Memorial Day Menu Ideas

Dinner Party Diaries – Volume 2 Issue 11 – Memorial Day Menu Ideas

In addition to its more solemn purpose, Memorial Day often signals the inflection point into summer.  School is about to end.  College graduations have mostly already happened.  Summer activities and vacations are about to begin.  Depending on your life, summer can either be a time to take a breath and have unwind time or a time to gear up for all the activities you (and / or your family) can squeeze in.  Whichever path your life is on, I hope you can take some time this Memorial Day to enjoy time with family and / or friends.  To go along with that idea, here are some Memorial Day Menu Ideas for your consideration. 

To get things started, we have a few appetizers.  All of which work well for any style of gathering–picnic, dinner party, cookout, etc.  Then for entrées, we have some make ahead or prep ahead ideas.  We’re keeping it simple on side dishes, because less work makes it easier to have more variety.  🙂  On the topic of desserts, I give you some suggestions with varying levels of work required.  

As with any party, pick and choose what suits you and your guests.  (Remember: for the grocery list, you can add recipes, remove recipes, and change the number of servings desired to give you what you need from the store.)

The Menu

Appetizers

Appetizers are where I most often like to spend my time. I suggest a combination of dead simple along with some fun ones that take a bit more work.

Bacon-Wrapped Low Carb BBQ Hot Dog Bites

Keto Buffalo Chicken Puffs

Keto Salmon Loaf Bites with Buttermilk Dill Whipped Cream

Caprese Chicken Skewers

Entrées

Making a seasoned protein such as BBQ rubbed chicken breasts gives you the flexibility to serve it as-is, offer buns to turn it into a quick sandwich, or use it as an ingredient for something like a salad.

Keto BBQ Rubbed Chicken Thighs

Ham, Mushroom, and Spaghetti Squash Casserole

Sides

Keeping your sides simple will save you some time and allow for a wider breadth of options.

Simple Caprese Salad

Easy Roasted Zucchini

Broccoli Caesar Salad with Keto Garlic Pepper Croutons

Chilled Zucchini Cubanelle Soup

Desserts

Go with the tropical taste of pineapple or the sweet indulgence of fresh berries.

Keto Pineapple Bread Pudding

Buttercream Stuffed Strawberries

Keto Berry Trifle

Wine Pairing Suggestions

• Sparkling Wines
  • Domaine Carneros Estate Brut
  • Mumm Napa Brut Prestige
  • Mumm Napa Brut Cuvée
• Rosés
  • Caves d’Esclans Whispering Angel
  • Cakebread Cellars Vin de Porch
  • Robert Mondavi Winery Rosé Napa Valley
  • Mumm Napa Brut Rosé (Sparkling Rosé)
  • Brasswood Cellars Rosé of Pinot Noir
  • Decoy Rosé
• White Wines
  • Peju Province Winery Sauvignon Blanc
  • Cakebread Cellars Chardonnay Reserve
  • Peju Province Winery Carnival (French Colombard)
  • Rombauer Chardonnay
  • Robert Mondavi Winery Pinot Grigio Private Selection
  • Ferrari-Carano Fumé Blanc
• Red Wines
  • Pinot Noir
    • I would lean towards a New World one with jammier notes.
  • Red Blend
    • I would pick one with fruitier notes.

Recipes for a Memorial Day Menu

Bacon-Wrapped Low Carb BBQ Hot Dog Bites

Simple, easy, and finger-licking delicious, these Bacon-Wrapped Low Carb BBQ Hot Dog Bites combine salty and sweet in a succulent little bite. They’re a perfect appetizer or finger food for any occasion. You may want to grab a couple for yourself when you put them out, because they don’t last long.

View Recipe

Keto Buffalo Chicken Puffs

If you’re looking for a flavor-bursting party appetizer or quick snack, these Keto Buffalo Chicken Puffs are for you! Not only are they keto-friendly, but they’re dairy-free too. Just make sure to make plenty because these mini muffins are a crowd-pleaser that’ll go fast.

View Recipe

Keto Salmon Loaf Bites

These delectable mini Keto Salmon Loaf Bites are a savory little pop for your appetizer line-up. Top them with some Buttermilk Dill Whipped Cream and they’ll disappear in a flash. They make the perfect appetizers for a dinner party or additions to a brunch menu.

View Recipe

Easy Keto Pita Chips

A super quick low carb snack, these Easy Keto Pita Chips are the perfect solution for the quandary of what to serve as dippers while keeping things low carb! Give them a try.

View Recipe

Caprese Chicken Skewers

There’s no need to be complicated when you’ve got these simple and delicious Caprese Chicken Skewers. Whether you’re looking for an elegant appetizer or a quick meal, these are the perfect bite!

View Recipe

Keto BBQ Rubbed Chicken Thighs

Simple to assemble but fantastic on flavor, these Keto BBQ Rubbed Chicken Thighs are great on their own or as an ingredient for salads, sandwiches, or wraps. Try them for your next dinner party spread or weeknight meal prep!

View Recipe

Ham Mushroom and Spaghetti Squash Casserole

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Ham Mushroom and Spaghetti Squash Casserole recipe! With tender spaghetti squash, savory ham, earthy mushrooms, nutritious spinach and melted cheese, this dish is a flavor explosion in every bite. Perfect for serving to guests at your next dinner party or as a make-ahead weeknight meal. Don’t wait, try this mouthwatering recipe now!

View Recipe

Simple Caprese Salad

Super easy yet elegant and delicious, this Simple Caprese Salad can be put together in no time. Adding a pop of color and a bright, fresh flavor, it’ll make the perfect side dish for your next dinner party or really any dinner!

View Recipe

Easy Roasted Zucchini

Simple, healthy, and delicious, this Easy Roasted Zucchini makes an excellent side dish for a dinner party, a crowd, or everyday dinner. With only a handful of ingredients and minimal prep time, you’ll want to add this one into your rotation.

View Recipe

Broccoli Caesar Salad

This Broccoli Caesar Salad is a crave-worthy side dish made with roasted broccoli, shaved Parmesan, Asiago, and Romano cheese, and Caesar dressing topped with crunchy Keto Garlic Pepper Croutons. Incredibly delicious and easy to make, you’ve got to add this to the menu for your next dinner party or really any night of the week.

View Recipe

Chilled Zucchini Cubanelle Soup

Packed with fresh veggies and full of flavor, this Chilled Zucchini Cubanelle Soup is the perfect way to beat the heat! It’s great as a refreshing side for your next dinner party or as a healthy meal prep recipe for ready-to-grab lunch or dinner throughout the week.

View Recipe

Keto Pineapple Bread Pudding

This Keto Pineapple Bread Pudding allows you to enjoy the tropical flavor of pineapple and the rich decadence of bread pudding without all of the carbs and sugar! Great for a summer time dinner party or a potluck at any time of year.

View Recipe

Buttercream Stuffed Strawberries

These Buttercream Stuffed Strawberries are decadent little bites that are the perfect treat to end a cool summer dinner party. The slight tartness from the strawberry and the mild tang from the buttermilk and sour cream balance out the sweetness of the frosting. You might want to save a couple before you put them out for guests just to make sure you get some!

View Recipe

Keto Berry Trifle

Try this delicious and decadent dessert for your next summer dinner party, picnic, or potluck! Keto Blueberry Trifle is a burst of berry flavor layered with a scrumptious almond cake and a fun coconut creamsicle sauce.

View Recipe

Grocery List for a Memorial Day Menu