Summer
ByStephanie Wilson
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These easy Labor Day recipes are perfect for your end-of-summer grilling party or cookout. From burgers to salads, ribs, sides, and, of course, delicious Labor Day desserts.
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Celebrating the End of Summer with Labor Day Recipes and Ideas
You worked hard for this weekend. These Labor Day recipes for main dishes, salads, amazing sides, and desserts will help you make the most of a fabulous weekend!
You might also likeEasy Labor Day Dessert Ideas. Or… read up on the history of Labor Day.
What is Labor Day and why do we celebrate?
More than just a 3-day long weekend, and the unofficial ending of summer, Labor Day is a holiday set aside topay tribute to the contributions of American workers. It’s traditionally observed on the first Monday in September.The U.S. Department of Labor says:
“The holiday is rooted in the late nineteenth century, when labor activists pushed for a federal holidayto recognize the many contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity, and well-being.”
U.S. dEPARTMENT OF lABOR
Labor Day Recipes
While back to school season is in full swing, game days have already begun, and fall is within view, celebrating the end of summer is rite of passage for the season to come.
So kickback, make some delicious food, and enjoy this last unofficial ending of a rather wonderful summer season.
Here’s some ideas I hope you’ll love.
Happy Labor Day!
34 Easy Labor Day Recipes to Celebrate the End of Summer
Easy and simple Labor Day food ideas and recipes to kick-start your end of summer cookouts and parties. From grilling to slow cooker, no bake and more!
1
Smash Burgers
Photo Credit:www.tasteofhome.com
"A Smash burger is exactly what you think it is; balls of ground beef smashed onto a hot griddle. You'll want to smash them pretty thin so they cook quickly, but it also gets you those crispy, browned edges while still keeping the interior nice and juicy. "
2
Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken Sliders
Incredibly easy, with almost no prep, these sliders are juicy and tender, and almost melt in your mouth. Perfect,easy idea for Labor Day!
3
Best Turkey Burger Recipe
Photo Credit:www.killingthyme.net
"We’re calling this the best turkey burger recipe for good reason! These tender patties are made up of just the right amount of spice."
4
Grilled Cherry Tomato Skewers on Toast with Goat Cheese
Photo Credit:whiteonricecouple.com
"They’re simple and delicious grilled cherry tomato skewers. But when we were grilling these little red jewels the term “tomato skewers” sounded so mundane. After plucking these super sweet cherry tomatoes from their vines, they were so cute and plump, it sounded more appropriate (and fun) to call them lollipops."
5
German Potato Salad
This German Potato Salad is a simple hot potato salad recipe with fork-tender potatoes, savory bacon, and fresh parsley tossed in a delicious tangy dressing you will love.
6
Easy Mexican Corn Salad
“A quick and easy Mexican Corn Salad will be a favorite side all summer long. It’s healthy, a simplified version ofelotes, robust with the warm and spicy flavors of cumin and red pepper. Serve warm or cold, it’s simply delicious.”
7
Elote Corn (Mexican Street Corn)
Photo Credit:thenoshery.com
Elote corn is Mexican street corn is roasted over an open grill & coated with salt, chile powder, butter, cotija, lime juice, & mayonnaise or crema fresca.
8
Easy Summer Macaroni Salad
Macaroni Salad is a classic and delicious pasta salad recipe every summer cookout, BBQ, potluck, and picnic deserves! Incredibly simple to make, it's filled with fresh vegetables and macaroni tossed in a tangy, slightly sweet, and creamy homemade dressing.
9
Easy Instant Pot Ribs
How to make fall off the bone Instant Pot Ribs. Easy method for baby back or spare ribs. So much faster and the sweet and savory dry rub is to die for!
10
Easy Cowboy Caviar: A Variation of the Original
This easy Cowboy Caviar, or Texas Caviar, is a fresh and simple dip or side dish that's ready in 15 minutes or less. Utterly delicious, it's perfect for picnics, BBQs, taco Tuesdays, or anytime you're craving flavor-packed, healthier food!
11
Slow Cooker Ribs So Tender They Fall Off the Bone
Weekends and summers and game days… and Labor Day… were made for ribs. AndSlow Cooker Ribsare the easiest, most delicious, tender ribs you’ll ever, ever have.
If a slow cooker isn’t your thing, you might want to try our easyGrilled and Tender Foil Wrapped Baby Back Ribs. If you’re a pressure cooker fan, see ourEasy Instant Pot Ribsrecipe for quick-fix ribs.
12
Easy Grilled Lemon Garlic Shrimp
Photo Credit:www.lecremedelacrumb.com
"This easy grilled lemon garlic shrimp is healthy, incredibly flavorful, and quick to make with FIVEsimple ingredients!"
13
Easy Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Kabobs
Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Kabobs is a savory and sweet BBQ favorite. Easy to prep ahead and perfect for Labor Day.
14
Grilled Corn on the Cob Foil Packets
Grilled Corn on the Cob in Foil Packets is a favorite 3 ingredient summer side dish that is sweet and juicy and smoky with herbs and spices.
