66 Vegan Memorial Day Recipes

Wow all your guests this Memorial Day with this AMAZING roundup of 60+ vegetarian and vegan Memorial Day recipes. From the simple to the sublime, healthy to indulgent, apps to desserts, there’s something for everyone to enjoy here!

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Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer, which means the start of BBQs, cookouts, and parties! All of these are great opportunities to prove how amazingly delicious vegan food can be. This is something we’ve been focused on for the past 10+ years, and today, we’re sharing everything we know.

And we’ve put together a great mix of more than 5 dozen Vegan Memorial Day Recipes for you! Everything you need from apps to desserts to drinks. There’s a mix of healthy options and slightly more indulgent ones, so there’s something for everybody on your guest list.

And the most important part? Every recipe in this vegan Memorial Day menu is well-tested, trusted, and made in our own kitchen. So you don’t need to worry about any of them flopping when you serve them to your family and friends. Let’s get started!

Appetizers & Party Food

Our list of simple vegan Memorial Day recipes starts with our amazing collection of appetizers and starters. Even if you don’t get past this section, you’ll still have enough recipes for the best summer party around!

• Refried Bean and “Beef” Taquitos. These crispy, cheesy refried bean and tofu taquitos are packed with bold flavor thanks to a few time-tested tricks. With a one-pan, no-chop filling that’s meaty and melty, this air fryer snack will become your new go-to!

• Vegan Goat Cheese. This creamy vegan goat cheese recipe is beloved by vegans and non-vegans alike! It’s made with tofu right in your food processor (no fermenting needed!) with a taste you won’t believe. It’s the best substitute for soft goat cheese you’ll find!

• Easy Vegan Pinwheels. Easy to customize with your favorite fresh veggies! These flavor-packed vegetable pinwheels that will have even the pickiest eaters loving these veggie loaded snacks! Great for the kids!

• Vegan Cheese Straws. These Spicy Vegan Cheese Straws are like a soft cheese cracker that just about melts in your mouth. With a buttery, cheesy flavor, they are the perfect dairy free and vegetarian party snack you’d be proud to serve!

• Bloody Mary Jerky. This meaty vegan recipe is made in the air fryer and full of that classic Bloody Mary cocktail flavor. The perfect party snack and pairs beautifully with a cold beer or as part of a Bloody Mary toppings bar! 

• Polenta Pizza Bites. Everything you love about pizza but with a crispy polenta crust. The recipe is plant based, dairy free, egg free, and the perfect vegan party food for kids and adults alike!

• Loaded Vegan Nachos. Our vegan nachos are layered with spicy walnut meat, vegan nacho cheese, black beans, and ALL the toppings. These meatless nachos are sure to be a food-fan-favorite at your Memorial Day party.

• Air Fryer Pita Chips. These homemade pita chips are the perfect delicious snack or for dipping in hummus, tahini feta dip, and more! And they’re so easy to make!

• Carrot Dogs in a Blanket. A classic appetizer everyone loves any time of year. Our veganized take uses baby carrots to make the perfect party appetizer. People will be talking about this one!

Vegan Memorial Day Dips

Dips are the ultimate vegan Memorial Day recipes to start your meal or snack on during a party!

• Sesame Pineapple Salsa. If you’re looking for delicious but simple vegan Memorial Day recipes, this is the one for you. It’s a tremendously refreshing poolside snack all its own served with corn chips, or just set out some spoons. Seriously.

• Vegan Queso Dip. Dairy-free, nut-free, cholesterol-free, and 100% delicious! This vegan queso is the perfect choice for corn or tortilla chips or as a burger, taco, or nacho topping. 

• Tahini Feta Dip – Quick, uncomplicated, incredibly flavorful, and the perfect plant based party appetizer. All you need is a food processor, 10 minutes, and 11 simple dairy free ingredients. 

• Buttermilk Ranch Dip. Perfect for dipping chips or veggies or as a hamburger spread. The flavor is 10x better than the stuff that comes out of the bottle. No summer party is complete without ranch dressing.

