Labor Day is the perfect time to gather with friends and family and savor the last flavors of summer. With these 25 Labor Day Recipes, Insider Tips, and our FAQ Section, you’ll have a crowd-pleasing Labor Day cookout menu that will take the stress out of hosting.
This collection of Labor Day recipes includes everything from simple appetizers to delectable desserts and insider tips to ensure your celebration goes off without a hitch. All dishes are perfect for a casual cookout, a potluck, or a neighborhood BBQ.
So, get ready to fire up the grill, enjoy some delicious food, and make this Labor Day celebration one to remember with these tried-and-true favorites.
Jump to:
- Bite-Sized Bliss: Labor Day Appetizers That Will Wow Your Guests
- Fresh and Flavorful: Salads That Steal the Show at Any Labor Day Bash
- BBQ Favorites: Grilled Main Dishes to Make Your Labor Day Memorable
- Side Dish Sensations: Tasty Companions for Your Labor Day Feast
- Delicious Desserts to Wrap Up Your Labor Day Celebration
- Insider Tips: Host the Perfect Labor Day Celebration with Ease
- Frequently asked questions
Bite-Sized Bliss: Labor Day Appetizers That Will Wow Your Guests
1
Creole Shrimp Toast Recipe – Easy & Cheesy
Easy Creole Shrimp Toast is a tasty, bite-size, cheesy seafood appetizer comprised of a toasted bread round, blanketed with a flavorful filling made with cooked shrimp and two kinds of cheese. These delectable bites of heaven are so good; they will fairly fly off the plate and take less than 20 minutes to prepare.
Creole Shrimp Toast
2
Chicken Ranch Dip Recipe
This recipe for Chicken Ranch Dip it's so easy you will feel like a rock star in the kitchen. It's also an excellent appetizer to whip up for your family or guests.
Chicken Ranch Dip
3
Easy Classic Southern Deviled Eggs Recipe (Delicious)
Deviled eggs are always a popular side dish at potlucks, BBQs, baby showers, picnics, and neighborhood cookouts. They are as versatile as they are delicious and can also be served as an appetizer or a snack for brunch, lunch, dinner, and even breakfast.
Deviled Eggs
4
Best Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp Recipe with Brown Sugar
The Best Bacon Wrapped Shrimp are amazingly delicious, with sweet and smoky bacon glazed with brown sugar and chili powder. An easy recipe, it's simple to prepare and utterly addictive.
Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
5
Buffalo Chicken Appetizers aka Buffalo Chicken Bites Recipe
Easy make-ahead Buffalo Chicken Appetizers, aka Buffalo Chicken Bites, feature crispy phyllo shells filled with tender chicken mixed with cream cheese, buffalo sauce, scallions, and cheddar cheese and topped with blue cheese; they are baked and ready to devour in 20 minutes.
Buffalo Chicken Appetizers
Fresh and Flavorful: Salads That Steal the Show at Any Labor Day Bash
6
Easy Southern Potato Salad Recipe
A classic Southern Potato Salad, just like Grandma used to make; this easy old-fashioned side-dish is creamy, tangy deliciousness. And, it's full of crunchy dill pickles, yellow mustard, mayonnaise, and must-have hard-boiled eggs!
Southern Potato Salad
7
Old Fashioned American Coleslaw Recipe (Creamy)
This American classic southern-style coleslaw has it all: fresh, crunchy green cabbage, shredded carrots, and a homemade coleslaw dressing with mayonnaise and apple cider vinegar.
Coleslaw
8
Old Fashioned Cucumbers, Tomatoes and Onions in Vinegar
Old Fashioned Cucumbers, Tomatoes and Onions in Vinegar features a lovely combination of fresh flavors with crisp, cool cucumbers, sweet, ripe tomatoes, and just a touch of zesty red onions. These vegetables are marinated in a simple but tasty, sweet and tangy, salad dressing made with apple cider vinegar.
