I Make These 29 Labor Day Recipes Every Year—And the Smiles Say It All

Long weekends call for good food, and over the years, I’ve found myself coming back to the same crowd-pleasers. Whether it’s something smoky on the grill or a sweet treat to end the night, I make these Labor Day recipes every year without fail. They’re easy, reliable, and guaranteed to get people asking for seconds. Honestly, it wouldn’t feel like the holiday without them.

Spiral Hot Dogs

Nothing says summer like grilled hot dogs. Improve an American classic with spiral hot dogs for a crispy surface that’s delicious.
Get the Recipe: Spiral Hot Dogs

Lemon Blueberry Bundt Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

A blueberry cake with slices removed. — Lemon Blueberry Bundt Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

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This is a simple from-scratch recipe for blueberry bundt cake. With blueberries in every bite and a cream cheese frosting, what’s not to love!
Get the Recipe: Lemon Blueberry Bundt Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

Grilled Tequila Chicken Recipe (Chicken Marinade)

A platter with a fork and grilled chicken. — Grilled Tequila Chicken Recipe (Chicken Marinade). Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Tequila Lime Chicken – so EASY with a marinade of Tequila, agave, orange and lime juice, a family favorite and perfect for Cinco de Mayo.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Tequila Chicken Recipe (Chicken Marinade)

Grilled Shrimp Quesadillas

A close-up of a grilled quesadilla filled with shrimp, corn, melted cheese, green onions, and fresh cilantro on a plate—perfect for adding to your Cinco de Mayo recipes. — Grilled Shrimp Quesadillas. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Fire up the grill for easy shrimp quesadillas stuffed with grilled corn and marinated shrimp. Grilled corn and green onions make all the difference for this light and simple dinner.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Quesadillas

American Flag Cake

A sheet cake decorated like the American flag with blueberries and star-shaped white frosting for the stars, and rows of raspberries and white frosting for the stripes, on a granite countertop. — American Flag Cake. Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest.

This American Flag Cake is the perfect dessert for Labor Day! It’s an easy vanilla sheet cake topped with frosting and berries.
Get the Recipe: American Flag Cake

Grilled Pork Kabobs With Fresh Peaches

Pork removed from a skewer on a platter. — Grilled Pork Kabobs With Fresh Peaches. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Tender pieces of pork are paired with juicy chunks of peaches for a fresh summertime take on classic Pork Kabobs.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pork Kabobs With Fresh Peaches

Easy Grilled Ranch Chicken Recipe

Grilled Ranch Chicken skewers with char marks on a textured dark surface, served beside a bowl of creamy dipping sauce and a small sprig of greenery in the corner. — Easy Grilled Ranch Chicken Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Fire up the grill and make some easy chicken kabobs the whole family will love. This super easy grilled ranch chicken recipe is a game changer.
Get the Recipe: Easy Grilled Ranch Chicken Recipe

Creamy Strawberry Cheesecake Bars

Several square strawberry cheesecake dessert bars with pink topping, crumbly crust, and strawberry slices on top are arranged on a dark patterned surface. One bar is turned to show its creamy layers. — Creamy Strawberry Cheesecake Bars. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Creamy cheesecake bars with a baked on strawberry topping are just the thing for your next party or gathering.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Strawberry Cheesecake Bars

Seafood Foil Packets With Old Bay

Two shrimp boil packs with toasted bread. — Seafood Foil Packets With Old Bay. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Shrimp boil foil packets are an easy way to get the great flavor of a shrimp boil without standing over the stove. A terrific summertime meal, ready in 30 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Seafood Foil Packets With Old Bay

The Juiciest Bone In Grilled Pork Chops

A grilled pork chop next to a sweet potato on a plate. — The Juiciest Bone In Grilled Pork Chops. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Perfect, juicy grilled pork chops in less than 20 minutes! You never need to have dry pork chops again! (Easy recipe!)
Get the Recipe: The Juiciest Bone In Grilled Pork Chops