• 11-Layer Vegan Taco Dip. Sure to please every partygoer’s palate at your next summer soiree! One of the many great things about this dip is you can adjust the ingredients to your liking.

• Vegan Beer Cheese Dip. This thick and creamy vegan beer cheese dip has classic tangy flavor of traditional beer cheese but made with tofu! Serve it hot or cold – as a dip with warm homemade pretzel bites and veggies.

• Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip. This easy Vegan Artichoke Spinach Dip can be served hot or cold, in an optional bread bowl. It’s been a consistent crowd-pleaser over the last 10 years since we went vegan. Wow your friends and family this Memorial Day – or any day – with this decadent vegan spinach dip!

Spreads & Hummus

• Dill Pickle Hummus. A wonderfully tangy take on classic hummus. It has a big pickle flavor and that smooth texture you love and expect from hummus. It’s a delightful blend of garbanzo beans, tahini, extra-virgin olive oil, pickle brine, chopped pickles, and fresh dill. We’re betting it may just be your new favorite hummus flavor.

• Olive Tapenade. This vegan Olive Tapenade is perfect for any holiday party. It’s as easy to make as it is delicious. Serve it with our Air Fried Pita Chips or some crostini. You can also use this Kalamata olive tapenade on everything from pasta, pizza, or even your morning bagel!

• Spicy Garlic Hummus – Our fun and delicious twist on classic hummus is easy to make by blending up traditional hummus ingredients like garbanzo beans, tahini, olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice with hot Habanero peppers and roasted red peppers. I recommend making a double batch. This goes fast!

Main Dishes

These easy vegan Memorial Day recipes are perfect for more filling fare for your summer party.

• Vegan BBQ Chicken Pizza – We love making homemade pizzas, and this is one of the greats! Your guests won’t believe this is a vegan pizza. Packed with amazing flavor, this is the pizza that answers the question “Does pineapple belong on pizza?” And the answer is, Yes!

• Vegan Crab Cakes – These vegan crab cakes will have you doing double-takes! It’s perfect as a finger food or served as a sandwich (or sliders!) These vegan crab cakes are also a fantastic topper for a simple, or not-so-simple, salad. Try them with vegan tartar sauce, spicy cocktail sauce, or our sesame pineapple salsa!

• Vegan Sausage and Peppers – A crowd-pleaser through and through. We’ve served this plant-based dish to many crowds of non-vegans of all ages, and it is always a massive hit! It’s also easy to make and super versatile!

• Jackfruit Carnitas – A delicious vegan and vegetarian option that’s easy to make with simple ingredients! Packed with a spicy flavor and citrusy zip, it’ll show you why canned jackfruit is the perfect pulled meat substitute for a variety of recipes. These meatless carnitas are particularly wonderful in taquitos, tacos, vegan nachos, salads, and burrito bowls!

• Vegan Sloppy Joes – If you’re looking for a fun, hearty, and meatless recipe that everyone will love for your party, these Vegan Sloppy Joes are it! The mix is easy to make with a TVP base and no lentils! And the spicy and sweet sauce will have everyone clamoring for seconds.

Veggie Burgers & Carrot Dogs

No list of vegan Memorial Day recipes is complete without an assortment of burgers and dogs for the grill!

• The Best Carrot Dogs! – This vegan hot dog recipe is a long-time reader favorite, remarkably simple to make, and the marinade uses common pantry staples. They’re perfect for a summer cookout or Memorial Day or Labor Day party! These plant-based hot dogs are so mind-blowing; you’ll be shocked you’re eating a carrot!

• Mushroom Quinoa Burger – These quinoa burgers are the perfect combination of healthy and tasty and always a total crowd-pleaser. They’re loaded with veggies like broccoli, onions, mushrooms, and garlic and high-protein ingredients like quinoa and beans. And be sure not to skimp on the dairy free Sriracha aioli!

• Vegan Coney Dogs – Our classic carrot dogs get a mustardy makeover, a hot dog topped with an all-meat mustard chili and finely diced onions. This vegan coney dog recipe is just as perfect for a BBQ or party as it is a weeknight dinner with the kids. This is not just a simple chili dog; this is a Coney Dog!

• The Best Vegan Burgers – There are veggie burgers and then there’s vegan meat. This homemade vegan meat burger recipe, a perfect blend of TVP and seitan seasoned to perfection, is most certainly the latter. They have an irresistibly meaty texture with a delicious flavor and a light pink center, thanks to a bit of vegan magic using beets.

• Vegan Teriyaki Burgers – We take our homemade vegan burger recipe and add the perfect blend of garlic, ginger, red onion, and teriyaki sauce. It’s then topped with a grilled pineapple slice and spicy teriyaki mayo. It’s a great vegetarian option for cookouts and guaranteed to be your new favorite summer veggie burger.

• California Veggie Burger – Our California Burger is a simple recipe with basic ingredients. It’s light and filling, easy to make and guaranteed to be your new summer go-to meatless option!

• Vegan “Salmon” Burger – These Vegan Salmon Burgers use white beans, beet powder, and kelp granules to get the feel, look, and flavor of salmon burgers. Serve these fish-friendly burgers topped with some of our tangy vegan tahini slaw or on a burger bun with sliced avocado and spicy vegan mayo!

Tofu Mains

• Tequila Lime Tofu Cutlets – ​​Easy to make with a quick tequila-infused chili lime marinade and slow-baked until crispy on the outside and meaty on the inside! They’re perfect for tofu tacos, quesadillas, or Mexican-inspired bowls and salads! 

• Tofu Tacos – If you’ve been disappointed by bland and boring tofu tacos in the past, you’re in for a major treat. These tofu tacos, made with a flavor-packed tofu beef that comes together in one skillet, have a bold, beefy taco flavor sure to impress. 

• Lemon Pepper Tofu Wings – Vegan lemon pepper wings that actually taste like boneless chicken wings and not some crunchy vegetable substitute. These Lemon Pepper Tofu Wings are packed with chickeny flavor and coated in a piquant lemon pepper sauce, and have the meatiest texture thanks to our internet-famous Tofu Freezer Trick. 

Main-Dish-Worthy Pastas for Memorial Day

• Doritos Mac and Cheese – Like no other mac and cheese you’ve ever tasted. Creamy, comforting, and delicious, it’s everything you love about baked mac and cheese but vegan, and with loads of crushed Spicy Sweet Chili Doritos in every creamy bite. Whether your guests are vegan or not, they’ll love this Spicy Sweet Chili Mac and Cheese. 

• Vegan Baked Feta Pasta – Made with a luxurious homemade vegan feta cheese sauce and fantastic flavors like tahini, kalamata olives, and roasted red peppers, this recipe is not only a cheaper version than using store-bought vegan feta cheese, but it’s healthier and allergy-friendly too. Your guests will love it!

• Creamy Vegan Spinach Pasta – You are going to love this creamy vegan spinach pasta for your party because it’s flavorful and creamy, but with a lightness you wouldn’t expect. The pasta won’t leave you feeling bogged down from cheese and heavy cream – perfect for summer parties!

Side Dishes

The unsung heroes of any summer party. This list of perfect party appetizers will make your Memorial Day memorable!

• Lemon Pepper Green Beans – These Lemon Pepper Green Beans are like eating a ray of sunshine. This sprightly combination of fresh flavors even gets B to eat green beans! These are the perfect dish for spring and summer parties or meals.

• Jalapeno Corn Fritters – Spicy, zesty, and imbued with a fresh and summery vibe, they’re astonishingly easy to whip up and versatile enough to complement anything from creamy pastas to crisp salads and more. These will definitely spice up your Memorial Day weekend.

• Vegan Baked Beans – Baked beans are the quintessential summer BBQ side dish! This delicious, healthy take on classic baked beans is filled with flavor but uses simple ingredients (and no ketchup!) and is made on the stovetop. You’ll be eating them all summer long alongside ALL your cookout favorites! 

