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This roundup includes all the best Labor Day recipes from juicy burgers and smoked brisket to classic BBQ sides, fresh summer salads, and desserts that make the most of late-season fruit. Mix and match your favorites to create the perfect Labor Day menu everyone will remember.
Table of Contents
Fire Up the Grill (or Smoker)
Nothing says Labor Day like cooking outside. These backyard favorites are made for feeding a crowd and soaking up the last unofficial weekend of summer.
Cheeseburgers
Juicy, classic cheeseburgers piled high with your favorite toppings never disappoint.
Smoked Brisket
Tender, smoky brisket that’s worth every minute on the smoker.
Smash Burger
Thin, crispy-edged burgers with gooey melted cheese and restaurant-quality flavor.
Hot Dogs
Keep it simple or load them up with your favorite toppings for an easy crowd-pleaser.
Grilled Pesto Chicken
Only a few ingredients, but packed with fresh basil flavor and perfect for summer grilling.
Smoked Ribs
Fall-off-the-bone tender ribs with incredible smoky BBQ flavor.
Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Slow-cooked pork piled onto soft buns with your favorite barbecue sauce.
Brisket Nachos
The best way to use leftover brisket—loaded with cheese and all the toppings.
Classic BBQ Side Dishes
Every great cookout needs the sides. These recipes have been showing up at family BBQs for generations and for good reason.
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
Everything you love about elote tossed into a creamy pasta salad.
Tortellini Pasta Salad
Cheesy tortellini tossed with fresh vegetables and a flavorful dressing.
Greek Pasta Salad
Fresh vegetables, feta, and olives make this a refreshing cookout favorite.
Broccoli Salad
Crunchy, creamy, sweet, and salty in every bite.
Corn on the Cob
Simple, buttery corn is always one of the first dishes to disappear.
Macaroni Salad
Creamy, classic, and exactly what everyone expects at a summer BBQ.
Deviled Eggs
A holiday favorite that belongs at every summer gathering too.
Pesto Pasta Salad
Fresh basil pesto turns an ordinary pasta salad into something special.
Comfort Food Favorites
These classics pair perfectly with anything coming off the grill and keep everyone coming back for seconds.
Mac & Cheese
Creamy, cheesy comfort food that’s always a crowd favorite.
Garlic Bread
Golden, buttery garlic bread everyone reaches for first.
Skillet Cornbread
Sweet, buttery cornbread that’s delicious with just about everything.
Potato Casserole
Cheesy, creamy potatoes with the perfect crunchy topping.
Classic Pea Salad
Creamy, crunchy, and surprisingly addictive.
Potato Salad
A backyard BBQ classic that never goes out of style.
Potato Rolls
Soft, fluffy rolls perfect alongside barbecue or sandwiches.
Fresh Summer Salads
Bright, colorful salads balance out all the rich barbecue favorites while making the most of summer produce.
Tomato Cucumber Salad
Fresh garden vegetables tossed in a simple, flavorful dressing.
Mexican Street Corn Salad
All the flavors of elote in an easy spoonable salad.
BLT Pasta Salad
Everything you love about the sandwich in salad form.
Creamy Cucumber Salad
Cool, crisp cucumbers tossed in a creamy dressing.
Grinder Salad
Loaded with deli meats, cheese, and crisp vegetables.
Chickpea Salad
Fresh, hearty, and packed with protein and vegetables.
Late Summer Desserts
Finish Labor Day weekend with desserts that celebrate the very best flavors of late summer before fall arrives.
Peach Cobbler
Sweet, juicy peaches baked beneath a buttery topping.
Raspberry Lemon Tart Bars
Bright lemon and fresh raspberries make every bite taste like summer.
Blueberry Cobbler
Bursting with sweet blueberries and an easy homemade topping.
Peach Crisp
Warm cinnamon peaches topped with a crunchy oat crumble.
Lemon Raspberry Bars
Tangy, sweet, and perfect for warm-weather gatherings.
Berry Pie
Classic homemade berry pie that’s always worth saving room for.
Strawberry Ice Cream
Creamy homemade ice cream made with fresh strawberries.
Strawberry Shortcake
Light biscuits layered with juicy berries and whipped cream.
Graham Canyon Ice Cream
A creamy homemade favorite loaded with graham cracker crunch.
S’mores Cookies
Everything you love about campfire s’mores packed into a chewy cookie.
Apple Crisp
A cozy transition into fall with warm cinnamon apples and a buttery oat topping.
Whether you’re planning a backyard barbecue, heading to a neighborhood potluck, or simply enjoying one last summer meal with family, these Labor Day recipes have you covered. Mix and match grilled favorites, classic side dishes, fresh salads, and seasonal desserts to create a menu everyone will love.
However you celebrate, here’s to great food, good company, and making the most of the long holiday weekend before fall officially begins. Bring on football season!!
Labor Day Recipes
Ingredients
Fire Up the Grill
Classic BBQ Side Dishes
Comfort Food Favorites
Fresh Summer Salads
Instructions
- Choose a few of these recipes to make and enjoy Labor Day weekend!
