Labor Day Menu - 2025

Updated: Aug 28, 2025 to include new step-by-step photos, clarified instructions, and/or improved tips for best results.· by Sarah Mock· Leave a Comment This post contains affiliate links.

Labor Day is all about good food, great company, and soaking up the last bit of summer. Whether you stick to the classics like pulled pork and pasta salad-or try something new, this menu has everything you need to host a stress-free, flavor-packed holiday celebration.

4th of july food recipes

Hosting Tips

I am all about making a party fun and easy for everyone, including the host! Here are a few tips I like to share when I get asked how to make party planning easier.

Serve Drinks in Pre-Chilled Mason Jars

Instead of handing guests a cup of ice that quickly waters down their drink, pre-chill mason jars or tumblers in the freezer the night before. Drinks stay cold longer, and guests love the novelty of grabbing a frosty glass.

Muffin Tins for Condiments

Skip a dozen little bowls that clutter the table. A clean muffin tin makes the perfect condiment or topping bar (think ketchup, mustard, pickles, jalapeños, slaw, etc.). Easy to transport, refill, and clean up!

"Party Pantry" Bin

Before guests arrive, stash a small basket with extras: paper towels, trash bags, serving spoons, foil, and food storage containers. When you're in the middle of hosting, you won't have to run inside hunting for supplies-you'll have everything in one grab-and-go spot.

Glow Sticks In Ice Bucket

For evening parties, toss a few activated glow sticks into the bottom of your drink cooler before adding ice. It creates a glowing, festive effect (and makes it easier for guests to find drinks in the dark). Bonus: kids think it's magic.

Appetizers & Party Snacks

Start your Labor Day party off right with crowd-pleasing bites. These easy apps are perfect for grazing while the grill heats up.

Boat Dip

Boat Dip recipe square image

Tiktok boat dip viral recipe is the perfect summer poolside taco dip appetizer, ready in 5 minutes. This Mexican flavor fiesta taco dip recipe has 4 ingredients plus chips for dipping.

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Ranch Oyster Crackers

A teal bowl filled with seasoned oyster crackers sits on a wooden table, with more crackers scattered in the background.

Baked oyster crackers tossed in zesty ranch seasoning and dill-simple, savory, and so snackable.

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Buffalo Chicken Dip Egg Rolls (Air Fryer & Stovetop Instructions)

one buffalo chicken dip egg roll sliced open, showing texture inside stacked on top of other egg rolls

This buffalo chicken dip egg roll recipe is the combination of all the buffalo chicken dip ingredients, wrapped in an egg roll wrapper and fried to a crips.

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Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

Buffalo cauliflower bites are roasted florets coated in a tangy red sauce, served on a white plate with a fork and garnished with fresh herbs.

This easy Buffalo cauliflower recipe is baked, not fried-done in 30 minutes and perfect for game day, parties, or a quick meatless snack.

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Philly Cheesesteak Egg Rolls

Air Fryer Philly Cheesesteak Egg Rolls Recipes square image

I love Philly Cheesesteaks and I love egg rolls. Why not combine the two? Philly Cheesesteak Egg Rolls. Plus you don't have to deep fry them. Oh no! You do not! Keep reading on how I easily put them together and saved on fat and calories by frying them with air!

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Fried Pickle Dip

A bowl of cream cheese and fried dill pickle dip topped with crispy breadcrumbs, accompanied by pretzel chips on the side.

Topped with crispy golden panko breadcrumbs, this easy dip perfectly balances creamy, crunchy, and zesty in every bite.

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Hot Artichoke Spinach Dip with Cream Cheese & Roasted Garlic

A white square dish filled with baked spinach and artichoke dip, topped with melted cheese and herbs, with a spoon inside.

Creamy hot artichoke spinach dip blends softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, Parmesan, mozzarella, garlic, chopped artichoke hearts, and drained spinach. Bake until bubbly and golden for a crowd-pleasing appetizer served with chips or bread.

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Caramelized Onion Dip

A hand holds a slice of bread topped with a cheesy caramelized onion dip with bacon, with more of the savory dip visible in a dish in the background.

Crispy bacon, sweet caramelized onions, and melty cheese come together in this irresistible baked party dip.

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Air Fryer Chickpeas

A white cup filled with roasted chickpeas coated in seasoning and grated cheese, with some chickpeas scattered around on a brown surface.

Make these crunchy ranch roasted chickpeas for a savory snack that's packed with flavor and super easy to prep with pantry staples.

