66 Memorial Day Recipes That Aren’t Hot Dogs and Watermelon

• Time Commitment: 6 hours
• Why I Love It: no cook, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser

Spiked with your favorite vodka or gin. Wow your guests with homemade lemonade and hollowed-out lemons for cups (or just use the store-bought stuff and serve it in one communal bowl). Want to make it even easier? "You can use the store-bought stuff if you’re already in vacation mode, stir in a little hooch, then freeze it," writes recipe developer Erin McDowell.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients

Fresh-squeezed limes and ripe raspberries add tart sweetness that seamlessly rounds out the vodka and wine. If you don’t want to splurge on Champagne, prosecco or cava will work just fine.

• Time Commitment: 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegan

This alcohol-free blended drink is equal parts pretty and refreshing. It’s also loaded with pineapple, strawberries and watermelon, so just pretend it’s a fruit salad and have three. "Melon is hydrating and rich in vitamin C and anti-inflammatory lycopenes, while rosemary contributes awesome flavor and antibacterial backup," explains Salt & Wind recipe developer Aida Mollenkamp.

• Time Commitment: 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, <30 minutes, vegan

The recipe calls for green tea instead of black, giving it a lighter look and milder taste. Add lemonade to make an Arnold Palmer, or whiskey and honey for a quick cocktail.

• Time Commitment: 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, <30 minutes

When you want a fancy drink but don't feel like busting out the shaker, lean on the grapefruit radler. Just mix grapefruit juice with a little sugar, then pour it into your favorite wheat beer.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy

Frosé? I don't know her. This bev stars effervescent prosecco instead, which comes to life with the help of fresh citrus and a dash of Aperol.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, kid-friendly

All you need to prepare the briny, tangy cheese dip is a blender or food processor. The summer tomatoes will take care of the rest. "I highly recommend seeking out locally grown tomatoes, but conventional cherry tomatoes will work just fine in a pinch," says PureWow senior food editor Katherine Gillen. "They’re more reliably tasty than regular tomatoes and roasting them concentrates their flavor even more."

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, make ahead

This protein-packed salad is begging to be eaten alfresco. Mix the homemade ranch dressing ahead to assemble the dish even faster.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, vegan

Take your pick of cantaloupe, honeydew or watermelon: This app is all about the toppings. I'm talking nutty tahini, spicy chili oil and crunchy sesame seeds.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy

Sour cream and bacon are classic baked spud toppers, but expected. Spice things up with caramelized store-bought kimchi.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, vegan, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients

This cold tomato soup couldn’t be any easier to make. Round up your produce, olive oil and herbs, plop them in the food processor or blender and give it a whirl.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, special occasion-worthy, pescatarian

This has all the elements of an unforgettable summer salad. Goyoaga, a food photographer and blogger, uses bonito tuna, fried capers and dill in her version, inspired by her time spent in the Spanish fishing village of Bermeo.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, <10 ingredients, <30 minutes

What is it about caprese salad that never gets old? The trifecta of tomatoes, basil and mozz probably has something to do with it. I’ll give you two more reasons by adding grilled zucchini and a drizzle of balsamic.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser

Fruit salad is something everyone can get behind, even more so when it's covered in strips of salty prosciutto. Store-bought glaze will work fine, but you can also reduce balsamic vinegar over medium heat to make your own.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy

Make sure your kids get a serving—between the sugar snap peas, plums, peaches and cherries, there’s bound to be something actually nutritious in there that they’ll like. (If not, there’s always the cheese.)

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, special occasion-worthy

No limp lettuce leaves here, folks. Think mixed greens, fresh basil and crisp green beans topped with charred summer peaches, salty halloumi and toasted pine nuts.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, <30 minutes

You won't need to work too hard at all to put together this stunning centerpiece. All the in-season stone fruits, melons and berries will handle the the heavy lifting.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, kid-friendly, vegetarian

I can't decide what I love more, the uber-refreshing soup that takes minutes to whip up or the Asiago-encrusted baguette for dipping.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, high protein, make ahead, crowd-pleaser

Ditch mayo for avocado, then add scallions and celery for crunch. With a spritz of lemon, fresh dill and a whole lot of cracked black pepper, this rotisserie chicken-based spread is ready for crackers, sandwiches or a sneaky spoon.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: one pan, high protein, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser

This bubbling-hot app boasts ground beef, tomatoes, cheese, green onions, salsa and pickled jalapeños. Buy (or, dare I say, make) tortilla chips for dipping, put out the sour cream and your work is done.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, vegetarian

Homemade pizza just got way easier. Snag a few flatbreads from the supermarket, load them up with your favorite toppings and pop 'em right on the grill.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, kid-friendly

Fetch your skewers: Summer’s official fruit mascot is teaming up with feta for a savory, smoky twist that you definitely don’t want to miss.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly

