Labor Day Recipes

A collection of Labor Day Recipes for entertaining, including grilling, side dishes, and desserts.

Whether you're grilling for Labor Day, going over to someone's house for a cookout, or just having a few people over, here are a few easy Labor Day Recipes.

On this list I have a few grilling favorites (that can also be made without a grill!), a few appetizers and side dishes using seasonal veggies, and easy desserts.

Check it out below and make sure to save this post for later!

Labor Day Grilling Ideas and Meats

A few of my favorite grilling recipes. If you don't have a grill, all of these can be made on the stove top or on the oven as well.

Ground Pork Burgers - ready in 15 minutes from scratch!
Japaleno Popper Burgers - if you want some spice!
Grilled Paneer Satay - for a vegetarian option
Shrimp and Veggie Skewers with Chimichurri Sauce - the sauce doubles as the marinade.
Pork and Vegetable Skewers - get a pre-marinated pork loin and these are ready in just 30 minutes!
Best EVER Chicken Marinade for grilled or pan-seared chicken. This recipe combines the best of Asian and Italian flavors to make one EPIC marinade.
Chickpea and Sweet Potato Burgers - don't forget your vegetarian friends!
Venison Burgers - if you want to try something different! This recipe works great with lean ground beef too.
Turkey Burgers with Guacamole (these are sooo good!)
Smoked Brisket - if you have a smoker and are up for some planning in advance!

And here is an amazing ribs recipe for good measure. It's not grilled, but it is a crowd pleaser: Maple Glazed Ribs

Labor Day Appetizers

As good as the main course recipes look above, appetizers are my favorite part of any meal. Here are a few fresh, colorful, festive appetizers that are super easy to make and are perfect to start of your Labor Day party.

I'm including a few vegan or gluten free options if you have guests with dietary restrictions.

Easy Salami Appetizer (3 ingredients and people love this one? YES PLEASE!)
Pineapple Pico de Gallo - the pineapple gives it an awesome summer flavor!
Hummus with Olives and Feta (gluten free, vegetarian, or skip the feta for a vegan version)
Sun-dried Tomato Feta Spread (vegetarian, super easy)
Crostini with Pesto and Tomatoes (skip the Parmesan for a vegan version, or use gluten-free crostini for a gluten free appetizer)
Lox Appetizer Platter - a super easy but super fancy looking platter with a lox dip, lox bagel bites, and cucumber lox bites. This ALWAYS gets devoured.
Roasted Eggplant Dip with Beets - the gorgeous pink color of this Baba Ghanoush dip always makes this a fun dip to bring to a party (gluten free, vegan, and SUPER healthy and low in calories)
Tomato Avocado Bruschetta - you can never go wrong with bruschetta (vegan, use gluten free bread if you prefer)
Cheesy Chicken Corn Dip - get some fresh local corn and make this dip in 5 minutes in the microwave. So addicting and so good!

Easy Labor Day Side Dishes

A few super easy side dishes that are easy to scale up if you're cooking for a crowd.

Coleslaw Orzo Salad (the perfect balance between pasta salad and coleslaw)
Grilled Vegetable Salad with Balsamic Dressing - the easy dressing transforms grilled veggies into something AMAZING!
Instant Pot Potato and Egg Salad - the Instant Pot does all the work here!
Baked Beans with Ground Beef - this one is so hearty and meaty, it can be a main course too!
Honey Butter Skillet Corn - so easy with just 5 ingredients!
Charred Corn Salsa - a great side dish, or serve with chips as an appetizer
Loaded Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Cranberries - soo good for a veggie salad!
Broccoli Ranch Pasta Salad (super kid-friendly!)
Mexican Pasta Salad (super tasty! A crowd pleaser)
Baked Beans with Ground Beef (super saucy and delish! Gluten-free)
No-Mayo Potato Salad with Olives and Feta (gluten free, vegetarian)
Calamari Salad with Bell Peppers (gluten free)
Couscous Shrimp Salad - an awesome alternative to pasta salad
Brown Rice Salad - serve this one chilled, room temperature, or warmed up - whatever is easiest for you! (vegan, gluten free)

Easy Labor Day Desserts

Not everyone has room in their belly for pies and cakes after a big barbecue. A simple fruit salad, an easy dessert dip, and a scoop of ice cream is plenty of dessert for a Labor Day party.

Grape Salad - the cream cheese dressing tastes like cheesecake and is so good!!
Watermelon Salad with a honey lime mint dressing. This one is ALWAYS a popular recipe on my blog in the summer.
Air Fryer Peaches - so good! You get the grilled peaches effect without needing a grill!
No-Bake Key Lime Pie Cheesecake Dip - 5 minutes of prep and you've got a dip that tastes as good as a laborious cheesecake. (Labor Day pun there!)
Banana Pudding with Cool Whip and Vanilla Wafers - just 5 minutes to put together and so so creamy and delish!
Cheesecake Cookie Cups - cute, bite-sized, delicious, and easy to make!
Blueberry Delight - a no-bake stunning layered dessert!
Fruit Salad - this one is a little different than most fruit salads, with a lovely honey lime dressing.
10 Minute Tropical Trifles - use store-bought pound cake and fresh fruit to whip up these individual mini desserts in no time. Looks so fancy but it really couldn't get any easier!