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    Home » Blog » Party Time

    35 Fresh Memorial Day Salad Recipes

    Published: May 8, 2023 by Tiffany Dahle · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    A photo collage shows an American flag bunting on top of 4 photos of fresh salads to serve at a Memorial Day party.

    These fresh Memorial Day salad recipes are perfect for serving during your Memorial Day cookout to help round out your menu of grilled meat main dishes. Add tons of flavor with tasty side dishes and summer vegetables.

    A pennant of American flags in a photo collage next to 3 fresh salads for a Memorial day party.

    Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer.

    Before you toss those hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill, it is important to pause during the long weekend to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

    Without those amazing and dedicated service men and women, we wouldn't have the opportunity to gather with loved ones to enjoy the holiday weekend and the amazing feast you've got planned for the party.

    A perfect Memorial Day cookout is filled with fresh salad recipes that feature flavorful recipes with red, white, and blue elements balanced with seasonal flavors that pair perfectly with the main course.

    I hope these delicious Memorial Day salad recipes along with my Memorial Day dessert recipes help you plan the perfect holiday meal.

    Jump to:
    • Fruit Salad with Fruit Dip
    • Veggie Tray with Dip
    • Watermelon Salad
    • Southern Macaroni Salad
    • Strawberry Spinach Salad
    • Chicken Pasta Salad with Grapes
    • Fresh Tomato Pasta Salad
    • Warm Couscous Salad with Oranges
    • Asian Chicken Pasta Salad
    • Lemon Orzo Salad with Tomatoes and Dill
    • Marinated Tomatoes
    • Summertime Potato Salad
    • Carrot Apple Salad
    • Chow Chow Relish
    • Green Bean Salad
    • Roasted Peppers and Pineapple Salad
    • Strawberry Basil Salad
    • Caprese Salad
    • Buffalo Chicken Salad
    • Mexican Corn Salad with Feta
    • Deviled Egg Salad
    • Pineapple Marshmallow Salad
    • Pistachio Fluff
    • Creamy Grape Salad
    • Strawberry Pretzel Salad
    • More Party Menu Ideas
    • 💬 Comments

    Fruit Salad with Fruit Dip

    Filling your buffet table doesn't need to be difficult. Rely on a few store bought short cuts to make it super easy!

    Buy a large fruit salad platter from the grocery store and simply add a sweet fruit dip on the side.

    I love my creamy piña colada fruit dip with fresh pineapple and strawberries but the strawberry cheesecake dip would look so pretty with a blueberry salad!

    • A ruffled bowl of pina colada dip has shredded coconut on top and is surrounded by fresh strawberries, pineapple, and gingersnap cookies.
      Creamy Piña Colada Fruit Dip
    • A bowl of strawberry dip with graham crumbled over the top.
      Strawberry Cheesecake Dip

    Veggie Tray with Dip

    While you're at the grocery store picking up the fruit salad, grab a big raw veggie platter and plan to make one of these easy cold dips for adding to the side.

    • A bowl of cold spinach dip is served with bagel chips for dipping.
      Cold Spinach Dip
    • A container of homemade taco dip has a spicy cream cheese filling and is topped with shredded cheese and lettuce. A serving spoon has scooped a portion out.
      Spicy Taco Dip
    • A serving bowl with creamy tropical bacon dip has fresh parsley for garnish on top. Butter crackers surround the bowl.
      Tropical Cheese and Bacon Dip
    • A creamy dip with corn, peppers, and cilantro sits in a bowl surrounded by wheat crackers.
      Poolside Dip

    Watermelon Salad

    Fresh watermelon is an essential Memorial Day ingredient. You could slice it up into big wedges and just put it on a platter as as an easy side dish for everyone to enjoy.

    You could also easily turn it into a fresh watermelon salad with fresh basil leaves and a simple creamy dressing.

    My easy buttermilk herb dressing or a tangy Greek yogurt blue cheese dressing on the side would be just perfect.

    • A mason jar filled with homemade buttermilk dressing sits next to a bunch of green onions and a bowl of cherry tomatoes.
      Easy Buttermilk Herb Dressing
    • A mason jar filled with homemade blue cheese dressing sits in front of a bowl full of lettuce.
      Greek Yogurt Blue Cheese Dressing

    Southern Macaroni Salad

    A party perfect side dish, this classic southern macaroni salad can be made ahead the day before and is the perfect side dish to bring to a potluck.

    • A white bowl is filled with classic macaroni salad that has onions, red pepper, and celery peeking out of the dressing.
      Southern Macaroni Salad

    Strawberry Spinach Salad

    Fresh strawberries also bring that pretty pop of bright red to the table.

    Make a big salad with fresh strawberries AND fresh blueberries on a bed of spinach and drizzle it with my homemade strawberry vinaigrette for the perfect red, white, and blue salad.

