40+ Amazing Labor Day Recipes for a Barbecue or Party

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I’ve got so many delicious Labor Day recipes to help you wrap up summer! These are crowd favorites year after year, so whether you’re hosting a picnic, barbecue, or party with family and friends, make sure you’ve got a couple of these recipes on your menu.

Grilled chicken for a Labor Day recipe.

Labor Day weekend has always been special for me. Not only is it just one week after my birthday (let the festivities continue!), but it’s also a celebration of the last stretch of summer. In Southern California, that means I pack in lots of time with friends and family, soak up all the Vitamin D I can get, and of course, celebrate with the best summer foods.

If you’ve perused my 4th of July recipes, this list may look a bit similar. But I’m tossing in a few extra cookout recipes, sides, and desserts that I’ve been personally enjoying this summer.

Friends, enjoy the beautiful sunny weather while you still can, because cooler fall weather will be here before you know it!

Labor Day Mains

Think grilled meat, seafood, and kebabs! That smoky, barbecue flavor screams Labor Day yumminess! Sure, utensils can be used…but they can also be optional. Licking your fingers is all part of the fun. 😉

A plate of grilled chicken breasts.A plate of grilled chicken breasts.

1

If you want the easiest (and tastiest) grilled chicken, it’s hard to beat this recipe. Just marinate it in my Italian dressing, toss it on the grill, and enjoy the juiciest chicken ever.

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Sliced carne asada on a wooden boardSliced carne asada on a wooden board

2

If you’re setting up a taco bar, this carne asada is perfect for it! The marinade is insanely good and it grills quickly. Then, just chop it up into small pieces for an amazing carne asada taco.

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A white plate with grilled shrimp.A white plate with grilled shrimp.

3

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had people ask me for this recipe. The shrimp is coated in an herby, olive oil sauce, and it only takes about 5 minutes to grill.

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A large platter of skirt steak with chimichurri sauceA large platter of skirt steak with chimichurri sauce

4

This is probably one of the summer dinners I make most often, even if it’s just for me! The steak is very easy to cook, and the homemade chimichurri sauce gives each bite a fresh, herby, tangy goodness.

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A plate of chicken kabobsA plate of chicken kabobs

5

These Greek chicken kabobs are always a crowd favorite, no matter where I serve it. Just don’t forget to make tzatziki sauce on the side. It’s the perfect dipping sauce! And for a simpler version, this chicken souvlaki is perfect for another skewer to toss on the grill.

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Sliced grilled ribeye steaks on a wooden board.Sliced grilled ribeye steaks on a wooden board.

6

If you’re looking for a juicier cut of steak to grill, you can NEVER go wrong with grilled ribeye steak (or pan seared ribeye steak). All you need is a little salt and pepper (I also like to add garlic), and give it a quick sear on the grill. I’ll show you how to master this!

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Grilled salmon recipe with mango salsa.Grilled salmon recipe with mango salsa.

7

This grilled salmon with mango salsa is light, fresh, and perfect for sunny days! You could also switch it up and top with pico de gallo.

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Baby back ribs recipe.Baby back ribs recipe.

8

Oh man…these baby back ribs are a main people will never forget. And that’s all because of the spiced rum pineapple BBQ sauce. It may sound complicated, but trust me, those few extra ingredients make all the difference for BIG flavor.

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A plate of BBQ chickenA plate of BBQ chicken

9

This BBQ chicken is what backyard cookouts are made of! The marinade is finger-licking good and your guests will definitely be going back for seconds.

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A white tray of beef shish kabobsA white tray of beef shish kabobs

10

The savory, umami marinade on these beef shish kabobs is soooooo good. Highly recommend if you’re looking to make some sort of steak skewer for easy eating.

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Slow cooker pulled pork recipe.Slow cooker pulled pork recipe.

11

While this isn’t a grilled meat, if you’ve got a bigger crowd, I always recommend this pulled pork recipe. It’s such a classic for long summer weekends and can be made into sliders, tacos, or enjoyed on its own.

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Labor Day Salad Recipes

These summertime potluck salads are an essential! They’re light yet refreshing, and their nutrition boost may just help you win that next round of cornhole (or so I tell myself, lol). And don’t forget that salads can be considered mains as well, especially if you add a little protein.

Best chicken salad recipe.Best chicken salad recipe.

12

If there’s one salad I always make for parties, it’s this one. I’ve really nailed the crisp to creamy ratio, and the flavors are so fresh and perfect for sunny days!

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Broccoli salad recipe in a bowl.Broccoli salad recipe in a bowl.

13

This crunchy salad ALWAYS gets a ton of compliments. Make it once, and you’ll see what I mean 😉. I’d also bookmark this one for any upcoming party you may have. it’s truly a year-round type of salad.

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Best fruit salad recipe.Best fruit salad recipe.

14

Speaking of fruits, there’s always room for this classic fruit salad. And since we’re in stone fruit season, you can also make this stone fruit salad!

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Cucumber salad recipe for the best summer salad.Cucumber salad recipe for the best summer salad.

15

If you’re making grilled meats, this salad is just what you need to counter the richness of the meat! It’s very refreshing and quick to make in a pinch. And if you like a touch of creamy, give this creamy cucumber salad a try!

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A bowl of watermelon salad with feta and mintA bowl of watermelon salad with feta and mint

16

This watermelon salad is a no-brainer, especially when watermelon is still in season! I say definitely make this now before summer is officially over. It’s so refreshing.