Pasta Salads for Memorial Day

• Vegan Ranch Pasta Salad – A pasta salad that’s creamy and filling but not heavy and full of real flavor without needing to chop a million veggies. Our Vegan Ranch Pasta Salad with Peas and Seitan Ham is a fast, fuss-free dream recipe that’s packed with fresh flavor, plant-based protein, and picnic-friendly vibes!

• Classic Pasta Salad – In traditional pasta salads, pasta is usually the “star”. In this vegan pasta salad, however, each ingredient plays an integral part. This super simple vegan pasta salad is a “grown-up-riff” off the traditional side and bursting with flavors of fresh veggies like red peppers, tomatoes, kalamata olives, and more!

• Tequila Lime Pasta – This Tequila Lime Pasta recipe is going to be your favorite party recipe! It’s easy to make, healthy, and FULL of zesty summer flavor. Serve it cold as a side at all your outdoor BBQs or hot as a main dish with some grilled summer veg.

• Cold Peanut Noodle Salad – This simple vegan cold noodle salad is an easy recipe that only takes about 15 minutes and can be made ahead a day or two ahead of your Memorial Day party. This peanut lime noodle salad is a stunning but simple summer recipe. It’s light, refreshing, healthy and absolutely amazing!

• Creamy Lemon Pasta Salad – This isn’t your typical lemon pasta salad. Ours is ultra-creamy, light yet satisfying, and filled with actual greens. Think of it as a cross between a pasta salad and a crunchy garden salad, with a luscious lemony dressing that ties everything together. 

Vegan Coleslaw Options

• Creamy Vegan Coleslaw – This super-simple creamy vegan coleslaw recipe has all the flavor of the ones you remember but packs a protein punch. Our recipe uses silken tofu to replace most of the mayo in the dressing, making this much lighter and even healthier. You’re definitely going to want to serve this at your next summer BBQ or Memorial Day party!

• Lemon Tahini Slaw – This creamy and tangy slaw is a citrusy twist on the traditional classic coleslaw. Packed with a sesame lemony flavor, this vegan, egg-free slaw goes great with veggie burgers, sandwiches, or falafel! You’ll love this new take on an old classic. So will everyone at your party.

Green Salads for Memorial Day

Green salads are a must when talking vegan Memorial Day recipes. They round out any meal with that fresh crisp between bites.

• Vegan Caesar Salad – Silken tofu creates a creamy base for our Caesar dressing and 9 simple ingredients like lemon juice, fresh garlic, and capers add the unmistakable caesar flavor. Serve it as part of a plant-based party feast or bulk it up with all the toppings for a healthy comforting main dish!

• Copycat Olive Garden Salad – Our veganized copycat recipe of Olive Garden’s House Salad contains iceberg and romaine lettuces mixed with red onion, black olives and more. It’s finished with piquant pepperoncini peppers and a homemade, creamy Italian dressing and it is the perfect salad for any summer party. 

• Southwest Salad – This vegan southwest salad is a no-cook summer delight! Filled with simple ingredients like lettuce, black beans, sweet corn, bell peppers and more. It’s sure to satisfy all your guests and be a hit at your party. 

Misc. Memorial Day Salads

Most of these vegan Memorial Day recipes can be made ahead of time, saving you the stress of throwing together a last-minute dish!

• Southwest 3-Bean Salad – This vegan Southwest 3-bean salad is the perfect side dish to serve or bring with you to any summer party. It’s easy to make and is great with a grilled vegan burger, carrot dog, or seitan sausage. Packed with healthy fiber-rich and protein-packed ingredients with a zesty lime dressing to bring it all together!

• Vegan Egg Salad – This vegan egg salad is so spot-on with the taste, texture, and look of the classic egg salad we grew up with. And the best part? It’s wildly easy. Just chop, stir, and get that creamy, savory egg salad magic in every bite.

