17 Memorial Day Sides Everyone Grabbed Before the Grill Got Hot

Everyone focuses on the grill, but the sides are what keep the peace while the burgers are taking their sweet time. These 17 recipes are all about big flavor and easy prep so you aren’t stuck inside while everyone else is out in the sun. From pasta salads that won’t get weird to slaws that actually stay crunchy, these are the dishes that tend to disappear before the first steak even hits the plate. They make the Memorial’s Day meal work without the extra stress.

Memorial Day sides spread with classic cookout dishes before the grill gets hot. — Introduction. Photo Credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Smoked Potato Salad with Bacon

Smoking the potatoes and eggs gives this classic side a deep flavor that fits right in at a cookout. It’s a clever twist that takes a standard potato salad and makes it a lot more memorable for your guests. The bacon adds a salty crunch that ties everything together perfectly.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Potato Salad with Bacon

Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes

These stay warm in a slow cooker so they’re ready for the guests who start filling their plates before the meat is even done. Using Yukon Golds means they stay creamy and don’t get gummy while they wait. They save you from any last-minute mashing stress.
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Creamy Turkey Cobb Pasta Salad

This is the go-to side for hungry guests because it’s loaded with enough turkey and bacon to satisfy everyone immediately. It’s a full meal in a bowl that stays chilled while the grill is cranking out the heat. Making it ahead of time ensures you aren’t stuck in the kitchen during the party.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Turkey Cobb Pasta Salad

Honey Roasted Rainbow Carrots

Red, yellow, and orange honey glazed carrots on a slate board. — Honey Roasted Rainbow Carrots. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Honey-glazed carrots add a nice pop of color and a bit of sweetness to the spread. They roast up easily in the oven, making them a hands-off addition to any family gathering. You get a tender, flavorful bite that balances out the smoky flavors of a cookout.
Get the Recipe: Honey Roasted Rainbow Carrots

Mexican Cucumber Salad

Sliced avocado and red onion salad topped with herbs and spices on a white plate. — Mexican Cucumber Salad. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Crisp cucumbers, lime, and a hit of chili make this a cooling side that helps everyone beat the heat. It’s a great alternative to heavy mayo-based salads and adds some much-needed zing to the meal. This is a fresh, crunchy option that won’t weigh anyone down.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Cucumber Salad

Vegetarian Seven Layer Dip

A person holds a chip topped with diced tomatoes, green onions, cheese, and olives, over a bowl filled with the same ingredients. The background is a light-colored countertop. — Vegetarian Seven Layer Dip. Photo credit: My Mocktail Forest.

This classic dip is the best way to keep people busy while the grill preheats. It’s easy to put together and is always the first thing to go when guests start arriving. You can serve it with a big bag of chips and consider the pre-meal snack handled.
Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Seven Layer Dip

Summer Orzo Salad

Summer orzo pasta salad in a while serving bowl on a whitewashed background next to a bowl of green beans. — Summer Orzo Salad. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Crunchy cucumber and cherry tomatoes tossed with a simple vinaigrette make this a smart choice for hot days. It stays light and won’t get heavy or weird while it sits out on the table. It’s the refreshing side people actually want when the weather heats up.
Get the Recipe: Summer Orzo Salad

Garden-Fresh Veggie Couscous Salad

Veggie couscous salad in a white serving bowl on a wooden board. — Garden-Fresh Veggie Couscous Salad. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Ready in just 25 minutes, this salad is packed with fresh veggies, feta, and a lime dressing. It’s a smart make-ahead option for potlucks when you need something colorful and vegetarian-friendly. The flavors get better as it sits, so go ahead and prep it early.
Get the Recipe: Garden-Fresh Veggie Couscous Salad

30-Minute Loaded Cabbage Steaks

Roasted cabbage steak topped with tomatoes, bacon, goat cheese, and more. — 30-Minute Loaded Cabbage Steaks. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Roasting cabbage in bacon fat gives it a smoky, rich flavor that works well with the creamy garlic dressing. It’s a unique side that usually catches people off guard with how good it tastes. These are great for guests looking for a low-carb option that doesn’t skip the flavor.
Get the Recipe: 30-Minute Loaded Cabbage Steaks

15-Minute Oven-Roasted Asparagus

Cooked asparagus in a white bowl. — 15-Minute Oven-Roasted Asparagus. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Roasting asparagus in foil means you get perfect results with absolutely zero cleanup afterward. This shortcut lets you focus on the grill instead of scrubbing pans in the kitchen. It’s a fast, functional side that looks much more impressive than it actually is.
Get the Recipe: 15-Minute Oven-Roasted Asparagus

Slow Cooker Baked Beans with Bacon

A white bowl filled with a red kidney bean stew, including visible pieces of meat or vegetables, sits on a dark cloth napkin with a fork and spoon beside it. A small bunch of parsley is on the table nearby. — Slow Cooker Baked Beans with Bacon. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Using the slow cooker is a lifesaver when your stove and grill are already full. These beans are loaded with bacon and practically cook themselves while you handle the rest of the party. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it staple that everyone expects at a summer cookout.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Baked Beans with Bacon

Screaming Skillet Green Beans

Garlic and white wine give these a bright finish that cuts through the grease of heavier meats. They hold up well on a buffet line without getting mushy or gross. It’s an easy way to get some greens on the plate that still tastes high-end.
Get the Recipe: Screaming Skillet Green Beans

Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

A green bowl filled with creamy macaroni and cheese sits on a table next to a floral napkin, a fork, and a spoon—an irresistible choice for Memorial Day BBQ dishes. — Hawaiian Macaroni Salad. Photo credit: Blackberry Babe.

This version stays true to the islands with a creamy dressing and a hint of sweetness from grated onion. It’s exactly what you want next to some grilled chicken or ribs during a backyard hangout. It’s a classic for a reason and provides a cooling contrast to smoky BBQ flavors.
Get the Recipe: Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

Citrus Asparagus Couscous

This is a great swap for a basic green salad when you want something more interesting for a BBQ. The citrus and asparagus keep things light, which is exactly what you want on a hot afternoon. It’s quick to pull together without messing up your timeline.
Get the Recipe: Citrus Asparagus Couscous

Worcestershire Green Beans

These are a massive favorite because you only need one pan to blanch and sauté them. The savory sauce adds a lot of flavor that goes perfectly with whatever you’re grilling. It’s a reliable side that keeps your cleanup minimal.
Get the Recipe: Worcestershire Green Beans

Honey Garlic Carrots

These are glazed in a honey garlic butter sauce that hits that perfect sweet and savory spot. It’s a simple side that feels special enough for a holiday weekend. They are quick to prep and even quicker to disappear once you set them out.
Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Carrots

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

A bowl of mashed potatoes with gravy and sprigs of thyme and sage. — Creamy Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Whipping these with cream cheese makes them fluffy and rich without any extra fuss. They provide a simple base that goes with just about any protein you’re serving. You get a great result that’s easy to scale up for a big crowd.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Keep the peace and a drink in your hand by letting these easy sides handle the hungry crowd for you.