Memorial Day is a holiday to remember the fallen women and men of the armed forces. We celebrate them with an American tradition, the BBQ. This makes Memorial Day party food for a crowd much more accessible.

Want to plan the best summer kick-off party with delicious Memorial Day party food for a crowd? We have you covered with the perfect recipes! Memorial Day is when we honor the fallen women and men of the armed forces.

However, it also falls right at the start of summer. This has turned the holiday into a kick-off for the summer season. Of course, we must host a party and invite all our friends for a bite or two.

The holiday timing and the theme force us to go with one sort of cuisine: BBQ. BBQ is an American tradition that is not founded here but is enhanced here. We BBQ all summer long and sometimes, depending on what part of the country you’re in, all year long.

You can make many different BBQ recipes that will feed a crowd. There are even vegetarian BBQ recipes you can use to make sure everyone has a plate to eat. The classics must make an appearance: steaks, burgers, hot dogs.

We just don’t have to stick with only the classics. Instead, we can explore the world of grilling recipes, especially summer ones, to fill out our menus. We can even use the grill to help make Memorial Day side dishes.

There is no wrong way to do this, especially since America is a melting pot of cultures, and our military is as well. Honoring our military could mean Mexican food or Asian food.

We can make whatever we want, but the grill is mandatory. Basically, mandatory. We can’t kick off summer with Memorial Day party food for a crowd with a grill; it’s just not right.

Easy Edible Cookie Dough Bites Recipe

Instant Pot Scalloped Potatoes with Cream

Easy Crostini Bruschetta Appetizer Recipe

Macaroni And Cheese With Bacon Slow Cooker Recipe | The Best of Life Magazine

Crockpot Chicken Chili With Roasted Peppers | The Best of Life Magazine

Memorial Day Party Food for a Crowd

Feeding a crowded party with delicious party recipes is not always easy. BBQs make it easier because there’s nothing easier than tossing meat on a grill and letting it sizzle away. That’s what makes these recipes even better.

The hardest part will be seasoning and prepping the ingredients for the grill. Luckily, each of these fantastic summer recipes comes with step-by-step directions on how to get the job done.

Red Potato Salad | The Kitchn 

Grilled Artichokes | What’s Gaby Cooking

Taco Sliders | Zen and Honey

Grilled Chicken Kabobs | Recipes from a Pantry

BBQ Bacon Burger | Garlic & Zest

Shopping for a Crowd

Hosting a party and making Memorial Day party food for a crowd means hitting the grocery store. Buying enough for everyone to enjoy is the goal, though you may not please everyone. The important thing to remember is to have a variety of options.

Variety helps ensure everyone gets something but also keeps the menu exciting. We aren’t aiming for a Cheesecake Factory-length menu here. But we do want to vary the tastes. Start with the appetizers and work your way down like your guests at the party.

Patriotic Cookie Cake | Make with Mara

Layered Cherry Cheesecake | My Baking Addiction

Red, White, and Blue Marble Cake | I Heart Eating

Creamy Rainbow Asian Slaw | She Likes Food

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookie Bars | Baked in Arizona

More Party Ideas

Blue Jello Shot Recipes | Blue jello shots represent the flag and a good time simultaneously.

Frozen Cocktails That Aren’t Margaritas | Not all drinks have to have alcohol, but the best ones will.

Best Summer Cupcakes | Desserts don’t have to be on the menu; if they are, fit them into the theme.

Fun Summer Cookies For Parties | Cupcakes are a bit more work; cookies make a great replacement.

DIY Outdoor Lighting for Summer Parties | Hopefully, your party goes well into the night. We will need some lighting if that is the case.