Are you searching for the perfect dish to bring to a friend’s Memorial Day cookout? Or asking yourself what you should bring to a Memorial Day party? Your answer is right here with these favorite soul food recipes for Memorial Day. So, wonder no more!
What to bring to a Memorial Day party
Memorial Day ushers in a time of remembrance and celebration, marked deeply by shared meals that unite us. The recipes selected for this occasion speak volumes about tradition and togetherness.
From the smoky whispers of BBQ ribs and the tender grasp of grilled chicken to the festive spirit of a pulled chicken sandwich, these dishes are a form of memory, a taste of freedom, and a tribute to those who’ve served.
Adding soul to the table, the homemade burger, seasoned shrimp pasta with the hint of Italian dressing, and the hearty smoked turkey leg showcase the diversity and richness of our culinary heritage.
Here I am, honoring my late father, a decorated Senior Chief in the US Navy. My dad always loved deviled eggs, so I make them on holidays in his honor.
The best soul food Memorial Day recipes
These main dishes are the hearty, flavorful centerpieces that anchor the entire meal and keep folks coming back for seconds! Every bite from dishes like mango curry chicken kabobs and the communal joy of a Southern low country boil highlights the unity we seek on Memorial Day. These recipes deliver bold, comforting flavors that feel right at home on any Memorial Day plate.
BBQ ribs have become synonymous with soulful-inspired Memorial Day celebrations. This main dish signifies a time to gather around and share stories, laughter, and gratitude. With their rich, smoky flavors, BBQ ribs beckon family and friends to come together in a festive spirit!
My pulled BBQ chicken sandwich brings together tender shredded chicken and tangy BBQ sauce in a harmony that sings of US tradition and innovation, perfect for Memorial Day!
My soul food homemade burger recipe captures the essence of homestyle cooking. It’s not just a burger, it’s a homage to generations of soulful culinary craftsmanship, binding ground meat and carefully chosen flavors and spices into a sizzling delight for your Memorial Day feast!
Soulful Memorial Day dishes should include ethnic fusion recipes, such as the spicy allure of curry chicken kabobs, so that each dish tells a true and diverse American story of its own.
Unity in diversity is evident in simple recipes like a Southern low-country boil, which serves as a bridge that connects hearts and honors memories through diverse family-style culinary expressions.
Best Southern sides to bring to a Memorial Day BBQ
To complete the Memorial Day culinary experience, classic sides such as the beloved Black folks’ potato salad, Southern coleslaw, and rich macaroni salad pay tribute to traditional Southern soul food flavors. These dishes perfectly complement the flavors of smoked BBQ. Each bite reflects the heartfelt care and love that goes into their preparation.
Southern potato salad has been a pillar of Memorial Day cookouts for years. The creamy coolness of potato salad offers a delightful contrast to the rich, savory flavors of BBQ main dishes like ribs and grilled chicken.
Deviled eggs are a classic appetizer for holiday gatherings and cookouts, such as Memorial Day celebrations. They are easy to make, starting with hard-boiled eggs. The yolks are mashed and then seasoned to perfection before being stuffed back into the egg whites, creating a delicious and flavorful appetizer that's always a hit!
The crispness of Southern coleslaw introduces a refreshing crunch that balances out the heartiness of pulled BBQ chicken sandwiches and homemade burgers.
Each bite of macaroni salad has a harmonious mingle of soft pasta with bursts of tangy dressing, complementing the spice and smoke of dishes like smoked turkey legs and curry chicken kabobs.
This recipe is a soulful take on a classic Southern dish with an added twist of soul food seasonings and flavors to complement every Memorial Day cookout barbecue dish!
This comforting dish is a must-have for holidays, cookouts, and Memorial Day. With a rich and creamy homemade cheese sauce, along with soulful seasonings and spices, it embodies quintessential Southern comfort food, the soul food way!
Summer is all about the refreshing flavors of juicy watermelon and zesty tomatoes. Add a sweet and tangy Southern soul food tomato watermelon salad to your menu for the next BBQ or Memorial Day party!
