30 Memorial Day Appetizers to Kick Off Your Summer Cookout
Keep everyone happy and fed over the long weekend.
Because Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial kickoff to cookout season, your guests are bound to show up to your backyard barbecue feeling peckish. As you fire up the grill, these mouthwatering Memorial Day appetizers will tide everyone over until they can load up their plate with burgers, hot dogs, pasta salad, and coleslaw. From fried finger foods to fresh fruit skewers, these satisfying starters are made for those three days in the sun.
Ahead, you’ll find plenty of crowd-pleasing bites and dips filled with seasonal flavors, along with make-ahead dishes and a few grilling recipes that you can whip up while the wings and steak are sizzling. You'll also spot ideas for using up all those summer vegetables, such as homemade pico de gallo and fried zucchini, plus tasty snacks featuring garden-fresh herbs.
If cheeseburgers aren’t already on the menu, get the party started with mini cheeseburger skewers or cheeseburger sliders. Serving grilled steak as the main dish? Creamy dill dip or antipasto skewers will balance out the richness. For a spread of BBQ recipes that lean more casual, cowboy caviar with tortilla chips or creamy spinach dip with sliced pita will keep everyone cool and satisfied. No matter which Memorial Day recipes you’re serving as the entrée, you can’t go wrong with beloved bites like deviled eggs or pigs in a blanket! And don’t forget to complete your party appetizers with refreshing Memorial Day cocktails. Now, go kick off the summer right!
Antipasto Skewers
Thanks to their handheld form, antipasto skewers are much easier to prepare, serve, and eat than a classic charcuterie board. These Memorial Day appetizers are stacked with tasty fixings like tomatoes, mozzarella, salami, and olives, and you can make them the day beforehand!
Get the Antipasto Skewers recipe.
Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms
For an elegant bite that still tastes like summer, try these crab-stuffed mushrooms. Mushrooms hold a creamy filling with crabmeat, and the buttery breadcrumb topping pulls it all together beautifully.
Get the Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms recipe.
Grilled Chicken Wings
Grilling recipes aren’t just for dinner! If you’re serving hamburgers and hotdogs for your main meal, there’s definitely room on your Memorial Day appetizer menu for wings. Brushed with a barbecue rub and charred to perfection, these grilled wings will satisfy everyone.
Get the Grilled Chicken Wings recipe.
Dill Dip
If you’re looking for a light and refreshing snack, a bowl of dill dip served with sliced veggies is just the thing. This creamy condiment has all the tangy flavor of pickles, and the assortment of colorful vegetables will brighten up your picnic table.
Get the Dill Dip recipe.
Melon Feta Skewers
This appetizer is like summer on a stick! It’s packed with refreshing melon, cubed feta, fresh basil, and a drizzle of balsamic. What’s more, it comes together in 15 minutes with four simple ingredients, and it serves two dozen!
Get Ree’s Melon Feta Skewers recipe.
Cheeseburger Sliders
Cheeseburgers are a cookout classic, especially over Memorial Day weekend. These handheld sliders will get the job done without having to flip a single patty. That means less time spent hovering over the grill and more time socializing with folks.
Get the Cheeseburger Sliders recipe.
Zucchini Pizza Bites
Give crowd-pleasing pizza a summery spin by layering tomato sauce, cheese, and pepperoni on fresh zucchini slices. These apps will be a big hit with the kids, too!
Get the Zucchini Pizza Bites recipe.
Strawberry and Goat Cheese Crostini
Why not enjoy the juicy flavors of summer berries over Memorial Day weekend? Slices of crusty French bread are topped with creamy goat cheese, diced strawberries, chopped mint, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze in a single bite.
Get Ree’s Strawberry and Goat Cheese Crostini recipe.
Pigs in a Blanket
Pass out pigs in a blanket for Memorial Day, and watch everyone flock to them in an instant. Refrigerated crescent dough makes them a breeze to roll out. Don’t forget the delicious dipping sauces for dunking!
Get the Pigs in a Blanket recipe.
Pickle Cheeseburger Bites
Cheeseburgers are a staple at any outdoor get-together, but this time, give them a fun twist by serving bite-sized versions on skewers! With pickle slices standing in for buns, they're the perfect playful appetizer.
Get Ree's Pickle Cheeseburger Bites recipe.
Cowboy Caviar
Planning a BBQ that's fit for a cowboy? Then, you'll need this dip to start! It's a colorful and crunchy combination of veggies, beans, and herbs that you can scoop up with tortilla chips.
Get the Cowboy Caviar recipe.
Avocado Dip
This cool, creamy dip is made with avocado, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and lots of aromatic herbs. It only takes five minutes to whip up and it's perfect for serving with crunchy seasonal veggies.
Get the Avocado Dip recipe.
Coconut Shrimp
Bring on the tropical flavor with this party shrimp that's coated in shredded coconut! There's also a Thai chili dipping sauce that's perfectly sweet and spicy.
Get the Coconut Shrimp recipe.
Spicy Sriracha Deviled Eggs
Add a kick to your backyard cookout with these spicy sriracha-infused deviled eggs. They're perfect for picnics, BBQs, or any get-together with spice-loving friends.
Get Ree's Spicy Sriracha Deviled Eggs recipe.
Green Goddess Chicken Salad Dip
This colorful dip is made with crunchy veggies like cabbage, cucumbers, and scallions, along with hearty chicken. But it's the avocado and herb green goddess dressing that really takes it over the top!
Corn Salsa
Fresh, seasonal corn gives this salsa a pop of sweet summer flavor, but if you like a bit more spice, you can always add more jalapeño!
Get the Corn Salsa recipe.
Fried Eggplant
Cooking your eggplant this way ensures that it's meltingly tender on the inside and extra-crunchy on the outside. Basically, it's the perfect finger food, especially when dunked into a bowl of tomato sauce.
Get the Fried Eggplant recipe.
Homemade Potato Chips
Potato chips are a must! But don't just dump a store-bought bag into a bowl—try making them at home. They're delicious on their own and will take any dip you serve to the next level.
Get Ree's Homemade Potato Chips recipe.
Pico de Gallo
There's so much to love about pico de gallo, including the "cool, crisp wonderfulness of it all," as Ree Drummond says. The key is to use plenty of fresh tomatoes, onion, jalapeño peppers, and cilantro.
Get Ree's Pico de Gallo recipe.
Fried Zucchini
Summer veggies are here at last. It's the perfect opportunity to make some crispy fried zucchini sticks. Try them dipped in ranch—we promise you'll love them!
Get the Fried Zucchini recipe.
Grilled Corn and Avocado Salad
Cookout Sides Beyond Potato Salad and Coleslaw
Chipotle Black Bean Veggie Burgers
Homemade Lemonade