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Fried Pickle Spears

Fried Pickle Spears. Disneyland Fried Pickles square image

Fried pickle spears are one of my favorite Disney Snacks and with this easy copycat recipe, you can now make Disneyland fried pickles any time you want!

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Football Favorite

rotel dip

Rotel Dip

Made in a crockpot this is the ultimate appetizer for game day.

Grilled & Main Dishes

Anyone can grill a few dogs, brats, and burgers, but these mains go beyond the normal grilled goodies and perfect for a long weekend cookout.

Pulled Pork Sandwiches

sous vide pulled pork sandwich

Use my recipe for a dry rub and your choice of pork butt cut to make these delicious Easy Crockpot Pulled Pork Sandwiches.

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Smoked Shotgun Shells

smoked shotgun shells recipe stack.

Shotgun shells recipe perfection: stuffed pasta shells, smoky bacon, melted cheese, and sticky BBQ sauce all in one bite‑sized appetizer for game day or backyard get‑togethers.

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Cilantro Lime Chicken

horizontal image of cilantro lime chicken on a bed of rice with sauce

This is an easy and delicious cilantro lime chicken recipe. Perfect for weeknight dinners, my cilantro lime chicken crockpot recipe has simple ingredients and is full of flavors your family will love.

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Easy Smoked Brisket

how to smoke a brisket, sliced brisket on a cutting board

Smoking a whole beef brisket can be intimidating the first time you try but with these tips and tricks of the trade you will always end up with a perfect brisket.

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Smoked Corned Beef

thinly sliced Smoked Corned Beef piled high on a wooden cutting board.

The slow-smoked brisket starts with a store-bought corned beef brisket and ends with you making the best smoked corned beef recipe.

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Sides & Salads

No cookout is complete without a variety of side dishes. These salads and dips are fresh, zesty, and travel-friendly for picnics or backyard parties.

Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

Dill pickle pasta salad in a white bowl.

This creamy dill pickle pasta salad is packed with bacon, cheese, and tangy pickles. Perfect for summer picnics and potlucks-easy to make ahead.

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Amish Broccoli Salad

Amish Broccoli salad hero image. square.

Traditional Amish broccoli and cauliflower salad recipe is a great way to enjoy chopped fresh broccoli florets and cauliflower florets at the peak of their freshness and flavors.

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Hawaiian Pasta Salad

ham and pineapple pasta salad recipe square image

Hawaiian pasta salad is the perfect ham and pineapple pasta salad recipe for using up leftover ham.

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Antipasto Pasta Salad

A glass bowl filled with Antipasto Pasta Salad, featuring rotini, sliced pepperoni, cubes of cheese, black olives, lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and creamy dressing.

All the flavors of an Italian grinder sandwich in a pasta salad! Salami, provolone, tomatoes, and a creamy dressing make it a crowd favorite.

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Cucumber Onion Salad

cucumber onion salad recipe on a white plate square image

This cucumber onion salad features crisp English cucumbers, fresh dill & thinly sliced red onion tossed with a sweet & tangy vinegar dressing.

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Roasted Chili Corn Salsa

chipotle corn slasa in a white bowl showing texture of the salsa, limes in the background, square image

When I make this chipotle corn salsa recipe I am sure to include roasted poblano peppers, yellow corn, red onion, fresh lime juice, fresh lemon juice and my favorite, cilantro!

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Black Bean Salsa

black bean corn salsa on a chip square

Here is an easy black bean salsa recipe that can be made year round. Make this black bean salsa recipe ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for a snack through out the day.

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Blueberry Salsa

A delightful blueberry salsa recipe awaits you, with a colorful bowl of blueberries and chopped red fruit, elegantly garnished with fresh herbs. All this vibrant goodness sits on a rustic wooden surface, patiently waiting beside a spoon for your enjoyment.

This fresh fruit blender blueberry salsa recipe features fresh, plump blueberries paired with ripe summer strawberries, a hint of lime and a kick of jalapeño in this fresh blueberry salsa recipe.

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Smoked Pineapple

Smoked Pineapple

Smoked pineapple is the easiest side dish or dessert to make on your smoker that will impress your friends and excite your tastebuds.

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Desserts & Sweet Treats

Round out the feast with desserts that celebrate summer fruit and sweet nostalgia.

Blueberry Delight

blueberry delight square image.

"Blueberry YumYum", "Blueberry Dream" or even "Blueberry Bliss". What ever you call it, you will be wanting to share this layered dessert recipe with all your friends.

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Peanut Butter Pie

Peanut butter pie no bake recipe

No-bake Peanut butter pie is perfect for those hot summer days when you don't want to turn on the oven but want a dessert without the work.

