and the sweet sounds of… well, mostly your uncle arguing about politics. But let’s be honest, everyone secretly knows it’s the sides that make or break the BBQ.
Are you ready to serve up the same tired potato salad recipe Aunt Mildred’s been bringing since ’98? Didn’t think so.
1. Classic Potato Salad With A Twist
Forget bland potato salad! This version packs a secret weapon—pickle juice and a sprinkle of smoked paprika—transforming an ordinary side into conversation-worthy deliciousness.
Boil red potatoes with skin on for extra texture, then chill completely before mixing.
2. Grilled Corn With Chili-Lime Butter
Sweet corn gets a makeover that’ll make taste buds dance! Slather each ear with homemade chili-lime butter that melts into every kernel, creating flavor explosions with each bite.
Grill until slightly charred for that irresistible smoky sweetness. Pro tip: make extra butter!
3. Watermelon Feta Mint Salad
Summer on a plate! Juicy watermelon chunks play perfectly against creamy feta crumbles, while fresh mint leaves add cooling contrast that screams warm-weather celebration.
A light drizzle of balsamic glaze ties everything together with tangy sweetness. This unexpected combo will have skeptics transformed into believers.
4. Loaded Baked Potato Casserole
Grown men have been known to weep over this decadent masterpiece! Imagine all the goodness of loaded baked potatoes transformed into a bubbling casserole that feeds a crowd without the fuss.
Crispy bacon bits, sharp cheddar, and chives get folded into creamy potatoes. The secret? A dollop of sour cream in the mix keeps everything impossibly moist.
5. Rainbow Pasta Salad
Color explosion alert! This isn’t your grandmother’s pasta salad—tri-color rotini mingles with every veggie in the rainbow for a side that’s practically wearing party clothes.
Bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and olives bring the crunch factor. The zesty Italian dressing gets an upgrade with fresh herbs.
6. Smoky Baked Beans
Bean there, done that? Not with these babies! Forget those sad canned versions—these beans simmer slowly with molasses, bourbon, and three kinds of pork for flavor that’ll make guests swear you’ve been cooking since dawn.
The secret lies in the balance of sweet, smoky, and tangy notes.
7. Jalapeño Popper Mac And Cheese
Hold onto your taste buds! This isn’t your average mac—it’s what happens when jalapeño poppers and creamy mac and cheese have a delicious love child.
Roasted jalapeños provide heat that’s perfectly tamed by a three-cheese sauce. Warning: guests may fight over the corner pieces with extra golden crust!
8. Tangy Coleslaw With Apple
Coleslaw revolutionized! Crisp apple slices and crunchy cabbage swim in a tangy dressing that skips heavy mayo in favor of apple cider vinegar and Greek yogurt.
The result? A refreshing side that cuts through rich barbecue flavors perfectly. Make this one right before serving.
9. Grilled Vegetable Platter
Veggie skeptics, prepare to be converted! When subjected to flame and smoke, humble zucchini, bell peppers, and asparagus transform into caramelized flavor bombs that’ll have even committed carnivores reaching for seconds.
The secret weapon? A simple marinade of balsamic, olive oil, and herbs.
10. Deviled Eggs With Bacon Jam
These ain’t your mama’s deviled eggs! Traditional picnic fare gets a mind-blowing upgrade with homemade bacon jam that’ll make guests question everything they thought they knew about this classic.
The sweet-savory bacon topping creates perfect harmony with the creamy yolk filling.
11. Cornbread Muffins With Honey Butter
Golden nuggets of happiness! These individually portioned cornbread muffins solve the age-old problem of crumbly cornbread at outdoor gatherings—no plate needed!
The secret to their melt-in-your-mouth texture? Buttermilk and a touch of honey in the batter.
12. Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
Mediterranean vacation vibes without the airfare! This protein-packed chickpea salad brings sunshine to your table with cucumber, cherry tomatoes, feta, and kalamata olives.
The lemony herb dressing gets better as it sits, making this a prep-ahead dream. It’s the perfect light counterpoint to heavier grilled fare.
13. Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus Bundles
Bacon makes everything better—scientific fact! These elegant little bundles transform ordinary asparagus into the MVP of your spread with minimal effort and maximum flavor impact.
The trick lies in partially cooking the bacon before wrapping so everything finishes perfectly together.
14. Loaded Guacamole
Guac stars! This isn’t basic dip—it’s a fully loaded flavor explosion studded with charred corn, black beans, and diced mango for sweet-savory perfection.
The secret to preventing browning? Leave the pits in and press plastic wrap directly onto the surface.
15. Sweet And Spicy Baked Beans
Bean revelation! These aren’t your average baked beans—they’re a sweet-heat flavor bomb thanks to brown sugar, molasses, and three kinds of peppers that create perfect balance.
Let them bubble away in a cast-iron skillet on the edge of your grill for extra smoky dimension that’ll have guests begging for your recipe!
16. Pesto Pasta Salad With Roasted Tomatoes
Pasta salad gets a glow-up! Forget mayo-drenched versions—this vibrant alternative showcases basil pesto, roasted cherry tomatoes that burst with concentrated sweetness, and fresh mozzarella pearls.
The key is roasting those tomatoes until they’re caramelized flavor bombs.
17. Honey Lime Fruit Salad
Fruit salad, but make it fancy! This isn’t just chopped fruit—it’s a carefully curated blend of seasonal berries, melons, and tropical fruits tossed in a honey-lime dressing that amplifies their natural sweetness.
A tiny pinch of chili powder doesn’t register as spicy but somehow makes the fruit flavors pop.
18. Crispy Smashed Potatoes With Garlic Herb Butter
Potato perfection achieved! These aren’t just any spuds—they’re baby potatoes boiled until tender, smashed flat, then roasted until impossibly crispy outside while remaining fluffy inside.
The magic happens when you drizzle them with garlic herb butter right after roasting. Fair warning: people have been known to hover around these like potato-seeking missiles!
19. Creamy Broccoli Bacon Salad
Broccoli skeptics, prepare to be converted! This crunchy masterpiece transforms the humble green veggie into the star of the show with crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, and toasted sunflower seeds.
The creamy dressing gets a surprising twist from a splash of apple cider vinegar that cuts through richness perfectly.