Labor Day is all about honoring the hard work we put in throughout the year, so why spend it laboring in the kitchen? This year, dive into a spread of delicious dishes that won’t keep you tied to the grill or stove for hours. Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ or a quiet family dinner, these recipes promise maximum taste with minimal effort, letting you savor the holiday to its fullest.
Beyond the usual burgers and hot dogs, this list takes a fresh approach to Labor Day eats. Think refreshing salads, zesty mains, and desserts that evoke the essence of summer. After all, Labor Day also marks the unofficial end of the season, making it the perfect occasion to celebrate with food that captures the spirit of sunny days and warm nights. So kick back, raise a glass, and let these effortless recipes make your Labor Day a culinary success.
Creamy Jalapeno Dip
Jazz up your weekend with some serious flavor! This Creamy Jalapeno Dip has a Texas-sized kick – what would you dunk into this vegetarian dip that doubles as a sauce and dressing!
Get the Recipe: Creamy Jalapeno Dip
Texas Corn Succotash
Loaded with flavor and with no lima beans in sight, Texas Corn Succotash is a flavor-packed side dish that’s a quick fix with frozen corn!
Get the Recipe: Texas Corn Succotash
Pork Chops with Tomato & Green Onion Relish
Properly cooked pork chops are a thing of beauty, and not only do these chops cook up moist and tender, but they’re pretty and flavorful, too! Grab a fork and dig into Pork Chops with Green Onion & Tomato
Get the Recipe: Pork Chops with Tomato & Green Onion Relish
Shrimp Scampi Pizza
Loaded with plenty of sweet shrimp and oodles of garlic, do your
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Scampi Pizza
Mexican Street Corn Salad
Packed with oodles of flavor, you can make this easy Mexican Street Corn Salad all-year long!
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Smoked Asparagus
It doesn’t get much easier or tastier than smoked asparagus! With a lovely flavor, a bit of crunch, and a smoky kiss, this is the perfect side dish to any meal!
Get the Recipe: Smoked Asparagus
Smoked Meatballs
Smoked Meatballs are so tender and delicious! They take on a light smoke flavor and you can pair them with your favorite sauce or go fully loaded with cheese and green onion and a tangy sauce.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Meatballs
Smoked Peaches with Spiced Rum Whipped Cream (featured image)
Get ready for a Labor Day treat that’s sure to wow! Juicy peaches, smoked to perfection, paired with creamy whipped cream spiked with spiced rum. It’s a sweet and smoky combo that’ll be the talk of the holiday. Dive in and let this dessert be the cherry on top of your Labor Day celebrations!
Get the Recipe: Smoked Peaches with Spiced Rum Whipped Cream
Pork Belly Burnt Ends
Pork Belly Burnt Ends are just about the best thing on the planet. Go on, get your meat candy fix today!
Get the Recipe: Pork Belly Burnt Ends
Corn Fritters
Corn Fritters with Jalapeno & Cheddar are creamy, spicy, and corny on the inside and crispy on the outside. A quick and easy bite that’s perfect on game day or any day! Share if you dare!
Get the Recipe: Corn Fritters
Creamed Corn
Creamed corn gets such a bad rap from the gloopy canned stuff, but made from scratch it’s a thing of beauty! Not hard to make, either, and so crazy good!
Get the Recipe: Creamed Corn
Ninja Grill Smoky Pork Chops with Grilled Pineapple Salsa
It doesn’t get much more flavorful than this! Smoky chops cooked on the Ninja Woodfire Grill are then topped with a grilled pineapple salsa. A taste of the tropics in every bite!
Get the Recipe: Ninja Grill Smoky Pork Chops with Grilled Pineapple Salsa
Pork Tenderloin Crostini with Lime Crema
Meaty pork tenderloin on top of a crispy round of bread with a creamy lime crema on top? You betcha, and these are so good, one bite just won’t be enough!
Get the Recipe: Pork Tenderloin Crostini with Lime Crema
Chicken Tortilla Cups
From start to finish in about 10 minutes, these Chicken Tortilla Cups are about as easy as tasty can get! Perfect on game day or any day, share a batch of these today!
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Cups
Beef Jerky Dip
I gotta warn you, this Beef Jerky Dip is addictive! Grab your chips, crackers, or just a spoon and dig into this amazing dip today. Question is – will you share?
Get the Recipe: Beef Jerky Dip
Grilled Elote Corn Ribs
Loaded with flavor and a kiss of smoke, these elote corn ribs are as impressive looking as they are delicious! WIth a kick of spice and ready in a jiffy, there’s every reason to try these tonight!
