Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer and one of the most meaningful long weekends on the calendar. Before the grills get fired and the coolers get filled, it's worth a quiet pause to remember that this holiday exists to honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to this country. Many of us have family or friends who paid that price. May God bless them and the families they left behind.
Then, the way Eastern Shore folks have always done it: gather your people, raise a glass, and put a meal on the table that's worth lingering over. This guide pulls together our favorite Memorial Day cookout recipes, all built around raw varietal honey from our farm, so you can plan a menu that feels like the season itself.
Plan Your Memorial Day Cookout Menu
The best Memorial Day cookouts feel relaxed, but the relaxed ones almost always have a plan behind them. A workable Memorial Day cookout menu usually includes one signature drink, two or three appetizers or salads, a star main, two sides, and one show-stopping dessert. Scale up from there if you're feeding more than ten.
If friends offer to bring something, send them a quick note about what you've already planned so dishes complement instead of duplicating. The Eastern Shore Collins or Midnight Berry Iced Tea makes a great signature pour, and your guests can fill in with potato salad, slaw, or a fruit platter. A few make-ahead choices (the pretzel bites, the watermelon feta salad, the bumbleberry pie) take pressure off the day itself so you can actually enjoy the long weekend.
Already thinking about the next holiday? Here's how to plan for Father's Day.
Memorial Day Cookout Drinks to Kick Things Off
A great signature drink sets the tone the second your first guest walks in. We tend to lean honey-forward, because raw varietal honey adds a depth of flavor that simple syrup just doesn't match. Here are three drinks worth setting up a station for.
Eastern Shore Honey Vodka Drinks
Start the meal with one of our Eastern Shore Honey Vodka cocktails, from our take on a classic Bee Collins to fruit-infused vodka drinks. The trick is a good vodka, a little honey simple syrup, and whatever fresh fruit you can find at the market.
Peach Margarita
If tequila is more your speed, this Peach Margarita recipe is a sweet, summery sip with fresh-squeezed orange and lime juice. It's the kind of cocktail that gets requested again before the night is over.
Midnight Berry Iced Tea
For something everyone at the cookout can enjoy, brew a pitcher of Midnight Berry Iced Tea. It's made with our Midnight Berry Tea blend of hibiscus, berries, and rooibos. Add a shot of vodka or rum if you want to spike it for the adults.
Memorial Day Appetizers and Sides Worth Sharing
The starters and sides are doing more work than people give them credit for. They're what guests graze on while the grill heats up, what fills the gaps between courses, and what saves you when dinner runs a little late. We aim for a mix of make-ahead items and a few that come together right before serving, so the table always has something fresh.
Soft Pretzel Bites
Our Soft Pretzel Bites are built for parties. Make a big batch, keep a tray warm in the oven, and dip them in honey mustard or spicy brown mustard. They're forgiving, easy to scale, and disappear faster than anything else on the table.
Watermelon Feta Salad
This Watermelon Feta Salad is a Memorial Day weekend favorite. Sweet watermelon, briny feta, fresh mint, and a tangy honey-balsamic dressing — it tastes like the season, and it holds up beautifully on a buffet table for an hour or two.
Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
A Honey House favorite. These Bacon Wrapped Shrimp are sweet, salty, and smoky all at once. Add jalapeño, cream cheese, or a smear of berry jam if you want to play with the flavor profile. Our Wildflower Honey is the move here.
Grilled Vegetables
Grilled Vegetables with a honey balsamic dressing pair with just about anything off the grill. Use whatever's looking best at the farmers market — asparagus, zucchini, bell peppers, new potatoes, even halved Brussels sprouts work in late spring.
Southern Cornbread
Southern Honey Cornbread is a perfect partner for anything spicy or saucy on your menu. Sweetened with raw honey instead of refined sugar, it's a side that bridges the savory mains and the desserts beautifully.
Grilled Corn
This Honey Grilled Corn gets brushed with a honey-spice glaze before it hits the grates. Build a house spice blend you can use all summer — paprika, cumin, chili powder, a little salt — and you'll never go back to plain butter on corn again.
Memorial Day Main Dishes Off the Grill
Memorial Day is the moment when grills come out of hibernation, so the main course is where most cookouts earn their reputation. We like to offer one star protein and one alternative — usually a chicken or brisket alongside something plant-based or lighter, so every guest at the table has something they're excited about.
Honey Glazed Chicken
While the grill is hot, throw on this Honey Glazed Chicken. Hot dogs and burgers are classics for a reason, but a tray of glazed chicken legs feeds a crowd more easily and looks gorgeous on the platter. Pair with grilled veggies and coleslaw for a full Memorial Day weekend meal.
White Chicken Chili
Don't write off chili just because it's almost summer. This White Chicken Chili is light enough for a long weekend and satisfying enough to feed the whole crew. Set out sour cream, pickled jalapeños, and tortilla strips so guests can build their own bowl.
Honey BBQ Brisket
If you have the time, the unofficial start of summer is the perfect occasion to break out a low-and-slow Honey BBQ Brisket. Made with our Eastern Shore Honey, the homemade BBQ sauce is sweet, thick, and rich. No brown sugar — just honey, which caramelizes on the grill in a way refined sugar can't match. Serve with caramelized onions for the kind of presentation that makes the whole table go quiet.
Black Bean Chickpea Burgers
For the plant-based eaters at the table, these Black Bean Chickpea Burgers hold their own next to anything off the grill. Shape them into patties or hot-dog logs for variety. Vegan guest? Swap the honey for maple syrup in the patty mix.
Memorial Day Desserts for the Long Weekend
Dessert is where you can lean into the holiday a little — red, white, and blue fruit, something cold, something honey-drizzled. The good news is most of the best Memorial Day desserts are simple. Save the elaborate baking for fall.
Honey Grilled Peaches
If the grill is still going, you've already got dessert. These Honey Grilled Peaches are caramelized, tender, and perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or Greek yogurt. Peaches not in season yet? Plums, pineapple, and even watermelon all grill beautifully. Experiment.
Bumbleberry Pie
Our Bumbleberry Pie is a mix of berries baked into a flaky crust — exactly the kind of nostalgic dessert Memorial Day calls for. Top each slice with whipped cream right before serving for the visual.
Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
You'll want fresh, in-season strawberries to make these Chocolate Dipped Strawberries. They come together in about 15 minutes with a few simple ingredients, and they look like you spent a lot more time on them than you actually did. Add white chocolate drizzle and a sprinkle of red, white, and blue sugar for a Memorial Day touch.
Raise a Glass: Honor the Day, Enjoy the Cookout
The best Memorial Day cookouts hold space for both things at once: gratitude for the people whose sacrifice made this weekend possible, and joy in the company of the people sitting around your table. Take a quiet moment before the meal. Pour a drink, raise it, and remember.
Then eat. Tell the long story. Let the dessert plates linger. Whether you're grilling honey BBQ brisket on the Eastern Shore or pretzel bites in your kitchen, the food is just the excuse — the gathering is the point. Here's to a meaningful, well-fed Memorial Day weekend.
Memorial Day Cookout FAQs
What food is traditional for a Memorial Day cookout?
Traditional Memorial Day cookout food centers on the grill: burgers, hot dogs, chicken, ribs, or brisket as the main, paired with classic sides like potato salad, coleslaw, baked beans, grilled corn, and watermelon. A signature pitcher drink and a simple dessert like grilled peaches or a berry pie round out the menu.
How many sides should I serve at a Memorial Day cookout?
For a relaxed gathering of 8 to 12 guests, two or three sides plus one salad usually does the trick. Aim for variety in temperature and texture — one cold side (potato salad or coleslaw), one warm side (grilled corn or cornbread), and one fresh option (watermelon feta salad or grilled vegetables).
What is an easy Memorial Day cookout menu?
An easy Memorial Day cookout menu has one signature drink, one make-ahead salad, one starter, one grilled main, two sides, and one no-fuss dessert. Honey-glazed chicken with grilled corn, watermelon feta salad, and chocolate-dipped strawberries hits all the notes without overcomplicating the day.
What drinks should I serve at a Memorial Day cookout?
A pitcher cocktail like a Bee Collins or honey peach margarita works for adults, and a non-alcoholic option like Midnight Berry Iced Tea covers everyone else. Keep ice, lemon and lime wedges, and fresh mint at the bar so guests can build their own variations.
How far in advance should I plan a Memorial Day cookout?
Start your menu about a week out, do your grocery shopping a few days before, and prep what you can the day before — honey simple syrup, dressings, marinades, and any make-ahead salads or pies. Save grilling and last-minute assembly for the day of so you can actually enjoy your guests.
Can I make Memorial Day cookout recipes ahead of time?
Most of them, yes. Pretzel bites can be baked and reheated. Watermelon feta salad and bumbleberry pie hold beautifully overnight. Brisket benefits from a long cook the day before. Honey-glazed chicken and grilled corn are best fresh off the grill.
What honey works best for Memorial Day grilling recipes?
For grilling, look for a honey with enough body to hold up to high heat. Wildflower Honey and Autumn Honey both caramelize beautifully on chicken, brisket, and grilled corn. For lighter cocktails and dressings, a milder Spring Honey or Sweet Clover Honey is a better match.
