20 Great Memorial Day Appetizers
Looking for Memorial Day appetizers for a gathering? You’ve come to the right place for hot and cold appetizers, skewers, chips and dips, and single serving jars and cups.
Each May, those of us in the United States observe Memorial Day to remember the brave women and men who have sacrificed their lives for our country.
Whether you’re gathering with friends, or home with family as you observe this holiday over the long weekend, you’ll probably want a few snacks.
Below, I’ve rounded up my 20 favorite Memorial Day appetizers, and I think there’s something for everyone on this list.
A lot of hot Memorial Day appetizers can be done on the grill!
Chances are, you might be firing up the grill already for hot dogs, grilled buttermilk chicken or steaks. But the grill can go way beyond entrees. Use it to make appetizers for Memorial Day!
Everything from bacon wrapped shrimp to chicken wings can be cooked on the grill for Memorial Day apps. It’s also handy for toasting bread for crostini, or even grilling pieces of polenta to serve topped with tomatoes.
In the spirit of not wanting to turn on the oven on an already warm day, I also turn to my slow cooker for everything from crock pot ribs to meatballs for Memorial Day appetizer ideas.
Cold Memorial Day apps are refreshing after time in the sun.
While the weather can be truly hit or miss for this weekend here in Michigan, there’s certainly been years where it has been HOT.
I love spending time out in the sun, but when I come inside, I want to cool down with a tequila mojito and something cold and refreshing to eat.
Deviled eggs and veggie pizza are both classic cold Memorial Day appetizers here in the Midwest. You’ll also find recipes for beautiful ricotta crostini with berries, and mini caprese cups below.
Skewers are one of my favorite Memorial Day appetizer ideas.
Food on kabobs like sambal chicken skewers aren’t just for dinner. Everything from pineapple to watermelon caprese can be skewered for Memorial Day appetizers.
Kids of all ages love my fruit and cheese kabobs with croissant croutons, and veggie kabobs with halloumi cheese will wow your friends with something new.
Don’t forget the chips and dip!
Honestly, I barely need a main meal when there are chips and dip around. Give me some pita chips and tabbouleh hummus and you’ll have a hard time getting rid of me.
I’ve included my favorite recipes for caramelized onion dip, grilled tomatillo salsa and avocado, corn and black bean salsa below. They’re all perfect for a Memorial Day apps spread.
I’ve also added my mashup of two American classics – hot dog nachos. Tell me those aren’t a great Memorial Day appetizer idea for this long summer weekend.
Jars and cups are perfect Memorial Day appetizers.
There’s something special about having your own little serving of something. You don’t have to share, and you can double dip if you want, right?
My jars filled with marinated white beans would be perfect if you’re planning a weekend picnic.
But, if you’re looking for something more along the lines of a Memorial Day snack or appetizer, I have everything from Mexican 7 layer dip to an elote cup bar to jarcuterie below. Any idea of my unique charcuterie board ideas can go into a cup or jar!
20 Great Memorial Day Appetizers
Looking for Memorial Day appetizers for a gathering? You've come to the right place for hot and cold appetizers, skewers, chips and dips, and single serving jars and cups.
Hot Appetizers
Grilled Polenta with Balsamic Roasted Tomatoes
This Grilled Polenta with Balsamic Roasted Tomatoes is versatile enough to serve as an appetizer or light meal. Plus, it's easy to prepare and it can be prepped ahead of time. The flavor combination will knock your socks off, too!
Easy Buffalo Grilled Chicken Drumsticks
Flavorful grilled chicken drumsticks are so easy to make, slathered in a 3 ingredient homemade buffalo sauce! Crispy, juicy, and just spicy enough.
Grilled Bacon Wrapped Shrimp (Quick and Easy!) - Pinch and Swirl
Plump and juicy Grilled Bacon Wrapped Shrimp are the ideal way to kick off your meal during grilling season!
Crock Pot BBQ Meatballs for a Party
Make a slew of sweet and tangy Crock Pot BBQ Meatballs for a party, because they disappear in no time!
Cold Appetizers
Shrimp Deviled Eggs
Shrimp Deviled Eggs are a decadent but easy twist on a classic. With just mayo, mustard, Old Bay seasoning and shrimp, hard boiled eggs are transformed into a finger food perfect for a crowd.
Ricotta Crostini with Summer Berries & Honey
These berry crostini with ricotta and honey are red, white, and blue ready for Memorial Day! They go perfect with BBQs and picnics.
Veggie Pizza
A quick and easy appetizer that is perfect for bringing to parties! This Veggie Pizza starts with a flaky crescent roll crust that is piled with a creamy ranch cream cheese layer and topped with all of your favorite vegetables.
Mini Caprese Cups
Tomatoes, basil, and mini mozzarella balls are tossed in olive oil, salt and pepper and put into mini phyllo shells. Top them with a drizzle of balsamic glaze and watch your guests devour them!
Skewers & Kabobs
Tequila Grilled Pineapple
Juicy, warm and meltingly sweet, this Tequila Grilled Pineapple gets a mouthwatering char from grilling, and a complex flavor boost from tequila, cilantro and Southwestern spices!
Fruit and Cheese Kabobs with Croissant Croutons
These fresh Fruit and Cheese Kabobs with Croissant Croutons are a nutritious snack that both kids and adults will love. This colorful combination of sweet fruit, savory cheese and flaky croutons comes together in a snap.
Watermelon Caprese Bites
These Watermelon Caprese Bites have that perfect sweet-salty combo taste that makes a refreshing summer appetizer or side salad. No need to spend time in the kitchen since they come together quick and can be on your table pronto!
Veggie Kabobs With Halloumi
These grilled veggie kabobs with halloumi are so delicious, flavorful, and very easy to make! A great grilling side that everyone will love.
Chips & Dips
Caramelized Onion Dip
Onions are caramelized to sweet perfection and paired with garlic, cream cheese, sour cream and mayonnaise to create the caramelized onion ultimate dip.
Grilled Tomatillo Salsa
Grab a bag of tortilla chips, get the grill fired up, mix up a margarita and make some Grilled Tomatillo Salsa!
Avocado Corn and Black Bean Salsa
This Avocado Corn Black Bean Salsa is a delicious appetizer and dip! So easy to make and always a fun finger food at cookouts and parties!
Hot Dog Nachos
Celebrate summer with Hot Dog Nachos, a mashup of two ballpark foods! Includes recipe for homemade beer queso sauce.
Jars & Cups
Mexican 7 Layer Dip Cups
7 Layer Dip Cups - portable appetizers layered up like everybody’s favorite Tex-Mex bean dip. Perfect for Cinco de Mayo, picnics, and barbecues. Now we can mingle and chow down at the same time - genius!
Jarcuterie
This Jarcuterie with pickled cherries is a single serve charcuterie and cheese board in the cutest little portable container.
Mexican Street Corn Salad (Elote) Bar
Having a fiesta? Please the whole crowd with this Mexican Street Corn Salad Bar. Gather all of the ingredients for classic Mexican street corn (elote), but let everybody assemble their own. Perfect for the spice lovers, the picky eaters, and the cilantro-adverse!
Mexican Shrimp Cocktail (Coctel de Camarones)
Mexican Shrimp Cocktail (Coctel de Camarones) is a beautiful way to begin a meal! An elegant, chilled appetizer of tender shrimp, fresh tomato, cucumber, avocado, red onion and cilantro in a lightly spicy tomato based sauce.
Who needs burgers, I’m just going to feast on the appetizers!
Haha, I agree! Thanks Sue!
Thanks so much for sharing, Marion!
What a great round up! So many delicious things in one place! Thank you! Pinning and sharing!!