An Old-Fashioned Blackberry Cobbler Recipe With Homemade Biscuits

A bowl of dessert with blackberries and a spoon — An Old-Fashioned Blackberry Cobbler Recipe With Homemade Biscuits. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

This Blackberry cobbler has a syrupy blackberry filling topped with golden brown créme fraiche biscuits made from scratch.
Get the Recipe: An Old-Fashioned Blackberry Cobbler Recipe With Homemade Biscuits

Grilled Potato Wedges In Just 20 Minutes

Someone dipping a potato into a bowl of sauce. — Grilled Potato Wedges In Just 20 Minutes. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This easy, 20-minute grilled potato wedges recipe makes light and pillowy potatoes that are crispy on the outside.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Potato Wedges In Just 20 Minutes

Grilled Tenderloin With Cherry Sauce

A sliced pork tenderloin on a platter with cherry sauce around it. — Grilled Tenderloin With Cherry Sauce. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Try grilled pork tenderloin for dinner with cherry sauce for an easy weeknight meal and one that will also impress when entertaining.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Tenderloin With Cherry Sauce

Easy Lemon Chicken Piccata

Chicken piccata being served over angel hair pasta — Easy Lemon Chicken Piccata. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This easy Lemon Chicken Piccata combines the extravagant flavors of lemon and caper. In less than 30 minutes, whip up a simple chicken dinner perfect for any season.
Get the Recipe: Easy Lemon Chicken Piccata

No-Bake Frozen Strawberry Pie With Cream Cheese

A strawberry cream pie with a graham cracker crust, topped with sliced strawberries and a dollop of whipped cream. One slice has been cut and slightly separated from the pie—one of those old fashioned pie favorites everyone loves. — No-Bake Frozen Strawberry Pie With Cream Cheese. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

This Frozen Strawberry Pie with graham cracker crust, fresh strawberries, and lemon zest is a simple, refreshing dessert perfect for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: No-Bake Frozen Strawberry Pie With Cream Cheese

Antipasto Grilled Shrimp Salad

This Antipasto Grilled Shrimp Salad is a delicious and healthy way to get in those greens! If you love all the tastes from an antipasto platter, you’ll love this salad!
Get the Recipe: Antipasto Grilled Shrimp Salad

Grilled Chicken with Avocado Salsa

Tender and juicy, grilled chicken with avocado salsa is filled with fresh flavors! Marinated chicken is grilled to perfection.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken with Avocado Salsa

Homemade Blackberry Pie With Double Crust

A top-down view of a partially eaten blackberry pie with a lattice crust on a wire cooling rack. The pie has a crispy golden-brown crust with juicy, dark purple filling. A bowl of whipped cream is placed nearby. Crumbs and a piece of pie are visible on the table. — Homemade Blackberry Pie With Double Crust. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Enjoy a delicious Blackberry Pie with a buttery crust and a sweet-tart filling. Perfect for summer gatherings or a cozy dessert.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Blackberry Pie With Double Crust

Grilled Corn In Husk

Two grilled corn on the cob, classic easy grilled foods, sprinkled with chopped cilantro and pepper. The corn boasts visible grill marks and a slightly charred appearance, resting on a dark surface. — Grilled Corn In Husk. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Nothing says summer like grilling and corn on the cob, so this Grilled Corn In Husk recipe is the essence of summer flavors.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Corn In Husk

Grilled Bbq Pork Tenderloin

A pork tenderloin sliced and covered in bbq sauce. — Grilled Bbq Pork Tenderloin. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This simple Grilled BBQ Pork Tenderloin recipe is super simple to make without sacrificing flavor or spending hours over a hot grill!
Get the Recipe: Grilled Bbq Pork Tenderloin

Smash Burgers With Special Sauce

Two Smash burgers in buns with sauce. — Smash Burgers With Special Sauce. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