    • A jar of homemade strawberry vinaigrette sits next to a plate full of rainbow salad with fresh strawberries, carrots, pineapple, purple cabbage, blueberries, chicken, and lettuce.
      Fresh Strawberry Vinaigrette

    Chicken Pasta Salad with Grapes

    One of my all time favorite pasta salad recipes is this big batch of chicken pasta salad with grapes and crispy vegetables.

    It tastes even better the next day so it is a perfect make ahead recipe for your party.

    • A serving of grape and chicken pasta salad is on a plate with a fork.
      Chicken Pasta Salad with Grapes

    Fresh Tomato Pasta Salad

    Looking for a savory way to add a bright red vegetable to the table? This delicious fresh tomato pasta could be served chilled as a pasta salad with fresh arugula leaves stirred in.

    • A white bowl is filled with thin spaghetti and fresh cherry tomatoes and arugula. Parmesan is sprinkled over the top.
      Fresh Tomato Pasta Toss

    Warm Couscous Salad with Oranges

    If you want a simple side dish that is loaded with fresh vegetables, don't miss this easy warm couscous salad that can actually be served at room temperature, too.

    Fresh peppers, onions, cilantro, and juicy mandarin oranges make this a perfect pairing with grilled chicken or pork.

    • A white bowl filled with couscous salad. Oranges and bell peppers are peeking out of the mix.
      Warm Couscous Salad with Oranges

    Asian Chicken Pasta Salad

    Whether or not you want to add the broiled chicken to this pasta salad, the zippy Asian lime vinaigrette dressing makes this chilled pasta salad a mayo-free pasta salad you could serve in the heat.

    My Asian pasta salad has fresh crunchy vegetables including carrots, bell peppers, and green onions for tons of flavor.

    • The finished salad is in a white bowl with 2 chicken tenderloins on a bed of pasta salad with baby spinach.
      Asian Chicken Pasta Salad

    Lemon Orzo Salad with Tomatoes and Dill

    Bright red cherry tomatoes, fresh garden dill, and tangy feta cheese are the highlight of this lemon orzo salad that can be served warm, room temperature, or chilled.

    If you're looking for a Mediterranean recipe to pair with grilled chicken or fish, this is a healthy recipe for a lighter Memorial Day menu.

    • A white bowl is filled with the lemon orzo pasta salad. Tomatoes and dill are sprinkled throughout.
      Lemon Orzo Salad with Tomatoes & Dill

    Marinated Tomatoes

    Slice a mountain of grape tomatoes and toss them in an easy dressing to make this fresh marinated tomatoes side dish.

    You could eat it on the side of your meats or spoon it right over grilled chicken, grilled steaks, or grilled fish.

    • A big bowl of red and yellow cherry tomatoes have been sliced in half and marinated in an Italian dressing.
      Marinated Tomatoes

    Summertime Potato Salad

    Is it really a backyard party if there isn't a summertime potato salad with bacon?? My recipe skips the mayo and uses a mustard vinaigrette with savory bacon, summery sweet corn, and fresh herbs.

    You could add fresh crispy green beans to the mix if you prefer.

    • A blue farmer's market carton holds little white potatoes next to a red pepper, ear of corn, and package of bacon.
      Summer Potato Salad with Bacon

    Carrot Apple Salad

    One part salad recipe, one part vinegar based slaw, this fresh carrot apple salad is the perfect pick if you're planning to make anything barbecue like ribs, pulled pork, or BBQ chicken.

    It would also taste great piled up on a grilled turkey burger.

    • Colorful shredded cabbage, carrots, cilantro, and green onions are mixed in a bowl.
      Carrot Apple Salad

    Chow Chow Relish

    If you're planning grilled pork tenderloin, pork chops, spicy chicken, hot dogs or brats/sausages, you truly need to give my homemade chow chow relish a try this summer.

    Filled with fresh veggies and a tangy vinegar dressing, it is the perfect complement to the main course.

    • The chow chow has been spooned over a baked chicken breast. Green beans and a couscous side dish are in the background.
      Chow Chow Relish {No Canning Required}

    Green Bean Salad

    Toss some crispy air fryer green beans with a simple olive oil dressing with fresh dill, salt, and pepper for the easiest green bean salad that will hold up to the warm weather.

    Want a little crunch? Add some slivered almonds over the top!

    • A white plate has a pile of freshly roasted green beans hot from the air fryer basket.
      Air Fryer Green Beans

    Roasted Peppers and Pineapple Salad

    With platters of savory meats on the dinner table, you need plenty of colorful veggies and fresh fruits to balance out the meal.

    This easy roasted peppers and pineapple recipe can be made ahead and served chilled as a simple party salad.

    • A serving bowl of roasted pineapple and pepper chunks sits in front of a roasting pan with spatula.
      Roasted Peppers and Pineapple

    Strawberry Basil Salad

    Squeeze a little lemon juice over this fresh strawberry basil salad mixture to keep things fresh and then pile up crispy crostini toasts for your friends to scoop it up!

