Ready to kick off the summer season in style? Memorial Day is the official start of summer, synonymous with hot dogs, hamburgers, and your typical summer BBQ fare. Is there room for some healthy deliciousness in all of this? You betcha! Read on for 20+ healthy and delicious recipes to make for Memorial Day.
This will be my first Memorial Day as a homeowner and I couldn’t be happier to begin hosting, YES HOSTING, outdoor BBQs, family picnics, and epic summer adventures. A one-bedroom apartment in NYC is not the ideal location for summer parties, but a big ol’ country yard full of gardens and hidden nooks is beyond ideal.
The summer season brings with it an abundance of gorgeous produce, This recipe round-up celebrates the bounty of the season. So…turn that grill on, pop on some summertime tunes, pour me a glass of cold Rose, and let’s get cooking!
Snacks and Apps!
I can very easily make a meal of small bites, snacks, and apps. Especially for a low-key Memorial Day celebration. Here are some of my favorites:
Green Goddess Ricotta Dip
Creamy ricotta cheese with fresh herbs, garlic, and olive oil. Simple enough to throw together at a moment's notice, delicious enough to make over and over again.
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GAZPACHO BAR!
You know I will find a way to make soup part of any celebration, even in the summer! Here are my two favorite gazpacho recipes. How fun to make the gazpacho base and then have a ton of topping options like diced cucumber, watermelon, jalapeno, feta cheese, cotija cheese, and scallions. Ok, who is coming over, I just decided on my Memorial day menu!
Watermelon Gazpacho
A light and refreshing chilled summer soup, savory with a touch of sweetness from the watermelon. Watermelon, tomatoes, cucumber, jalapeno, scallions, and fresh herbs are the stars of this healthy soup!
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Charred Gazpacho
A twist on the classic chilled gazpacho soup recipe. Charred and smokey tomatoes, peppers, onions, and garlic are whirled together and served with crunchy croutons and bright green fresh herbs. An easy healthy recipe to enjoy on a warm summer day.
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Salads and Sides!
I said I could make a meal out of snacks and apps but I lied… I need a few salads thrown into the mix too. From pasta salad to potato salad, summer is all about the salads. These are some of my favorites.
Healthy Mexican Street Corn Salad
Perfectly charred corn and jalapeno tossed with cilantro, lime juice, red onion, and cheese. This healthy Mexican street corn salad recipe is easy to prepare with only 6 ingredients and is the perfect summer side dish or, with the addition of protein, is the perfect healthy lunch.
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DILL PICKLE POTATO SALAD: This potato salad has become somewhat infamous, I bring it to every party all summer long. The ratio of pickle to potato is 1:1, with a pickle in every bite! OR if I’m making this salad for my sister-in-law the pickle to potato ratio is 4:1. We have been known to use 3 large jars of pickles in ONE potato salad, I’m not sorry about it. If you love pickles, you will LOVE this salad.
Dill Pickle Potato Salad
Crunchy dill pickles tossed together with creamy red, white, and blue potatoes, a huge handful of fresh dill and scallions. Dill pickle potato salad is quite literally THE BEST potato salad you will ever eat, for pickle lovers everywhere!
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Grilled Peach and Halloumi Salad
You are going to LOVE this 5-ingredient Grilled Peach and Halloumi Salad. This fresh zesty salad stars juicy peaches, salty halloumi cheese, and a punchy basil vinaigrette in 10 minutes you'll capture summer on a plate. Healthy, seasonal cooking at its best!
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Vegetarian Italian Pasta Salad
Perfectly roasted cauliflower, roasted red pepper, tons of fresh basil, mozzarella cheese all tossed together in a zippy Italian dressing. Vegetarian Italian Pasta Salad will be your new favorite pasta salad recipe!
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Corn and Black Bean Salad
This lively Corn and Black Bean salad will be a mainstay on your summer table. A fantastic accompaniment to barbeque or seafood and pure magic when heaped into tacos or burritos. Only 7 simple wholesome ingredients, and less than 10 minutes to whip up!
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The Main Squeeze
From creative burgers to vegetarian grain salads. All of these recipes can be made in small batches for small gatherings at home or large batches for big parties!
Beef Shawarma Burger
Shawarma spiced grass-fed beef burger grilled to perfection and layered on toasted naan bread with a yogurt feta cheese sauce, and a ton of veggie toppings. Epic is the most accurate word to describe this burger experience 🙂
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Mediterranean Farro Salad with Roasted Eggplant
Nutty chewy (and super healthy) farro meet a bounty of fresh herbs, perfectly roasted eggplant, garden fresh tomatoes, and lots of kalamata olives! All tossed together in a garlic vinaigrette. This healthy vegan grain salad is easy enough to prepare and so delicious!
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Sweet Corn and Zucchini Pie
The perfect veggie treat! Fresh sweet corn, shredded local zucchini, melty cheese, this pie is crust-less (hello easy), and best served with fresh slices of tomato and flaky sea salt!
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Korean Turkey Burger Lettuce Wraps
Seriously the most flavorful moist turkey burger you have ever had! Piled high in crisp lettuce leaves with carrots, kimchi, avocado, and a special Korean inspired sauce. Perfect for a crowd!
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Sweat Treats
You know I will turn anything into a festive board and dessert is no exception. I LOVE this for entertaining. Fill the board with seasonal fruit, add great chocolate and nuts. Make a festive fruit dip (in this recipe you will find my whipped ricotta fruit dip – so good!). – Festive Fruit and Dessert Board
Wishing you a wonderful holiday weekend filled with amazing food, family, friends, and good times.
Meet Abra Pappa, MS, CNS, LDN
Abra is a licensed nutritionist, seasoned home cook, and forever flavor-chaser. She’s spent more than two decades exploring the connection between food and health—and just as long obsessing over what makes something truly delicious. Abra’s Kitchen is where those two loves meet, with recipes that celebrate vegetables, follow the seasons, and make you excited to cook.
