Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer and backyard gathering season! Nothing brings people together like amazing food shared under the warm May sun.
Whether you’re hosting or attending a potluck this year, these crowd-pleasing dishes will have everyone coming back for seconds while honoring this special American holiday.
1. Classic Deviled Eggs With A Twist
Whoever said deviled eggs couldn’t be exciting clearly hasn’t tried this upgraded version! The secret? A dash of smoked paprika and crispy bacon bits sprinkled on top.
These protein-packed bites disappear faster than you can set down the serving tray. Make extra batches because guests will keep circling back for more!
2. Loaded Baked Potato Salad
Forget boring potato salad! This showstopper combines two beloved classics—loaded baked potatoes and potato salad—into one incredible dish that’ll have guests begging for your recipe.
Chunky potatoes mixed with sour cream, cheddar, chives, and bacon create a flavor explosion. Serve it slightly warm or chilled depending on the weather!
3. Pulled Pork Sliders
What if I told you these mini sandwiches would become the talk of the party? Slow-cooked to perfection, the tender meat practically melts in your mouth with each bite.
Though they look fancy, a slow cooker does most of the work! Pack the meat separately from the buns and let guests assemble their own for maximum freshness.
4. Rainbow Pasta Salad
Your eyes feast first on this colorful creation before your taste buds get their turn. Tri-color rotini pasta tossed with diced bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and black olives creates an edible rainbow.
Dressed in a zesty Italian vinaigrette, this pasta salad stays fresh for hours. Bonus points for being vegetarian-friendly at your diverse gathering!
5. Firecracker Baked Beans
Holy moly, these aren’t your grandma’s baked beans! Kicked up with jalapeños, bacon, and a splash of bourbon, this spicy-sweet side dish delivers a flavor punch that complements any grilled main.
Ever wondered how to make canned beans taste homemade? The secret lies in slow-cooking them with these bold additions. Share this dish and watch your eyebrows raise in pleasant surprise!
6. Watermelon Feta Mint Salad
When summer heat strikes, this refreshing salad swoops in to save the day! The unexpected combination of sweet watermelon, tangy feta, and cooling mint creates a flavor trifecta that’ll blow minds.
Assembled in just minutes, this showstopper requires zero cooking. Arrange it in a hollowed watermelon half for an Instagram-worthy presentation that’ll have everyone reaching for their phones!
7. Buffalo Chicken Dip
TOUCHDOWN! This crowd-pleasing dip combines the finger-licking goodness of buffalo wings without the mess. Creamy, spicy, and utterly addictive, it vanishes within minutes of hitting the table.
Served warm with tortilla chips, celery sticks, or crackers, it satisfies multiple snacking styles. Prepare for guests to hover around this dish throughout the entire gathering!
8. Grilled Corn With Chili Lime Butter
One bite of this zesty grilled corn and your taste buds will do a happy dance! The combination of smoky char marks, tangy lime, and gentle heat from chili powder elevates a simple vegetable to star status.
Though incredibly simple to prepare, guests will think you’re a culinary genius. Pre-grill the corn and bring the flavored butter separately for easy assembly at the potluck!
9. Seven-Layer Dip Cups
Genius alert! These individual seven-layer dip cups solve the age-old party problem of double-dipping. Each clear plastic cup contains perfect proportions of beans, guacamole, sour cream, cheese, and veggies.
Grab-and-go convenience means guests can mingle while munching. Seriously, who wants to be stuck at the dip bowl when there’s socializing to do?
10. Southern-Style Biscuits And Ham
Lawdy, these buttery, flaky biscuits paired with thinly sliced country ham will transport your taste buds straight to a Southern porch swing! Split and filled with just a smear of honey butter, they’re utterly irresistible.
Make the biscuits ahead and reheat them wrapped in foil. Consider bringing extras because these handheld delights disappear faster than you can say “y’all come back now!”
11. Berry Cheesecake Trifle
Oh. My. Goodness. This show-stopping dessert layers fluffy angel food cake, creamy cheesecake filling, and fresh berries in a clear bowl to showcase its gorgeous red, white, and blue perfection.
Despite its fancy appearance, this trifle comes together in just 20 minutes! The patriotic colors make it especially appropriate for Memorial Day while the light, refreshing taste satisfies without weighing anyone down.
12. Smoky BBQ Chicken Wings
Finger-lickin’ fantastic! These wings deliver that perfect balance of sticky, sweet, smoky, and spicy that’ll have everyone reaching for napkins and coming back for seconds.
Baked instead of fried, they’re slightly less messy for a potluck setting. The secret to their addictive quality? A dry rub before baking, then a glaze of your favorite BBQ sauce caramelized during the final minutes.
13. Spinach Artichoke Pull-Apart Bread
BOOM! This interactive appetizer transforms beloved spinach artichoke dip into a tear-and-share masterpiece that’ll have guests gathering around in awe. A sourdough bread bowl stuffed with cheesy, garlicky goodness creates the ultimate communal experience.
Each piece comes perfectly loaded with filling, eliminating the chip-to-dip ratio dilemma. Bring this warm and watch it become the center of attention!
14. Mason Jar Strawberry Shortcakes
How cute are these portable desserts?! Layered in individual mason jars, these strawberry shortcakes combine buttery pound cake, fresh macerated berries, and homemade whipped cream for a dessert that’s as adorable as it is delicious.
Since they’re pre-portioned and sealed with lids, they travel beautifully to any potluck. The jars prevent the dreaded soggy cake syndrome that plagues traditional strawberry shortcake!
15. Tangy Asian Cucumber Salad
Crunch, crunch, YUM! This refreshing salad provides the perfect palate cleanser between bites of heavier barbecue fare. Thinly sliced cucumbers marinated in rice vinegar, sesame oil, and a touch of honey deliver cool, crisp satisfaction.
The longer it sits, the better it tastes, making it ideal for potlucks. Garnished with sesame seeds and red pepper flakes, it brings a gorgeous pop of color to any spread!
16. Red, White & Blue Sangria
Cheers to the long weekend! This festive sangria combines white wine, triple sec, and fresh berries for a patriotic punch that’s as beautiful as it is refreshing.
Star-shaped apple cutouts floating among blueberries and strawberries create an Instagram-worthy beverage. Prepare a non-alcoholic version with white grape juice for guests of all ages to enjoy the celebratory spirit!