Easy Recipes for Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day weekend is coming up - a time of honoring those who have given their lives to protect and ensure the freedoms we enjoy in America. For many families, the long weekend is the perfect chance to take some time off from responsibilities, enjoying summer activities like swimming, boating, playing outdoors, and dishing up good food with family and friends. Whether you're planning to BBQ, enjoy a picnic, or host a large potluck at your place, we've gathered some delicious easy recipes for your Memorial Day weekend. (Click on any recipe to save it, add ingredients to your shopping list, or print).

Let's start off with some fantastic dinner recipes for main dishes:

Baked Buttermilk Pecan Chicken requires only 4 ingredients and is super easy.  Simply marinate the chicken pieces in buttermilk for one hour, then coat with toasted pecans and panko bread crumbs, and bake. Easy enough to make even for a large group.   Sweet BBQ Chicken Kabobs are ready in no time.  Skewer chicken pieces with pineapple, red pepper and green pepper; brush with a mixture of BBQ sauce and orange juice, and grill until cooked through.   Moroccan Shrimp Tagine cooks up quickly.  Shrimp is cooked over tomatoes and garlic seasoned with parsley, cilantro, paprika, and cumin; simmered until all the yummy flavors are absorbed. Beef Sliders (Photo by Valeria Boltneva from Pexels) are so fun and easy, a great dish for the kids to help make, too.  Perfect for finger-food parties, and you can cook them up on the grill or on a griddle - whatever floats your boat!  

Now for a few side dishes that are easy to whip up, too.

Enjoy these pasta recipes and salad recipes - perfect side dishes for a barbecue. Farmer's Market Pasta Salad incorporates broccoli, tomatoes, carrots, green onions, with pasta, cottage cheese and Ranch dressing for a creamy, colorful side dish.   Red Potato Salad with Green Beans combines red potatoes with green beans in a tangy honey mustard dressing that's perfect for outdoor gatherings or picnics.   Asian Cucumber Salad dishes up thin slices of cucumber, red onion and red pepper with sesame seeds in a rice wine vinegar dressing.   Mac and Cheese with Veggies - enjoy traditional homemade comfort food macaroni and cheese with added grated carrots, diced tomatoes and squash, topped off with crushed crackers and baked.  

Let's not forget dessert!

Have some fun and dish up one of these dessert recipes. Red, White and Blueberry Pie - show your patriotic colors with a delicious dessert combining white chocolate pudding, cream cheese, whipped cream, and colorful berries.  A refreshing cool treat!   Easy Strawberry Trifle - has only 3 ingredients - cubes of angel food cake, whipped cream, and sliced strawberries; makes a pretty and easy dessert.   Do you and your family have Memorial Day food traditions?  We'd love to hear about them - leave us a comment below with your thoughts. Remember you can plan all your holiday meals, keep track of your grocery shopping list, and organize favorite recipes in your own free recipe box account right here at Dish Dish!