Memorial Day is the perfect time to gather around with family and friends, and what better way to keep everyone munching than with some finger foods? Not every party demands a full meal, and these tasty, bite-sized treats are perfect for snacking while you enjoy the sunshine and good company, And since you don’t need silverware, it frees up a hand to hold an ice cold drink—who doesn’t love that?

Finger-Food Appetizers

Deviled eggs are a classic Memorial Day finger food option—try these BLT Deviled Eggs or Pimiento Cheese Bacon Deviled Farm Eggs for a twist on the classic version. For something a little sweet and savory, try Pecan Stuffed Dates or Bacon, Blue Cheese & Fig Tartlets—both are easy to pop in your mouth and packed with flavor. If you’re wanting to satisfy the palates of your littlest guests, Pigs in a Blanket are always a winner, as are Bacon-Wrapped Saltines.

Finger-Food Entrées

Looking for something both handheld and a bit more substantial? Sliders are a great option—from Buffalo Chicken Sliders and Chicken Salad Sliders to Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders, Paula’s got you covered!

Finger-Food Desserts

And it’s just not a party without something sweet, and, yes, even your dessert can be handheld! You can’t go wrong with Paula’s Strawberry Tiramisu Bites or Blueberry Cream Cheese Tarts. They’re both fruity, light, and the perfect way to get just the right amount of sweetness!

Which Memorial Day finger food recipes are you planning on serving up? Let us know in the comments below!

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Make-Ahead Appetizers

Start things off with Paula’s Southern Cucumber Salad—it’s refreshing and full of flavor, and, as an added bonus, it’s even better when made ahead because the flavors have a chance to really marinate together. Another great starter option is Paula’s Tomatoes Stuffed with Chicken Salad appetizer! Not only does this make-ahead appetizer make your life a little easier, but it’s easy for your guests to enjoy as well—no silverware needed!

Make-Ahead Entrées 

When it comes to the entrées for Memorial Day, you may want to stick with classic burgers, brats, hot dogs, or grilled chicken, but if you even want to get your main course prepped ahead of time, Paula’s Light Lobster Roll recipe is a great option. Make the filling ahead of time and stick it in the fridge until mealtime. Then, everyone can prep their own sandwich!

Make-Ahead Sides

Sides are one of the easiest ways to work ahead—for instance, you can’t go wrong with a Southern Coleslaw or Southern Pasta Salad, both of which are classic make-ahead recipes. If you’re looking for something even fresher, try a Watermelon and Cucumber Salad or Corn and Carrot Salad with Golden Raisins. And of course, every cookout needs a good Mac and Cheese recipe. Plus, this Barbecue Baked Bean Casserole isn’t just any average baked bean recipe—we promise your guests will go crazy over it!

Make-Ahead Desserts

Of course, we can’t forget the dessert! Paula has plenty of make-ahead Memorial Day dessert recipes, including Strawberry Cream Pie and a Blueberry Cream Pie, both of which will satisfy that sweet tooth! For something a little less conventional, serve up a slice of this incredible Strawberry Pretzel Salad recipe for a salty, sweet, creamy, and crunchy treat.

Make-Ahead Drink

Lastly, be sure to prep something refreshing to sip on—Paula’s Black Cherry Limeade will keep everyone cool!

Make It Easy with Make-Ahead Recipes

Now that you’ve had a taste of Paula’s make-ahead Memorial Day recipes, be sure to check out the full list of ideas below! And with most of your dishes now prepped and ready ahead of time, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the day with your loved ones. Have a blessed Memorial Day, y’all!

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We don’t know about y’all, but we’re looking forward to a long weekend and enjoying these Memorial Day grilling ideas with some of our favorite people. How will you be honoring Memorial Day? And what will you be grilling? Leave a comment below to let us know!

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From Southern squash casserole and homemade salsa to chicken salad sliders and a blueberry cream pie, these dishes range from red, white, and blue dessert recipes to classic summer side dishes and easy appetizers. We’ve even got the perfect summer drink idea for you! 