Cucumbers, Tomatoes and Onions in Vinegar
9
Tomato Avocado Feta Salad Recipe with Fresh Corn
Flavorful Tomato Avocado Feta Salad with Fresh Corn is a refreshing and vibrant dish full of ripe summer tomatoes bursting with juiciness, creamy and buttery avocado, tangy feta cheese, and tender sweet corn with its natural sweetness.
Tomato, Avocado, Corn Salad
10
Watermelon Feta Salad with Basil and Blueberries
Every bite of this make-ahead, cold and refreshing Watermelon Feta Salad with Basil and Blueberries tastes like a beach party in your mouth! It features a winning combination of sweet ripe watermelon, tangy feta cheese, juicy blueberries, fresh basil, and an optional tangy homemade vinaigrette dressing.
Watermelon Feta Salad
BBQ Favorites: Grilled Main Dishes to Make Your Labor Day Memorable
11
Easy Grilled London Broil with Marinade Recipe
Get ready to elevate your grilling game with this mouthwatering Grilled London Broil! This recipe transforms an affordable cut of beef into a succulent and flavorful delight, thanks to my overnight London Broil marinade recipe that tenderizes and infuses every bite with deliciousness.
Grilled London Broil
12
Easy Grilled Half Chicken Recipe with Dry Rub
Easy Grilled Half Chicken with Dry Rub is a delicious and flavorful main dish that will have your taste buds dancing. Whether hosting a summer barbecue, looking for a tasty weeknight dinner idea, or just craving some juicy and tender chicken, this recipe is a winner.
Grilled Half Chicken
13
Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Apricot Glaze Recipe
In this recipe for Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Apricot Glaze, pork tenderloin, one of the most tender cuts of pork, is covered with a luscious homemade dry rub that infuses it with incredible flavor. Then it is grilled and slathered with an amazing sweet and savory apricot glaze.
Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Apricot Glaze
14
Beer Can Chicken Recipe – Big Green Egg
This recipe for grilled Beer Can Chicken is a fun and unique way to achieve perfectly grilled chicken that will make your friends and family think you are a prize-winning BBQ Pit Master!
Beer Can Chicken
15
The Ultimate Smoked Burgers Recipe
Smoked Burgers, which are prized for their rich meaty flavor, feature ground chuck patties that are smoked low and slow in a grill or smoker and then reverse seared in a cast-iron skillet.
Smoked Burgers
Side Dish Sensations: Tasty Companions for Your Labor Day Feast
16
Amazing Grilled Vegetable Kabobs Recipe
Amazing Grilled Vegetable Kabobs are just that, amazing! Sweet, smoky, caramelized grilled veggies packed with flavor and cooked on a skewer are the ultimate BBQ side dish. Quick and easy to prepare, vegetable kabobs aka veggie skewers are quick to disappear too. Even your pickiest eaters will love these grilled vegetables!
Grilled Vegetable Kabobs
17
Southern Broccoli Salad Recipe with Bacon & Craisins
Easy Southern Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Craisins is a healthy, make-ahead, delicious, cold vegetable salad. In addition to the broccoli and Craisins, it's loaded with pecans, cheese, tomatoes, and bacon!
Broccoli Salad
18
Best Smoked Baked Beans Recipe
A quintessential BBQ side dish, Smoked Baked Beans made with brown sugar and bacon are smoked low and slow in a cast-iron skillet on the grill for a rich smoky flavor. Absolutely delicious and supremely easy to prepare, this foolproof recipe always gets rave reviews.
Smoked Baked Beans
19
Best Southern Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe with Ritz Crackers
Southern Mac and Cheese is synonymous with Southern entertaining, and this easy-to-make recipe is the ultimate in comfort food.
Southern Mac and Cheese
20
Easy Peasy Purple Hull Peas Recipe
This easy recipe for Purple Hull Peas transforms tasty legumes into a crowd-pleasing, flavor-packed side dish that will tantalize your taste buds.