Get the Recipe: Grilled Elote Corn Ribs
Italian Beef Sandwiches
Where’s the beef? Right here – Italian Beef Sandwiches are PACKED with flavor, and they’re an easy fix in your Instant Pot. Layers of thinly sliced beef, crispy and tangy veg, and plenty of sauce turns this meaty masterpiece into lunchtime bliss.
Get the Recipe: Italian Beef Sandwiches
Baja Fish Tacos
Fresh, flavorful, and with big, bold spices, Baja Fish Tacos are perfect for Taco Tuesday – or any day of the week!
Get the Recipe: Baja Fish Tacos
Smoked Tri Tip
This Labor Day, let the smoked tri tip be the star of your table! Tender, smoky, and bursting with flavor, it’s a meat lover’s dream. Each bite melts in your mouth, promising a feast to remember. Make your holiday BBQ unforgettable with this delicious showstopper!
Get the Recipe: Smoked Tri Tip
Blackstone Tortellini with Meatballs
Outdoor griddling just doesn’t get any tastier than this! Loaded with tender tortellini, tasty meatballs, and oodles of goodies like spinach, peppers, and onions, this satisfying and colorful dish is easy and can feed a crowd!
Get the Recipe: Blackstone Tortellini with Meatballs
Smoked Shotgun Shells
Smoked Shotgun Shells are meat and cheese filled pasta tubes that are then wrapped in bacon. They’re so good, you won’t be able to eat just one! As impressive as they are delish, you’ll wow everyone when you put these out for nibbling on!
Get the Recipe: Smoked Shotgun Shells
Cold Crab Dip
Loaded with sweet, tender crab, this easy and flavorful Crab Dip is the perfect shareable for holiday gatherings!
Get the Recipe: Cold Crab Dip
Smoked Chicken Legs with Red Pepper Glaze
Infused with flavor from the smoke and the added sweet and spicy tang of the glaze, these chicken wings are good eating! Easier to make than you might think, too!
Get the Recipe: Smoked Chicken Legs with Red Pepper Glaze
Pumpkin Chocolate Cake
Pumpkin and chocolate are a perfect match, and in this easy cake recipe, they’re so delicious! This cake is rich, moist, and chocolatey, and the pumpkin flavor really comes through!
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Chocolate Cake
Bacon-Wrapped Burgers
Forget adding bacon as an afterthought, these meaty burgers are wrapped in bacon and are THEN cooked for maximum bacon flavor in every bite! So easy and a quick fix on your Ninja!
Get the Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Burgers
Ninja Grill Tomahawk Steak
The undisputed king of all steaks, meaty tomahawks are a quick and easy fix on your Ninja grill or Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill. Fire up the Ninja and make this meaty and impressive steak today!
Get the Recipe: Ninja Grill Tomahawk Steak
Grilled Beef Finger Meat
Simply seasoned and seared over high heat to lock in all the flavor, Grilled Beef Finger Meat is easy, delicious, and ready in no time!
Get the Recipe: Grilled Beef Finger Meat
Strawberry Upside Down Cake
It may not be the prettiest cake, but it sure is one of the tastiest! This Upside Down Strawberry Cake is so easy and so good! Everyone will want a slice!
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Upside Down Cake
Grilled Hanger Steaks with Chimichurri
Hanger steaks are the steaks no one wants you to know about! Super tender, beefy, and delish, they cook up hot and fast and are perfect with herby chimichurri on top.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Hanger Steaks with Chimichurri
Ninja Woodfire Grill Smoky Wings with Jack Daniel’s BBQ Sauce
Ready in no time, these smoky, saucy wings are good eating! Crispy wings with a touch of smoke are slathered in a whiskey-infused sauce making these some of the best wings around!
Get the Recipe: Ninja Woodfire Grill Smoky Wings with Jack Daniel’s BBQ Sauce
Turtle Brownies
Serioulsy the best Turtle Brownies on the planet! I’ve been making these brownies for more than 2 decades and they’re still the most recommended dessert in my house! Treat your family to these amazing brownies today!
Get the Recipe: Turtle Brownies
Ninja Woodfire Grilled Greek Chicken
Fire up your grill and infuse your meal with the sunny flavors of the Mediterranean! This Grilled Greek Chicken recipe is bright, bold, and sassy, and the moist flavorful chicken is perfect with any meal!
Get the Recipe: Ninja Woodfire Grilled Greek Chicken
Grilled Bruschetta Chicken
Imagine juicy, marinated chicken breasts topped with ooey gooey cheese and flavorful garlicky and basil-infused tomato bruschetta. That’s what this easy grilled recipe is all about, and with this much flavor in every bite, you’re sure to become a fan!
Get the Recipe: Grilled Bruschetta Chicken
Beef Wellington Bites
Flaky puff pastry envelops chunks of tender beef in these oh-so-tasty mini Beef Wellington Bites!
Get the Recipe: Beef Wellington Bites