19 Memorial Day Sides So Good the Grill Gets All the Wrong Credit

Memorial Day is usually all about the burgers and brisket, but anyone who’s actually hosted a backyard hang knows the sides are what people really fill their plates with. These 19 recipes are the secret to a balanced spread that doesn’t feel like an afterthought or extra work. They’re reliable, easy to prep ahead of time, and so good that the grill might end up losing its spotlight for once. If you want a weekend that’s more about relaxing and less about stress, these are the side dishes you’ll want to keep in your back pocket.

30-Minute Loaded Cabbage Steaks

Roasted cabbage steak topped with tomatoes, bacon, goat cheese, and more. — 30-Minute Loaded Cabbage Steaks. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Roasting cabbage in bacon fat gives it a smoky, rich flavor that will actually have people choosing vegetables over an extra burger. It’s a unique side that usually catches guests off guard with how good it tastes—especially with that creamy garlic dressing. These are the perfect reliable win for anyone wanting a lower-carb option that doesn’t skip the flavor.
Get the Recipe: 30-Minute Loaded Cabbage Steaks

Deviled Eggs Without Mustard

These are the creamy, classic bite everyone looks for the second they walk into a backyard hang. By using apple cider vinegar instead of mustard, you get a bright tang that keeps people coming back for just one more—trust me, they go fast. They usually disappear from the tray before the first round of meat even hits the table.
Get the Recipe: Deviled Eggs Without Mustard

Citrus Asparagus Couscous

This is the best swap for a basic green salad when you want something more interesting to go with the BBQ. The citrus and asparagus keep things fresh and light, which is exactly what you need on a hot afternoon. It’s quick to pull together so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time actually hanging out.
Get the Recipe: Citrus Asparagus Couscous

Honey Garlic Carrots

Glazed in a honey garlic butter sauce, these hit that sweet and savory spot that makes them a total crowd-pleaser. It’s a simple side that feels a bit more special than your average holiday dish. They take almost no time to prep and even less time to vanish once you set them out—no leftovers here.
Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Carrots

Summer Orzo Salad

Summer orzo pasta salad in a while serving bowl on a whitewashed background next to a bowl of green beans. — Summer Orzo Salad. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Crunchy cucumber and cherry tomatoes make this a smart choice for those humid days when you want something refreshing. It stays light and won’t get heavy or weird while it sits out on the buffet table. It is the cooling side people actually reach for when the sun is out and the grill is cranking.
Get the Recipe: Summer Orzo Salad

Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes

These stay warm in a slow cooker, making them the ultimate set it and forget it win for a big crowd. Using Yukon Golds ensures they stay creamy and never get gummy while they wait for the main course—because nobody likes gluey potatoes. They save you from any last-minute stress so you can actually enjoy your own party.
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Worcestershire Green Beans

You only need one pan to blanch and sauté these, which is a massive win for your post-party cleanup. The savory sauce adds a deep flavor that pairs perfectly with anything coming off the grates. It’s a reliable, flavorful side that proves you don’t need a lot of ingredients to make an impact.
Get the Recipe: Worcestershire Green Beans

15-Minute Oven-Roasted Asparagus

Cooked asparagus in a white bowl. — 15-Minute Oven-Roasted Asparagus. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Roasting these in foil gives you perfect results with absolutely zero scrubbing afterward. This shortcut lets you keep your focus on the backyard instead of being stuck at the sink—which is exactly where I’d rather be. It’s a fast, functional side that looks great on the plate next to a stack of ribs or burgers.
Get the Recipe: 15-Minute Oven-Roasted Asparagus

Honey Roasted Rainbow Carrots

Red, yellow, and orange honey glazed carrots on a slate board. — Honey Roasted Rainbow Carrots. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

These add a great pop of color and a bit of sweetness to your Memorial Day spread. They roast up easily in the oven, making them a hands-off addition while you’re busy hosting. The tender, honey-glazed bite is the perfect balance for the smoky, heavy flavors of a traditional cookout.
Get the Recipe: Honey Roasted Rainbow Carrots

