These 17 Labor Day Recipes Are Perfect For Your Final Summer Party
In our book, Labor Day weekend ending doesn’t only signify the return to school and the end of the warmer months, but also the start of the cozy, comforting feeling of fall.
But don’t worry, summer isn’t over yet. And to celebrate the end of the season, we’re throwing the biggest Labor Day feast around.
If summer has to end, the food better be good, right? We’ve spent all summer glued to our grills, and while we’ll almost certainly continue that as long as the weather allows, Labor Day does mark the unofficial end of grilling season.
To commemorate, we’re going all out with all our favorite grilling techniques and all the best summer recipes you should make while you still can. Chicken, burgers, grill skewers—yup, we've got it.
Potato and pasta salads just don’t taste quite the same outside of summer, so we’re remaking our favorites one last time. We’ve got a fancied-up jalapeño popper potato salad and a summer couscous salad to make your party the hit of the summer.
Whether you’re celebrating your love of BBQ-ing or your last three-day weekend for a while (yeah, us too), we’ve got something for everyone. Check out our very best Labor Day recipes for ideas—don't let your summer end without a bang.
Chimichurri Smashed Potato Salad
Smashed potatoes are already glorious on their own, but tossing them in a tangy, herby, slightly spicy chimichurri makes them out-of-this-world delicious.
Baked Cowboy Dip
While we love a cold cowboy caviar , this cheesy version dials up the taste with taco-seasoned ground beef, sweet corn, and black beans , all tossed in BBQ sauce and topped with pickled jalapeños and crispy fried onions . The secret weapon is a splash of the pickled jalapeño brine mixed right into the cream cheese to cut through the heavy richness.
Yacht Club Cocktail
With the coastal New England grandmother trend on the rise, it’s only fitting to be making what feels like grandpa’s signature drink for a day out on the water. This is a timeless libation, heavy on the alcohol with rum at the helm, designed to set you up for success—whether that be sailing the open sea, basking in the sun at the club, or simply sipping from your deck.
Beer Can Chicken
If you come across a method for this that uses an oven, please look the other way. This whole chicken is decidedly a dish that can only reveal its glory when grilled. What’s more, it shouldn’t be gussied up too much: This is likely the most un-fancy thing you’ll ever make (in the best way!).
Jalapeño Popper Potato Salad
For this recipe, we decided to take the flavors of one of our favorite apps— jalapeño poppers —and add them to this classic potato side. With crispy bacon, hot jalapeños, shredded cheddar cheese, and a simple dressing, this potato salad adds a kick of heat to the classic that we can't get enough of.
Strawberry Balsamic Bruschetta
The end of summer is the perfect season for showing off bright, sweet strawberries . For this take on a classic bruschetta , baguette slices are toasted in the oven until nice and crispy before being topped with a ricotta spread, sweet strawberries, basil, and a balsamic glaze.
Greek Chicken & Halloumi Skewers
Halloumi was made for the grill , and these skewers really showcase that. Layered with chicken, red onions, and bell peppers, these skewers are so easy to put together and feel light and fresh at a hot summer BBQ.
Grilled Oysters
Grilling not only makes oysters easier to shuck and serve—the heat loosens the shell, meaning you just need to gently pop off the lid. Add a bit of homemade kimchi butter into the mix, and you’ve got the perfect appetizer to impress at a modern backyard BBQ .
Grilled Pineapple Chicken
PSA: Pineapple is the secret ingredient that will take your grilled chicken from good to vacation-worthy levels. It not only adds a sweet, tropical savor, but the acidity from the pineapple marinade will help to tenderize the chicken breast and the sugar works to caramelize the meat while grilling.
Deviled Egg Pasta Salad
This deviled egg pasta salad features tender elbow macaroni and crispy bacon tossed with garlic powder and a sweet paprika-Dijon dressing. Top the whole thing with boiled eggs and you’ll have your new favorite potluck contribution.
Grilled Shrimp & Mango Skewers
Fresh fruit and a hot grill are a match made in summer heaven. To showcase our favorite of the season’s grilled fruits (sorry, pineapple ), we created these sweet and spicy grilled shrimp and mango skewers .
Broccoli Caesar Pasta Salad
Bright green broccoli is tossed with cavatappi, shredded Parm, and shards of crispy croutons in a silky homemade Caesar dressing for an unforgettable spin on the classic cookout staple.
Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs
You might think you’re the grill master, but if your hot dogs aren’t wrapped in bacon , you’re missing out. We're hot dog loyalists, so you can believe me when we say: wrapping your hot dogs in bacon is a can't-miss, transcendent experience.
Best-Ever Burgers
Whether you load yours up with all the burger toppings imaginable or prefer to keep it simple, the best cheeseburger, first and foremost, must nail the basics. We're here to give you our tried-and-true method for the best burger possible, from the well-seasoned patty to the best toppings.
Grilled Coca-Cola Chicken
Everything is better with a Coke… including chicken . Tangy, sweet, and savory, this grilled Coca-Cola chicken will hit every one of your taste buds. If you’re searching for a way to say goodbye to summer with a bang, look no further—this dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Grilled Gnocchi Salad
Grilled gnocchi is a thing, and it’s a glory of modern Italian-American cuisine. We paired it with charred summer produce and two kinds of cheese (!!), and the combination is something you’ve just got to try this summer .
Summer Couscous Salad
Here we're using couscous as the base for a confetti of colored vegetables (cucumbers! tomatoes! corn!), doused in a creamy lemon Dijon dressing. We’ve as well added tangy feta and nutty, earthy chickpeas to give it a little added oomph. It’s simple and light, but still special enough for a Labor Day celebration.
