Savor the last tastes of summer with a feast of the best Labor Day recipes! From juicy grilled meats and refreshing sides to sweet desserts and vibrant beverages, discover everything you need to make your holiday gathering unforgettable. Perfect for ending summer on a high note, these recipes will ensure your cookout is a hit!
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Labor Day is the unofficial end of summer. Before you return to a busy routine of school, sports practice, meetings and other fall activities, enjoy one last holiday weekend of festive, summery and easy recipes. If you’re looking for what to bring to a barbecue, a potluck in the park, a pool party or a family get-together, these Labor Day menu ideas are sure to hit the spot.
But keep your serving platters handy … football season, and all the game-day fare that goes with it, is just around the corner!
Best Labor Day Snacks
Whip up a batch of these tasty treats for casual munching.
Caprese Salad with Burrata: A simple drizzle of EVOO and plenty of flaky sea salt complete this end-of-summer salad stunner.
Hot and Creamy Artichoke Dip: Serve this crowd-pleaser with pita chips, veggies or French bread for dipping. For a fun presentation, spoon it into a hollowed-out bread bowl.
Blackberry Jam Meatballs: Mini pork meatballs coated in a simple glaze that’s sweet, tangy and totally lick-the-spatula-worthy. Serve it on toothpicks as the ultimate late-summer appetizer.
Sour Cream and Onion Dip: Scoop it up with homemade potato chips or stick with easy store-bought ones.
Everything Puff Pastry Pigs in a Blanket: This riff on a retro appetizer is topped with flavorful Everything Bagel seasoning. Set out dishes of mustard for dipping.
Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers: These cheesy jalapeño poppers are filled with a cream cheese and bacon mixture, topped with Panko breadcrumbs and air fried to golden brown perfection. Best of all, they cook up in just 8 minutes!
Grilled Buffalo Shrimp: Tender shrimp are tossed in a tangy, spicy buffalo sauce and grilled to perfection. Perfect as a zesty appetizer, a standout main dish, or a crowd-pleasing addition to your summer cookouts.
Easy Corn Fritters: Grab the fresh, frozen or canned corn for this fast, flavor-packed recipe that comes together in minutes. Simply stir all the ingredients together into one bowl, then scoop, sizzle and serve!
Drinks for a Crowd
Stir up a pitcher of these drinks for adults and kids.
Pitcher Bloody Marys: Set up a DIY bloody mary bar so guests can dress up their drinks with all the fixings. You can also sub the vodka with tequila for Bloody Marias.
White Sangria for All Seasons: Add whatever fruit you have on hand to a bottle of crisp white wine for easy, delicious sangria. Make it first thing in the morning so the wine has a chance to infuse with fruity flavor.
Sparkling Strawberry Cocktail (or Mocktail): An herby thyme syrup seasons this fruity drink. Add vodka or keep it virgin, your choice.
End-of-Summer Main Courses
Some of the best Labor Day cookout ideas are casual, handheld fare.
Slow Cooker Hawaiian Pulled Pork: Let the Crockpot do all the work. Scoop it into Hawaiian rolls or homemade hamburger buns (my quick recipe doesn’t require yeast!).
Grilled Sirloin Sliders with Bacon: Serve up big flavor in a tiny bun with all the fixings. Pickled red onion relish is a colorful and tangy condiment.
Baked Cheddar Dijon Chicken Tenders: Cheddar crackers are the surprise ingredient for a flavorful, crunchy coating, perfect for the kids’ table.
Easy Homemade Mini Corn Dogs: Few things are more fun to eat than food on a stick! Have dishes of ketchup and mustard on hand for dipping.
White Cheddar Mac and Cheese: This 30-minute recipe doubles as a main course for vegetarians and a side dish for everyone else. Top it with crushed crackers or toasted panko breadcrumbs for a bit of crunch.
Sensational Sides
The best sides spread will include a variety of flavors and ingredients to suit all tastes.
Potato Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing: A tangy vinegar-based dressing accents the smoky bacon and creamy potatoes in this ubiquitous cookout side dish. It’s delicious at room temperature, which makes it good for a potluck spread.
Corn and Zucchini Salad with Basil Vinaigrette: Two of summer’s favorite veggies are paired in an irresistible salad with a fresh herby dressing.
Bread and Butter Pickles: Tangy quick pickles make a yummy topper for burgers, or a refreshing side dish.
Watermelon Salad with Balsamic Syrup: Watermelon season is coming to an end, and this salad is a sweet and savory way to celebrate this summertime treat. For an impressive presentation, keep the watermelon half intact and scoop it out to use as a serving bowl.
Greek Pasta Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette: Loaded with fresh veggies, tangy pasta salad is a substantial side for a get-together.
Labor Day Desserts
For a sweet end to summer celebrations, serve up a fun and festive dessert.
Frozen Lemonade Pie: This cool and refreshing no-baked treat comes together in minutes, but be sure to make it ahead of time so it has a chance to firm up.
American Flag Cookie Cake: Show your patriotism in the sweetest way possible with this shortbread cookie cake topped with sweetened cream cheese and fruit.
Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies: These easy bars are a mash-up of three favorite desserts.
Grilled Peaches: Before the grill cools, cook up this fruity treat and top it with ice cream and a drizzle of bourbon caramel sauce.
Slice-and-Bake Butter Cookies: Rolled in festive sprinkles, these easy cookies can be made ahead of time to save on day-of prep.
Looking for additional desserts that celebrate America? Check out my roundup of red, white and blue desserts!
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This is a great collection and so perfect for the upcoming holiday weekend. That crostini will haunt me! I was so happy to have had the opportunity to sit in on your session last weekend at IFBC. It really was one of the most informative and interesting sessions!
I love this roundup, Kelly! What great recipes :) I hope you’re doing well & I hope we cross paths again soon! xo