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Chocolate Lasagna

A slice of chocolate lasagna rests on a black plate, boasting creamy layers and a crumbled cookie topping.

A luscious no-bake chocolate lasagna recipe inspired by Olive Garden, stacking velvety chocolate pudding, smooth cream cheese, fluffy whipped cream, and crushed chocolate cookies for a dreamy finish.

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Black Raspberry Ice Cream

black raspberry ice cream, 3 scoops in a white bowl square image

Black raspberry ice cream can be made with fresh or frozen black raspberries. Heavy cream, milk, sugar, and a hint of vanilla along with ripe black raspberries make for a creamy, fruit ice cream.

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Heaven On Earth Cake

Heaven On Earth Cake (Strawberry Recipe) slice on a small white plate, gold colored fork holding a bite.

Heaven on earth cake, with strawberries, is an easy no-bake dessert made with angel food cake, strawberry pie filling, vanilla pudding and whipped topping.

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Blueberry Pie

blueberry pie with a slice taken out of it.

This is the best blueberry pie because of it is a two crust lattice topped pie and has a brightness of flavor that only fresh lemon zest can bring.

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Golden Graham Bars

A glass dish filled with a mixture of chocolate-covered cereal pieces and melted marshmallows, reminiscent of golden graham s'mores.

Golden graham s'mores bars are an easy no bake treat to make when you want a s'more but don't want to turn on the oven or roast a marshmallow.

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Black Raspberry Pie

Black Raspberry Pie baked in a blue pie plate

My black raspberry pie recipe can be made with fresh or frozen black raspberries

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Chocolate Chip Cake Mix Cookies

Chocolate Chip Cake Mix Cookies, square image.

Chocolate chip cake mix cookies are the easiest four-ingredient cookies you can make. From baking pan to plate in under 10 minutes these quick cookies will be gobbled up in no time.

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Lemonade Popsicles

lemonade popsicles

This lemonade popsicle recipes make the most refreshing summer frozen treat that kids and adults love. 3 ingredients will make lemonade freeze pops that will bring all the kids to the yard.

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Cookie Bars

M&M cookie bars stacked on eachother on a white plate, square image.

M & M cookie bars are the easy cookie bar recipe you need when you want an easy dessert recipe with few ingredients.

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Drinks & Cocktails

Toast the holiday weekend with refreshing cocktails and mocktails.

Strawberry Lemonade

A glass of refreshing strawberry lemonade with ice, garnished with a lemon slice and whole strawberry, placed on a coaster. Other glasses, fresh strawberries, and lemons are in the background.

With just a few simple ingredients and a blender, you can whip up this refreshing treat to enjoy on a warm day.

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Margaritas By The Gallon

to go margaritas in a container.

To go margaritas are perfect for when you are serving a large crowd or need to take a batch of cocktails to a party. Pre-mixed margarita is ready to be poured over ice.

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Red White & Blue Mixed Drinks

4th of july drink recipes.

The best red white and blue mixed drinks and patriotic cocktails are served on the 4th of July and Memorial Day. Here are easy patriotic holiday drinks to serve at the neighborhood fourth of July celebration and other summer celebrations.

Watermelon Rum Punch

rum punch recipe with garnishes, square image.

Ready in 5 minutes, this easy Watermelon rum punch is delicious any time of the year but especially on a hot day, it is very refreshing.

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Rum Punch

rum punch with garnishes in a clear rocks glass being held by a female hand.

Jamaican rum punch cocktail recipe is a fruity mix of white rum, pineapple juice, lime, orange juice & spices that will have you feeling like you're at a beach.

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Blackberry Lemonade

blackberry lemonade in a glass with garnishes.

Quench your thirst with this homemade blackberry lemonade recipe. The perfect blend of sweet and tart flavors will refresh your taste buds

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Watermelon Juice

watermelon juice.

Made with fresh watermelon and no added sugar, this refreshing summer drink will hydrate you on even the hottest summer day.

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Mangonada

Mangonada Recipe (Mango Chamoyada) feature image.

Make a 5-minute Mangonada (Mango Chamoyada) at home! This refreshing Mexican drink blends sweet mango, tangy lime, spicy Tajin, and chamoy for a flavor-packed treat. Perfect for summer sipping!

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I am Sarah Mock. Welcome!

Sarah Mock is a classically trained Chef and graduate of Johnson & Wales University. A culinary blogger for 15 years Sarah helps the home cook prepare her recipes with professional results.

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