Summer is winding down, but the best backyard party of the year is just getting started. Labor Day is your last real chance to fire up the grill and eat outside before the weather turns cold. You want to spend your long weekend relaxing with family, not stuck in a hot kitchen. These 29 simple recipes will help you feed a crowd with almost no effort. Grab a cold drink, put on some music, and say goodbye to the season with the best food of the year.
Grilled S’mores Pizza. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Classic Brownies
Rich, fudgy brownies with a soft center and slightly crisp edges are one of those easy Labor Day dishes worth making before summer ends because they never need much explanation. Every square is packed with deep chocolate flavor that hits just right after a plate of grilled food. They come together fast, cut clean, and hold up well on a dessert table without needing any extra fuss.
Get the Recipe: Classic Brownies
Baked Kale Chips
Tossed in oil and a little salt, these kale chips bake up light and crunchy in a way that makes them hard to stop eating once you start. It’s one of those simple Labor Day recipes that give people a green option without anyone feeling like they’re missing out on the good stuff. A big batch disappears fast at a cookout, so making two is never a bad call.
Get the Recipe: Baked Kale Chips
Bacon Deviled Eggs
Creamy, tangy yolk filling topped with crispy, smoky bacon makes these deviled eggs one of the most popular easy Labor Day dishes worth putting on the table. They can be made the night before, which means less running around on the day of the cookout. Set them out, and they’ll be gone before most people even make it through the food line.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Deviled Eggs
Banana Boats
Bananas stuffed with chocolate chips and marshmallows, wrapped in foil, and tossed on the grill turn into a gooey, melty dessert that’s one of the best delicious Labor Day recipes for a backyard crowd. There’s no real prep work involved, and kids and adults both get a kick out of opening their own little packet. It’s a fun, easy finish to a cookout that keeps things relaxed and low-key.
Get the Recipe: Banana Boats
Bacon Cheddar Stuffed Burger
These burgers are loaded with melted cheddar and smoky bacon right in the middle, making them one of those Labor Day cookout recipes that people remember long after the party is over. The outside gets a good sear on the grill while the inside stays juicy and packed with flavor. They take a little more time to stuff and shape, but the payoff is worth every bit of it.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Cheddar Stuffed Burger
Grilled S’mores Pizza
Pizza crust topped with melted chocolate, gooey marshmallows, and crushed graham crackers is one of those fun Labor Day recipes that gets everyone talking the moment it comes off the grill. Each slice has a mix of crispy, soft, and sticky that works really well as a shared dessert for a group. It’s easy to slice up and pass around, and most people go back for a second piece without thinking twice.
Get the Recipe: Grilled S’mores Pizza
Grilled Baby Bok Choy
Baby bok choy picks up a light char on the grill that gives it a smoky flavor while the leaves stay crisp and the stems stay tender, making it one of the better easy Labor Day side dishes to have next to heavier mains. It comes together quickly and doesn’t need much seasoning to taste really good. Having a fresh, green option on the table balances out all the rich food and gives people something different to reach for.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Baby Bok Choy
Fresh Strawberry Pie
A buttery, crisp crust filled with fresh strawberries coated in a shiny glaze makes this a Labor Day dessert that looks impressive without asking too much from the person making it. The filling is cool, sweet, and lightly tangy, which feels especially refreshing after a plate of grilled food. It also travels well and slices cleanly, making it a solid choice when you need to feed a big group.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Strawberry Pie
Mexican Sheetcake Brownies
These brownies bring a warm hint of cinnamon and a little chili heat to rich chocolate, which makes them one of the more exciting easy Labor Day dishes worth baking before the holiday weekend. The soft, fudgy center and that little kick of spice give them a flavor that people cannot quite place at first but keep going back for. They’re simple to make in one pan and easy to cut and share with a crowd.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Sheetcake Brownies
Grilled Chicken Foil Packets
Chicken, vegetables, and cheese all cook together in sealed foil packets on the grill, which makes this one of the most practical Labor Day recipes for feeding a group without making a mess. Everything stays juicy and picks up great flavor from cooking together, and there’s almost no cleanup after since the foil does all the work. Pull them off the grill, hand them out, and let everyone open their own packet hot and ready to eat.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Foil Packets
Decadent Chocolate Caramel Bars
Layers of buttery crust, soft caramel, and smooth chocolate come together in a bar that sticks to your fingers in the best possible way. They taste rich without feeling too heavy, so they fit right in even after a plate full of grilled food. These can be made a day ahead, which makes them a smart pick when the dessert table needs to stay stocked while the party keeps going.
Get the Recipe: Decadent Chocolate Caramel Bars
Cherry Crumb Bars
Sweet cherries sit between two layers of golden, buttery crumb, giving every bite a mix of tart fruit and rich crust that just works. They cut into neat squares, which makes them simple to set out on a table and just as simple for people to grab on their way past. A pan of these is an easy way to round out a spread without spending hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Cherry Crumb Bars
Double Chocolate Cherry Cereal Bars
Crunchy cereal mixes with two kinds of chocolate and a touch of cherry for a no-bake treat that comes together with almost no effort. Each bar is chewy, sweet, and easy to eat standing up, which makes it perfect for a backyard crowd moving between the grill and the yard. Once people try one, they tend to come back for another before the tray even gets passed around twice.
Get the Recipe: Double Chocolate Cherry Cereal Bars
Chipotle Grilled Corn on the Cob
Corn brushed with chipotle butter turns smoky and golden on the grill while still keeping its natural sweetness underneath. The kernels stay juicy and flavorful, with just enough heat to make it more interesting than plain corn on the cob. It’s a simple side that pairs well with almost anything coming off the grill, which makes it a reliable addition to any spread.
