End your summer with a bang! Discover delicious Labor Day food ideas perfect for your end-of-summer party. These party food recipes will make your celebration a hit!
From BBQ to Refreshing Sips: Labor Day Food Ideas to Try This Year!
As summer comes to an end and Labor Day approaches, it’s the perfect time for one last summer gathering with your loved ones.
From sizzling grilled meats to refreshing drinks, crowd-pleasing side dishes, and fun desserts, these Labor Day food ideas will make your celebration a hit!
Why Try These Labor Day Food Ideas?
🎉 Versatile Food Ideas
Whether you’re looking for juicy burgers, smoky hot dogs, grilled meats, refreshing drinks, or delicious desserts, there’s something for everyone. You’ll find everything you need to celebrate a memorable day with your loved ones.
🎉 Bold Flavors
Each recipe, with its vibrant and delicious flavors, is sure to put everyone at your gathering in a festive mood. From smoky to spicy, fresh to sweet, these dishes will satisfy all taste buds.
🎉 Incredible Crowd-Pleasers
Whether you’re hosting a large gathering or a casual get-together, each recipe is versatile enough to impress and is sure to be a hit with everyone at your table.
🎉 Perfect for Outdoor Eating
This recipe roundup of Labor Day food ideas is curated with ease in mind, focusing on dishes that are simple to serve and eat with your hands, making them perfect for a Labor Day picnic or barbecue. This is always a plus at any casual gathering!
Tips for Labor Day Food Ideas
Prep Ahead of Time 📝
Hosting can be stressful, so to minimize any last-minute hiccups, prepare as much as you can in advance. Chop veggies, marinate meat, and prepare drinks and desserts the day before your gathering. This will allow you to enjoy the party without spending all your time in the kitchen.
Use Fresh Ingredients 🌽
Celebrate the end of summer with fresh seasonal produce—make sure to take advantage of all the fresh herbs, ripe tomatoes, juicy fruits, and more.
Mix and Match 🔄
Keep the picky eaters in mind while planning your menu. Offer a variety of recipes to cater to different dietary preferences, and mix and match your menu with both meat and vegetarian dishes. This way, all your guests will find something they enjoy!
Grill, Chill, and Thrill: Fun Labor Day Food Ideas!
Appetizers & Side Dish Ideas
Sheet Pan Chicken Nachos
Recipe by Noble Pig
Ready in ~ Prep: 15 mins, Cook: 15 mins
Yields ~ 6 servings
Why Everyone Will Love It ~ Made with cheesy chips layered with seasoned rotisserie chicken and black beans, all baked to perfection on a single sheet pan. Plus, a creamy lime drizzle takes these nachos from delicious to extraordinary!
Bacon wrapped Cheeseburger Lollipops
Recipe by Mom Foodie
Ready in ~ Prep Time: 15 minutes, Cook Time: 30 mins
Yields ~ 8 servings
Why Everyone Will Love It ~ These bite-sized mini burgers are made of seasoned beef stuffed with cheese, wrapped generously in bacon, and skewered. They’re sure to be a hit with everyone at your next gathering!
Stuffed Celery Sticks
Recipe by Appetizer Addiction
Ready in ~ 10 mins
Yields ~ approx 24 servings
Why Everyone Will Love It ~ This classic, crunchy, and satisfying snack is the perfect party appetizer for those last-minute rushes. It’s easy to make and deliciously refreshing!
Easy Salami Appetizer
Recipe by BabaGanosh
Ready in ~ 10 minutes
Yields ~ 10 servings 4 pieces each
Why Everyone Will Love It ~ Made with just three ingredients, this simple yet flavorful appetizer will always be the first to disappear at any party.
Grilled Mini Sweet Peppers with Goat Cheese
Recipe by A Farm Girls Dabbles
Ready in ~ 30 minutes
Yields ~ 6 servings
Why Everyone Will Love It ~ Colorful mini peppers are grilled to perfection and filled with tangy, smooth goat cheese. These bites are simple to prepare and come together in 30 minutes with just three easy steps!
Seasoned Tater Tots
Recipe by Bites with Bri
Ready in ~ Prep: 5 mins, Cook: 30 mins
Yields ~ 10 people
Why Everyone Will Love It ~ Perfectly crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, these seasoned-to-perfection tater tots are the perfect addition to any party snack table.
Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato Pinwheels
Recipe by The Two Bite Club
Ready in ~ 15 minutes
Yields ~ 8 servings – 3 pieces per serving
Why Everyone Will Love It ~ A classic favorite with a twist—all the flavors of a BLT sandwich in a pinwheel appetizer! Crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, and juicy tomatoes, with a spread of cream cheese and mayo, all rolled up in a soft tortilla. It’s sure to be a hit with everyone.
Ginger Chicken Salad
Recipe by Perry’s Plate
Ready in ~ 20 mins
Yields ~ 8 servings
Why Everyone Will Love It ~ Incredibly quick to make but amazingly delicious, this salad features tender shredded chicken tossed with fresh veggies and a zesty ginger dressing. It can be served as a side dish with a variety of mains.
Chipotle Roasted Corn Salsa
Recipe by House of Yumm
Ready in ~ 10 mins
Yields ~ 6 servings
Why Everyone Will Love It ~ Enjoy this simple, smoky, and tangy Chipotle classic salsa made with fresh, juicy corn, roasted jalapeño, red onion, and lots of diced cilantro, all seasoned with fresh lime juice, salt, and pepper. It’s incredibly easy to make at home and a crowd-pleaser!
Farmer’s Market Salad
Recipe by Simply Veganista
Ready in ~ 15 mins
Yields ~ 2-3 servings
Why Everyone Will Love It ~ A fresh and delicious salad made with vibrant seasonal summer ingredients like sweet corn, crisp zucchini, and colorful bell pepper, all tossed in a tangy sun-dried tomato vinaigrette. Perfect for celebrating the end of summer!
BLT Dip
Recipe by Yellow Bliss Road
Ready in ~ Total Time: 10 mins
Yields ~ 6 servings
Why Everyone Will Love It ~ Made with a combination of cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, crumbled bacon, juicy tomatoes, and crunchy shredded romaine lettuce. It is sure to be a hit at family gatherings, parties, or potlucks!
Easy Pico de Gallo Recipe
Recipe by Downshiftology
Ready in ~ 15 minutes
Yields ~ 6 servings
Why Everyone Will Love It ~ Made with fresh ingredients like diced Roma tomatoes, finely chopped serrano pepper or jalapeño, diced white onion, zesty lime juice, and herby cilantro, every bite of this zesty salsa delivers a burst of zingy citrusy flavor!
Chef Salad Sticks
Recipe by Cupcakes and Kale Chips
Ready in ~ approx 10 mins
Yields ~ 8 servings
Why Everyone Will Love It ~ A fun and easy-to-make skewer appetizer made with savory meats, crisp veggies, and more. Salad on a stick is the perfect party appetizer.
Antipasto Wreath
Recipe by Averie Cooks
Ready in ~ 20 mins
Yields ~ 10 servings
Why Everyone Will Love It ~ A fun and festive appetizer! Made with skewered salami, mozzarella, tomatoes, olives, fresh herbs, and more amazing ingredients. Your guests are guaranteed to love it!
Chicken Taco Salad
Recipe by Ambitious Kitchen
Ready in ~ Prep Time: 15 mins, Cook Time: 15 mins
Yields ~ 6 servings
Why Everyone Will Love It ~ Made with all the good stuff – seasoned ground chicken, savory cheese, and fresh corn, all drizzled with a refreshing cilantro vinaigrette.
Labour Day Party Main Dishes
Rotisserie Chicken Tacos
Recipe by Tried and True Recipe
Ready in ~ 1 hour
Yields ~ 6 servings (2 tacos each)
Why Everyone Will Love It ~ Whip up some tasty tacos with leftover rotisserie chicken. Packed with juicy chicken, roasted potatoes, crunchy slaw, and a creamy avocado sauce, this quick and easy dish is ideal for a fun and filling party food idea!
Buffalo Chicken Macaroni and Cheese
Recipe by Baker by Nature
Ready in ~ Prep: 20 mins, Cook: 35 mins
Yields ~ 1 9×13-inch pan
Why Everyone Will Love It ~ A spicy twist to mac and cheese with shredded rotisserie chicken, Buffalo sauce, bacon, and a delicious cheese sauce. It’s a fun and tasty way to enjoy your rotisserie chicken.