Simple enough to whip up in 30 minutes (thanks, store-bought puff pastry), elegant enough that your guests will never know.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, one pan

I have serious love for potatoes in all their forms, but this one takes the cake. You get bacon, cheddar cheese and sour cream in every bite without having to commit to an entire spud.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, vegan

Break out the cherry tomatoes and pita chips: There’s a new dip at the barbecue. This hummus-guac hybrid has earthy nuttiness from tahini, plus spice from jalapeño and cayenne.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, vegan

Come summer, I want charred corn on *everything*, and guac is no exception. It gives it a smoky je ne sais quoi I never get tired of.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: one pan, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients

Aka the quickest way to feed the hungry masses. Did I mention these sammies will only take you six ingredients?

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, <10 ingredients, high protein

White bread who? Swap it for taco-sized tortillas, bake a batch of thick-cut bacon and assemble. I use creamy avocado and a squirt of lime in place of mayo, but feel free to spread a layer on before adding the fillings.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian

It’s tough to find a better mate for burgers, ribs and steak than sweet yellow corn. It’s even tougher to find a better match than this corn, which is charred on the fire before being spread with lime-chili mayo and dusted with Parmesan and smoked paprika.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, vegan, <30 minutes

No backyard shindig is complete without a chilled pasta salad. Just be sure to prepare it right before the party so the avocado is nice and green once everyone starts making their plates.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, make ahead

If your favorite part of any dish is the crunch, you’re in luck. This fun twist on potato salad calls for crispy cucumbers, peas and carrots, plus ham, eggs and umami-rich Japanese mayo spiked with mushroom powder.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser

The party doesn’t start until the slaw walks in. This one has a zesty, acidic vinegar base (see ya, mayo) and pairs with everything from brisket to burgers to hot dogs.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, vegan, <30 minutes

You’ll be shocked how quickly this “pasta” dish comes together. Spiralize two zucchinis, blend the tropical sauce (hi, coconut milk and mango) and combine. Then, fetch yourself a cold one and kick back on the patio.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, crowd-pleaser

Chopped red onion offers crunch alongside semi-smashed potatoes and a sauce made from mayo, Greek yogurt and dill. Add celery or other crunchy bits, but I won’t judge if you opt for less time at the cutting board.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser

Make room for greens tossed in a Caesar-inspired dressing made from sunflower seeds, almonds, Dijon mustard and lemon juice. Oh, and it calls for a whole cup of blue cheese. That’s our kind of salad.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian

Whether you're pairing it with grilled chicken, smoked barbecue or hot dogs, this next-level mac is sure to impress. The options are endless when it comes to the sneakily incorporated produce: kale, spinach, collards and mustard greens are all fair game.

• Time Commitment: 55 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegan, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly

Memorial Day tends to be a meat-heavy holiday, so it's key to have a plant-based main on the menu for any vegetarians or vegans at the cookout. This measurement-free recipe from Tabitha Brown is just the ticket.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, special occasion-worthy

Our favorite thing about this Creole essential? It's so filling and impressive that it doesn't need any sides to be a complete meal.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: pescatarian, high protein, special occasion-worthy

Because lemon and herbs are only so exciting after the fifth week in a row, give the fish the al pastor treatment (pineapple! ancho chile powder! citrus juice!) that's usually reserved for pork.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser

Could you eat barbecue without a heaping scoop of mac on the side? Sure, but I wouldn’t want to. This one stars smoky grated Gouda, which gives it a nutty, buttery note no one will complain about.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, crowd-pleaser

One bite of this vegetarian sammy and you won’t miss the beef, promise. The cauliflower slices are drizzled with olive oil, seasoned with smoked paprika and thyme and roasted until browned. Our favorite thing about this dish, though, is the spicy yogurt spread.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, pescatarian, high protein

This recipe can be tackled year-round since it calls for the shrimp to be sautéed on the stove, but I'd be remiss to not suggest grilling them on the barbecue instead.

• Time Commitment: 7 hours and 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, slow cooker recipe, high protein

Set it and forget it overnight so all you have to do on the big day is shred the chicken. All that's missing is a bun.

• Time Commitment: 2 hours
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, special occasion-worthy

Let the steak chill in olive oil, Worcestershire, vinegar, garlic, chili powder and herbs for up to an hour. After grilling, let it rest for 15 minutes, then serve with a zippy sauce hiding one secret ingredient: anchovies.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, special occasion-worthy

Here’s the tropical retreat you ordered. Jerk seasoning brings warm spices like cinnamon and cayenne to the table, and it just so happens to pair wonderfully with mango and lime juice. Serve with rice or mixed greens.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, high protein, kid-friendly

Mix bacon, shredded cheddar, Worcestershire sauce and black pepper into the ground beef for a caramelized, cheese-encrusted burger full of salty-savory goodness. They’re only five ingredients and 30 minutes away.

