17 Memorial Day Sides That Bring Back Paper Plates and Long Easy Afternoons

I always think of Memorial Day sides as the food that quietly makes the whole day work. They’re the dishes you scoop onto paper plates, pass around, and come back for without thinking. These recipes keep things simple, comforting, and easy to share without turning cooking into a chore. You’ll find a mix of classics and fresh additions that still feel familiar. Every dish here fits right into those long, easy afternoons.

A plate of mixed vegetable salad featuring diced carrots, peas, and potatoes, garnished with fresh dill. A fork rests beside the plate on a rustic wooden table. A textured fabric is partially visible in the background. — Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad). Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

Spiced Grilled Corn

Close up of corn with spices and cilantro. — Spiced Grilled Corn. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

You can’t have a real summer table without a big pile of charred corn. These get a smoky kick that makes them way more interesting than the plain buttery kind, and they’re the perfect thing to gnaw on while you’re waiting for the burgers.
Get the Recipe: Spiced Grilled Corn

Loaded Baked Potato Bites

Mini baked potatoes topped with sour cream, bacon bits, cheddar cheese, and chopped green onions. — Loaded Baked Potato Bites. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

These are basically tiny baked potatoes you can eat with your hands. They’ve got the cheese and bacon everyone looks for, but you won't need a fork or a real plate to handle them. They'll be gone before you even sit down.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Baked Potato Bites

Homemade Corn Casserole

Two rectangular slices of light golden-brown cake with a slightly crumbly texture are placed side by side on a patterned plate. — Homemade Corn Casserole. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

This is that soft, semi-sweet side that goes with literally everything. It’s a classic crowd-pleaser because it's basically a hug in a baking dish. Just put a big spoon in it and watch it disappear.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Corn Casserole

Cabbage and Sausage

If you want something that actually fills people up without a lot of fuss, this is it. It’s savory, salty, and way more satisfying than a basic salad. Plus, it’s one of those easy wins that doesn't require mom to spend the whole day over a pan.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Easy Four Cheese Mac and Cheese

Baked four-cheese macaroni in a rectangular white casserole dish. — Easy Four Cheese Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Let’s be real: everyone is coming back for a second scoop of this. It’s exactly the kind of rich, gooey mac and cheese we all grew up on, and it’s the ultimate anchor for a big paper plate full of food.
Get the Recipe: Easy Four Cheese Mac and Cheese

Quick Pickled Jalapeno Peppers

A glass jar filled with sliced pickled jalapeños in brine—perfect for spicing up your easy afternoon recipes or serving as zesty picnic side dishes. — Quick Pickled Jalapeno Peppers. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

These are for when the plate starts feeling a little too "brown and heavy." They add a bright, spicy snap that wakes everything else up. Put them in a jar on the table and let people grab what they can handle.
Get the Recipe: Quick Pickled Jalapeno Peppers

Cheesy Easy Cauliflower Casserole

A baked dish with a large serving of cheesy cauliflower in a glass baking dish is next to a white plate holding a portion of the same dish. The background is a light wooden surface. A fork is visible beside the plate. — Cheesy Easy Cauliflower Casserole. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

This is the sneaky way to get everyone to eat their veggies. It’s so melty and cozy that it feels like a treat, but it’s light enough that you won't feel like you need a nap immediately after lunch.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Easy Cauliflower Casserole

Roasted Potatoes with Broccoli

A baking tray with roasted vegetables including broccoli, potatoes, bell peppers, and lemon slices on a wooden table. Nearby, there are containers of spices and a spoon resting on the tray. — Roasted Potatoes with Broccoli. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Just simple, honest food that even the pickiest kids will actually eat. The potatoes get those nice crispy edges that stay good even if the bowl sits out on the picnic table for a while.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Potatoes with Broccoli

Roasted Cauliflower Bake in Green Herb Sauce

A baked dish with roasted cauliflower florets covered in a green herb sauce is displayed in a white ceramic baking dish. A sprig of fresh parsley garnishes the top. A small bowl of olive oil and a few scallions are placed beside the dish. — Roasted Cauliflower Bake in Green Herb Sauce. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

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The bright green sauce makes this look way more intentional and fresh than your average veggie tray. It’s a nice way to add some color to the spread without making things complicated for mom.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cauliflower Bake in Green Herb Sauce

Cheesy Green Bean Casserole with Fresh Green Beans

A cheesy green bean casserole being served from a white baking dish with a spoon. — Cheesy Green Bean Casserole with Fresh Green Beans. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Forget the canned stuff; using fresh beans makes this feel like a real homemade meal. It’s got that nostalgic creamy vibe we all love, but it tastes a whole lot better when you’re eating it under the sun.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Green Bean Casserole with Fresh Green Beans

Mexican Coleslaw

Bowl of colorful coleslaw with shredded cabbage, carrots, and cilantro, next to lime wedges and tortillas. — Mexican Coleslaw. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

Every cookout needs a crunch, and this one has a tangy bite that’s way better than the soggy, mayo-heavy versions. It keeps the whole meal feeling bright and easy.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Coleslaw

Air Fryer Asparagus

A plate of cooked asparagus spears garnished with sea salt and a lemon wedge. — Air Fryer Asparagus. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

This is the fastest side on the list. It’s light, snappy, and takes zero effort, which is exactly what you deserve on a holiday weekend. It fits right in next to whatever is coming off the grill.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Asparagus

Mexican Pickled Vegetables (Escabeche)

Sliced fennel, carrot, and green pepper on a beige plate, garnished with fennel fronds for a burst of fresh flavor. — Mexican Pickled Vegetables (Escabeche). Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

These crisp vegetables with a tangy bite bring something lively and fun to the spread. The flavor stands out without being too strong, and they look great in a big glass jar. It’s a great way to add some crunch and contrast to the table.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Pickled Vegetables (Escabeche)

Roasted Sweet Potato Salad

If you’re bored of regular potato salad, this is the move. It’s hearty, sweet, and feels a little bit more modern. It’s the kind of side that people will actually ask for the recipe for.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Sweet Potato Salad

Easy Cheesy Tennessee Onions

Close-up of roasted onion slices, golden and caramelized, sprinkled with herbs and seasoning. — Easy Cheesy Tennessee Onions. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

These onions get all soft and sweet in the oven under a thick blanket of cheese. It’s a bold, savory side that people usually end up talking about long after the party is over.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cheesy Tennessee Onions

Slow Cooker Baked Beans With Bacon

A white bowl filled with a red kidney bean stew, including visible pieces of meat or vegetables, sits on a dark cloth napkin with a fork and spoon beside it. A small bunch of parsley is on the table nearby. — Slow Cooker Baked Beans With Bacon. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

You can’t have a Memorial Day without beans. These are thick, smoky, and salty from the bacon. Since they’re in the slow cooker, they stay warm all afternoon while you’re busy having fun.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Baked Beans With Bacon

Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)

This is the ultimate chilled side for a hot May day. It’s creamy and smooth but has enough of a crunch to keep it interesting. It’s a steady, comforting classic that never fails.
Get the Recipe: Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)

Grab the paper plates and get ready for a long afternoon of good food and easy conversation under the sun.