Best Chicken Pizza
Recipe by Foxes Love Lemons
Ready in ~ Prep: 20 mins, Cook: 14 mins
Yields ~ 4 servings
Why Everyone Will Love It ~ This Rotisserie Chicken Pizza comes together in about 30 minutes and can be made in either a grill or oven. It’s a delightful way to feed a crowd at a party!
Jalapeno Cheddar Corn Dogs
Recipe by Little Sunny Kitchen
Ready in ~ Prep Time: 10 minutes, Cook Time: 5 mins
Yields ~ 12 servings
Why Everyone Will Love It ~ A spicy twist on a classic favorite! Tender, juicy hot dogs are coated in a crispy cornmeal batter with sharp cheddar cheese and spicy jalapeños, then fried to golden perfection!
Grilled Shrimp Skewers
Recipe by Be Centsational
Ready in ~ Prep Time: 5 minutes, Cook Time: 6 mins
Yields ~ 4 servings
Why Everyone Will Love It ~ Juicy, zesty shrimp skewers with smoky, charred flavor. Easy to make and packed with delicious, bold flavors!
Easy Rotisserie Chicken Tostadas
Recipe by The Defined Dish
Ready in ~ Prep: 10 mins, Cook: 15 mins
Yields ~ 3 servings
Why Everyone Will Love It ~ Made with shredded rotisserie chicken, fresh veggies, and quick-pickled onions, all topped with guacamole, this easy and fun recipe is the perfect party food recipe!
Mexican Street Corn Chicken Salad
Recipe by Chelsea’s Messy Apron
Ready in ~ 25 mins
Yields ~ 6 servings
Why Everyone Will Love It ~ Make the most of your leftover rotisserie chicken with this vibrant dish made with tender chicken, sweet and smoky street corn, creamy avocado, and crunchy peppers, all doused in a chili-lime dressing.
Mini Chilli Cheese Dog Bake
Recipe by Real House Moms
Ready in ~ Prep Time: 5 mins, Cook Time: 30 mins
Yields ~ 12 Mini Hot Dog Bakes
Why Everyone Will Love It ~ A fun and creative recipe for perfectly bite-sized dogs! Made with fresh mini bun, hot dog pieces, topped with a spoonful of homemade chili, and sprinkled with cheese. Super easy to make, absolutely delicious, and the greatest snack ever!
Grilled Wisconsin Beer Brats
Recipe by Plays Well With Butter
Ready in ~ Prep Time: 15 mins, Cook Time: 30 mins
Yields ~ 4 Hot Dogs
Why Everyone Will Love It ~ This low-effort, high-reward hot dog recipe is made by marinating bratwurst sausages overnight in beer, then chargrilling them to a crisp, crusty texture along with onions and other seasonings. It’s the easiest grilled beer brats recipe!
Teriyaki Pina Colada Burger [+ Video]
Recipe by Oh Sweet Basil
Ready in ~ Prep Time: 5 mins, Cook Time: 15 mins
Yields ~ 4 servings
Why Everyone Will Love It ~ This tropical-flavored beef burger is made with the juiciest beef patty and topped with grilled pineapple slices, crispy bacon bits, and a special pina colada sauce.
Grilled Hawaiian Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
Recipe by The Recipe Critic
Ready in ~ Prep: 15 minutes, Cook Time: 10 mins
Yields ~ 4 servings
Why Everyone Will Love It ~ Made with peppers, fresh pineapple & red onions, all doused with the very best homemade Hawaiian teriyaki sauce. Get a taste of a Hawaiian vacation right in your backyard!
Grilled Sausage and Vegetables
Recipe by The Modern Proper
Ready in ~ Prep Time: 10 mins, Cook Time: 15 mins
Yields ~ 4 servings
Why Everyone Will Love It ~ A quick, refreshing, and tangy grilled sausages and veggies dish, contrasted with a creamy dip. Perfect for summer cookouts, outdoor gatherings, BBQs, and more!
Chipotle Copycat Pollo Asado
Recipe by Fed by Sab
Ready in ~ Prep: 10 mins, Cook: 15 mins
Yields ~ 6 servings
Enjoy the vibrant blend of citrus, garlic, and spices with this Chipotle Pollo Asado copycat recipe, restaurant-quality food at your party. Juicy and flavorful grilled chicken that everyone will fall in love with!
