Hey y’all, it’s Julia here, and I am so excited to share some mouthwatering Memorial Day recipes with you in this post that is all about the best Memorial Day finger foods!
Memorial Day is just around the corner, the unofficial start of summer here in the United States. It’s the perfect time to gather with family and friends to honor and remember those who have served our great country.
And what better way to celebrate the long weekend than with some good food? Whether you’re planning a backyard barbecue, heading to a neighbor’s cookout, or a picnic in the park, I’ve got some delicious dishes that will make your taste buds happy.
So, grab your apron, and let’s get to cooking! I’ve got ya covered with crown pleaser appetizers, hot dogs, potato salad, and all the fixings for your Memorial Day weekend.
Get ready to savor the flavors of Memorial Day with these finger-licking favorites and kick off the perfect holiday cookout!
What are Finger Foods?
Well, y’all, let me tell you about finger foods! To be quite honest, they can be whatever you want them to be.
Mostly, finger foods are those delightful little bites that you can pop right in your mouth with just a touch of your fingertips.
Finger foods can also include delightful morsels like easy appetizers, deviled eggs, mini quiches, sliders, burgers, hot dogs, or chicken tenders. Don’t let that stop you from serving up a couple of sides that require a fork though. We love our potato salad, coleslaw, and baked beans at a summer cookout.
Best Memorial Day Recipes
Julia’s Old Fashioned Chili for Hot Dogs
I don’t know about you, but we love a good hot dog topped with my very popular Southern hot dog chili. It’s popular for a good reason! That is because it is made just the way that Nanny used to make it.
Listen, friend, I am all about bargain spices except when it comes to chili powder. The chili powder that you use for making hot dog chili makes all the difference if you want it to taste good. So, don’t skimp on a quality chili powder. I prefer McCormick’s myself.
Hot dogs are the quintessential American treat, y’all. So, if you’re gonna eat one, then make sure it is good!
Whether you like ’em classic with ketchup, mustard, loaded with chili, pickled red onion, cheddar cheese, chopped onions, or topped with tangy coleslaw, hot dogs bring a taste of comfort.
Other hot dog toppings that you might enjoy are chow chow, hot sauce, or pickle relish. Don’t forget the potato chips!
Best Memorial Day Appetizers
Easy Appetizer Recipe Pepper Jelly Cream Cheese Spread
This pepper jelly cream cheese appetizer ain’t just for the holidays, oh no. It’s so dang delicious, you’ll wanna whip it up any time of the year.
Trust me, your taste buds will be doing a happy dance once they get a taste of this sweet and spicy combo.
Serve it up with crackers and your memorial day party guests are going to gobble it right up! And, don’t worry y’all, I’ve got plenty more creamy dips that I’m sharing below that your party guests will love.
Sides for your Memorial Day Menu
Julia’s Southern Holiday Potato Salad Recipe
Like I mentioned earlier, don’t let the words “finger foods” cause you to think that you can’t serve up something that you need to eat with a fork. It is your memorial day celebration and you can serve up anything that you like.
My holiday potato salad is a family favorite and everyone wants me to make a big batch whenever we have get-togethers. It is a classic potato salad that everyone will love.
I happen to have a green olive potato salad that is a twist on my Southern style that is also amazing!
The secret to good potato salad is to make it the day before and let all of those amazing flavors mingle together overnight in the fridge. It makes it taste so much better!
Potato salad is one of those delicious recipes that is always perfect for serving with your main dishes during the summer season.
Memorial Day Desserts
Old Fashioned Strawberry Pie Recipe
Y’all didn’t think that I was gonna forget about the sweet treats did ya? So how about a delicious classic strawberry pie made with fresh strawberries to satisfy those sweet tooth cravings after the main meal?
Doesn’t that sound delicious! Late spring and beginning of summer brings us plenty of fresh local strawberries here in South Carolina. I am loving everything strawberry right now!
Those fresh berries are irresistible in this easy recipe dessert. You will love it! Enjoy a slice of this pie on its own or with a scoop of your favorite ice cream.
If you love strawberries as much as I do then you might also enjoy my scrumptious strawberry cobbler.
Also, be sure to check out my post that is all about the red, white, and blue patriotic desserts and other recipes perfect for a memorial day picnic or 4th of July cookout.
More Memorial Day Food Ideas
Best Memorial Day Finger Foods and Appetizers
If you're searching for delicious memorial day food ideas then you've come to the right place. These are my top picks for the best finger foods and appetizers along with main dishes, tasty bites, and sweets for your memorial day weekend celebration. There's no better way to enjoy the start of summer with remembering our fallen heroes with a big party with lots of delicious food to share with family and friends.
Memorial Day Appetizers
Delicious finger foods and appetizers for your memorial day weekend.
This corn dip is an old timey favorite that everyone loves. There is lots of good stuff in this creamy dip made with sour cream, cream cheese and mayo. Enjoy it with tortilla chips, toast points or crackers.
Easy bruschetta recipe using fresh cherry tomatoes from the garden to prepare this tasty Italian antipasto appetizer. Guests will love every tasty bit of this simple appetizer and the amazing flavor of fresh herbs with the tomatoes and balsamic glaze.
Fresh vegetables tray served with a tasty dip is a favorite summer finger food option. We love a veggie tray with a creamy ranch dip garnished with fresh dill.
This spinach dip from the Pioneer Woman is always one of those favorite things you'll find at family cookouts and summer parties. Serve the dip along with fresh veggies, crackers, wings, and enjoy!
This tangy and delicious dip is perfect with toast points, chips or fresh vegetables for dipping.
Delicious and spicy homemade classic shrimp cocktail sauce recipe to enjoy with fish, shrimp, prawns and other seafood. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and your guests will be delighted with this fresh take on a seafood classic.
This 3 ingredient sausage cream cheese dip is the perfect memorial day appetizer and your guests will gobble up every bite.
An easy recipe to create a delicious ham and cheese roll up appetizer with flaky puff pastry. Ham and cheese pinwheels are always a hit at gatherings making it a great recipe addition to your collection of party foods.
Delicious savory stuffed mushrooms with a sausage filling is an easy to prepare at home appetizer recipe. These savory mushroom appetizers are alway a favorite at gatherings.
Easy baked party appetizers made with classic pimento cheese and a puff pastry dough.
How to put together a basic relish tray that your memorial day weekend guests will love snacking on.
Easy fruit dip recipe for fresh fruit is a favorite at gatherings. Sliced apples, grapes, pineapple, and betties are all perfect options with this tasty dip made with just 3 ingredients.
There’s something about the smooth and creamy pimento cheese and the tangy acidity of the tomato that pairs perfectly. This is the perfect finger food option for summer parties.
Southern fire crackers are saltines marinated in a ranch and spice mix. These amazing spicy crackers are delicious as party appetizers or a snack.
Grape jelly meatballs are a Southern classic party food. Guests love them. They're perfect anytime of the year and you can keep them warm in your slow cooker.
Mini Tostada Bites are the perfect Mexican Appetizer! Homemade flour tortilla cups are filled with beans, ground beef, cheese, lettuce, sour cream, and more! Add a squeeze of lemon juice for burst of flavor that guests will love!
Grab your picnic basket and blanket and prepare for a fabulous Picnic! These scrumptious Antipasto Skewers are the perfect start to a day of fun in the sun this memorial weekend!
Creamy Southern style deviled eggs with a bit of zing are the must have finger food for your memorial day get-together.
Memorial Day Main Dishes
Delicious main dish options so that nobody leaves your memorial day gathering hungry.
Grilled or pan fried to oven turkey burger recipe that are moist and delicious. Memorial weekend is the perfect time for a great turkey burger.
Delicious Carolina style slaw dogs with mustard, diced onion, chili sauce then topped with a creamy tangy coleslaw.
