40 Labor Day Recipes
Published Aug 22, 2026
40 Labor Day recipes for a cookout: grilled mains, sides, salads, desserts, and drinks, most easy to prep ahead so nobody is stuck at the grill.
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In my house, Labor Day signals the end of the warm weather. It is the last real weekend we grill before we clean it off and shut it down for the season, so I go big, cook for a crowd, and use the day to close out summer. That is where these Labor Day cookout ideas come from; it’s the food I actually put out when people come over.
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How to Plan a Labor Day Menu
- Tally up the guest count. You’ll want to know how many people plan to attend and if they will be eating. This will help you decide how much food to make without having an abundance of leftovers.
- Choose your recipes. Pick which recipes you want to make and how to combine the prep work. You’ll be able to utilize your time better when you prep for multiple dishes at the same time (i.e. chop up all the veggies since you already have the cutting board out).
- Select cooking methods. After choosing the recipes, decide how they should be cooked. Do you want to grill, cook on the stovetop, or have no-bake recipes, or a combination? Determine which methods are needed for your recipes and set up a plan to execute them best.
- Plan how food will be served. If you include a variety of hot and cold dishes, you’ll want to make sure they stay fresh and at the right temp. Use ice where needed and steam tables to keep hot foods hot. If food is served outside, consider also getting mesh covers to eliminate pests around the food.
40 Labor Day Recipes
There are easy appetizers and grilling ideas first, like grilled chicken, shrimp, cod, and kabobs, along with grilled fruits and vegetables that cook right alongside them. After those come the labor day side dishes baked beans, mac and cheese, and casseroles that travel well. There are fresh salads too, from cucumber to Mexican street corn to spinach and strawberry. The Labor Day desserts run from watermelon fruit pizza to lemon bars, brownies, and no-bake cheesecake cups, and there are cold drinks, the lemonades and iced teas, to round it out.
Labor Day Appetizers
Appetizer, Brunch
Avocado Deviled Egg Recipe
5 Ingredient Avocado Deviled Eggs with lime and cilantro. A lightened up spin on the classic deviled egg recipe, made with avocado instead of mayo.
52 minutes
Appetizer, Salads
Cowboy Caviar Recipe
Cowboy caviar made with two kinds of beans, frozen corn, bell pepper, jalapeño, and red onion, all tossed in a lime dressing. One of my no-cook labor day appetizers.
25 minutes
Appetizer
Vegetarian Stuffed Mushroom Recipe
Vegetarian stuffed mushrooms made with chickpeas, walnuts, garlic, herbs, parmesan, and balsamic vinegar, baked until tender in the oven.
25 minutes
Appetizer
Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
Buffalo chicken dip lightened up with Greek yogurt, still made with hot sauce and plenty of cheese. Warm labor day food ideas for feeding a crowd.
35 minutes
Appetizer
Caprese Skewer Recipe
Caprese skewers with cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and mozzarella balls, finished with a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Simple labor day appetizers to pass around.
10 minutes
Appetizer
Spinach Dip Recipe
This spinach dip recipe is made with 3 cheeses, cream cheese, mozzarella, and parmesan, and is mixed with Greek yogurt and spinach. Bake in the oven and serve!
25 minutes
Labor Day Grilling Meats
Main Course
Grilled Chicken Kabobs
These Grilled Chicken Shish Kabobs are flavorful & easy to make! The chicken is marinated with bright Mediterranean spices on a skewer with fresh veggies.
1 hour
Dinner, Main Dish, Tutorial
Grilled Steak
Learn how to grill steak perfectly every time with my easy step-by-step tips! Get juicy, flavorful results using simple seasonings and the right grill temperature.
45 minutes
Entree, Sandwich, Sandwiches
Grilled Turkey Burger Recipe
These grilled turkey burgers are easy to make with ground turkey and simple seasonings. Makes 4 turkey burgers that are ¾ inch thick and cooks in 10 minutes.
15 minutes
Dinner, Entree, Main Dish
Grilled Cod Recipe
Grilled cod comes together in 15 minutes with oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Fresh or frozen fillets both work, one of the simpler labor day cookout ideas.
15 minutes
Main Dish
Shish Kabob Recipe
This Shish Kabob recipe uses beef, sirloin steak to be exact, that has been marinated and skewered together with veggies and then grilled for 8 minutes!