Memorial Day, though a solemn day by nature, is always a great time to get together with friends, family, and neighbors, to celebrate the freedom that so many have given their lives for. Will you be making any of these Memorial Day potluck recipes for your patriotic celebration? Let us know which ones in the comments below.

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Utilizing strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and cherries in tandem with whipped cream, yogurt, or some other creamy filling easily pulls in the red, white, and blue to maximize the patriotic effect of your food table.

These red, white, and blue dessert recipes with fruit will add a berry patriotic look to your celebration, but what else will you be serving this Memorial Day? Let us know in the comments below!

And just as a reminder, while you’re enjoying your patriotic sweets, your day off, and your cookouts, take a moment to reflect on why we have these privileges in the first place.

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That said, you can still enjoy those recipes traditionally cooked on a grill or in a smoker by utilizing your oven, skillets, broiler, and slow cookers. So today we are sharing 12 great no-grill recipes. Now what are y’all waiting for? Let’s get cooking!

And, though we love good food, let us not forget what Memorial Day is truly about—honoring the sacrifices of so many members of our armed forces to protect the country we love. Our gratitude is immeasurable!

For those of you who won’t be grilling for Memorial Day, what grill-free Memorial Day recipes are your go-tos?

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Memorial Day is often considered the unofficial kickoff of summer, and that means it’s the kick off to cookout season too. Unless of course, you live in the South, and you’ve been cooking out regularly since March. If you’re fortunate to have the day off and beautiful weather to boot, we’re here to help you plan out the side dishes you’ll be serving for your Memorial Day cookout. We’ll leave the easy part to you (the main course, of course). But we’ve rounded up some awesome options that pair well with a plethora of entrées, including burgers, steaks, and barbecue.

Whether you’re looking for something rich and decadent, like Macaroni and Cheese with a Potato Chip Crust, or something light and refreshing like a Chilled Grilled Corn and Watermelon Salad, you’ll find it here. Paula has the best sides for a cookout ready and waiting for you. Which Memorial Day side dish recipe will you be making?

Of course, Memorial Day isn’t about the cookouts and days off—it’s about the heroes that gave their lives for this great country. May you be ever grateful for the freedoms afforded by our brave servicemen and women, and may God bless America!

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We’ve got great burgers and hot dog recipes, yummy veggies, great side dishes, awesome appetizers, and some out-of this world pies that we’re sharing with y’all. We hope you enjoy your day off and these tasty recipes. Just make sure to carve time out of your fun-filled day to remember why we are fortunate enough to partake in such festivities—because of the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice because they believed in our rights and freedoms. God bless America!

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The post 7 Sweet Red, White and Blue Desserts for July 4th appeared first on Paula Deen.

• First and most importantly season your meat very well with salt and pepper just before putting it on the grill, this is crucial for flavorful burgers.
• Use a fattier beef like 85/15; it will result in much juicier burgers.
• Make the patties about ¾-1 inch thick, use about ¼-⅓ pounds of meat and make them larger than you think, they will shrink while they cook.
• Make a small indentation in the center of the patty with your thumb to prevent swelling and promote even cooking.
• If you like, add seasonings like dried herbs, minced onion or garlic, and sauces such as BBQ or Worcestershire for extra flavor, but don’t over mix the meat, it will become dense.
• Be sure the grill is hot when you add the burgers, and oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
• Grill with the lid closed, it traps the heat and the burgers will cook better.
• Flip the burgers only once!! This will allow a nice flavorful crust to form on the outside, playing with them too much causes the burgers to release juices and dry out.
• Never push the burgers down with your spatula, doing so will cause the patties to release their juices and result in a dry burger.
• Always grill or toast your buns, a crunchy bun is the perfect accompaniment to a juicy burger.
• If adding cheese do so at the last minute or 2 of grilling.
• Don’t forget the toppings, set out grilled or raw onions, lettuce, tomato, bacon and plenty of condiments such as ketchup, mustard, mayo, BBQ sauce, and pickles or relish.

Wow your friends and family this Memorial Day with delicious burgers hot off the grill!

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