Best Labor Day Recipes: 30 Crowd-Pleasing Ideas for Your Cookout Menu

We’ve rounded up our best Labor Day recipes from easy sides to delectable desserts.. perfect for your end-of-summer celebration!

Main Dishes to Feed a Crowd

These recipes are easy to make, perfect for potlucks, and some of our most popular dishes!

1. Tender and Juicy BBQ Chicken
2. Best Ever Chicken Salad
3. Turkey Meatloaf
4. Classic Cobb Salad
5. Marinated Grilled Chicken
6. Southwest Summer Salad
7. The Best Turkey Burgers

Satisfying Potluck Side Dishes

These side dishes are flavorful, satisfying, and always a hit at our backyard get togethers!

1. The Best Potato Salad
2. Smoky Almond and Cranberry Coleslaw
3. Watermelon Mint Salad
4. Favorite Spinach Salad
5. Fresh Green Bean Salad
6. Tortellini Pasta Salad
7. Sunshine Coleslaw
8. The Best Fruit Salad
9. Broccoli Salad
10. Cream Cheese Fruit Dip
11. Cornbread Casserole
12. Healthy Spinach Dip

Crowd-Pleasing Desserts

These are some of our very favorite desserts for family gatherings and neighborhood potlucks.. better choose a few, because people will be coming back for more!

1. Key Lime Pie
2. No Bake Blueberry Pie
3. Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
4. Homemade Peach Pie
5. Watermelon Pizza
6. Fruit Pizza with Oatmeal Cookie Crust
7. Strawberry Cream Pie
8. Chocolate Chip Brownies
9. Banana Cake
10. Chocolate Zucchini Bundt Cake
11. Vanilla Cake with Fresh Strawberry Frosting

Labor Day Menu Planning Tips

Pulling together the best Labor Day recipes doesn’t have to be stressful—just a little planning goes a long way. Here are a few simple tips to help you organize your cookout or picnic menu like a pro:

1. Balance the Menu
   Mix and match dishes so you’ve got something for everyone—protein-packed mains, a few fresh sides, a fun appetizer, and a sweet finish. Think of it as building a plate: a little grill, a little green, and a little treat.
2. Plan for Make-Ahead Magic
   Choose recipes that can be prepped or fully made the day before, like pasta salads, dips, and desserts. That way you’re not stuck in the kitchen when the grill is hot and guests are ready to eat.
3. Keep the Weather in Mind
   Since Labor Day often means warm, sunny afternoons, go heavy on refreshing recipes—fruit salads, chilled drinks, and lighter sides. Save the oven-heavy dishes for cooler evenings.
4. Think About Portions
   A good rule of thumb is about ½ pound of protein per person and at least 2–3 side dishes for variety. For potlucks, overestimate—leftovers are always easier than running out of food.
5. Don’t Forget Drinks
   Labor Day celebrations aren’t just about burgers and brats. Round things out with festive drinks or a big pitcher of lemonade!
6. Add a Personal Touch
   Whether it’s your famous marinade, grandma’s potato salad, or homemade popsicles, including one “signature” dish makes your spread extra memorable.