9 Labor Day Recipes For An Unforgettable Celebration

The Labor Day recipes you choose to follow can make or break your holiday meal. If you want a truly memorable celebration with your family or friends, you have to pick the right dishes to prepare. Fire up that grill for one last summer hurrah, as Labor Day marks the unofficial end of the hot season. Whether you’re new to cooking or have been doing it for many years, these recipes will surely wow.

 

Simple Yet Delicious Labor Day Recipes

Labor Day falls on the first Monday in September every year. Celebrate this significant moment in American history by going all-out on your Labor Day meal. With a three-day weekend to look forward to, you will have time to prepare in advance. Here are the best Labor Day recipes for an unforgettable experience.

 

1. Classic Macaroni Salad

Ingredients:

• 4 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 1/2 tbsp prepared yellow mustard
• 2/3 cup white sugar
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 2 tbsp chopped pimento peppers (Optional)
• 1/4 cup grated carrot (Optional)

 

Directions:

1. Boil a large pot of lightly salted water. Once boiling, pour the elbow macaroni and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain the water and run the macaroni through cold water.
2. Mix the cooked macaroni, sugar, mustard, mayonnaise, vinegar, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Toss to combine.
3. Add the onion, celery, pimentos, green pepper, and carrot. Stir to combine.
4. Place in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours before serving.

 

2. Rainbow Coleslaw

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded green cabbage
• 1 tbsp honey
• 2 cups shredded purple cabbage
• 1 tsp whole celery seed
• 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 2 large carrots, julienne

 

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the apple cider vinegar and honey. While whisking continuously, gradually pour in the olive oil until emulsified.
2. Add celery seed, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
3. Add the green cabbage, purple cabbage, and carrots. Toss to combine before transferring to a serving dish.

 

3. Homemade Corn Dogs

Ingredients:

• 16 wooden skewers
• 2 (16 oz) packages of beef frankfurters
• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• 4 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1 cup milk
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper
• 1 egg
• 1 quart vegetable oil for frying

 

Directions:

1. Insert a skewer into each frankfurter, making sure they are dry.
2. Mix flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Pour the milk and add the egg, then stir until you end up with a batter.
3. In a large saucepan, heat oil to 375°F.
4. Dip each skewered frankfurter into the batter until well-coated. Deep fry the corn dogs in the oil, working 2 or 3 at a time, for about 3 minutes or until lightly browned.
5. Place on paper towels to drain excess oil.

 

4. Grilled Corn on the Cob

Ingredients:

• 4 ears corn, shucked
• Butter, for serving
• Kosher salt

 

Directions:

1. Preheat your grill or grill pan to high. Once hot, place the corn on the grill and cook, turning each cob often. Cook until charred, about 10 minutes.
2. While still warm, spread butter over each corn cob—season with salt to taste.

 

5. Grilled Cheeseburgers

You can’t have a list of recipes for Labor Day without a classic cheeseburger.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 lbs ground beef
• 6 seeded hamburger buns, split
• 6 slices American or Cheddar cheese
• Lettuce leaves, tomato slices, red onion slices, ketchup, and mustard, for serving
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Vegetable oil for the grill grates and buns

 

Directions:

1. Preheat your grill to medium heat—lightly oil the grates.
2. Portion the ground beef into 6 even pieces. Mold each piece into a patty about 1 inch thick using your hands. Press your thumb into the center of each patty to make an indent—season both sides with salt and pepper.
3. Grill the burgers for 6 to 7 minutes per side, flipping once. Top each patty with a slice of American cheese when almost done grilling.
4. Brush each burger bun with oil and toast on the grill.
5. Assemble the cheeseburgers according to taste. Serve with condiments on the side.

 

6. Grilled Shrimp Foil Packs

Ingredients:

• 2 ears corn, each cut crosswise into 4 pieces
• 1 1/2 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lb red bliss potatoes, chopped into 1-in pieces
• 2 smoked andouille sausages, thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 lemon, sliced into thin wedges
• 2 tbsp freshly chopped parsley
• 1 tbsp Old Bay seasoning
• 4 tbsp butter
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

 

Directions:

1. Preheat your grill to high. Alternatively, you can use an oven (preheat to 425°F).
2. Prepare 4 sheets of foil, each measuring 12 inches long.
3. Place the shrimp, sausage, potatoes, corn, and garlic in each foil, dividing evenly. Drizzle with oil over the top before sprinkling with Old Bay seasoning, salt, and pepper. Gently toss to combine. Top each one with parsley, lemon, and one tablespoon of butter.
4. Fold the foil crosswise to cover the shrimp and other ingredients completely. Fold the edges to make a tight seal.
5. Grill the foil packets for 15 to 20 minutes. If you’re using an oven, bake the foil packets for 20 minutes.

 

7. Dijon Chicken Wings

Ingredients:

• 4 lbs chicken wings, split at the joints, tips removed
• 3/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 1/2 tsp finely grated garlic
• 1/2 cup honey
• 3 tbsp mustard powder
• Vegetable oil, for brushing
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

 

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 450°F—place racks in the upper and lower thirds of your oven.
2. Prepare 2 large baking dishes. Spread a thin layer of oil in each dish.
3. Using paper towels, pat the chicken wings dry—season with salt and pepper. Place the wings into the baking dishes and bake in the oven for 40 to 45 minutes, turning the dishes halfway through.
4. Combine honey, dijon mustard, garlic, and mustard powder in a bowl.
5. Once cooked and browned, remove the wings from the oven. Pour in the mustard mixture, tossing to combine. Place the dishes back in the oven and bake for 3 to 5 minutes.

 

8. Simple BBQ Ribs

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ lbs country-style pork ribs
• 1 cup barbeque sauce
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 2 tbsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp ground black pepper

 

Directions:

1. In a large pot, place ribs and pour enough water to cover the ribs. Add the garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Heat the water over medium and bring to a boil, cooking for 40 to 45 minutes or until tender.
2. Preheat your oven to 325°F.
3. Once tender, remove the ribs from the pot and transfer them to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Pour barbeque sauce and toss to coat the ribs. Cover the baking dish with foil.
4. Place the dish into the oven and bake until the internal temperature reaches 160°F, about 1 to 1.5 hours.

 

9. Grilled Peaches

Labor Day meals aren’t complete without dessert; this fruity one will surely end your day with a bang.

Ingredients:

• 4 ripe peaches, halved and pitted
• 1 tbsp vegetable or canola oil
• Vanilla ice cream for serving
• Honey, for drizzling
• Flaky sea salt

 

Directions:

1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
2. Brush each peach with oil and place on the grill with the cut side down. Grill for 4 to 5 minutes or until soft.
3. Turn the peaches over to grill the skin for another 4 to 6 minutes.
4. Remove the peaches from the grill and serve with ice cream, honey, and flaky sea salt.

 

A Satisfying Labor Day Meal

You can’t have a good holiday without delicious food, and these Labor Day recipes will definitely satisfy your tastebuds. The best part is most of these recipes are beginner-friendly and don’t take too long to prepare. Still, they will surely impress your guests.

 

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