2 hours 18 minutes
Entree, Main Dish
Salmon Kabobs Recipe
Salmon kabobs marinated in a tangy mustard sauce, then skewered with zucchini and onion and grilled. One of my go-to labor day grilling ideas.
1 hour 5 minutes
Entree, Main Dish
BBQ Shrimp Recipe
Easy barbecue shrimp recipe that uses a simple dry rub, jumbo shrimp, and just a little olive oil. I use skewers to hold everything together on a grill or grill pan.
34 minutes
Entree
Grilled Lemon Chicken
Grilled lemon chicken marinates in olive oil, fresh lemon, garlic, and oregano before cooking until juicy with lightly charred edges.
55 minutes
Grilling Fruits and Veggies
Side, Side Dish
Grilled Vegetable Recipe
This grilled vegetable recipe includes a mix of fresh summer veggies, including zucchini, squash, bell pepper, asparagus, mushrooms, and onions.
45 minutes
Side, Side Dish
Grilled Pineapple Recipe
This grilled pineapple recipe is made with fresh pineapple spears, a little honey, oil and cinnamon then grilled for about 6 minutes per side.
25 minutes
Dinner, Entree, Main Dish
Grilled Portobello Mushrooms
This Grilled Portobello Mushrooms recipe have a balsamic marinade with a juicy texture. They are great to throw on the grill as a vegan steak or burger or as an easy side dish!
22 minutes
Side, Side Dish
Grilled Potatoes Recipe
Grilled potatoes tossed with olive oil and herbs, cooked crisp outside and tender inside. They go with almost anything, one of the labor day cookout ideas I never skip.
30 minutes
Side Dish
Grilled Zucchini
Easy grilled zucchini made with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then finished with fresh lemon and parsley. A quick vegetable side ready in about 10 minutes.
10 minutes
Dessert, Snack
Grilled Fruit Kabobs
Grilled fruit skewers with pineapple, cantaloupe, and strawberries, brushed with maple syrup. One of my favorite labor day grilling ideas.
12 minutes
Labor Day Side Dish Recipes
Entree
Cauliflower Potato Salad
This Cauliflower Potato Salad is made with cauliflower instead of potatoes for a low-carb keto friendly summer salad – just as tasty as the original recipe!
35 minutes
Side Dish
Instant Pot Baked Bean Recipe
Instant Pot baked beans that cook down sweet and savory without much work. They come together fast, one of the easy labor day recipes I lean on for a crowd.
1 hour 10 minutes
Side Dish
Zucchini Casserole Recipe
Zucchini casserole with sliced zucchini, a creamy sauce, and a golden breadcrumb topping. The prep takes about 10 minutes, one of the simpler labor day side dishes.
1 hour 5 minutes
Salad, Side Dish
Macaroni Egg Salad Recipe
This macaroni egg salad recipe is made with yogurt instead of mayo, with chopped hard-boiled eggs, celery, red onions, and pickle all tossed with elbow noodles in a creamy dressing.
27 minutes
Entree, Side Dish
Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
This classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese recipe is easy to make with sharp cheddar and gruyere mixed into a roux and tossed with elbow macaroni and baked with a panko topping.
45 minutes
Fresh Labor Day Salads
Salads
Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe
Cucumber salad in a creamy sour cream and dill dressing, with red onion for a little bite. Just a few ingredients, one of my no-fuss labor day side dishes.
5 minutes
Dessert
Fruit Salad
This Fruit Salad is easy to make and is packed with fresh kiwi, mangoes, pineapple, and berries. Plus, my "secret sauce" adds an interesting twist!
5 minutes
Salads
Tomato Cucumber Avocado Salad Recipe
Avocado cucumber salad with tomatoes, red onion, dill, and a lemon olive oil dressing. Ready in minutes.
10 minutes
Side, Side Dish
Mexican Street Corn Salad
Mexican street corn salad with frozen corn, cotija, lime, and cilantro. This elote salad skips the mayo, one of the labor day recipes side dishes that travels well.
15 minutes
Salad
Spinach Strawberry Salad Recipe
Fresh Spinach Strawberry Salad with strawberries, feta cheese, sliced almonds, and a homemade basil vinaigrette dressing.