There's nothing like a delicious sandwich made with tender pulled pork and barbecue.
Delicious skinless chicken breast cooked perfectly on a grill at 350 degrees f to ensure the juiciest chicken breast to enjoy as a main protein, salad topper or on a tasty sandwich.
A creamy and delicious chicken salad recipe made using canned chicken or fresh chicken that is great for salads, lettuce wraps, served with crackers or on a tasty sandwich.
Delicious and tender shredded chicken combined with your favorite barbecue sauce served on slider buns with your favorite toppings or sides.
Slow cooker bbq beef sandwiches are a great crockpot recipe and perfect for busy days. Serve the delicious barbecued beef on toasted sandwich buns with your favorite toppings and sides for a meal that the whole family will love this memorial day weekend.
Southern Pimento Cheese Burgers adds a unique Southern-style flair to this mouth-watering burger with the addition of tangy pimento cheese.
Memorial Day Side Dishes
Find delicious sides for your memorial day food spread.
A delicious tried and true Crunchy Broccoli Salad recipe with a sweet creamy dressing combined with broccoli, crispy bacon, pecans and grapes for a delicious blend of flavors that everyone loves. This broccoli salad is a great side to enjoy at home or sharing at your potluck gatherings.
Delicious creamy pineapple coleslaw is the perfect side dish of summer. Enjoy it for family meals and social gatherings.
Southern Ambrosia Coconut Salad is a true classic at holiday gatherings, luncheons and other special occasions.
This amazing grape salad recipe with a creamy dressing, pineapple and crunchy pecan brown sugar topping is an amazing sweet side or dessert that is perfect for sharing. Enjoy grape salad for family suppers and holiday gatherings.
A tasty Mexican street corn served off the cob with a bit of cotija cheese is sure to be a hit at your memorial day cookout.
Tomato, Cucumber and Vidalia Onion Salad using fresh vegetables marinated in a simple vinegar dressing is a cool and refreshing summer side dish.
Make this zesty Italian pasta salad for the perfect side dish to bring to to your memorial weekend cookouts! Made in under 30 minutes, it’s full of fresh vegetables, tangy Italian dressing, and feta cheese.
Memorial Day Desserts
Here are a few more sweet options for your Memorial day feast.
This Creamy Fruit Salad is sweet and creamy with lots of apples, grapes, pineapple, mandarin oranges, and blueberries. Plus there’s some shredded coconut and chopped pecans. The fruit is coated in a creamy mixture of cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise. It is perfect sharing this memorial weekend.
A delicious patriotic dessert, these Red, White and Blue Cupcakes are fun, flavorful and super easy to bake up!
This colorful Fruit Pizza recipe features a homemade cookie crust. Top it with a variety of fresh fruit then brush the fruit with a simple glaze for added flavor and visual appeal.
Fresh strawberry topping recipe for cheesecake and other desserts that you love a strawberry glaze sauce.
Kool Aid pie is a vintage no bake dessert made with just 3 ingredients plus a store bought pie crust.
A simple elegant dessert of apple pie pinwheels served with ice cream and caramel sauce
Welcome to Summer Y’all!
Thanks for stopping by for the best memorial day finger foods! I am so glad that you did. It’s been a mighty fine time spending this Memorial Day weekend with all of you!
From firing up the grill to savoring all of those tasty dishes, , we’ve celebrated the brave men and women who have served our great nation.
let’s cherish the memories made, hold our loved ones a little tighter, and always keep gratitude in our hearts. Wishing y’all a blessed and happy Memorial Day weekend. Until we meet again, love and happy cooking!
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Meet Julia
Author of Julia's Simply Southern
About Julia
Hey Y'all! I'm Julia, the cook and writer behind the recipes here at Julia's Simply Southern. I began my website so that I could share easy to follow recipes that anyone can use to put a home cooked meal on the dinner table. Thanks so much for stopping by!
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