Candied yams are a traditional Southern African-American recipe enjoyed during the holiday season through summer holidays like Memorial Day. This soul food side dish features sweet potatoes cooked to perfection in a sweet cinnamon-brown sugar glaze.
A Black folks collard greens recipe is the quintessential dish of any Southern soul food dinner, whether for formal gatherings or casual cookout holidays like Memorial Day.
This Southern from-scratch recipe achieves crispy edges, a moist interior, and flavorful sweetness by blending cornmeal, heavy whipping cream, butter, and cream cheese to create the ultimate BBQ cookout bread that harmonizes savory and sweet!
A Memorial Day feast offers flavors that linger on the palate. Still, no meal is complete without the sound of clinking glasses in celebration. The rich history of Southern sweet tea carries stories of hospitality and warmth, making it an essential part of the gathering.
Memorial Day feasts have always included more than just main courses. The conclusion with sweet treats is essential. From soul food apple pie that carries the warmth of American pride and tradition to the playful novelty of homemade Dole Whip, these desserts pay tribute to comfort, joy, and the spirit of this holiday.
Seasoned to perfection, the apples are roasted and then baked in the pie to leave you reminiscing about the best holiday BBQs and Southern soul food dinners!
Pig pickin cake is a moist yellow cake topped with whipped pineapple frosting, filled with vanilla pudding, and baked with sweet mandarin oranges. This unique dessert is a staple at Southern pig roasts and cookout gatherings, making it the perfect treat for summer BBQs and Memorial Day celebrations!
An homage to comfort, joy, and the spirit of this Memorial Day holiday, red velvet cake offers deep, rich color and flavors that feel like a hug with every bite.
Packed with flavorful seasonings and spices in the tradition of soul food cooking, my sweet potato pie recipe is a delightful holiday treat from Easter to Thanksgiving, as well as Memorial Day.
On Memorial Day, the creamy delight of banana pudding reminds us that the taste of freedom is indeed sweet! This divine and soulful dish serves as a reminder that such freedoms were hard-won, particularly within the African American community.
For those seeking a tangy twist, lemon dip paired with fresh fruit offers a zesty kick, reminding us that Memorial Day marks the beginning of the refreshing summer season!
These fruit-juicy popsicles are made with real fruit juice and provide a refreshing finish to the Memorial Day festivities. They offer a final, icy punctuation to the day's festivities!
What is the most popular food for Memorial Day? The answer is simple: anything BBQ!
Whether you’re hosting the BBQ or bringing a dish to share, these delicious recipes will have everyone asking for seconds—and for your secret recipe! From savory main dishes to sweet desserts and refreshing drinks, you’ll have everything you need to celebrate with flavor and love. So fire up the grill, honor the day, and let’s eat!
Happy Memorial Day!
Memorial Day Recipes | Steve Harvey’s Homemade BBQ Sauce
Steve Harvey shares his easy homemade BBQ sauce recipe for Memorial Day. This Southern BBQ sauce is perfect for slathering on your favorite meats during any summer celebration. You’ll have plenty of leftover sauce to store in a mason jar and share with others!
Place all ingredients (apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, sugar, and 2 Rufus Teague BBQ sauces) in a large pot on the stove on warm.
Fill an empty 15.25 oz. Rufus Teague bottle with water 1 ½ times, and add the water to the mixture in the pot.
Stir to combine the ingredients.
Simmer on low heat for about 30 minutes and cover with a lid.
This recipe makes 4 ¾ cups of BBQ sauce. Approx 2 ¾ cups will sauce a whole chicken or a rack of ribs. You'll have approx 2 cups (a 16-oz. mason jar amount) to save for later.
Use approx 2 ¾ cups of BBQ sauce to coat your desired meat (Steve Harvey slathers his sauce on ribs).
Store the remaining sauce in the fridge in a mason jar or an airtight container. Then, cook your BBQ-sauced meat, serve, and enjoy!
What is soul food? Soul food recipes are African-American recipes full of flavor! A legacy of Southern cooking the Black way. Check out this collection of the best soul food recipes!
