The Ultimate Memorial Day Party Spread

Try these 30 healthier Memorial Day recipes from dietitians!

Memorial Day is right around the corner! It has me envisioning a warm, sunny day with a huge spread of good food, surrounded by family and friends. It’s a day filled with laughter, spent reminiscing on old memories, making new memories, and reverent observation for those who have fallen fighting for our country (don’t forget to pause at 3 pm local time for the National Moment of Remembrance!).  We live in an amazing country! I love the patriotism that surrounds the summer months. I also really love that our country’s idea of celebration always includes food ☺️.  Now before you start daydreaming of overdosing on hot dogs and mayo, I have an AMAZING round up of 30 healthy dishes (brought to you by my cool dietitian friends!) you can bring to your Memorial Day party!

30 #awesome #healthy recipes by #dietitians for your upcoming #MemorialDay party! Click To Tweet

Quick Moment of Remembrance

Before diving into food, I’d be incredibly ungrateful if I said nothing of the service both of my grandfathers gave for our nation. Fortunately both returned home alive. My grandfather Robert Soule was a decorated fighter and bomber pilot serving for 26 years finally to the rank of a naval commander. He flew over 167 types of aircraft in his career and he was an international test pilot. My grandfather Burnett James, drafted at 18, was a machine gunner throughout WWII. The average life expectancy for machine gunners is estimated to have been between 30 seconds and 15 minutes. He served for 3 years. He was the original Rambo, carrying his machine gun on his hip because he said otherwise he’d get killed. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge, crossed the Seigfried Line, and received the French Legion of Honor. My sincerest thank you to those who have died serving, those who have served and those who are currently serving.

Healthy Dishes You Need to Bring to Your Memorial Day Party

Onward we go to 30 healthy dishes you should definitely bring to your Memorial Day party! Enjoy the day with your health in mind. You will love the spin on some of these great American classics – there is some top-notch creativity going on here! And – you won’t believe what the flourless chocolate cake at the end is made out of!

Check out these super yummy #healthy #recipes to bring for #MemorialDay! Click To Tweet

Proteins

Healthified Classic American Cheeseburger by me!

Southwest Cheeseburgers by KISS In the Kitchen

Easy Bean Sliders on Sweet Potato Buns by Kelly Jones, MS, RD, CSSD (Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free)

Lentil Patties with Basil Arugula Cashew Cream by Sharon Palmer, The Plant-Powered Dietitian (Vegan)

Mustard Dill Grilled Chicken by Salubrious RD (Gluten-Free)

Chicken Pesto Kebobs by RDelicious Kitchen (Gluten-Free)

Balsamic Chicken, Strawberry and Beet Kabobs with Creamy Basil Sauce by My Menu Pal (Gluten-Free)

Garlic Herb Steak Salad by KISS In the Kitchen (Gluten-Free)

Steak and Vegetable Skewers with Chimichurri by Erica Julson, RDN (Gluten-Free)

Artichoke Dip Stuffed Grilled Turkey Roll Ups by Hungry Hobby (Gluten-Free)

Pulled Turkey Sliders with Peach-Chipotle BBQ Sauce and Sweet-Creamy Slaw by Craving Something Healthy

Dips

Sweet Corn & Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus by Create Kids Club (Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free)

Creamy Burrata with Pesto and Tomatoes by Jenny Shea Rawn MS, MPH, RD of My Cape Cod Kitchen (Vegatarian)

Southwestern Greek Yogurt Dip with Crudités by Amy Gorin, RDN (Vegetarian, Gluten-Free)

Healthy Low Fat Spinach Dip by Sarah Koszyk, MA, RDN, founder of Family. Food. Fiesta (Vegetarian)

Cottage Cheese Spinach Dip by Shaw’s Simple Swaps (Vegetarian)

Creamy Spring Pea Guacamole by One Hungry Bunny (Vegetarian)

Breads, Flatbreads and Pizzas

Grilled Hemp Pesto Peach Flatbread by The Foodie Dietitian (Vegetarian)

Flatout Sweet Potato Cauliflower Pizza by Amy Gorin, RDN (Vegetarian)

Cool Summer Veggie Pizza by The Every Kitchen (Vegetarian)

Strawberry & Tomato Bruschetta with Goat Cheese by Mostly Balanced (Vegetarian)

Salads

Brussels Sprout, Cranberry & Roasted Almond Salad by Create Kids Club (Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free)

Roasted Summer Vegetable Panzanella by The Nutrition Adventure (Vegetarian)

Melon, Blueberry & Feta Salad by Kim Melton, RD (Vegetarian, Gluten-Free)

Cucumber, Tomato and Chickpea Salad by RDelicious Kitchen (Vegetarian, Gluten-Free)

Sweet Corn Pasta Salad by To Live and Diet in L.A. (Vegetarian)

Corn and Black Bean Summer Salad by Erica Julson, RDN (Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free)

Lightened Up Healthier Potato Salad by Hungry Hobby (Vegetarian, Gluten-Free)

Dessert

Raspberry Fudge Cake by Elizabeth Ward, MS, RD (Gluten-Free) – you won’t believe what this flourless chocolate cake is made from!

Dessert Burgers by Perspective Portions

 

As always, I hope you’ve found this roundup helpful! Wish you the very best Memorial Day!

Updated 5/23/2020.