Memorial Day always sneaks up on me right when my calendar is packed and my fridge looks a little sad. I want to honor the day in a real way, but I also need something I can cook without turning my kitchen into a disaster zone. If you are hosting family, bringing a dish to a backyard get together, or just eating at home and thinking about the meaning of the holiday, I have you. Today I am sharing the one recipe I make every year because it feels like comfort food and summer food at the same time. It is simple, it feeds a crowd, and it leaves room for the most important part of Memorial Day, taking a quiet moment to remember the people who gave everything.
Origins
When I was younger, I thought Memorial Day was basically the unofficial start of summer. And sure, the cookouts and the long weekend are real, but the origins are much deeper than pool plans. Memorial Day is about honoring military service members who died for the country, and that deserves a different kind of attention than a regular holiday Monday.
I try to keep that in mind while I cook. Food is what I know, and for me it is a way to gather people, slow down, and set a respectful tone before the fun kicks in. If you are building a menu, I like pairing a hearty main with one sweet treat. If you need ideas, I have bookmarked these holiday cookie recipes and I swap flavors based on the season.
For a Memorial Day meal, I usually make my go to backyard hero: my tangy BBQ chicken sliders with crunchy slaw. They are not fancy, but people genuinely get excited when they see the platter.
History of Memorial Day
The history of Memorial Day is tied to the Civil War era, when communities began holding tributes for fallen soldiers. Over time, those local memorial events spread, and the holiday eventually became a national day of remembrance. It is one of those days where the meaning matters more than the marketing.
I also like to keep things accurate when I talk about it with my kids and friends. No guilt, no lecture, just simple truth: this day is specifically for those who died in service, while Veterans Day honors all who served. That small detail helps people understand why the tone can feel different.
On a practical note, if you are hosting, plan food that lets you step away from the grill for a minute. I love recipes that can be made ahead so you can actually sit down, listen to the stories your family tells, and not miss the moment.
“We started doing a short toast before we eat, and it changed the whole vibe. The food is great, but that pause makes Memorial Day feel like it should.”
Decoration Day
Before it was widely called Memorial Day, many people knew it as Decoration Day. The name came from decorating the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers, flags, and wreaths. That image has always stuck with me, because it is simple and personal. You do not need a huge ceremony to show respect. You show up and you care.
One small thing I do is put a little bunch of grocery store flowers in a jar on the table. Nothing over the top. It is just a reminder that the day has roots, and those roots are real people and real families.
And yes, after that, I absolutely feed everyone. Because gathering is part of how we support each other. If you want a fun snack while you are setting up plates and napkins, these holiday pigs in a blanket are an easy win, and nobody complains about them.
Memorial Day Traditions and Rituals
Memorial Day traditions and rituals can look different from family to family, but they usually include some mix of remembrance and community. Some people attend a parade, some visit cemeteries, and some observe a national moment of remembrance in the afternoon. At our house, we keep it simple: we talk about what the day means, we eat together, and we try not to rush.
My favorite Memorial Day recipe: Tangy BBQ chicken sliders with crunchy slaw
This is the recipe I make when I want something that feels like summer but still has that comforting, sit down together vibe. The chicken is saucy, the buns are soft, and the slaw gives it that cold crunch that makes you go back for another one.
What you will need
- 2 pounds chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 cup BBQ sauce (use your favorite)
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional, but I love it)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
- 12 slider buns
For the quick slaw
- 4 cups shredded cabbage or a bagged slaw mix
- 1 small carrot, shredded (optional)
- 3 tablespoons mayo
- 1 tablespoon vinegar or pickle juice
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Salt and pepper
Directions
- Cook the chicken: Season with salt and pepper. Bake at 400 F for about 25 to 30 minutes, or simmer on the stove until cooked through. If you have a slow cooker, even better.
- Shred it: Use two forks and pull the chicken apart while it is warm.
- Make it saucy: Stir BBQ sauce, vinegar, honey, and garlic powder into the chicken. Warm it up for a few minutes so everything hugs the meat.