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A white bowl of Greek saladA white bowl of Greek salad

17

This is the perfect pairing with any of the Mediterranean mains! I also love how this salad is pretty durable, so you could even make it the day before.

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A large white bowl of corn salad next to parsley and a napkinA large white bowl of corn salad next to parsley and a napkin

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Summer corn is also at its peak, and this salad is my favorite way to cook with it. I typically enjoy this with grilled corn, but you could also use canned corn in a pinch. You’ll just miss that charred flavor.

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Labor Day Side Dishes & Appetizers

The most classic side dish for a holiday weekend is potato salad…am I right? Well, I’ve got a family recipe that’s far superior to any other recipe out there. I’ve also got several munchies to satisfy your slightly salty or sweet cravings.

Potato salad with a fork.Potato salad with a fork.

19

Yes, I adopted this recipe from my mom! My family and I deem this the best one we’ve had yet. It’s layered with so many textures and fresh flavors, and it’s always a crowd pleaser.

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A white bowl of creamy coleslaw.A white bowl of creamy coleslaw.

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If you’re making coleslaw, don’t skip my coleslaw dressing! It tastes far better than any other bottled version, with fresh ingredients you can trust. And if you like a no-mayo coleslaw, make this vinegar coleslaw!

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A white pot of baked baked beans.A white pot of baked baked beans.

21

Another amazing sweet and savory side dish is definitely a pot of baked beans. I also added bacon bits into this for extra depth of flavor, and I can certainly say it makes all the difference.

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Guacamole recipe in a bowl next to tortilla chips.Guacamole recipe in a bowl next to tortilla chips.

22

You can never go wrong with a bowl of guacamole on the table, especially this version. It’s got little bits of crisp, is perfectly creamy, and has just the right amount of flavor.

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Cowboy caviar recipe.Cowboy caviar recipe.

23

Every time I bring this to a party, the bowl is empty by the end of the night. Case in point, you’ll never have a problem making cowboy caviar!

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Mango salsa recipe.Mango salsa recipe.

24

For something on the sweeter side, this mango salsa is amazing with tortilla chips or even topped on grilled fish.

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Red salsa in a bowl with chips.Red salsa in a bowl with chips.

25

A side of freshly made salsa and tortilla chips always hits the spot for a fun and tasty appetizer.

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Antipasto skewers appetizer.Antipasto skewers appetizer.

26

These antipasto skewers are always a crowd favorite appetizer. They’re fresh, easy to make, and just look pretty when stacked on a platter for guests.

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A bowl of homemade hummusA bowl of homemade hummus

27

I love making this hummus whenever I’m making a mezze spread, or just want a healthier dip to serve to guests. It’s perfect with crackers and fresh-cut veggies.

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Labor Day Desserts and Sweet Treats

What I love most about these summer desserts is that almost all of them can be made ahead of time. Then, you can deliver them to the hungry masses when the timing is right, or when the sun starts setting. Whichever comes first!

A bowl of peach crisp with ice cream.A bowl of peach crisp with ice cream.

28

Peach season calls for this warm, crumbly peach crisp! A scoop of this paired with chilled vanilla ice cream is the most delicious match.

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A baking pan of berry crisp and two servings in bowls.A baking pan of berry crisp and two servings in bowls.

29

If you love berries more, this berry sheet cake is another big crowd favorite. My family always requests this at one point during the summer.

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A slice of berry sheet cake on a white plate with fork and dollop of cream.A slice of berry sheet cake on a white plate with fork and dollop of cream.

30

This is hands down the easiest cake recipe anyone can master (and everyone loves!). It always turns out so soft, with warm dotted berries for the perfect sweet and savory bite.

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A lemon cake topped with blueberries on a table.A lemon cake topped with blueberries on a table.

31

A lemon blueberry combo is unmatched, especially in a cake like this. Plus, it’s so easy to assemble the day before.

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A tray of grilled peaches and ice creamA tray of grilled peaches and ice cream

32

If you’re already out on the grill, I say toss these cinnamon-coated peaches on there at the same time! They cook fairly quickly and are another amazing way to enjoy peach season.

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Labor Day Drinks

When it comes to quenching your thirst, I always recommend drinking lots of water during the summer months. And one of the best ways to keep water interesting is to infuse it with fruits, veggies, and herbs. But if you’re looking to add a little extra fun to celebrate the last days of summer, just whip up a pitcher of a cooling, refreshing beverage.

Strawberry lemonade recipe.Strawberry lemonade recipe.

33

I recently made this for my friends who came to visit, and they LOVED it. It’s slightly sweet, slightly tart, and ultra-refreshing.

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Red sangria recipe.Red sangria recipe.

34

A pitcher of this red sangria is always a way to get the party started. I love that I can also make this a day in advance (it tastes even better the next day!). And if you love white wine, I also have a wonderful white sangria.

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Aperol Spritz in glasses next to orangesAperol Spritz in glasses next to oranges

35

This is my favorite for a daytime cocktail to enjoy out on the patio. All you need are a few simple ingredients to make it!

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Several different flavors of agua fresca.Several different flavors of agua fresca.

37

I almost always have a pitcher of agua fresca at all summer parties because they’re perfect for adults and kids! I love the watermelon version, but I’ll play around with different flavors, depending on what dishes I’m serving.

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If you make any of these Labor day recipes, I’d love to hear how they turned out in the comment box below! Your review will help other readers in the community. And if you’re hungry for more healthy food inspiration and exclusive content, join my free newsletter here.

This recipe roundup was originally published September 2015, but updated to include new recipes I hope you’ll enjoy!