Get the Recipe: Chipotle Grilled Corn on the Cob
Asian Marinated Steak
Steak soaks in a mix of soy sauce, garlic, and spices before hitting the grill, which gives it bold flavor and a nice seared crust on the outside. Each slice tastes like it took way more effort than it actually did, since the marinade does most of the work ahead of time. It’s a great way to turn a simple dinner into something people ask about, especially when the grill is already going for everything else.
Get the Recipe: Asian Marinated Steak
Lime Marinated Grilled Chicken
Lime juice adds a tangy punch to this chicken while the grill brings smoky char and locks in all that flavor. There’s no need for extra seasoning since the marinade already does the heavy lifting, so each piece comes out bright and satisfying on its own. It works as an easy main dish that doesn’t take much hands-on time, which frees things up for everything else going on around the grill.
Get the Recipe: Lime Marinated Grilled Chicken
Lemon Squares
Bright lemon filling sits on top of a buttery shortbread crust, creating a dessert that’s sweet, a little tart, and easy to cut into neat squares. They hold their shape well and stack nicely, so they travel without falling apart on the way to a backyard gathering. A tray of these tends to disappear fast, especially once people realize how light they taste after heavier food.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Squares
Blueberry Crumb Bars
A sweet blueberry filling sits under a golden, crumbly topping that adds a little crunch to every bite. These bars hold together well for slicing, so they are easy to prep ahead and set out without any last-minute work. They make a nice addition to a dessert spread, especially next to richer options like brownies or bars.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Crumb Bars
Avocado Tomato Salad
Creamy avocado and juicy tomatoes come together in a light, tangy dressing that tastes fresh in every bite. This salad takes just a few minutes to throw together, which makes it an easy way to add something lighter to a table full of heavier food. A big bowl of this pairs well with almost any grilled main and tends to get scooped up fast.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Tomato Salad
Candy Cookie Brownies
These brownies are loaded with chunks of candy and pieces of cookie dough baked right into a chewy, rich base. Every bite brings a different mix of textures and flavors, which makes them feel more like a treat than a basic brownie. They’re easy to cut into squares and serve to a crowd, and they tend to be the first dessert to go at any gathering.
Get the Recipe: Candy Cookie Brownies
Texas Sheetcake Brownies
Soft, rich brownies get topped with warm icing that soaks in while everything is still hot, adding an extra layer of chocolate to every square. The fudgy texture and shiny top make these hard to pass up once they are sliced and set out. Baking them in one big pan keeps things simple and makes feeding a crowd a lot less work.
Get the Recipe: Texas Sheetcake Brownies
Miso Glazed Salmon
Salmon gets brushed with a sweet and salty miso glaze that caramelizes nicely on the grill while the inside stays tender and moist. Each piece has a little crisp on the outside and a soft, flavorful center that feels like more effort than it actually takes. It’s a simple way to bring something a little different to the table when everyone else is grilling burgers and hot dogs.
Get the Recipe: Miso Glazed Salmon
Lemon Marinated Chicken Kebabs
These skewers soak in a lemony marinade that keeps the chicken juicy and full of flavor all the way through. They cook fast on the grill and taste great on their own, so they don’t really need a sauce or extra sides to go with them. Having a few skewers ready to go keeps the food moving when people are hungry and waiting around the grill.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Marinated Chicken Kebabs
Garlic Sesame Kale
Kale gets sautéed with garlic and sesame oil until it softens up but still keeps a little bite, giving it a nutty flavor that works well as a side. It pairs easily with pretty much any grilled main and gives the table a green option that does not feel like an afterthought. This dish comes together fast on the stove, so it’s easy to whip up while everything else is cooking outside.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Sesame Kale
Grilled Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce
Juicy chicken skewers come together with a creamy peanut sauce that hits the right balance of sweet and savory. They cook quickly on the grill and can be eaten right off the stick, which makes them easy to grab and go. Setting these out keeps people gathered near the grill, since most everyone tends to come back for just one more skewer.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce
Lemon-Marinated Kefir Chicken
Chicken soaks in a mix of lemon and kefir, which keeps it juicy, tender, and just a little tangy once it hits the grill. The edges get a nice crisp while the inside stays full of flavor, so it doesn’t dry out even with a hot grill. This is a simple main that makes grilling look a lot more impressive than the actual effort involved.
Get the Recipe: Lemon-Marinated Kefir Chicken
Grilled Fruit Kebabs with Brown Sugar Caramel
Fresh fruit softens and sweetens on the grill, and a drizzle of brown sugar caramel on top adds a little extra richness to each bite. These skewers are easy to hold and eat without needing a plate or fork, which makes them a fun, low-effort dessert option. They feel a little different from typical desserts, so they stand out on a table full of bars and brownies.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Fruit Kebabs with Brown Sugar Caramel
Kefta Kebabs
Ground beef gets mixed with warm spices and fresh herbs before being shaped onto skewers and grilled until juicy with a little char on the outside. The flavor is bold but balanced enough that it works for picky eaters and adventurous ones alike. These kebabs are easy to prep ahead, so all that’s left to do is throw them on the grill when everyone is ready to eat.
Get the Recipe: Kefta Kebabs
Frosted Banana Bars
Soft banana bars get topped with a creamy frosting that adds just the right amount of sweetness without going overboard. They cut clean, stack well, and hold up better than cake when it comes to transporting them to a gathering. A pan of these is an easy way to bring something a little different to the dessert table without much extra work.
Get the Recipe: Frosted Banana Bars