Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of the summer season, kicking off a weekend full of friends, family, fun, and of course… food! Whether you’re enjoying MDW outdoors, celebrating with a barbeque or get-together, or just taking the long weekend to relax and recharge, nothing says holiday weekend quite like yummy snacks and recipes. As summer nears, keep your health and fitness goals in check while satisfying your cravings with these healthy Memorial Day recipes! No matter how you’re celebrating, try these delicious foods with options for every eating plan.
10 Healthy Memorial Day Recipes to Make this Weekend
#1 Chickpea-free Zucchini Hummus
If you love hummus but don’t always love the way it makes your stomach feel, try this seasonal zucchini-filled take on hummus — it’s equally as delicious but easier to digest! Plus, you can never go wrong with dips or spreads for healthy memorial day recipes. Everyone is bound to love this! Try it with carrots and cucumbers for a lighter dipping option, or even save some leftovers for sandwiches and salads.
Ingredients:
- 2 zucchini, chopped
- ½ cup hulled tahini
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp water
- ½ tsp chili flakes
- 1 clove garlic, chopped
- ½ tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp sea salt
Directions:
Step #1: Put all of the ingredients into a food processor and blend until you’ve reached your desired consistency. Add more oil or water, if required.
#2 Watermelon Fries with Coconut Yogurt
Watermelon is a quintessential summer treat that is hydrating, refreshing, and oh so sweet! Transform this summer fruit into finger food by cutting watermelon into “fry” shaped strips, serving with a side of Greek yogurt or Coconut yogurt for dipping. Light on calories (just 40 per cup) and heavy on flavor and health benefits (the highest concentration of the antioxidant lycopene in any fruit), you’ll be sure to love this healthy Memorial Day recipe!
#3 Rainbow Fruit Skewers
Speaking of fruit, serve up some rainbow fruit skewers this holiday weekend! Did you know eating the rainbow and filling your plate with different colored fruits and veggies can provide you with a balanced diet full of nutrients? Think: the more colors, the more nutrients! Plus, this healthy recipe is a tasty and fun way for both children and adults to enjoy a sweet treat without overdoing it on the sugar.
You can even let your kids help with the recipe assembly! Simply place various colored fruits (think: red raspberries, orange tangerines, yellow pineapple, green grapes, blue blueberries) on a vegetable skewer in rainbow order. Plate, serve, and enjoy!
#4 5-Minute Greek Salad
Healthy Memorial Day recipes don’t have to be time-consuming or complicated. We know holiday weekends are busy, so we’ve got the perfect recipe for you. Try this simple 5-minute Greek Salad that’s healthy yet flavorful and filled with nutritious, colorful, seasonal veggies. Swap the feta for plant-based cheese or avocado to keep it plant-based, or toss in some grilled chicken or salmon for a protein boost! This recipe is easy to adapt to any eating style and will be a family favorite all summer long.
Ingredients:
- 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1 basket cherry tomato, halved
- 1 bell pepper, finely sliced
- ½ yellow onion, finely sliced
- 3½ oz feta cheese
- ¼ cup Kalamata olives, pitted
Directions:
Step #1: In a large mixing bowl, combine all of the salad ingredients.
Step #2: To make the dressing, combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl with a whisk to combine. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and serve.
#5 Lime and Paprika Guacamole
We can’t talk about healthy Memorial Day recipes without mentioning guacamole! Plus, I think we can all agree — freshly made guacamole tastes infinitely better than store-bought varieties. And, when you make it at home, you’ll know exactly what’s going in the recipe (hint: no excess sodium or any additives). This simple appetizer only requires a handful of nutritious ingredients and can be whipped up within minutes.
Ingredients:
- 2 large avocados, halved and pit removed
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 tsp paprika
- 3 tbsp red onions, finely diced
- ⅛ bunch coriander leaves, finely chopped (optional)
Directions:
Step #1: Place the avocado flesh into a mixing bowl and use a spoon or vegetable masher to mash the flesh.
Step #2: Add the lime juice, paprika, red onion, and chopped coriander if using, and stir to combine. Season to taste with sea salt and pepper.
#6 Banana Nicecream
When it comes to our sweet tooth, warm weather means one thing: ice cream season! If you are looking for a healthier alternative that still tastes just as yummy, banana nice cream is a simple and nutritious alternative to add to your healthy Memorial Day recipes menu! Here are 7 delicious banana nice cream recipes and step-by-step instructions on how to make them.
#7 Roasted Chickpeas
If you’re looking for a savory snack to munch on, try making crispy, crunchy chickpeas! Chickpeas are a great source of plant-based protein and fiber and make a healthy alternative to processed snacks like chips and popcorn.
To make this healthy Memorial day recipe, follow these simple steps.
Step #1: To start, drain and rinse a can of chickpeas and dry them well.
Step #2: Toss the chickpeas in a bowl with a dash of oil, your favorite spices or flavors like cumin and paprika, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
Step #3: Spread on a baking sheet and roast in the oven for 30-45 minutes at 350°F.
#8 Chilli Shrimp & Mango Salsa
Keep it fresh and flavorful with this chili shrimp with mango salsa. This sweet and spicy recipe is easy to whip up and can be easily adapted to meet any dietary needs! Swap the shrimp for avocado or grilled tofu, trade the mango for extra veggies, or add in your favorite seasonal produce. Plus, you can use the salsa as a veggie dip or add it to any main meal or salad.
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 red chili, seeds removed and diced
- ½ lbs peeled shrimp, tails on
For the salsa:
- 1 mango, finely diced
- 10 cherry tomatoes, diced
- ½ cucumber, diced
- 1 lime, juiced
- ⅛ bunch fresh mint, leaves picked and shredded
Directions:
Step #1: To make the salsa, combine all of the ingredients in a mixing bowl. Season to taste with sea salt and black pepper. Set aside.
Step #2: To cook the shrimp, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large non-stick frying pan. Add the garlic and chili and sauté for 1 minute or until fragrant. Add the peeled shrimp and cook while stirring for 3-4 minutes or until the shrimp are cooked through. Shrimp cook quickly, so be careful not to overcook them.
Step #3: Serve the cooked shrimp with the salsa. Enjoy!
#9 Bubbly Beverages
Are you wondering if you can enjoy alcohol without derailing your fitness progress? Good news — you can enjoy a boozy beverage every now and then as a part of a healthy lifestyle! So long as you sip smart and drink in moderation, research suggests you won’t harm weight loss goals.
If you want to enjoy a beverage as a part of your healthy Memorial Day recipes, mix up a lower sugar cocktail by using a healthy mixer like Kombucha or seltzer in place of sugar-filled syrup or pre-made mixes. Add a splash of lime and freshly squeezed grapefruit or cucumber juice! More of a wine connoisseur? Pour a glass of red wine for that antioxidant boost!
Not a big drinker? Sip on a boosted bubbly beverage like Olipop instead — you’ll get a prebiotic boost with functional benefits!
#10 Lettuce Burgers or Wraps
All of these healthy Memorial Day dips and spreads would go perfectly with one thing: lettuce wraps! Now that barbeque season is underway, what better time to try these healthy chicken lettuce burgers (which can easily be made plant-based with a few simple swaps). The chicken in this recipe can be swapped for any protein (or food) of choice — including plant-based options! Try salmon, mashed chickpeas, grilled tempeh, or even roasted veggies.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breast, flattened slightly
- 1 head iceberg lettuce, torn into lettuce cups
- 1 red onion, sliced
- 1 tomato, sliced
- 1 avocado, sliced
For the dressing
- ½ lemon, juiced
- 1 tbsp tahini
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
For the marinade
- ½ lemon, juiced
- 1 tbsp tahini
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
Directions
Step #1: Preheat the oven to 200°C or 400°F. Line a large baking dish with baking paper.
Step #2: Place all of the marinade ingredients in a bowl. Stir to combine.
Step #3: Place the chicken in the baking dish and pour over the marinade. Ensure the chicken is well coated.
Step #4: Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes. Turn the chicken frequently until it’s cooked through.
Step #5: To make the dressing, place all of the dressing ingredients in a small bowl and whisk into a smooth, creamy sauce.
Step #6: To plate up, arrange the lettuce cups on a serving plate. Add cooked chicken breast, red onion, tomato, avocado, and fresh parsley. Drizzle each lettuce cup with dressing.
Healthy Recipes To Enjoy All Summer Long
No matter how you spend your weekend, we know you’ll love these ten healthy Memorial Day recipes! We’ve made it easy for you to enjoy yourself (and your food) while feeling good about your meal choices and fitness progress. Keep these recipes on hand this summer and whip up these quick, simple meal ideas all season.