• Time Commitment: 7 hours and 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: slow cooker recipe, crowd-pleaser, make ahead, high protein

This sweet-and-spicy main works in sandwiches, salads, quesadillas or all by itself. The slow cooker also saves you from sweating over the stove on a hot summer day.

• Time Commitment: 6 hours and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly

If you’ve been dreaming about buying your own smoker, now’s the time. These pork ribs turn melt-in-your-mouth soft after six hours, then they're seasoned with both dry rub and brown sugar-honey butter.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser

Tender shrimp swimming in lemon-garlic butter is an excellent entree for an intimate alfresco dinner party. Serve them with plenty of bread or white rice to soak up the leftover sauce.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly

I have a big crush on tzatziki because it tastes good on pretty much everything. And once you know how to make it from scratch, you'll never use the store-bought kind again.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: one pan, high protein, special occasion-worthy

Ready for a fresh take on grilled chicken? Dress it with ginger, soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic and gochujang. Cook the chicken in the oven or toss it on the grill instead. (Bonus points for grilling the pineapple, too.)

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, dairy free, beginner-friendly

Chickpeas can do so much more than just hummus. Making hand-formed patties out of this legume turns out to be beyond easy (don’t you just love the food processor?).

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: pescatarian, special occasion-worthy, kid-friendly

If you consider tilapia the boring white bread of the fish world, these tacos have a bone to pick with you. After being dredged in egg, taco seasoning and flour, they bake to max crunchiness before being topped with sour cream and zesty slaw.

• Time Commitment: 5 hours and 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly

Only four ingredients and a stint in the freezer stand between you and this summer stunner. Use cara cara oranges for extra sweetness. Better yet, "swap the orange juice for watermelon once summer rolls around," suggests senior food editor Katherine Gillen.

• Time Commitment: 2 hours and 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: one pan, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly

Sure, it's fruit season—but I'm happy to eat chocolate year-round. Don't even get us started on the homemade dulce de leche swirl. "If you like your brownies on the underdone side, start checking the skillet at 30 minutes. For a less gooey experience, bake for 40 or 45 minutes," advises senior food editor Katherine Gillen.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly

I'm calling it: This confection will be your new favorite way to use up fresh raspberries (or blackberries, if you'd prefer). Finish each slice with a dollop of fresh whipped cream or a glug of cold cream.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy

It wouldn’t be Memorial Day without an appearance from America’s signature dessert. I'd serve these Granny Smith- and Honeycrisp-filled cuties à la mode because, well…who wouldn’t? (Oh, and save time by using store-bought pie dough.)

• Time Commitment: 5 hours and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: one pot, <10 ingredients, vegan

It’s hot out there, y’all. Take a trip to Maui without ever leaving your backyard, courtesy of a chilly blend of sugar, strawberries, mango and toasted coconut—no shave ice machine required.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser

I love a classic lemon pie, but one look at this take has us ready to abandon all things basic forever. This color combo inspires oohs and aahs every single time. The secret to the dreamy lavender meringue? Freeze-dried blueberries.

• Time Commitment: 4 hours
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, no cook, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser

Have you met the easiest dessert on the face of the earth yet? It’s pleased to make your acquaintance. Cool off with this treat made from twice-frozen fruit.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly

Crumbly graham cracker-crust, warm roasted strawberries, a cold scoop of vanilla ice cream. Sold yet? Sprinkle on some blueberries for a patriotic finishing touch.

• Time Commitment: 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: no bake, <10 ingredients, <30 minutes, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser

Your inner child’s tummy is grumbling. Confetti cake mix, powdered sugar and vanilla make for a crowd-pleaser the kids will be begging to have for their birthdays. (Toast the raw cake mix on a baking sheet at 350°F for 5 minutes to make it safe to eat.)

• Time Commitment: 2 hours and 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser

Round up the ice pop molds: It’s time for dessert. Brown sugar-cinnamon peaches are roasted in the oven before being marbled with vanilla-almond yogurt. Your favorite store-bought pops won’t know what hit them.

• Time Commitment: 2 hours and 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy

A pretty-in-pink crust dyed with freeze-dried berries is a surefire way to wow every single one of your guests (or you know, your roommate).

• Time Commitment: 3 hours and 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: one pan, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly

Our team modernized the old-school British treat by trading a crystal-cut bowl for an easy baking sheet. It still has all the meringue, whipped topping and fresh fruit of the O.G.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: no bake, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly

Some show their patriotism with flag tees and sparklers. You'll serve this red-white-and-blue treat. It's a sweet centerpiece for your holiday spread, and sweeter still because it doesn't require an oven.