These Memorial Day Recipes Give You a Big Spread Without Breaking a Sweat

Kids always run into the house before the food is ready, tracking grass onto the floor while the grill is going outside, and the first guests start showing up early. This pre-cookout hour is always the hardest part of hosting a holiday. I used to spend this time running around the kitchen trying to make a massive spread all at once, which just made me tired and grumpy. Summer shouldn’t start that way.

Now, I only make food that can sit on the counter ahead of time, looking big and welcoming before anyone even walks through the door. Here are 25 Memorial Day staples built to feed a huge crowd without any of the extra effort.

Easy Buffalo Chicken Sliders

Spicy red sauce turns the white bread crumbs bright orange on the paper. Melted blue cheese mixes into the hot chicken to make a gooey layer. Baking them all at once feeds a crowd while the fire starts.
Get the Recipe: Easy Buffalo Chicken Sliders

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

Hot air blows around the basket to make the chicken skin extra crunchy. Spices and brown sugar keep the meat juicy before the sweet sauce goes on. Cooking inside saves room on the outdoor grill for other food.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

Grilled Steak with Herbed Scallion Topping

Chopped green herbs and olive oil melt into the hot meat crust. Leaving the steak on the board to rest gives you time to talk. Slicing it thin makes a single piece look like a giant plate.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Steak with Herbed Scallion Topping

Pickle Pasta Salad

Cold noodles sit at the bottom of the bowl and soak up pickle juice. Cheese cubes and lots of green herbs give it a good, familiar taste. Keeping the bowl in the fridge means you have one less worry.
Get the Recipe: Pickle Pasta Salad

Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebab

Green herbs inside the chicken meat face the heat on the grill. A tart spice called sumac makes the meat taste bright and very good. Placing them on a large plate by the door serves early guests quickly.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebab

Slow Cooker Baked Beans With Bacon

Thick beans cook slowly under smoky pork, turning into a dark glaze. Coffee powder mixed in at the start gives the sauce a deep flavor. Bubbling away in the corner keeps the stove free for other dishes.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Baked Beans With Bacon

Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)

Cubes of boiled root vegetables mix with green peas and sour pickles. Hard-boiled eggs replace the meat to keep the dish thick and clean. Spending the morning chopping means a big side dish is finished early.
Get the Recipe: Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)

Balsamic Strawberry Crisp With Goat Cheese

Red fruit juices bubble up through the oatmeal topping in the oven. Dark vinegar balances the sweet fruit, so you do not need extra sugar. Putting it on the counter adds a beautiful treat to the layout.
Get the Recipe: Balsamic Strawberry Crisp With Goat Cheese

Homemade Big Mac Sliders

Chopped white onions soften against warm beef and melt into the cheese. Sweet pickle relish in the sauce tastes just like the famous fast-food burger. Putting them on a big plate stops people from feeling hungry early.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Big Mac Sliders

Easy BBQ Chicken Sliders

Shredded meat drinks up the sweet barbecue sauce until it looks shiny. Soft rolls hold the wet chicken without getting soggy or falling apart. Lining them up in a tight row fills the table space instantly.
Get the Recipe: Easy BBQ Chicken Sliders

Colombian Marinated Chicken Drumsticks

Garlic, spices, and orange juice coat the chicken legs down to the bone. Sitting in juice overnight makes the skin shiny while it bakes. Lining them up on a pan fills the kitchen with a dinner smell.
Get the Recipe: Colombian Marinated Chicken Drumsticks

Fennel And Mango Slaw

Thin, crunchy vegetable strips soften fast under a splash of oil. Sweet mango cuts through the sharp vegetable taste to refresh your mouth. Leaving the bowl in the shade fills an empty spot on the table.
Get the Recipe: Fennel And Mango Slaw

Berry Fruit Skewers

Blueberries and strawberries alternate with cubes of sweet cake on wooden sticks. White chocolate keeps the fruit from sliding around when people move. Standing them up in tall jars makes the table look festive right away.
Get the Recipe: Berry Fruit Skewers

Glazed Spareribs

Tender meat pulls right away from the bone after cooking over low heat. Apple vinegar and brown sugar melt into a thick, sticky coating. Baking a huge pile early prevents any rushing when people arrive.
Get the Recipe: Glazed Spareribs

Strawberry Sheet Cake Recipe With Strawberry Sauce

Soft pink cake springs back when pressed, holding up heavy frosting. Real fruit juice in the cake means no fake colors are used. Cutting it into squares early lets guests grab a bite whenever they want.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Sheet Cake Recipe With Strawberry Sauce

Spiced Grilled Corn

Corn pieces pop over the fire, sending hot steam into the air. Red pepper and lime juice replace heavy butter to keep things clean. Putting the corn in a big bowl feeds the first group of people.
Get the Recipe: Spiced Grilled Corn

No-Bake Strawberry Tiramisu

Sweet cream sinks into soft cookies soaked in a light syrup. Hidden layers of green strawberries give the middle a surprising crunch. Sitting in the fridge for four hours means it is ready for guests.
Get the Recipe: No-Bake Strawberry Tiramisu

Berry Croissant French Toast Bake

Flaky pastries push down under a rich mix of eggs and wild blackberries. Old pastries soak up the liquid to make a crunchy top layer. Baking it early sets up the morning food line with zero effort.
Get the Recipe: Berry Croissant French Toast Bake

Mexican Coleslaw

Cabbage sheds its water in a strainer after getting a pinch of salt. Lime juice and spices make a bright dressing with no heavy mayo at all. Filling a wide bowl early makes the table look ready fast.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Coleslaw

No-Bake Strawberry Pistachio Ladyfingers Dessert

Cold porcelain touches your hand as the dish comes out of the cellar. Soft sponge cakes turn smooth after sitting in the dark overnight. Making the dessert the day before saves you time when guests arrive early.
Get the Recipe: No-Bake Strawberry Pistachio Ladyfingers Dessert

Ultimate Garlic Burger Recipe

Heavy iron pans sear the beef, creating a cloud of warm steam. Crushed garlic and smooth garlic paste mix into the meat for a good smell. Frying them quickly on the stove feeds people while the grill heats up.
Get the Recipe: Ultimate Garlic Burger Recipe

Mixed Berry Pretzel Salad

Salty brown pretzels form a hard crust under sweet cream and red gelatin. Crunchy pretzels match the soft fruit to wake up your mouth. Making it ahead of time fills a big spot on the table.
Get the Recipe: Mixed Berry Pretzel Salad

Easy Grilled Pizza Burgers

White cheese stretches from the meat patty to the top of the bun. Dried green herbs bring the smell of a pizza kitchen to the grill. Offering this heavy choice satisfies hungry guests the moment the party starts.
Get the Recipe: Easy Grilled Pizza Burgers

Nordic Fire-Grilled Salmon

Fish skin gets crunchy over an outdoor fire that smells like real wood. Sea salt keeps the fish firm so it does not drop into the hot coals. Cutting it onto a big board makes the meal look huge.
Get the Recipe: Nordic Fire-Grilled Salmon

Air Fryer Blueberry Brie Pastry and Dip Appetizer

Golden dough grows big in the heat, separating into thin sheets. Hot cheese bursts through the crust, mixing with dark purple berries. Placing it in the middle keeps guests happy while you finish grilling.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Blueberry Brie Pastry and Dip Appetizer

Add these crowd-friendly staples to your weekend plans and enjoy a massive holiday spread that lets you actually relax.