There’s nothing better than a juicy hamburger with crispy edges, a SMASH Burger. All it needs is some cheese and SPECIAL SAUCE.
Get the Recipe: Smash Burgers With Special Sauce

Super Tender Grilled Skirt Steak

Skirt steak sliced on a cutting board. — Super Tender Grilled Skirt Steak. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Infused with tequila, soy sauce, and brown sugar, this skirt steak recipe yields juicy and flavorful meat every time.
Get the Recipe: Super Tender Grilled Skirt Steak

Blackberry Jam Cake With Blackberry Cream Cheese Frosting

A close-up of a round, sliced cake with creamy white frosting, topped with a cluster of fresh blackberries in the center—an elegant nod to viral vintage recipes. — Blackberry Jam Cake With Blackberry Cream Cheese Frosting. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

This Blackberry Jam Cake is made with spiced cake layers, a blackberry jam filling, and a creamy blackberry cream cheese frosting.
Get the Recipe: Blackberry Jam Cake With Blackberry Cream Cheese Frosting

Grilled Chicken Drumsticks Recipe

A white platter full of grilled chicken drumsticks and thighs. — Grilled Chicken Drumsticks Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Chicken Drumsticks on Grill are cooked over indirect heat for the most tender and juicy drumsticks or thighs.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Drumsticks Recipe

Grilled Pork Tenderloin With Pineapple Salsa

A plate of sliced pork tenderloin on rice with pineapple salsa. — Grilled Pork Tenderloin With Pineapple Salsa. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

A juicy pineapple pork tenderloin that is first marinated and then cooked on the grill for an easy dinner in less than 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pork Tenderloin With Pineapple Salsa

Super Moist Raspberry Ricotta Cake

A raspberry ricotta cake sprinkled with powdered sugar. — Super Moist Raspberry Ricotta Cake. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This raspberry cake is a deliciously moist and scrumptious dessert, perfect on its own without any frosting.
Get the Recipe: Super Moist Raspberry Ricotta Cake

Bbq Pork Chops With Peach Barbecue Sauce

BBQ pork chops with peach sauce on a plate. — Bbq Pork Chops With Peach Barbecue Sauce. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This naturally sweet barbecue sauce can be made with fresh or frozen peaches and it adds a ton of flavor to tender grilled pork chops.
Get the Recipe: Bbq Pork Chops With Peach Barbecue Sauce

Taco Chicken, Chicken Marinated In Taco Seasoning

Grilled chicken breast slices topped with a creamy white sauce, served on a decorative plate with a fresh lime wedge on the side—perfect for those seeking healthy grilled dinners. — Taco Chicken, Chicken Marinated In Taco Seasoning. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

With just a packet of taco seasoning and lime juice, you can make tender and flavorful Taco Chicken. It’s an easy week night dinner you can cook on the grill for a healthy dinner. Also great if you want to make into chicken tacos.
Get the Recipe: Taco Chicken, Chicken Marinated In Taco Seasoning

Light And Airy Strawberry Mousse Cake

A platter of cut squares of strawberry cake. — Light And Airy Strawberry Mousse Cake. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

This 2-layer strawberry mousse cake combines moist vanilla cake with a luscious strawberry mousse for a burst of strawberry in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Light And Airy Strawberry Mousse Cake

You’re Not Truly Southern Unless You Know These 18 Dessert Recipes

A collage featuring a peach cobbler in a dish with a serving spoon, strawberry frosted cake, white-iced bundt cake, strawberry-topped bars, and fresh strawberries on a white surface—proof that dessert is tempting even if you have got ground beef for dinner. — You’re Not Truly Southern Unless You Know These 18 Dessert Recipes. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Growing up around cast iron skillets and porch swings, certain sweets just had to be on the table—or it didn’t feel like home. From gooey pies to melt-in-your-mouth cakes, you’re not truly Southern unless you know these dessert recipes by heart. Get the Recipe: You’re Not Truly Southern Unless You Know These 18 Dessert Recipes

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