17 Memorial Day Sides That Travel Well and Taste Even Better

Memorial Day sides have to do more than look good when they leave the kitchen. These 17 recipes focus on dishes that can handle a drive, a cooler, a casserole carrier, or a long afternoon on the cookout table. The lineup covers corn, beans, casseroles, slaw, potatoes, cornbread, and handheld extras, so the spread has enough range without turning prep into a second job. Some are served warm, some are better chilled, and several can be made ahead before the grill even starts.

A bowl of stew with bread and carrots. — Jamaican Red Beans and Rice. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Smoky Cajun Corn on the Cob

Corn on the cob on a black plate. — Smoky Cajun Corn on the Cob. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Wrapped in foil and cooked in about 30 minutes, Smoky Cajun Corn on the Cob brings a bold corn side without much prep. The recipe uses corn on the cob, Cajun seasoning, olive oil, mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, and feta or cotija cheese. It works for Memorial Day because each cob is already portioned, easy to pass around, and sturdy enough for an outdoor plate. Serve it beside grilled mains or set it near the toppings.
Get the Recipe: Smoky Cajun Corn on the Cob

Cauliflower Casserole

Roasted first and baked with sauce, Cauliflower Casserole gives the table a warm side that still scoops cleanly from a dish. The 45-minute recipe serves six and uses cauliflower, olive oil, paprika, milk, panko breadcrumbs, butter, and parmesan cheese. It fits the travel angle because the baked topping can ride covered and still bring texture once reheated or served warm. Bring it in a casserole carrier for a cookout that needs something beyond cold salads.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Casserole

Sweet and Spicy Chili Lime Corn

Three chili and lime corns on a skillet. — Sweet and Spicy Chili Lime Corn. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Cooked in foil in about 25 minutes, Sweet and Spicy Chili Lime Corn keeps the side dish simple but not plain. The recipe uses corn on the cob, softened butter, lime zest and juice, chili powder, and finely chopped red chili. Foil wrapping makes the cobs easier to move from oven to tray to outdoor table. It is a good Memorial Day pick when you want a side made for grilled food without needing much extra setup.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Spicy Chili Lime Corn

Coleslaw

Chilled before serving, Coleslaw is one of the safest sides to pack when the cooler is already coming along. The recipe serves six with green cabbage, red cabbage, carrot, mayonnaise, sugar, apple cider vinegar, celery seed, and onion powder. Its two-hour chill helps the dressing settle into the shredded vegetables while the cabbage keeps some crunch. Pack the dressing separately for longer drives, then toss before serving burgers, sliders, or grilled vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Coleslaw

Copycat Chipotle Black Beans

Chipotle black beans cooked and in a serving bowl. — Copycat Chipotle Black Beans. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Ready in 29 minutes, Copycat Chipotle Black Beans add a scoopable side that works with plates, bowls, and tortillas. The recipe serves six and uses black beans, onion, garlic, water, chipotle chili powder, oregano, cumin, lemon juice, and lime juice. Beans travel better than many softer sides because they can be packed hot or reheated without losing structure. Set them near rice, corn salsa, or baked potatoes for people building their own plates.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Chipotle Black Beans

Corn Casserole

Baked in one dish for about an hour, Corn Casserole is built for the kind of cookout where sides need to feed more than a few polite spoonfuls. The recipe serves eight with creamed corn, whole kernel corn, corn muffin mix, sour cream, melted butter, and shredded cheddar cheese. It travels well covered and holds heat in a casserole dish. Bring it when the table needs a sweet corn side that is easier to serve than individual cobs.
Get the Recipe: Corn Casserole

Corn Fritters

Shallow-fried in 35 minutes, Corn Fritters give the side table something handheld without needing buns or skewers. The recipe serves six and uses whole kernel corn, flour, milk, egg, baking powder, green onions, melted butter, and vegetable oil. They can be kept warm on a wire rack, then packed once slightly cooled. Serve them with salsa, sour cream, or another dip when Memorial Day plates need a small bite between heavier sides.
Get the Recipe: Corn Fritters

Black Bean Burger

Formed into six patties, Black Bean Burger works as a side-table extra when some guests want something more filling than slaw or corn. The 22-minute recipe uses black beans, grated onion, garlic, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, egg, and Panko breadcrumbs. The patties can be cooked ahead and tucked into buns or served open-faced. Add toppings nearby so people can treat them as sliders, mains, or a sturdy side.
Get the Recipe: Black Bean Burger

Black Bean Sliders

A black bean burger with a slice of cheese, cilantro, and red onion, served on a toasted bun. — Black Bean Sliders. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Smaller patties make Black Bean Sliders a good match for a table where everyone is already holding a plate. The 22-minute recipe makes 16 servings with black beans, onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, egg, and Panko breadcrumbs. Their size makes them easier to pack than full burgers and simpler to share. Serve them with salsa, guacamole, cheese, or slaw for a Memorial Day spread that needs a filling handheld option.
Get the Recipe: Black Bean Sliders

Copycat Chipotle Corn Salsa

Made in 22 minutes, Copycat Chipotle Corn Salsa is a chilled side that can wait in the fridge until the cooler is ready. The recipe serves six and uses white corn, red onion, cilantro, jalapeño, roasted poblano pepper, lemon juice, and lime juice. It works with chips, tacos, beans, or baked potatoes, which makes it useful across the whole table. Make it the night before so the citrus and peppers have time to settle.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Chipotle Corn Salsa

Southern Cornbread

Close-up of two stacked pieces of cornbread with melted butter on top, showcasing a golden-brown crust and moist, crumbly texture. — Southern Cornbread. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Baked in 35 minutes and cut into 16 pieces, Southern Cornbread is the kind of side that makes sense when the table needs something easy to pass. The recipe uses melted butter, all-purpose flour, yellow cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, buttermilk, and eggs. It holds its shape once cooled, so slices can ride in a covered container without turning messy. Serve it beside beans, casseroles, or corn salsa for a steady Memorial Day plate.
Get the Recipe: Southern Cornbread

Green Bean Casserole

Bubbly and topped with crispy onions, Green Bean Casserole gives Memorial Day plates a warm vegetable side that still works for travel. The 45-minute recipe serves six and uses green beans, cream of mushroom soup, milk, crispy onions, and cheddar cheese. Covered tightly, it can ride in a casserole carrier and be served warm after a short rest. It is a smart pick when cold sides already have the cooler crowded.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole

Marry Me Butter Beans

A cast iron skillet with creamy pasta mixed with spinach and sun-dried tomatoes, topped with cheese, with a wooden spoon resting inside. — Marry Me Butter Beans. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Cooked in one pan in 30 minutes, Marry Me Butter Beans bring a creamy bean side that can also anchor a smaller plate. The recipe serves four with butter beans, sun-dried tomatoes, shallots, garlic, tomato paste, vegetable stock, heavy cream, parmesan cheese, spinach, and basil. It reheats with a splash of stock or cream if the sauce thickens. Bring it for guests who want a richer scoop beside cornbread, rice, or potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Butter Beans

Sweet and Savory Pesto Corn

Pesto corn on the cob on a serving plate. — Sweet and Savory Pesto Corn. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Finished with pesto butter and parmesan, Pesto Corn on the Cob gives corn on the cob a different lane from the chili and Cajun versions. The 30-minute recipe serves four and uses corn, pesto, butter, olive oil, parmesan cheese, and fresh basil. The pesto butter can be made the day before, which helps when Memorial Day prep is already crowded. Serve the cobs warm with burgers, fritters, or a simple salad plate.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Savory Pesto Corn

Smooth Refried Beans

A bowl of homemade refried beans and lime wedges. — Smooth Refried Beans. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Ready in 20 minutes, Smooth Refried Beans bring a soft, scoopable side that works with chips, rice, potatoes, or tortillas. The recipe serves four and uses pinto beans, onion, olive oil, salt, cumin, chili powder, garlic, water, lime juice, and cilantro. The beans can be made ahead, stored cold, and reheated without much fuss. Pack them in a lidded container for a Memorial Day table where people build their own plates.
Get the Recipe: Smooth Refried Beans

Baked Potato

Crisp-skinned and ready in 47 minutes, Baked Potato gives the side table a filling option that does not need a complicated serving plan. The recipe serves four with russet potatoes, olive oil, kosher salt, black pepper, and butter. Potatoes hold heat well when wrapped and can also be reheated if they cool during the drive. Set out sour cream, cheese, chives, or slaw so guests can load them how they like.
Get the Recipe: Baked Potato

Jamaican Red Beans and Rice

Cooked in 32 minutes, Jamaican Red Beans and Rice adds a hearty side with enough structure to travel in a covered dish. The recipe serves eight and uses vegetable oil, garlic, onion, scallions, Scotch bonnets, jerk seasoning, long-grain rice, red beans, coconut milk, vegetable broth, and cilantro. It can be served as a side or a plate base. Bring it when the Memorial Day table needs something more filling than chips and chilled salads.
Get the Recipe: Jamaican Red Beans and Rice