Labor Day is the perfect time to enjoy good food with friends and family before summer ends. From smoky grilled meats to fresh sides and sweet desserts, these recipes make it easy to fill the table with flavors everyone loves. Make this holiday one to remember with dishes that are simple to prepare and big on flavor.
Blueberry Pudding Cake. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Mexican Sheetcake Brownies
Bring a little heat to the dessert table with rich chocolate brownies laced with cinnamon and a hint of chili that gives every bite a warm kick. The soft center and light spice make them bold yet familiar, so they please a crowd without being too different. These are the kind of delicious Labor Day desserts that feel special and still keep everyone coming back for more.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Sheetcake Brownies
Beer Boiled Brats
Simmer brats in beer until the flavor soaks in deep, then grill them until the outside is crisp and golden for the perfect bite. Each one stays juicy and bold, making them a hearty main that works with anything from chips to fresh salads. This is a simple Labor Day recipe that never fails to bring people back for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Beer Boiled Brats
Decadent Chocolate Caramel Bars
Layers of buttery crust, soft caramel, and smooth chocolate make these bars a treat that sticks to your fingers in the best way. They hold up well on a platter, taste rich without being too heavy, and stay fresh even if made ahead. This no-fuss Labor Day dessert is perfect for keeping the party going after the main dishes are done.
Get the Recipe: Decadent Chocolate Caramel Bars
Raspberry Jam Bars
A golden buttery crust, sweet jam filling, and crumbly top come together to make these bars as nice to look at as they are to eat. They have just enough sweetness to satisfy without feeling too rich, so they work for kids and grown-ups alike. This is a simple Labor Day dessert that’s easy to bake, slice, and share with a crowd.
Get the Recipe: Raspberry Jam Bars
Grilled Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce
Juicy chicken skewers pair with creamy peanut sauce for the perfect mix of sweet and savory in every bite. They cook quickly on the grill, are easy to grab without utensils, and disappear fast when set out for guests. This is the kind of Labor Day food that keeps people gathered around the grill until the last one is gone.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce
Chocolate Cherry Brownies
Deep chocolate meets juicy cherries for a dessert that feels a little more special without much extra effort in the kitchen. The brownies stay soft and rich, with a tart burst of fruit in every bite to balance the sweetness. They’re an easy Labor Day dessert to make ahead and serve right from the pan when everyone’s ready for something sweet.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Cherry Brownies
Blueberry Pudding Cake
This soft cake hides a layer of sweet blueberry sauce underneath that soaks into every forkful and makes it extra moist. It’s rich without feeling too heavy, which makes it a great choice after a plate full of savory food. Serve it as a Labor Day dessert that feels like something special without needing fancy toppings.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Pudding Cake
Frosted Banana Bars
Moist banana bars topped with thick, creamy frosting make a dessert that’s simple, sweet, and always a hit. They slice clean, stack well, and travel better than a cake, so they’re easy to bring anywhere. Make a batch for Labor Day and watch the plate empty before you know it.
Get the Recipe: Frosted Banana Bars
Homemade Smoky Baked Beans
These beans simmer in a thick, smoky sauce that clings to every bite and makes each spoonful rich and satisfying. The sweet kick balances the smoke, creating a side that pairs perfectly with grilled meats or other mains. A pot of these baked beans always earns a place on the Labor Day table and leaves nothing behind.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Smoky Baked Beans
Baked Kale Chips
Light, crispy kale chips make a snack that’s fresh and crunchy without feeling heavy alongside other dishes. They’re quick to bake and just as quick to disappear once people start snacking. This is a smart Labor Day recipe that brings something green to the table while still keeping things fun.
Get the Recipe: Baked Kale Chips
Asian Marinated Steak
Soy sauce, garlic, and spices soak into the steak before it hits the grill, giving it a deep, bold flavor that lasts in every bite. The seared edges and juicy center make it taste like it took hours to prepare when it didn’t. Slice it up for a Labor Day main that’s easy to share and big on flavor.
Get the Recipe: Asian Marinated Steak
Chipotle Burger with Jalapeño Mayo
Smoky, juicy burgers get topped with creamy jalapeño mayo for just the right kick of heat without being overpowering. They cook up fast on the grill and taste like something you’d order at a favorite restaurant. This is a Labor Day recipe that makes grilling worth every minute.