Slow Cooker Baked Beans with Bacon

A white bowl filled with a red kidney bean stew, including visible pieces of meat or vegetables, sits on a dark cloth napkin with a fork and spoon beside it. A small bunch of parsley is on the table nearby. — Slow Cooker Baked Beans with Bacon. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Using the slow cooker is a total lifesaver when the stove and grill are already at capacity. These are loaded with bacon and practically cook themselves while you handle the rest of the holiday prep. They are the reliable, sticky-sweet staple that everyone expects to see on their plate—classic for a reason.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Baked Beans with Bacon

Creamy Turkey Cobb Pasta Salad

This is the go-to for hungry guests because it’s packed with enough turkey and bacon to be a meal on its own. It stays chilled and fresh while the grill is heating up the yard. Making it ahead of time ensures you aren’t stuck inside chopping veggies while everyone else is relaxing.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Turkey Cobb Pasta Salad

Hashbrown Casserole

This cheesy, comforting classic is exactly what people want when they’re looking for a solid side that hits the spot. It’s easy to bake in a big batch, making it perfect for those holiday gatherings where the guest list keeps growing. It’s the kind of dish that has everyone asking for the recipe before the day is over—always a win.
Get the Recipe: Hashbrown Casserole

Mexican Cucumber Salad

Sliced avocado and red onion salad topped with herbs and spices on a white plate. — Mexican Cucumber Salad. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Crisp cucumbers and a hit of lime and chili make this the ultimate cooling side to help everyone beat the heat. It’s a fresh alternative to heavy, mayo-based salads and adds some much-needed zing to the meal. This crunchy option won’t weigh anyone down, leaving plenty of room for dessert.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Cucumber Salad

Screaming Skillet Green Beans

Garlic and white wine give these a bright finish that cuts right through the richness of grilled meats. They hold up beautifully on a buffet line without getting mushy or losing their snap. It’s an easy way to get some greens on the table that people will actually be excited to eat.
Get the Recipe: Screaming Skillet Green Beans

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

A bowl of mashed potatoes with gravy and sprigs of thyme and sage. — Creamy Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Whipping these with cream cheese makes them incredibly fluffy without any extra fuss or complicated steps. They provide the perfect simple base that goes with just about any protein you’re serving. It’s a reliable result that is easy to scale up for a big family gathering—just add extra butter.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Smoked Potato Salad with Bacon

Smoking the potatoes and eggs gives this classic side a deep, savory flavor that fits right in at a summer cookout. It’s a clever twist that makes a standard potato salad a lot more memorable for your guests. The bacon adds a salty crunch that ties the whole plate together perfectly.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Potato Salad with Bacon

Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

A green bowl filled with creamy macaroni and cheese sits on a table next to a floral napkin, a fork, and a spoon—an irresistible choice for Memorial Day BBQ dishes. — Hawaiian Macaroni Salad. Photo credit: Blackberry Babe.

This version stays true to the islands with a creamy dressing and a hint of sweetness that tastes like a vacation. It is exactly what you want next to some grilled chicken or ribs during a backyard hangout. It’s a cooling contrast to smoky BBQ flavors and a total classic for a reason.
Get the Recipe: Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

Vegetarian Seven Layer Dip

A person holds a chip topped with diced tomatoes, green onions, cheese, and olives, over a bowl filled with the same ingredients. The background is a light-colored countertop. — Vegetarian Seven Layer Dip. Photo credit: My Mocktail Forest.

This classic dip is the best way to keep everyone happy and busy while the grill preheats. It’s easy to assemble and is always the first thing to hit the empty pile when guests start arriving. Serve it with a big bag of chips and consider the appetizer situation handled.
Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Seven Layer Dip

Garden-Fresh Veggie Couscous Salad

Veggie couscous salad in a white serving bowl on a wooden board. — Garden-Fresh Veggie Couscous Salad. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Ready in just 25 minutes, this salad is packed with fresh veggies and feta for a bright, colorful addition to the table. It’s a smart make-ahead option because the flavors actually get better as it sits in the fridge. It’s the kind of reliable win that ensures everyone has something great to eat.
Get the Recipe: Garden-Fresh Veggie Couscous Salad

Grab your favorite serving bowl and get ready, because these are the sides that turn a standard cookout into the best meal of the summer.