It's the last Monday in May, which means it's Memorial Day weekend and summertime is almost here! If you're spending time outdoors with friends and family this weekend, these Vegan Memorial Day Recipes will bring all the sunshine.
You might know by now how much I LOVE summertime. I find things (and, of course, recipes!) to love about winter, but I'm happiest when the sun is shining and there are pool days on the calendar. This makes Memorial Day weekend extra exciting since it feels like the kickoff to my favorite season! While we spend time commemorating and feeling overwhelming gratitude for those who have lost their life in service to our country, we'll also be making these Vegan Memorial Day Recipes. They're gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan (no eggs or dairy!), soy-free, and made without refined sugar, so these recipes are truly for everyone to enjoy.
Appetizers and Dips
To keep appetizers from spoiling appetites or overshadowing the main meal, I prefer to think of these as snacks to be enjoyed all day! Having dips, cut fruit and veggies, and chips on hand keeps any hangry feelings away...and these Vegan Memorial Day Recipes are some of my favorites!
- Fruit Appetizers: Watermelon Pizza or Cinnamon Vanilla Fruit Dip (serve with berries to make it extra festive)
- Hummus: Cilantro Jalapeno Hummus, Quick and Easy Creamy Hummus
- Vegan French Onion Dip
- Salsas: Salsa Fresca, Strawberry Salsa, or Peach Salsa
- Mexican Food Dips: Creamy Black Bean Dip, Guacamole, Easy Cowboy Caviar, or 7-Layer Dip
- Roasted Garlic Dip
Pasta, Potato, and Quinoa Salads
My summertime entertaining secret? Always make a double batch of potato, pasta or quinoa salad. It tastes even better after a day of sitting in the refrigerator, so leftovers are AMAZING and you get to enjoy them for lunch! These hearty dishes are must-have Vegan Memorial Day Recipes.
- Potato Salad: Lemon Olive Oil and Dill Potato Salad or Tzatziki Potato Salad
- Pasta Salads: Mediterranean Pasta Salad, Summer Macaroni Salad, Creamy Picnic Pasta Salad, Greek Orzo Salad, and Creamy Broccoli and Zucchini Pasta Salad
- Quinoa salads: Thai Quinoa Salad, Moroccan Quinoa Salad, Mexican Quinoa Salad, Mediterranean Quinoa Salad, Mango-Avocado Quinoa Salad, Jennifer Aniston Viral Perfect Quinoa Salad
Slaws & Salads
When it comes to salads I try to keep it colorful, flavorful, and always with just a little bit of crunch. Salads are a warm-weather BFF because they're so easy to prepare ahead of time and don't usually require much, if any, stovetop or oven time.
- Bright & Colorful Salads: Tomato Avocado Salad, Thai Quinoa Salad, Beet Tzatziki Salad, Watermelon Avocado Mint Feta Salad, Broccoli Salad, or Mediterranean Zucchini Noodle Salad
- Slaw: Creamy Purple Cabbage Slaw (no mayo), Southwestern Jicama Veggie Slaw, Vegan Summer Slaw, and Garlic Cilantro Lime No Mayo Coleslaw
- Cucumber Salads: Beet Cucumber Salad, Cucumber Salad or Simple Greek Village Salad
- Sauces and dressings: Cilantro Lime Sauce, Hemp Seed Pesto, Pistachio Pesto, Lemon Herb Tahini Sauce, Chermoula Sauce, Green Goddess Dressing/Dip, the Poppy Seed Dressing, Easy Green Onion Cashew Sauce, and Creamy Vegan Garlic Cilantro Lime Sauce
Grilling Vegan Memorial Day Recipes
Since Memorial Day is the kickoff to everything summertime, you have to dust off the grill! I have a couple veggie burgers we all love, but honestly, I get the MOST excited about grilled veggies. There's nothing quite like a perfectly cooked vegetable with just a bit of smoky, charred flavor!
- Grilled Veggies: Rainbow Veggie Kebabs with Jalapeno Chimichurri Sauce, Grilled Veggie Pesto Pasta, or Quinoa and Mango Stuffed Grilled Avocado
- Burgers: Sweet Potato Veggie Burgers, Grilled Portobello Mushroom Burgers, Avocado Veggie Burger, or Grillable Quinoa Black Bean Veggie Burger...all best served with Grilled Sweet Potato Fries or Sweet Potato Fries paired with Vegan Honey Mustard Sauce!
Vegan Memorial Day Recipes for Drinks & Cocktails
I honestly think the key to making an occasion feel special and different from the everyday is a fun drink. We love doing these refined sugar-free slushies, lemonade or spritzers when we want to add fresh fruit flavor and a fun "Cheers!" moment!
- Lemonade: Easy Fresh-Squeezed Lemonade or Frozen Mint Lemonade
- Spiked Drinks: Fresh & Classic Margaritas, Grapefruit Vodka Tonics, Orange Crush Cocktail
- Mocktails: Strawberry Mint Lime Sparkler, Cucumber Melon Spritzer, and Watermelon Mint Lime Agua Fresca
Vegan Memorial Day Desserts
What's a roundup without desserts?! I had to include all of my favorite summertime dessert recipes here, starting with cobblers and crisps! My whole family gets excited about these treats, so I know we'll be making them all summer long.
- Cobbler, Crisp, & Galette: Blueberry Crisp, Apple Crisp, and Grilled Peach Cobbler
- Sorbet: Dairy-Free Dole Whip, Mango Sorbet, and 2-Ingredient Strawberry Sorbet
- Snow Cones & Slushies: Homemade Dye-Free Strawberry Snow Cones or Watermelon Mint-Lime Slushies
- Bars: Key Lime Pie Bars, Lemon Bars, Blueberry Crumble Bars, Protein-Packed Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars, or No-Bake Almond Butter Brown Rice Crispy Treats
- Popsicles: Key Lime Pie Popsicles, Berries and Cream Popsicles, Watermelon Popsicles, Vegan "Nutella" Fudge Pops
- Ice cream: Lemon Ice Cream, Chocolate Ice Cream, Chocolate Cherry Vegan Ice Cream, Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream, Vanilla Ice Cream, Chocolate Banana Ice Cream, Ice Cream Sandwiches
- No-Bake Cookies
Red White & Blue Recipes
No patriotic recipe roundup is complete without red, white and blue recipes! Having one of these dishes on the table feels festive. It's just right for a day dedicated to honoring those who have lost their lives in service to our country.
More Resources & Roundups
- Kid-Friendly Vegan Dinners: Recipes Kids Love
- Favorite Dairy-Free Swaps: The Ultimate Dairy-Free Resource And Recipe Guide
- Ultimate Gluten-Free Product Recommendations + Helpful Resources
- Beginner's Guide to Starting a Veggie & Herb Garden
- Eco-Friendly Products I Love
- Vegan Rainbow Recipes
- Ultimate Vegan Smoothie Recipe Roundup
- Vegan Spring Recipes - All Gluten-Free!
- The Ultimate Vegan and Gluten-Free Camping Recipe Roundup
- Spring Holiday Menu Inspiration + Brunch Dishes (all vegan + gluten-free)
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