15
Zucchini Tomato Bake
Photo Credit:www.delish.com
“This easy side is the most delicious way to use up your summer vegetables.”
16
Easy Grilled Vegetables with Burrata
Easy Grilled Vegetables with Burrata is a centerpiece of summer grilling. With a simple balsamic glaze drizzled over delicious and slightly charred vegetables, it's a feast for the eyes and the palate.
17
Grilled Corn Salad with Feta
This easy Grilled Corn Salad is a delicious salad recipe, perfect for summer BBQs and picnics. A simple lime vinaigrette enhances the bright, sweet, and refreshing flavors of this chilled salad.
18
Smokey Instant Pot Baked Beans
Smokey Instant Pot Baked Beans recipe is the perfect side for summer BBQs or game time food. And cook in a fraction of the time. Smokey, sweet, and tender beans cooked with bacon and pure maple syrup.
19
Slow Cooker Boston Baked Beans
“Slow Cooker Boston Baked Beans, an easy and historic crockpot dish rich with molasses, a hint of maple, and smokey with crumbled bacon.” A favorite side Labor Day side!
20
Tuscan Tortellini Salad
Tuscan Tortellini Salad is a simple pasta salad perfect for cookouts, potlucks, and gatherings all summer. This easy salad is filled with Italian ingredients like tomatoes and salami and is tossed with a homemade Italian Vinaigrette. Utterly delicious!
21
Easy Summer Pasta Salad Recipe
This Mediterranean-inspired Pasta Salad is a favorite with salami, peppers, broccoli, zesty Italian dressing, and Feta cheese.
22
Quinoa Salad Recipe
This Quinoa Salad is a favorite healthy salad, packed with vegetables and herbs, and perfect for lunches, picnics, and sides.
23
10 Minute No Bake Cheesecake
This No Bake Cheesecake is a 10-minute, no-bake, foolproof way to make cheesecake, the easy way. And, it's utterly delicious. Utterly simple. And one you'll make often!
24
Easy Blueberry Slab Pie
ThisBlueberry Slab Pierecipe is an easy way to make your favorite pie for a season of berries, festivities, and gatherings. Oh-so-delicious, its berry filling is packed with sweet bright flavors and warm spices.
25
No Bake 3 Ingredient Chocolate Pie
This no-bake, 3 ingredient chocolate pie is the easiest pie recipe you will ever make. Creamy, chocolaty, and seriously delicious. It takes mere minutes to make, plus chilling time.
26
Easy No Bake Peanut Butter Pie
An incredibly easy No Bake Peanut Butter Pie with drizzled chocolate, peanut butter, and more chocolate. It's decadent... and over-the-top delicious. Especially in a no-bake, summer pie.
27
Skillet Peach Cobbler
This Peach Cobbler is a quick and easy recipe made with fresh or frozen peaches, pantry ingredients, and ready in 35 minutes. Serve straight from the skillet with a scoop of melting vanilla ice cream.
28
Summer Berry No Churn Ice Cream
This Summer Berry No Churn Ice Cream is a 4-ingredient, incredibly easy-to-make treat. It's deliciously smooth, creamy, and packed with summer berry flavor.
29
No Churn Peanut Butter Chocolate Ice Cream
This creamy No Churn Peanut Butter Chocolate Ice Cream is a decadent treat that's incredibly easy to make. If you're a peanut butter chocolate fan, this homemade ice cream is for you.
30
Pear Upside Down Cake Recipe
This Pear Upside Down Cake is an incredibly moist and tender cake with amazing fall-inspired flavors of maple, cinnamon, and cardamom. It's a simple cake with a delicious flavor you'll love during pear season.
31
Easy Slow Cooker Peach Cobbler
If you're looking for an easy dessert, this Slow Cooker Peach Cobbler is packed with summer fresh flavor, warmed with cinnamon and rich with buttery goodness. A golden, crusty top with melty vanilla ice cream is a summer treasure you won't soon forget.
32
Double Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
These Chocolate Zucchini Muffins are the perfect way to celebrate zucchini season. Rich and dense and chocolaty muffins are so delicious, you'll want to make a double batch!
33
A Plum Cake You'll Want to Make Time and Again
This is a Plum Cake you'll want to make time and time again. I have... and do. Beginning in September and for as long as the fresh plums show up in my market.
34
Easy Spiced Peach Galette
Easy Summer Spiced Peach Galette is a pretty and rustic, free-form pastry that will make your mouth water. Simple and scrumptious with a flaky pie crust and warmly spiced, vanilla-scented peaches.
More Recipes You May Also Enjoy
- End of Summer Labor Day Recipes to Celebrate With
- Foil Packet Dinners for Grilling, Campfires, and the Oven
- Grilled and Tender Foil Wrapped Baby Back Ribs
- 27 Sweet Corn Recipes to Make this Season
- Quick and Easy Tailgating and Game Day Foods
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