10 minutes
Labor Day Desserts
Dessert
Watermelon Fruit Pizza Recipe
Watermelon Fruit Pizza with a ricotta and cream cheese icing sweetened with honey and topped with fresh fruit! Takes all of 15 minutes to make.
15 minutes
Dessert
Vegan Lemon Bars
Vegan and gluten-free lemon bars, tart and creamy with an oatmeal-walnut crust and an egg-free lemon filling. One of the labor day desserts I make for mixed diets.
50 minutes
Dessert
Greek Yogurt Brownies
Made with no oil and less butter, these Greek yogurt brownies are a tasty and healthier alternative. Simple to make and just as delicious!
40 minutes
Dessert
No Bake Cheesecake Cups Recipe
Individual no-bake cheesecake cups with a graham cracker crust and creamy filling, topped with fresh strawberries or other berries. Simple to add to a labor day menu.
20 minutes
Dessert
Easy Apple Crisp
Easy Apple Crisp is a simple fall dessert made with juicy soft apples, warm cinnamon, and a crunchy oat streusel topping; quick to make and always a crowd-pleaser!
50 minutes
Dessert
Strawberry S’mores Recipe
Strawberry s'mores that toast up in the oven with melting chocolate, marshmallows, and sliced strawberries. A quick fruit twist for your labor day desserts.
7 minutes
Refreshing Labor Day Drinks
Beverages
Mint Lemonade
Mediterranean-style mint lemonade, a cool blend of lemon, mint, and a little sweetness. It holds up on a hot afternoon, one of my go-to labor day cookout ideas.
20 minutes
Beverages
Raspberry Iced Tea
This Raspberry Iced Tea combines the refreshing flavor of iced tea with the sweetness and tartness of fresh raspberries for an easy summer drink!
10 minutes
Beverages
Homemade Lemonade Recipe
Homemade lemonade with fresh lemon juice, sugar, and water, balanced so it is neither too sweet nor too sour. A simple drink for your labor day menu ideas.
15 minutes
Beverages
Strawberry Lemonade Recipe
This strawberry lemonade is made with fresh lemon juice, fresh strawberries, water, and sugar to make 1.5 quarts or enough for 4 to 6 servings!
28 minutes
Tips for Making Labor Day Recipes
- Fire up the grill! Some of the best foods to serve on this holiday are those you can throw on the grill. And I have selected some of the best Labor Day grilling ideas that will be a sure hit at your get-together. Choose a few different foods to get the most use out of the grill, including meats, veggies, and even fruits. For even more grilling ideas, visit my grilling recipes page.
- Plan ahead. To ensure a great time for everyone, plan your meal out ahead of time. This will give you the chance to come up with Labor Day menu ideas that will accommodate everyone. If there is a dietary restriction, you can make alterations to a portion of food you plan on cooking.
- Make recipes ahead of time. Make easy Labor Day recipes easy on yourself by prepping as much as you can ahead of the party. If you have pasta salad, desserts, prep, and marinating to do, spend the day or two beforehand preparing. This simple step makes a world of difference, and you’ll be able to enjoy entertaining instead of just cooking.
- Suggest a potluck. Invite your guests to bring a dish to your Labor Day BBQ. Choose a few recipes you’d like to make and communicate what else to bring so the entire spread doesn’t fall on you. You can also suggest making mains and letting the guests bring appetizers, sides, and Labor Day desserts.
- Set up an appetizer bar. Make up a few different finger foods that guests can nibble on throughout the day, like dips, bite-size items, and a variety of fresh fruits and veggies. You can focus on socializing and grilling up the mains stress-free when you have delicious Labor Day appetizers nearby.
- Include a drink table. Have a small area where you can serve just drinks with ice and cups, a cooler with canned and bottled drinks, carafes of beverages, and adult drinks nearby, too!
For more similar roundup of recipes, be sure to check out:
- No-Bake Desserts I Make When I Refuse to Turn the Oven On
- Big Flavor Recipes With Just A Handful Of 5 Ingredients or Less
- Salad Recipes I Actually Rely On
- My Go-To Burger Sides
- If You’re Firing Up The Grill, These 43 Grilling Recipes Are A Must Try
- 31 Picnic Foods Everyone Will Be Hoping You Brought
