Sharing my favorite recipes for Labor Day weekend: burgers, hot dog bars, grilled pizzas, salads, dips, snacks, desserts, cocktails and more. Celebrate the end of summer with delicious, crowd-pleasing dishes.
Below you’ll find a curated collection of go-to recipes perfect for a long weekend of backyard grilling, relaxed gatherings, and easy entertaining.
Labor Day always feels like the unofficial end of summer, and it’s the ideal time to make the best seasonal meals one last time. I like to set up fall decor early, but the menu stays unapologetically summer: everything grilled, plenty of fresh salads and dips, and a few indulgent desserts and cocktails.
From easy weeknight-friendly dishes to show-stopping crowd favorites, these recipes will help you send summer off in style. What will you make this weekend?
45 Recipes for Labor Day Weekend
Grilled summer BBQ chicken pizza.
Creamy chilled queso dip — a cool, savory starter that’s perfect for hot afternoons.
Marinated Tomato BLTs — bright, juicy tomatoes layered into a classic sandwich.
Lemon chicken pasta salad — tangy and refreshing, great chilled for picnics.
Slider Burger Board — set up a spread of mini burgers and toppings so guests can build their own.
Ricotta Jam Jar — a simple, elegant snack or appetizer with creamy ricotta and sweet jam.
Warm & Buttery Lobster Rolls — rich, buttery, and indulgent, perfect for a special weekend meal.
Burrata, basil and peach panzanella — sweet peaches, creamy burrata and crusty bread make a beautiful summer salad.
Smoked Gouda Smash Burgers — juicy, flavorful burgers with a gooey smoked gouda finish.
Strawberry Crunch Salad — a bright, crunchy salad that showcases fresh berries.
Grilled zucchini with burrata and pine nuts — simple grilling elevates the zucchini; burrata adds creaminess.
Caesar pasta salad — a hearty take on a classic, ideal for sharing.
S’mores bites — a portable, nostalgic dessert that’s always a hit.
Hot honey tomato crostini — sweet, spicy, and perfect as an appetizer.
Bruschetta pasta salad — all the bright flavors of bruschetta in a picnic-friendly format.
Zucchini corn orzo salad — light, grain-based salad with summer vegetables.
Double berry mascarpone cobbler — sweet berries topped with a creamy, biscuit-like crust.
The best grilled bruschetta — smoky, charred bread topped with vibrant tomato mixtures.
Summer BBQ chicken chopped salad — hearty chopped greens with smoky grilled chicken and fresh toppings.
Tomato pie galette — rustic, savory tart that’s great warm or at room temperature.
Grilled honey butter chicken — sweet and savory with a caramelized exterior.
Blue cheese BLTs — a bold twist on the classic bacon, lettuce and tomato.
Grilled feta with chimichurri — tangy, slightly smoky cheese paired with bright herb sauce.
Hot Dog Bar — set up sausages, buns and an array of toppings so everyone can personalize their dog.
Grilled Vegetable Orzo with smashed feta vinaigrette — a light, flavorful side loaded with grilled vegetables.
Grilled spatchcock chicken with cola BBQ sauce — juicy chicken with a sticky, caramelized glaze.
Tomato corn peach salad with crispy quinoa — a crunchy, sweet-savory summer salad.
Grilled peach corn pizza — sweet peaches and smoky corn on a charred crust.
Zucchini corn fritters — crispy and savory fritters that make a great side or snack.
Grilled hot honey chicken with corn salad — sticky-sweet chicken paired with a bright corn salad.
Hot crab dip — warm, cheesy, and perfect for sharing with crackers or toasted bread.
Buttery Old Bay crab mac and cheese — a decadently rich twist on comfort food with coastal flavor.
Our favorite broccoli slaw — crunchy, tangy, and an easy make-ahead side.
Pesto peach prosciutto pizza — sweet fruit, salty prosciutto and bright pesto on a hot crust.
Grilled romaine salads — smoky lettuce halves topped with dressing and crunchy accents.
Rosé Aperol Spritz — a lovely, fizzy cocktail to sip in the sun.
Margarita floats — boozy, refreshing, and fun for a party.
September sangria — a fruit-forward pitcher drink that’s easy to batch for a crowd.
Frozen gin & tonic — a slushy, refreshing twist on a classic cocktail.
Summer tequila fruit punch — bright, citrusy and perfect for sharing.
Cucumber mint margaritas — cooling and crisp for hot-weather sipping.
Chocolate chip cookie s’mores bars — gooey, melty, and nostalgic.
Better than crack brownies — intensely chocolatey bars for serious dessert lovers.
No churn coffee Oreo ice cream — easy to make and a crowd-pleaser for hot days.
Triple berry vanilla sheet cake — a bright, summery dessert that feeds a crowd.
Enjoy the long weekend, fire up the grill, and make memories over great food. These recipes are designed to be approachable, full-flavored, and perfect for sharing with friends and family.