Get the Recipe: Chipotle Burger with Jalapeño Mayo
Chocolate Chip Oat Bars
Soft in the center and loaded with chocolate chips, these bars hold their shape so they’re easy to stack high on a platter. They’re simple to bake, easy to serve, and disappear faster than you think. This is a Labor Day dessert that keeps hands busy and trays empty all night.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Chip Oat Bars
Bacon Cheddar Stuffed Burger
Juicy burgers with bacon and melted cheddar hidden inside make every bite a surprise worth waiting for. The patties stay moist while the center turns gooey and full of flavor. These are the kind of Labor Day burgers that hit the grill hot and never make it back inside.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Cheddar Stuffed Burger
Kefta Kebabs
Ground beef mixed with warm spices and fresh herbs gets shaped onto skewers and grilled until smoky and crisp on the edges. The flavor is bold but not heavy, so they work for everyone at the table. This is a Labor Day recipe that gives you something grilled and different without extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Kefta Kebabs
Grilled Baby Bok Choy
Charring baby bok choy on the grill adds smoky flavor while keeping it crisp and fresh-tasting. It’s a side dish that balances out heavier foods without being boring or overlooked. This is a Labor Day dish that adds color to the table and still gets eaten up fast.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Baby Bok Choy
Fresh Strawberry Pie
A buttery crust holds fresh strawberries coated in a glossy glaze that makes them even sweeter. Each slice is crisp, juicy, and just the right finish after savory mains. This is a Labor Day dessert that’s fresh, simple, and easy for everyone to love.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Strawberry Pie
Texas Sheetcake Brownies
Soft, rich brownies get topped with warm icing that melts in and gives every bite extra chocolate flavor. The fudgy texture and shiny top make them hard to resist, especially when cut into big squares. This is a classic Labor Day dessert that’s always a crowd favorite.
Get the Recipe: Texas Sheetcake Brownies
Orange Ginger Grilled Cornish Hens
A glaze of orange and ginger coats these small hens, making the skin crisp while the meat stays juicy inside. They cook as easily as chicken but bring a touch of something different to the table. This is a Labor Day main that feels special without taking up all your time.
Get the Recipe: Orange Ginger Grilled Cornish Hens
Blueberry Crumb Bars
Sweet blueberry filling sits under a golden crumb topping that adds crunch and flavor to every bite. They slice clean, travel well, and are easy to serve without fuss. This is a Labor Day dessert that tastes homemade and holds up for hours on the table.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Crumb Bars
Grilled Chicken Foil Packets
Chicken, veggies, and cheese cook together in foil packets so the flavors mix and cleanup is easy. Everything comes out hot and ready to serve straight from the grill. This is a smart Labor Day recipe that feeds a crowd without keeping you in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Foil Packets
Double Chocolate Cherry Cereal Bars
Crunchy cereal blends with two kinds of chocolate and a hint of cherry for a no-bake treat that’s quick to put together. They’re sweet, chewy, and easy to eat without forks or plates. This is a laid-back Labor Day dessert that works for guests of any age.
Get the Recipe: Double Chocolate Cherry Cereal Bars
Lemon Squares
A zesty lemon filling sits on top of a crumbly shortbread crust for a dessert that’s bright and sweet. They cut neatly into squares, making them simple to serve or pack up. This is a Labor Day treat that goes fast, no matter how many you make.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Squares
Grilled Fruit Kebabs with Brown Sugar Caramel
Grilling softens the fruit and brings out its natural sweetness, while caramel adds a rich finish. They’re sticky, juicy, and easy to grab without a plate or fork. This is a Labor Day dessert that feels fun and fresh without taking much time to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Fruit Kebabs with Brown Sugar Caramel
Bacon Deviled Eggs
Creamy yolk filling gets topped with smoky bacon for extra flavor and crunch in each bite. They can be made ahead of time so you can focus on other dishes when guests arrive. This is a Labor Day appetizer that disappears from the table before you know it.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Deviled Eggs
7 Layer Bars
Chocolate, coconut, and nuts melt together into a chewy bar with crispy edges and a soft middle. Every bite feels like the best part, and they hold up well on a dessert tray. This is a Labor Day dessert that disappears one square at a time.
Get the Recipe: 7 Layer Bars
Grilled S’mores Pizza
A crispy crust holds melted chocolate, gooey marshmallows, and crushed graham crackers for a sweet twist on a favorite treat. The combination is fun, easy, and made for sharing. This is a Labor Day dessert that gets people talking and going back for more.
Get the Recipe: Grilled S’mores Pizza
Lime Marinated Grilled Chicken
Lime gives the chicken a tangy punch while the grill adds smoky char and keeps it juicy. It’s packed with flavor without needing a lot of extra seasoning. This is a simple Labor Day recipe that works for any crowd and menu.
Get the Recipe: Lime Marinated Grilled Chicken
Miso Glazed Chicken
A sweet and savory miso glaze turns sticky and caramelized on the grill, locking in juicy flavor. The crisp outside makes it hard to stop at one piece, and the taste is bold without being too strong. This is a delicious Labor Day recipe that shows just how good grilled chicken can be.
Get the Recipe: Miso Glazed Chicken