Labor Day Party Drink Ideas
Old Fashioned Homemade Lemonade
Recipe by Persnickety Plates
Ready in ~ Prep Time: 15 mins, Cook Time: 10 mins, Chill Time: 1 hour
Yields ~ 2 quarts
Why Everyone Will Love It ~ A classic beverage with simple, clean flavors, made with just three simple ingredients. It can be easily scaled up to make large batches.
Fresh Watermelon Mojito
Recipe by Aberdeen’s Kitchen
Ready in ~ 5 mins
Yields ~ 2 servings
Why Everyone Will Love It ~ A visually stunning drink with a natural, vibrant flavor. It can be both a daytime refreshment and a nighttime cocktail!
Patriotic Coconut Rum Slushy Cocktail
Recipe by Sugar Spice and Glitter
Ready in ~ 15 minutes
Why Everyone Will Love It ~ This vibrant, frozen drink layers red, white, and blue slushie is the ultimate summer party drink that will wow your guests!
Blue Cocktail for Parties (3 Ingredients)
Recipe by Celebrations at Home
Ready in ~ 3 minutes
Why Everyone Will Love It ~ A festive blue cocktail for a patriotic theme party! Refreshing, on-theme, and delicious, it’s the ultimate summer party drink that will wow your guests!
Kid Friendly Patriotic Punch
Recipe by Mom Endeavors
Why Everyone Will Love It ~ This quick to prepare with minimal steps kid friendly drink with layers of red, white, and blue is easily customizable with different flavors!
Labor Day Party Dessert Ideas
Patriotic Poke Cake
Recipe by Sweet and Savory Meals
Ready in ~ Prep: 30 mins, Cook: 30 mins
Yields ~ 16 servings
Why Everyone Will Love It ~ A patriotic masterpiece with layers of juicy berries and creamy frosting. It will definitely be a crowd-pleaser and an instant hit at any gathering!
Red White and Blue Jello Shots
Recipe by Dinner at the Zoo
Ready in ~ Prep: 30 mins, Chill: 3 hours
Yields ~ 22 servings
Why Everyone Will Love It ~ Made with layers of condensed milk, strawberry, berry gelatins, whipped cream, and patriotic-themed sprinkles. You can make them with or without alcohol. Perfect for both adults and kids alike!
Oreo Cream Cheese Balls
Recipe by Adore Foods
Ready in ~ Prep: 1 hour, Chill: 2 hours
Yields ~ 30 servings
Why Everyone Will Love It ~ Enjoy a burst of sweet and creamy flavors in a bite-sized sweet treat with a patriotic twist. These Cream Cheese Balls by Adore Foods are a fun dessert to share with friends and family.
Red White and Blue Oreo Dessert Trifle
Recipe by The Cards We Drew
Ready in ~ 30 mins
Yields ~ 10 servings
Why Everyone Will Love It ~ Wow your loved ones with this Red, White, and Blue Trifle. This sweet treat will impress your guests and leave them craving more!
Patriotic Chocolate Chip Cookies
Recipe by Cookies and Cups
Ready in ~ 24 mins
Yields ~ 24 servings
Why Everyone Will Love It ~ Turn your ordinary chocolate chip cookies into a patriotic treat. And the best part? You can make 24 cookies in 24 minutes!
Flag Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
Recipe by Life Love and Sugar
Ready in ~ Prep: 1 hour 15 mins, Cook: 30 mins
Yields ~ 15-18 Slices
Why Everyone Will Love It ~ Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake decorated with red, white, and blue buttercream frosting to resemble the iconic American flag. A pretty straightforward recipe with easy-to-follow steps is perfect for even beginner bakers!
Black Forest Cupcakes
Recipe by Barley and Sage
Ready in ~ Prep Time: 30 mins, Cook Time: 20 mins
Yields ~ 12 cupcakes
Why Everyone Will Love It ~ This rich chocolate cupcake, filled with a cherry Kirsch compote and topped with whipped cream, is a delightful twist on the traditional Black Forest cake. It’s perfect for any occasion as a special treat!
Homemade Cherry Pie
Recipe by House of Nash Eats
Ready in ~ Prep Time: 20 mins, Cook Time: 45 mins
Yields ~ 8 servings
Why Everyone Will Love It ~ Buttery, golden, and perfectly flaky pie with beautiful lattice top and vibrant red filling. Perfect dessert for holidays and special occasions!
And there you have it – Labour Day Food Ideas for you to try!
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