Can you feel it? Is summer starting as soon as the first glimmers of summer, long weekends, backyard dinners, and sunny afternoons are within reach? Memorial Day, along with the unofficial start of summer, brings all the seasonal foods we crave all year long, including juicy watermelon, smoky grilled entrees, fresh salads, frozen desserts, and margaritas. Whether you’re firing up the grill, packing snacks for the beach, or looking for easy Memorial Day recipes, we’ve got everything you need for a festive and flavorful holiday weekend.
27 Anniversary Recipes to Start Summer
The best part? These Memorial Day dishes aren’t just for one weekend in May. From easy appetizers and summer salads to grilled chicken, seafood, vegetarian mains, refreshing drinks, and make-ahead desserts, each recipe deserves a place in your warm-weather rotation. Simple enough for a casual family dinner, yet special enough for a backyard barbecue, picnic, or poolside gathering.
Ahead, you’ll find our favorite anniversary recipes to start summer in the most delicious way. Consider this the must-have lineup for your upcoming sun-soaked gatherings.
Appetizer
rainbow beet salad
This rainbow beet salad brings instant color to the table and makes it feel festive without trying too hard. A light, seasonal side with juicy heirloom tomatoes, fresh herbs, and a crunchy dukkah finish.
Roasted red pepper caprese pasta salad
We love this product because it has all the right ingredients for summer cooking. It’s easy to transport, flavorful, and just as delicious at room temperature. The Capri-style mix has a classic feel, and the sun-dried tomatoes add a deeper, more flavorful layer.
Hummus toast with tomato, feta and zaatar
This recipe is simple, customizable, and easy to serve as an appetizer or casual side, making it perfect for entertaining. It doesn’t require much preparation and delivers the fresh, light energy everyone wants before the main meal.
Charred cabbage with cashew cream
This is not your average vegetable side dish. With its smoky char, golden edges, and layered texture, grilled cabbage is simple yet brings a little drama to the table.
Crispy torn halloumi salad
This dish has all the warm weather favorites. Bright, salty, fresh and satisfying, the golden halloumi adds an unexpected texture to the salad.
Grilled Romaine Salad with Cherries and Feta
A little heat turns this into more than just a vegetable. Romaine becomes charred, crispy, and flavorful, giving your Memorial Day lineup a bold, satisfying, and light dish.
Bruschetta with ricotta and plums
Start here for appetizers that look fancy but require little effort. The contrast between whipped ricotta and ripe plums makes each bite feel fresh and seasonal, while the toasted bread adds just the right amount of crunch.
Main power supply
sheet pan chicken fajitas
Fajita Spread always knows how to get people together around the table. With spiced chicken, peppers, and all the other seasonings, this recipe brings some fun and practical energy to your Memorial Day weekend.
Chicken thighs with spices
For a simple but timeless main dish, we recommend chicken thighs. It’s rich, tender, and holds up well on the grill, so you get maximum flavor without having to think too much about cooking time.
Grilled shrimp tacos with grapefruit and avocado salsa
These tacos make the whole meal more enjoyable. Easy to serve, easy to customize, and full of flavor, it’s a popular option for casual gatherings.
bursting tomato pasta
This is the kind of recipe that proves you can make an entire meal out of a few great ingredients. As the tomatoes swell and burst, they transform into a light base that’s saucy and flavorful, perfect for summer.
Cedar plank halibut and salsa verde
If you need a break from heavy power for your Memorial Day spread, start here. Halibut provides a freshly grilled flavor while bringing a light, crispy contrast to classic cooking recipes.
Grilled salmon with stone fruit salsa
This dish is made when you want to add a touch of luxury without making the menu complicated.. The grilled salmon keeps it classic, and the peach salsa brings the perfect color and sweetness to the start of summer.
dessert
strawberry cream cheese galette
A little rustic and a little elegant, this strawberry galette is an easy dessert that will make you feel special. Juicy seasonal berries are packed into a crispy crust, perfect to enjoy warm with vanilla ice cream.
peach crumble icebox cake
Pre-made desserts are always the star of any hospitality menu. This Peach Crumble Icebox Cake lets your fridge do its thing and provides a cool, fruit-filled treat that feels like the first weekend of summer.
Strawberry and cream pavlova
The centerpiece dessert is always delivered by Pavlova. The combination of airy meringue, strawberries and cream is classic, fresh and festive without being too rich.
Summer fruit salad and crushed meringue
Sometimes the best desserts speak of the season itself. This fruit salad celebrates summer produce at its peak and brings a refreshing, sweet moment to your Memorial Day menu.
No-stir fruit sorbet
This is the cooldown moment your Memorial Day menu needs. It’s colorful, refreshing, and super easy to serve at the end of a meal or to give your guests something sweet to snack on between swims.
cherry berry ice cream pie
It’s always a good idea to have frozen pies at a summer cookout. It’s cold, creamy, and has a very nostalgic taste, making it the perfect anniversary feast after a day of grilling and refilling in the sun.
Baked peach with honey
Obviously, we can’t get enough of this drupe. Brighten up your next ice cream sundae with honey-roasted peaches. Since your grill is probably already set up, it might be a good idea to add that.
Gluten Free & Vegan Carrot Cake Cupcakes
A cupcake tray makes desserts even more fun. They take the classic carrot cake flavor and put it in a more casual format that’s perfect for picnic plates, backyard tables, and post-grilling.
drink
honeydew melon slush
A drink that feels like a mini-vacation starts with melon. This slushie is bright, refreshing, and beautifully simple, and its frozen texture adds instant fun to your menu.
Non-alcoholic summer spritz bar
This is the drink that lets you enjoy the festive atmosphere without worrying about the hustle and bustle.. These non-alcoholic summer spritzes are refreshing, colorful, and easy to sip on all afternoon, making them perfect for Memorial Day gatherings with something for everyone.
spicy mezcal paloma
This is a classic Paloma with a summer twist. Swapping it for mezcal adds a bold, earthy flavor to your cocktail, making every sip feel fresh and zesty and ready for a long weekend.
spicy margarita
This margarita brings heat in the best way. They’re bold, bright, and festive, making even casual backyard hangings a little more fun.
Lilette Rose Spritz
This is a patio drink with a sophisticated twist. Lilette adds a floral, honey-like note that makes it feel more interesting than a regular spritz, but still remains refreshing and drinkable.
limoncello spritz cocktail
Bring on the effervescence with this elegant spritz. Perfect for at-home happy hour gatherings, family brunches, and of course, anniversaries. But you definitely don’t need a special occasion to try this delicious little treat.
This post was last updated on May 17, 2026 with new insights..
Source: Camille Styles – camillestyles.com