• Classic Cucumber Tomato Salad – This simple cucumber tomato salad is one of the most popular and beloved summer salads and for good reason. It is so, so easy to make, it utilizes simple, fresh ingredients almost always present in any kitchen, and most importantly, it’s absolutely delicious! 

• Healthy Broccoli Salad – This delicious vegan broccoli salad is the perfect side for any summer party or barbecue. It has a little sweetness and a lot of crunch, is completely customizable to your taste, and is so easy to make. 

Vegan Memorial Day Desserts

No party is complete without a few delicious desserts to finish off the day. These are just a few of our favorite summertime dessert ideas.

• Vegan Whipped Cream – This 5-ingredient vegan whipped cream is easy to make, freezer-friendly, and stays stable outside the fridge. A delicious take on classic coconut whipped cream recipes, this dairy-free whipped topping is a fantastic addition to any dessert bar at your next summer party.

• Brownie Batter Dip – An easy and dairy free dessert you can whip up in under 10 minutes but is still sure to impress. Serve it with pretzels and strawberries any time you really want a wow-factor! This is an amazing (ps: it’s also healthy) vegan dessert, and if you’ve never tried tahini in a dessert before, get ready for your life to change.

• Vegan Cannoli Cones – Vegan cannoli without all the fuss of making your own shells! These Vegan Cannoli Cones, infused with decadent white chocolate flavor, are a fantastically fun and delicious dairy-free dessert. Perfect for kids and adults alike.

No-Bake Pies for Memorial Day

No-Bake desserts are our favorite vegan Memorial Day recipes because they are easy to prep ahead!

• Dairy Free Key Lime Pie – This vegan key lime pie recipe is a plant based, no-cook twist on classic key lime pie. Just blend up the key lime juice, sugar, and silken tofu based filling and pour it into a premade graham cracker crust, chill, and enjoy! It’s that easy! It’s a great vegan summer dessert perfect for parties or gatherings!

• No-Bake Creamy Lemon Pie – This Vegan Lemon Pie uses a simple but somewhat surprising ingredient for the creamy filling. This luscious lemon pie is guaranteed to wow your guests at any summer get together. And it’s totally beginner-friendly! 

• Vegan Peanut Butter Pie – This thick and creamy peanut butter pie, nestled in a vegan graham cracker pie crust, doesn’t taste like a dairy free version of a peanut butter pie…it is every bit the decadent dessert as the original we know and love.

• No-Bake Vegan Cheesecake – Who doesn’t love cheesecake? This no-bake vegan cheesecake is easily made in your food processor and set in a graham cracker crust. This simple recipe is the real deal and perfect for first time cheesecake makers and the ideal no-bake cheesecake recipe for summertime.

Drinks

We couldn’t finish this list of vegan Memorial Day recipes without touching on some fun and refreshing drinks to add to the equation!

• Vegan Bloody Mary – This velvety smooth, sublimely spicy vegan Bloody Mary recipe is sure to be a crowd-pleaser at your next Memorial Day party or summertime event. If you’re looking for the best vegetarian Bloody Mary mix, look no further. You can also omit the vodka for a non-alcoholic version!

• Classic Margarita – What is a summertime party without margaritas? This is our go-to easy margarita recipe that uses only 4 ingredients for the perfect margarita! It’s easy enough for even the most novice mixologist and has the perfect combination of sour, sweet, and salty.

• Frozen Strawberry Lemonade – This frozen strawberry lemonade recipe is the perfect summer drink and made with only 3 simple ingredients, plus water and ice. You can also make a grown ups-only version and spike it with a little rum or tequila for a fruity summer cocktail with real plant-based ingredients.

More Vegan Recipes for Holidays

• Vegan Mother’s Day Recipes
• Vegan Valentine’s Day Recipes
• St. Patrick’s Day Vegan Recipes

I hope you found some great recipes for your Memorial Day party or summertime soiree! 

We’d love to hear what you tried – you can leave a comment below and tell us all about it. And hope you have a very fun, wildly delicious, and safe summer!