5 Foolproof Memorial Day Menus

Traditional: Barbecued Picnic Chicken

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For more, check out our best Memorial Day BBQ recipes.

Traditional: Sour Cream Cucumbers

We have a tradition at our house to serve this creamy cucumber salad with the other Hungarian specialties my mom learned to make from the women at church. It’s especially good during the summer when the cucumbers are freshly picked from the garden. —Pamela Eaton, Monclova, Ohio

Traditional: Berry Nectarine Salad

I’ve been making this recipe for years. Whenever my family has a summer get-together, everyone requests it. The nectarines and berries look beautiful together, and the topping is the perfect accent. —Mindee Myers, Lincoln, Nebraska

Traditional: Scalloped Taters

This creamy, comforting slow-cooked side tastes marvelous with almost any main dish and is a snap to assemble with frozen hash browns. It's a good way to make potatoes when your oven is busy with other dishes. —Lucinda Wolker, Somerset, Pennsylvania

Traditional: Old-Fashioned Lemonade

This sweet-tart lemonade is a traditional part of my Memorial Day and Fourth of July menus. Folks can’t get enough of the fresh-squeezed flavor. —Tammi Simpson, Greensburg, Kentucky

Lemonade pairs perfectly with these other Memorial Day cookout favorites.

Traditional: Red, White and Blue Dessert

I changed a recipe I found and ended up with this rich, fresh-tasting dessert. Decorated to resemble a flag, it's perfect for the Fourth of July or any other patriotic occasion. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

Quick & Easy: Beer Dip

Ranch dressing mix flavors this easy dip packed with shredded cheese. It's perfect paired with pretzels. Be forewarned, though—it's hard to stop eating once you've started! The beer cheese dip can be made with any type of beer, including nonalcoholic. I've taken it to many parties and I am always asked for the recipe. —Michelle Long, New Castle, Colorado

Quick & Easy: Summer Avocado Salad

Garden-fresh veggies and a sprinkling of feta cheese make this cucumber, tomato and avocado salad a healthy summer standout! —Deborah Williams, Peoria, Arizona

Quick & Easy: Grilled Vegetable Platter

The best of summer in one dish! These pretty veggies are perfect for entertaining. Grilling brings out their natural sweetness, and the easy marinade really perks up the flavor. —Heidi Hall, North St. Paul, Minnesota

Quick & Easy: All-American Hamburgers

We do a lot of camping and outdoor cooking. This all-American, homemade hamburger recipe is on our menu more than any other food. —Diane Hixon, Niceville, Florida

Sample these other Memorial Day sandwiches, too!

Quick & Easy: Lemony Fruit Cooler

This punch looks so pretty with all the colorful fruit floating in the bowl. It has a refreshing taste and is easy to put together. —Dawn Shackelford, Fort Worth, Texas

Quick & Easy: Strawberry Pretzel Dessert

Need to bring a dish to pass this weekend? This make-ahead strawberry pretzel salad will disappear quickly at any potluck. —Aldene Belch, Flint, Michigan

New Favorites: Spicy Pickled Grapes

I love sweet and spicy flavors, so I created these pickled grapes. They are excellent as an appetizer, a sneaky addition to salads or a topper in your favorite Bloody Mary. —Carla Hinkle, Memphis, Tennessee

New Favorites: Watermelon and Spinach Salad

Summer’s the perfect time to toss up this watermelon salad. You’d never expect it, but spinach is awesome here. Eat it and feel cool on even the hottest days. —Marjorie Au, Honolulu, Hawaii

New Favorites: Yuca Frita con Mojo

Who doesn’t love something fried? That’s how I first got turned on to yuca, now I cook it regularly. It’s a starchy tuber, similar textured to that of a potato and is served with a lovely garlicky, orange dipping sauce. —Deeanna Dickey, Denver, Colorado

New Favorites: Grilled Jerk Chicken

Jerk refers to a dry seasoning blend that originated in the Caribbean and that includes spices like allspice, ginger and cinnamon and a blend of peppers. It’ll have your tastebuds feeling warm all over. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

New Favorites: Strawberry Cooler

During the dog days of summer, my family looks for a cold, thirst-quenching drink. I like this ons because it’s sparkling, refreshing and fast and easy to make.

New Favorites: Blackberry Daiquiri Sherbet

When I decided to try making sherbet, which is one of my favorites, blackberries were in season in my mom’s garden. I love the flavor of daiquiris, and lime and rum blend with the juicy blackberries! —Shelly L. Bevington, Hermiston, Oregon

Healthy: Avocado Salsa

I was planning a party and thought it might be fun to try a different kind of avocado salsa. This recipe was an absolute success. Scoop it up with chips, spoon it over chicken or steak, or eat it on its own! —Susan Vandermeer, Ogden, Utah

Healthy: South-of-the-Border Chicken Salad with Tequila Lime Dressing

Add a burst of color to your table with this fresh main-dish that’s topped with homemade tequila lime salad dressing. For a simple garnish sprinkle salad with lightly crushed tortilla chips.—Annette Hottenstein, Cockeysville, Maryland

Healthy: Lemon Garlic Mushrooms

I baste whole mushrooms with a lemony sauce to prepare this simple side dish. Using skewers or a basket makes it easy to turn them as they grill to perfection. —Diane Hixon, Niceville, Florida

Healthy: Easy Shrimp Tacos

I love preparing these easy shrimp tacos. Hatch chiles are a staple ingredient in my home state of Texas, and this was the very first recipe that I conquered with them. Mix and match your favorite toppings—salsa and avocado would be perfect additions. —Deborah Jamison, Austin, Texas

Healthy: Pineapple Smoothies

I got this pineapple smoothie recipe over 20 years ago. I’ve tried several diabetic recipes, and this is one of the best. —Margery Bryan, Royal City, Washington

Healthy: Patriotic Pops

My kids love homemade ice pops, and I love knowing that the ones we make are good for them. We whip up a big batch with multiple flavors so they have many choices, but these patriotic red, white and blueberry ones are always a favorite! —Shannon Carino, Frisco, Texas

Kid-Friendly: Mini Mac & Cheese Bites

Young relatives were coming for a Christmas party, so I wanted something fun for them to eat. Instead, the adults devoured my mini mac and cheese. —Kate Mainiero, Elizaville, New York

Kid-Friendly: Rainbow Fruit Salad

When my children were young, I would often dress up fresh fruit in this easy salad. Decades later, my grandchildren and great-grandchildren still love digging in to the fruity layers. The salad goes well with barbecued meats or cold sandwiches. —Jonnie Adams Sisler, Stevensville, Montana

Kid-Friendly: Makeover Tater-Topped Casserole

I love Tater Tot casserole, but wanted a lighter version of the recipe. The Taste of Home Test Kitchen slashed the fat in this classic dish, while keeping all the Tots my family loves. Who know you could have healthy Tater Tots?! —Scott Woodward, Shullsburg, Wisconsin

Kid-Friendly: Crispy Fried Chicken

This Sunday dinner staple is first fried and then baked to a crispy golden brown. Well seasoned with oregano and sage, this classic is sure to satisfy diners at church potlucks or late-summer picnics. I love fixing it for family and friends. —Donna Kuhaupt, Slinger, Wisconsin

Kid-Friendly: Peanut Butter Pretzel Shake

—Beth Tomkiw, Creative Content Director, Taste of Home

Kid-Friendly: S’mores Brownies

My family simply adores my daughter’s fudgy s’mores brownies. The cinnamon graham cracker crust and the dark chocolate brownies bring our passion for s’mores to a whole new level! —Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan