8 Healthy Memorial Day Recipes

While we don't know what will come of pools, beaches, and camps this summer, this doesn't mean we can't properly kick off the season of sun with a Memorial Day weekend barbecue. Whether you've got the backyard perfectly set up for grilling or you're planning to open up the apartment windows to breathe in the warm summer air as you whip up some delicious meals in your kitchen, gather some inspiration from these healthy memorial day recipes that will get you excited about summer no matter the circumstances. 

• Healthy Memorial Day Appetizer Recipes
• Healthy Memorial Day Entree Recipes
• Healthy Memorial Day Sides Recipes
• Healthy Memorial Day Dessert Recipes

Healthy Memorial Day Appetizer Recipes

All Veggie Nachos

Catherine McCord of Weelicious.com has an ingenious recipe for All Veggie Nachos that are easy to make, healthy, and fun to snack on while you’re preparing the main elements of the Memorial Day barbecue. Stack these on a big platter and the colorful presentation is enough to entice little appetites!

Ingredients:

• 3 bell peppers, seeded and cut into triangles
• 1/4 cup light sour cream
• 1 teaspoon lime juice
• 1 Persian cucumber, diced
• 1/2 cup quartered cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 avocado, pitted
• 3 tablespoons grated Mexican blend cheese

Directions:

1. Place the bell pepper “chips” on a plate.
2. Whisk the sour cream and lime juice in a small bowl.
3.  Drizzle the bell pepper “chips” with sour cream sauce and the remaining ingredients to form veggie nachos.

Auntie Rose's Deviled Eggs (Divine Eggs)

Consider spending Sunday evening preparing a summertime classic with a slightly healthy twist. Auntie Rose’s Deviled Eggs (Divine Eggs) from blogger and cookbook writer Jocelyn Delk Adams of Grandbaby Cakes are best when made the night beforehand—and worth the wait!

Ingredients:

• 6 Large eggs
• 2 tsp Salt table salt is even fine for this but adjust for your personal tastes
• 2 1/2 tbsp Miracle Whip
• 1 tsp Apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp Yellow mustard
• 1/4 tsp Granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp Sweet Relish
• A dash of black pepper optional

Directions:

1. Use a separate pan or bowl and add ice and water for an ice bath.  This will be use later to cool the eggs after they have cooked. Select a pot that is large enough for the eggs to move freely while cooking, then place the eggs into the pot.

2. Place salt in the pan and enough water to cover the eggs (about 4-5 cups is what we used but it will depend on the size of your pot. 

3. Turn on heat and bring water to a boil.

4. Once the water starts boiling, lower the heat until the water is no longer boiling. 

5. Use an open tea strainer to lower the eggs into the hot water. Once the eggs have been placed into the water, turn the heat back up to boiling and boil for about 14 minutes. 

6. After the timer goes off, take the eggs out of the water and place in the cold water that was prepared earlier. 

7. Leave the eggs in the cold water until the eggs are completely cooled. Give it 10 to 15 minutes and check to make sure the eggs are completely cooled. 

8. Carefully peel each of the eggs insuring no shells are left. 

9. Place them on a plate, take a sharp knife and cup the eggs length wise (the long way) and remove the yolk from the center. 

10. Next take the yolk and mash very well then add your Miracle Whip, vinegar, mustard and sugar and blend until smooth. Add the relish and pepper.

11. Next using a piping bag with a large star tip, add egg mixture and pipe into egg white. (OR you can use a small spoon to place the yolk mixture into the egg white). 

12. Garnish with the paprika and chives and place them in the refrigerator in a covered dish.

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Healthy Memorial Day Entree Recipes

Southern Style Pork Tenderloin

Now’s the time to fire up the grill (or stovetop pan) and throw a nice piece of meat on it to feed the entire family. This Southern Style Pork Tenderloin from Catherine McCord of Weelicious.com is sure to put everyone in a summery mood with its amazing combination of sweet brown sugar and spicy mustard.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup bourbon
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup dijon mustard
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh ginger
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 whole pork tenderloins, approximately 2 pounds total, trimmed

Directions: 

Place the first six ingredients in a bowl and whisk to combine. Pour into a large zipper bag or glass container large enough to hold the pork tenderloins and marinate overnight or up to 2 days. Preheat a grill to high heat, and oil the grates. Remove tenderloins from the bag, reserving the marinade, and grill for 14-15 minutes, turning halfway through or until the internal temperature is 140°F. Remove from heat and set meat aside to rest for 5-10 minutes to allow the juices to rest and redistribute. While the meat is resting, place the marinade in a small pan. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes. Slice the tenderloin on a bias and serve with the sauce if desired.

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Red, White, and Blue Cheese Sliders

Slices of watermelon add a cool juiciness to these turkey burger sliders, while adding a hefty dose of antioxidants like vitamin C and Lycopene. Add blue cheese and you've got a triple threat on a bun!

Ingredients (serves 8):

• ½ cup crumbled blue cheese
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• 2-4 drops Tabasco
• Cooking spray
• 2 celery stalks, diced (approximately ½ cup)
• ½ medium yellow onion, diced (approximately ½ cup)
• 2 Tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
• ¼ cup chopped parsley
• 1 pound ground turkey breast
• 2 Tablespoons bread crumbs
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 8 whole-wheat slider buns
• 8 leaves bibb lettuce
• 8 slices watermelon (cut into 4-inch squares, each ½-inch thick)

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, blend blue cheese, mayo, and Tabasco. Cover and refrigerate to let flavors blend.
2. Spray a medium, nonstick skillet and heat over medium-high. Add celery and onion and cook until onion is almost transparent, approximately 10 minutes. Add thyme and parsley. Toss and continue to cook for 4 minutes, or until parsley begins to wilt. Cool slightly.
3. In a medium bowl, blend turkey, bread crumbs, and celery mixture, as well as salt and pepper to taste, until thoroughly mixed. Divide into 8 small, flat patties.
4. Spray a nonstick skillet or griddle and heat on medium-high. Add patties and cook, turning once, until burger is cooked through, approximately 5 minutes per side (internal temperature should be at least 165° F).
5. While patties are cooking, toast the buns on a griddle or pan.
6. Assemble sliders: Place ½ Tablespoon blue cheese mayo on the bottom of each bun. (Note: Pictured is a slice of blue cheese instead of blue cheese mayo). Top with burger, a slice of watermelon, bibb lettuce leaf, and other half of bun.

Mediterranean Style Portobello Burgers

For a vegetarian burger with unbeatable meaty taste, we turned to grilled portobello mushrooms excerpted from Master of the Grill from America's Test Kitchen. Scraping out the gills avoided any muddy off-flavors, and marinating the mushrooms in a simple vinaigrette boosted their complexity.

Ingredients:

Directions: