Over 38 Easy Labor Day Recipes is a curated collection of simple, crowd-pleasing dishes for your Labor Day celebrations. From bright appetizers and grilled mains to refreshing cocktails and fruit-forward desserts, these recipes are easy to prepare and perfect for a long weekend.
Who’s ready for one last summer escape?
Labor Day weekend feels like the final curtain call for summer. After months of soaking up sunshine, it’s a lovely time to take a hike, ride bikes to the park, enjoy a picnic, or linger on a patio with a cocktail in hand. It’s a weekend for simple pleasures and great food.
With peak summer produce at its prime, I find myself adding juicy tomatoes and ripe stone fruit to everything. If you’re planning your Labor Day menu and wondering what to serve, you’re in the right place. I’ve gathered over 38 easy recipes that span appetizers, mains, sides, drinks, and desserts — everything you need to create a delicious long-weekend spread.
Begin with appetizers to kick off the celebration, then move on to grilled mains and satisfying sides. Don’t forget a festive cocktail to toast the weekend, and save room for something sweet to finish the meal. Explore the categories below to build your ultimate Labor Day menu.
Labor Day Cocktails
- Cuban Fizz Cocktail with Fresh Mint
- Paloma
- Spicy Cucumber Margarita with Tequila Lime Pickled Jalapeños
- Sunset Sangria
- Grapefruit Gin Spritzer
- Rosé-Aperol Spritz with Fresh Mint
- Strawberry Gin and Tonic
- Sweet Tea Sangria with Fresh Mint
Labor Day Appetizers
- Cottage Cheese Cracker Bites
- Easy French Dip Pinwheels
- Pimento Cheese Smashed Potatoes
- Ultimate Black Bean Dip
- Buffalo Cauliflower Bites with Smoked Blue Cheese
- Parmesan and Pepper Baked Potato Chips
- Baked Three Cheese Onion Dip
Labor Day Dinners
- Summer Chickpea Salad with Dorothy Lynch Grilled Chicken
- Summer Garden Guacamole Burger
- Easy Cobb-Style Hot Dogs
- Bacon and Brie Burger with Spicy Peach Caramelized Onions
- Loaded Barbecue Bison Hot Dogs
- Grilled Ribeye Steaks with Peaches
- Grilled Chile Lime Shrimp Skewers
Labor Day Sides
- Broccoli Walnut Pesto Pasta
- Broccoli Caesar Salad
- Cantaloupe with Bacon-Cashew Crumble
- Easy Pizza Pasta Salad
- Jalapeño Popper Potato Salad
- Lentil Pasta with Creamy Mustard Sauce
- Low-Carb Cheesy Scalloped Zucchini
Labor Day Desserts
- Cardamom Blueberry Crumble Pie
- Strawberry-Peach Galette
- Rosé Strawberry Cookie Crisp Cups
- Blackberry Bliss Crumble Bars
- Strawberry and Peach Tahini Cake
- One-Bowl S’mores Cake
- Dark Chocolate Raspberry Drop Cookies
Take a look through these recipes and mix and match to build a menu that fits your plans — whether you’re hosting a backyard cookout, packing a picnic, or enjoying a quiet meal outdoors. Happy Labor Day and happy cooking!