With Memorial Day right around the corner, I compiled a list of some of my favorite recipes to share!
I'm looking forward to spending time with family over the holiday, and what better way to celebrate than with healthy, vegan food? So, because I love BBQ, I collected 20 Great Recipes for Memorial Day to share with your families.
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is an American holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Memorial Day 2023 will occur on Monday, May 29.
Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings, and participating in parades. Unofficially, it marks the beginning of the summer season.
As we remember the fallen heroes and welcome summer, let's celebrate with family and friends!
Tasty Appetizer Ideas
First, I always serve my family's favorite appetizers during the day for the kids to munch on and enjoy! Since they are my taste kitchen critics, I always ask what they want to eat before making my grocery list.
Even though they chose some older, classic recipes, they also selected some new ones. So, this Memorial Day, my family suggests these fam favorites!
A party isn't a party without vegan nacho cheese sauce. Check out this recipe with the various options for every flavor of vegan cheese sauce to match your holiday theme.
And, leftover nacho cheese sauce is perfect for Vegan Chili Mac, Healthy Mac and Cheese, and Tater Tot Nachos.
No matter what holiday, this layered Greek dip is always a hit and the first dish to vanish! Served with pita chips or fresh vegetables, there won't be a drop left on the plate.
What's better than savory stuffed bite-sized stuffed portobello mushrooms? Nothing! These bite-sized mushrooms are filled with mushrooms, shallots, sun-dried tomatoes, rosemary, and other wonderful ingredients.
Zucchini fries are a great appetizer for everyone to enjoy! Try serving with vegan ranch, lemon basil dipping sauce, or mustard dill sauce.
Vegan buffalo chicken dip is always on the menu whenever the kids visit. Made with jackfruit and vegetables, this dip is perfect with chips or fresh vegetables. No matter how often I make vegan buffalo chicken dip, it never disappoints.
Vegan spinach artichoke dip is a creamy dip perfect for vegetables, bread, or crackers.
I love my crockpot because it cooks for me and is a simple, win-win recipe. Tangy crockpot meatless meatballs have few ingredients; you won't believe how easy they are to make. And, as I said, the crockpot cooks them for you. So when your guests arrive, don't be surprised as they vanish before your eyes.
Crowd-Pleasing Salads
Besides serving an array of appetizers, I always make my favorite salad recipes to accompany my main dish. Since Memorial Day, I have chosen my family's favorite spring and summer salads, perfect for any BBQ or party.
One of my personal favorite salads is grilled vegan Caesar salad! The recipe is simple, but the oil-free, tangy dressing tastes like a natural Caesar salad dressing. Don't forget the oil-free garlic croutons. If you have never tried grilled lettuce, live on the wild side. I think you will love it.
This vegan bean salad contains three different beans, chopped vegetables, and herbs in an oil-free tangy dressing. Again, this vegan bean salad is easy to make and a definite crowd-pleaser.
Another favorite must for Memorial Day salad is a vegan version of grandma's classic potato salad.
Or, if your family loves pasta, try this easy vegan macaroni salad recipe. It's creamy and loaded with veggies!
If you want a light yet beautiful salad, Greek orzo salad is perfect for your Memorial Day celebration. In addition to orzo pasta, this salad is full of red bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, and kalamata olives in an oil-free dressing.
Watermelon is in the stores, and what better way to serve it than with fresh cucumbers, rosemary, infused pickled red onions, radishes, and mint? Watermelon cucumber salad is a perfect side dish for any party if you want a light, fresh salad.
Finally, vegan Waldorf salad is a creamy fruit and nut-based salad in a sweet, tangy, oil-free dressing. Apples, grapes, celery, rosemary-infused pickled red onions, dill, walnuts, and more! Vegan Waldorf salad looks beautiful and tastes just like grandma's recipe.
Memorial Day Grilled Recipe
Memorial Day is all about barbecues, picnics, and outdoor fun!
At my house, we love corn on the cob. But, I also marinate the corn before I grill it, infusing it with different flavors. So, I will make it a little fancier for Memorial Day with fabulous flavors.
One of the easiest burgers to make is grilled portobello mushroom burgers. Just clean and marinate the mushrooms, and serve with a tray of toppings. As a result, this quick and easy burger takes minutes to prepare and another 10 minutes to cook. Easy..peasy!
Grilled veggies are always popular with my family. In fact, with or without sticks, grilled vegetables are quick and easy to make. Depending on the flavor you are looking for, the recipe provides different marinades and vegan dipping sauces. Again, prepare grilled vegetable kabobs ahead of time for party preparations.
Try my pulled pork sweet potato sandwiches if you don't have a grill but crave BBQ. Topped with vegan pineapple coleslaw, this BBQ sandwich tastes incredible. With very few ingredients, cook up a batch of pulled pork sweet potatoes ahead of time and reheat them to make sandwiches quickly.
Are you looking for a veggie burger that stays together and grills? Well, this Beet Burger is the burger you have been searching for. Grill it, cook on the stove, or bake; this burger is hearty, tasty, and doesn't fall apart when cooked or eaten. Super easy to make and has very few ingredients!
By far, grilling tofu is my favorite way to prepare it. However, my tofu world changed once I learned to marinate and grill tofu. BBQ Grilled tofu is made with a healthy BBQ sauce, marinated, and grilled in under 20 minutes. Serve it in a sandwich (above) or eat it with a fork and knife. Or try these grilled tofu recipes this Memorial Day.
From my family to your family, Happy Memorial Day! These vegan recipes help to plan a Memorial Day or another party soon.
Hi! My name is Kathy, I am a retired high school English teacher & vegan enthusiast and blogger. My entire blog is fully plant-based vegan. I truly believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet! 🙂
Sue
Everything looks great. Can’t wait to try them.
Thank you for sharing 🌻