- Mix the slaw: Toss cabbage with mayo, vinegar or pickle juice, sugar, salt, and pepper. Taste it. If it needs more zing, add a splash more vinegar.
- Build sliders: Pile saucy chicken on buns, top with slaw, and serve right away.
My practical tips
If you are feeding a crowd, double it and keep the chicken warm in a slow cooker. The slaw can be made a few hours ahead, but I would not make it the night before because it can lose its crunch. Also, if you are trying to keep things lighter, you can swap mayo for plain Greek yogurt. It is still creamy and it holds up well.
For drinks, something citrusy is perfect next to BBQ flavors. If you like a fun holiday sip, this holiday lemon drop cocktail is bright and easy to batch for adults. For kids, lemonade with a splash of orange juice is my lazy trick.
Related traditions
Food is not the only tradition, of course, but it is often how we bring people together so we can share the day. Some related traditions I see a lot, and honestly love, include:
- Placing flags or flowers at gravesites
- Watching a parade or local ceremony
- Taking part in the moment of remembrance
- Doing something supportive for a military family in your community
- Cooking a meal and inviting someone who would otherwise be alone
If you are building a dessert table, I am a big fan of making one easy bar dessert and one showy cake. For a low effort option, these lazy day chocolate chip cookie bars are basically guaranteed to disappear. And if you are celebrating a birthday that happens to land on the long weekend, this birthday cake with bows is ridiculously cute without being hard to pull off.
Common Questions
Is Memorial Day the same as Veterans Day?
No. Memorial Day honors service members who died in service, while Veterans Day honors all who served. I keep that in mind when I talk about the holiday or plan a gathering.
What is a good food plan if I do not want to grill all day?
Do one main that stays warm, like shredded BBQ chicken, and then add cold sides like slaw, fruit, or a pasta salad. That way you are not stuck cooking while everyone else relaxes.
Can I make the sliders ahead of time?
You can cook and shred the chicken a day ahead, then rewarm it with the sauce. I would make the slaw the same day so it stays crisp.
How do I keep slider buns from getting soggy?
Serve the slaw on the side or add it right before eating. Also, do not over sauce the chicken until it is swimming. You want juicy, not messy.
What is one small way to honor the day at home?
Even a quick moment of silence before eating, or sharing a sentence about what the day means, is enough. It is about intention, not perfection.
A warm way to remember and gather
Memorial Day can hold both feelings at once: gratitude and grief, quiet and loud, remembrance and togetherness. If you want to read up on the basics and history in a straightforward way, I like Memorial Day – Wikipedia for a quick overview, and Memorial Day 2026: Facts, Meaning & Traditions – History.com for the bigger story and timeline. However you observe it, I hope you make space for the meaning, even if it is just a small pause before the first bite. And if you try my tangy BBQ chicken sliders, tell me how you served them, because I am always looking for new side ideas. Wishing you a safe, thoughtful Memorial Day, with good food and good people at your table. 
Tangy BBQ Chicken Sliders with Crunchy Slaw
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: None
Description
A flavorful and comforting recipe for BBQ chicken sliders, perfect for Memorial Day gatherings.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 12 slider buns
- 4 cups shredded cabbage or a bagged slaw mix
- 1 small carrot, shredded (optional)
- 3 tablespoons mayo
- 1 tablespoon vinegar or pickle juice
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 25 to 30 minutes, or simmer on the stove until cooked through. Use a slow cooker if available for easier preparation.
- Shred the chicken using two forks while it is warm.
- Stir BBQ sauce, vinegar, honey, and garlic powder into the shredded chicken and warm it for a few minutes.
- Toss shredded cabbage with mayo, vinegar or pickle juice, sugar, and season with salt and pepper. Adjust for taste.
- Assemble the sliders by piling saucy chicken onto buns, topping with slaw, and serve immediately.
Notes
Double the recipe for a larger crowd. The slaw can be made a few hours ahead but should not be prepared the night before to maintain crunch. For a lighter option, substitute mayo with plain Greek yogurt.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