    • 2 crostini toasts are topped with diced strawberries and a sprinkle of fresh basil to show the strawberry bruschetta appetizer. A plate of crostini sits in the background.
      Fresh Strawberry Bruschetta

    Caprese Salad

    An even better way to serve fresh tomatoes for your party is to slice up an easy caprese salad platter with fresh mozzarella and fresh basil.

    You could add a sprinkle of fresh blueberries to the platter for a dash of red, white, and blue. The blueberries would still pair perfectly with that balsamic vinegar drizzle over the top.

    • A sliced tomato, fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, and balsamic glaze on a plate with a fork.
      Caprese Salad {3 Fun Ways to Serve It}

    Buffalo Chicken Salad

    Want to offer a healthy salad recipe that your friends could choose to make their main dish instead of a heavy grilled entree?

    This chilled buffalo chicken salad is so perfectly spicy and has just the right balance with the creamy blue cheese dressing drizzled over the top.

    • A bowl filled with green lettuce, topped with buffalo chicken salad, fresh tomatoes, and drizzled with buffalo sauce and blue cheese dressing sits in front of a serving bowl of lettuce with mason jars of dressing on the side.
      Buffalo Chicken Salad

    Mexican Corn Salad with Feta

    This 5-minute prep Mexican street corn salad with tangy feta and fresh green onions is actually a great way to serve sweet corn instead of the more traditional platters of cobbed corn.

    • A blue baking dish with yellow Mexican Street Corn casserole has crumbled cheese and fresh green onions sprinkled over the top.
      5-min Mexican Street Corn Casserole

    Deviled Egg Salad

    Hard boiled eggs and a dash of hot sauce with fresh chives makes this deviled egg salad better than all the rest!

    You could plan to serve it for egg salad sandwiches or just serve the egg salad in a large bowl next to a platter of crispy lettuce and let your friends top their own.

    • An egg salad sandwich sits on a blue plate.
      Deviled Egg Salad

    Pineapple Marshmallow Salad

    When you want a creamy salad that brings a bit of sweetness to the table, you can't go wrong with my pineapple marshmallow salad.

    Filled with pineapple and mandarin oranges with a little coconut for texture, this sweet dish can be served as a side dish or a chilled dessert.

    • A serving of pineapple ambrosia has a spoon for serving.
      Pineapple Marshmallow Salad {No-Mayo Ambrosia}

    Pistachio Fluff

    There are sweet chunks of pineapple hiding in this fluffy green pistachio fluff fruit salad. The toasted pecans add crunch and texture to the chewy marshmallows throughout the mix.

    • A large serving bowl of pistachio fluff has chopped pecans sprinkled over the top and a blue napkin on the side.
      Pistachio Fluff Fruit Salad

    Creamy Grape Salad

    The sour cream and cream cheese dressing for this creamy grape salad has brown sugar for sweetness and pecans for crunch.

    This is one of my favorite side dishes for a party because it is the perfect excuse for adding a little something sweet to my plate!

    • A big blue bowl is filled with a creamy grape salad with cream cheese, covered in brown sugar and pecans.
      Chicken Salad Chick Grape Salad {Copycat Recipe}

    Strawberry Pretzel Salad

    Well alright, let's be honest. This is likely considered to be more of a dessert than a salad . . . unless you live in the Midwest.

    But this creamy strawberry pretzel salad with Jello topping is so pretty, it just simply belongs at your Memorial Day party!

    • A 9x13-inch pan has finished strawberry pretzel salad for serving, a plate with a single slice and a fork is in front.
      Strawberry Jello Pretzel Dessert

    More Party Menu Ideas

    Plan the ultimate backyard party this summer with these easy recipes:

    • Two young girls wearing red, white, and blue tees are holding fresh slices of watermelon at a backyard BBQ party.
      31 Backyard BBQ Party Recipes
    • A young girl picks a slice of watermelon from a tray in the backyard.
      How to Plan the Easiest Backyard Party
    • A photo collage shows 4 red, white, and blue desserts for Memorial Day.
      30 Easy Memorial Day Dessert Recipes
    • A table is set with multiple Nora Fleming platters with summer themed minis for a summer party.
      Easy Nora Fleming Party Menus
    A photo collage shows an American flag bunting on top of 4 photos of fresh salads to serve at a Memorial Day party.

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      25 Last Minute Thanksgiving Appetizers
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    • A German woman in traditional dress holds two steins of beer next to 3 photos of traditional German foods including sauerbraten, pretzels, and roasted sausages.
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    Hi, I'm Tiffany!
    I believe a great family recipe is one that makes everyone at the table happy, not just the kids. I'm the author of two bestselling cookbooks for kids that are chock full of recipes everyone in your family will love. I'm also the hostess of the best online book club for women.

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