Purple Hull Peas
Delicious Desserts to Wrap Up Your Labor Day Celebration
21
Red, White, and Blue No-Bake Icebox Cake Recipe
How better to celebrate the 4th of July than with my old-fashioned Red, White, and Blue No-Bake Icebox Cake! This easy layered 4th of July dessert is filled with heavenly whipped cream, graham crackers, fresh sweet strawberries, and delightfully juicy blueberries.
Red white and Blue Icebox Cake
22
Peanut Butter and Chocolate Rice Krispie Bars
Indulge in the ultimate sweet treat: Peanut Butter and Chocolate Rice Krispie Bars. This no-bake dessert is a game-changer.
Peanut Butter and Chocolate Rice Krispie Bars
23
Easy Lemon Blueberry Icebox Cake Recipe
Easy Lemon Blueberry Icebox Cake is the ultimate summer treat! This dreamy, no-bake dessert layers zesty lemon pudding, fluffy whipped cream, and crunchy graham crackers with luscious blueberry pie filling.
Lemon Blueberry Ice Box Cake
24
Old Fashioned Strawberry Pie Recipe with Jello
A blast from the past, no-bake Old-Fashioned Strawberry Pie with Jello and a graham cracker crust is bursting with fresh flavors. The fool-proof pie filling is full of ripe, lush, sun-kissed strawberries immersed in a delectable strawberry glaze made with strawberry jello.
Strawberry Pie
25
Strawberry Trifle with Angel Food Cake Recipe
Strawberry Trifle with Angel Food Cake with fresh luscious strawberries, billowy whipped cream, and heavenly angel food cake is easy, elegant, and delicious!
Strawberry Trifle
Insider Tips: Host the Perfect Labor Day Celebration with Ease
- Plan Ahead: Start by making a list of everything you need, including food, drinks, and decorations. Create a timeline for shopping, prepping, and setting up to ensure you have everything ready well before the party starts.
- Delegate Tasks: Don’t be afraid to ask friends or family to help with specific tasks, like setting up tables, decorating, or manning the grill. Delegating can help lighten your load and make the process more enjoyable.
- Potluck Perfection: Encourage guests to bring a potluck dish. This will reduce your workload and allow everyone to share their favorite recipes.
- Simplify the Menu: Choose recipes that are easy to prepare. Dishes that can be made ahead of time are ideal for stress-free hosting.
- Prep Ahead: Prepare as much as possible before the party day. Chop vegetables, marinate meats, and do everything you can ahead of time to minimize last-minute tasks.
- Create a Beverage Station: Set up a self-serve drink station with various beverages, including non-alcoholic options. This allows guests to help themselves and keeps you from playing bartender all day.
- Keep It Simple: Use disposable plates, cups, and napkins for easy cleanup. This saves time and allows you to focus more on enjoying the party rather than worrying about dishes.
- Relax and Enjoy: Remember, the most important part of hosting is enjoying the company of your guests. Once the party is underway, take time to relax, mingle, and enjoy the moments with friends and family.
Frequently asked questions
What’s a good Labor Day Menu?
For our Labor Day celebration this year at the beach, I will be serving Deviled Eggs, Potato Salad, Coleslaw, Baked Beans, Beer Can Chicken, and Red White & Blue Icebox Cake for dessert.
All of these dishes can be made the day before, and my husband will be grilling the beer can chicken, so I am home free!
What are the most common Labor Day foods?
At least in our neck of the woods, hamburgers and hot dogs reign supreme and will be gracing the majority of Labor Day tables.
What are some good sides for a cookout?
I like to serve easy side dishes that can be made ahead, such as potato salad, coleslaw, broccoli salad, and baked beans. In the South, southern peas such as purple hull peas, field peas, or white acre peas are also a common and welcome addition.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐⭐⭐ If you make any of these dishes, please leave a comment and give it a star rating. I would love to know how you liked it!
Thank you so much for visiting Grits and Pinecones; I hope you come back soon.
Ashley
You Are Amazing! Recipes look Amazing, Tips and suggestions…. Amazing! Thank you for taking the time to share! ❤️
Brennan k wallin
Those baked beans will be the hit of my labor day meal.