20 Labor Day Recipes to Celebrate Summer’s Last Hurrah
Say goodbye to the season with one last cookout.
As the unofficial end of summer, Labor Day weekend feels like the final hurrah before the season of school days, cooler weather, and busy routines. To celebrate those last sunny days, a backyard cookout is mandatory! Over the long weekend, gather all your loved ones to feast on grilled dishes, savory sides, refreshing cocktails, and fruit desserts. And if you’re wondering what to serve, these Labor Day recipes have you covered.
Of course, Ree Drummond’s favorite Labor Day recipes include dishes like her aptly named Perfect Potato Salad but there’s lots of inspiration here. The best Labor Day menu starts with summer cocktails (or mocktails for the kids!) loaded with fresh summer fruit. Then, you’ll need to assemble mains and sides that are packed with crowd-pleasing flavor, yet are easy to prepare. Think juicy burgers, smoky hot dogs, sweet corn on the cob, and creamy pasta salads you can make ahead of time. You can even add some fun new favorites, such as grilled chicken brushed in a caramelized Dr Pepper glaze, to your spread of cookout classics. To top it all off, you’ll definitely want to serve up some delicious Labor Day desserts like no-bake pies and nostalgic summer sweets.
Need more ideas? Here are all the best Labor Day recipes to end your summer with a bang.
Classic Cheeseburger
It wouldn’t be a Labor Day cookout without cheeseburgers on the menu! These patties are made with a flavorful blend of ground beef and ground sirloin before they’re topped with irresistibly gooey cheese.
Get the Classic Cheeseburger recipe.
Grilled Corn on the Cob
Corn on the cob is a cookout staple. For the easiest, most delicious way to prepare it, grill the kernels until they’re charred before slathering them in garlic-chive butter.
Get the Grilled Corn on the Cob recipe.
Watermelon, Tomato, and Mozzarella Salad
Make the most of watermelon season by adding sweet, juicy cubes to your Caprese salad. The creamy mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and fragrant basil pair perfectly with summer’s favorite fruit.
Blackberry Pie
A slice of this cozy blackberry pie will hit the spot at any Labor Day get-together. Each slice is packed with ripe, sweet-tart berries tucked inside a flaky, golden crust. Finish it off with a big dollop of whipped cream or a heaping scoop of ice cream.
Get the Blackberry Pie recipe.
Dr Pepper BBQ Chicken
Brushed with a sticky-sweet Dr Pepper sauce, the chicken thighs and drumsticks in this Labor Day recipe achieve a glossy, caramelized coating when cooked on the grill. It’s the kind of dish that’ll totally effortlessly the show.
Get the Dr Pepper BBQ Chicken recipe.
Perfect Potato Salad
Light, fluffy, and downright delicious, this potato salad is the ultimate Labor Day side. Not to mention, it’s make-ahead friendly and full of crunchy mix-ins like bacon and pickles.
Get Ree's Perfect Potato Salad recipe.
Blueberry Lemonade
During the unofficial last weekend of summer, an ice-cold glass of lemonade will not disappoint! This blueberry-infused version calls for four simple ingredients, and it takes just 20 minutes to make!
Get the Blueberry Lemonade recipe.
Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs
For a kid-friendly Labor Day recipe that’s most definitely adult-approved, wrap hot dogs in bacon, throw them on the grill for a few minutes, and go crazy with the toppings!
Get the Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs recipe.
Grilled BBQ Ribs
Covered in a smoky-sweet spice rub and smothered in sticky BBQ sauce, these grilled ribs have double the flavor. After grilling them low and slow in foil, you’ll get the juiciest, most tender ribs.
Get the Grilled Ribs recipe.
Dill Pickle Slaw
Crunchy cabbage is tossed in a tangy, briny dressing for a veggie-packed side that’ll hold up for hours on your picnic table. Make this Labor Day recipe a day before your BBQ, and the bright flavors will meld.
Get Ree’s Dill Pickle Slaw recipe.
No-Bake Peaches and Cream Pie
A cool, creamy pie is an end-of-summer essential. This no-bake version is packed with peak-season peaches, and the recipe comes together with just five ingredients!
Get the No-Bake Peaches and Cream Pie recipe.
Grilled Pork Chops
The key to these perfectly grilled pork chops is all in the marinade—it’s smoky, garlicky, and herby, and it transforms into golden-brown perfection on the grill.
Get the Grilled Pork Chops recipe.
Macaroni Salad
Ree has mastered the art of macaroni salad: Her version is creamy yet crunchy, sweet yet spicy, and light yet indulgent. Best of all, it’ll taste incredible with all your grilled favorites!
Get Ree's Macaroni Salad recipe.
Grilled Veggie Skewers
These skewers might just be the easiest, most versatile Labor Day recipe. Grab whatever vegetables you want, toss them in a simple marinade, and char them on the grill for a few minutes.
Get the Grilled Veggie Skewers recipe.
Watermelon Margarita
This fruity, refreshing take on margaritas tastes like summer in a glass! Before watermelon season winds down, blend up some pieces into a deliciously sweet juicy for your Labor Day cocktails.
Get the Watermelon Margarita recipe.
Frozen S’mores Bars
Sitting around a campfire is always a fun summer activity, but with this Labor Day recipe, you can enjoy all the nostalgic flavors without the fuss. These frozen bars are loaded with creamy layers that’ll keep the crowd cool all weekend.
Get Ree’s Frozen S’mores Bars recipe.
Slow Cooker Shrimp Boil
If you haven't made a shrimp boil yet this summer, now’s your chance! Thanks to this hands-off Labor Day recipe, you can dump everything in a slow cooker and step away for a few hours.
Get Ree's Slow Cooker Shrimp Boil recipe.
Grilled Pizza
Instead of heating up the kitchen to satisfy your pizza cravings over Labor Day weekend, cook your homemade pies on the grill. The high heat will convert the crust into a crispy, charred delight.
Get the Grilled Pizza recipe.
Broccoli Slaw
For stress-free Labor Day entertaining, throw together this make-ahead side. In fact, this coleslaw recipe will taste even better the longer it sits in the fridge!
Get the Broccoli Slaw recipe.
Blackberry Smash Sweet Tea
If you're a fan of the classic Southern sipper, why not give it a seasonal twist for your last summer bash? It's flavorful, refreshing, and great for all ages.
Get Ree's Blackberry Smash Sweet Tea recipe.
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