Need Ideas for Labor Day? Try 23 End of the Summer Cook Out Favorites!

With Labor Day just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to plan a delicious picnic or cook-out o celebrate the end of summer. I’ve gathered 23 fantastic cook-out favorites that are sure to impress your friends and family. From macaroni salads to bbq chicken, to an easy end of the summer cobbler, these recipes will make your Labor Day a hit!

Fall-Off-The Bone Slow Cooker Baby Back Pork Ribs

A tray of slow cooker ribs with bbq sauce. — Fall-Off-The Bone Slow Cooker Baby Back Pork Ribs. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Baby back pork ribs cooked in the crock pot are fall-off-the-bone delicious. The dry rub, slow cooker and homemade sauce make this a keeper.
Get the Recipe: Fall-Off-The Bone Slow Cooker Baby Back Pork Ribs

Grilled Chicken Drumsticks Recipe

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

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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

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

Pan Seared Buttery Garlic Ribeye Steak

Two skillet cooked steaks on a plate. — Pan Seared Buttery Garlic Ribeye Steak. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Restaurant-quality, tender juicy steak right in your own kitchen in about 10 minutes. So easy, this garlic herb butter steak will melt-in-your-mouth.
Get the Recipe: Pan Seared Buttery Garlic Ribeye Steak

Homemade Sloppy Joe Recipe For A Crowd: Easy Slow Cooker

A close-up of a sloppy joe sandwich featuring a generous serving of seasoned ground meat spilling out from a toasted bun, topped with sliced pickles, displayed on a wooden cutting board with a plain yellow background. — Homemade Sloppy Joe Recipe For A Crowd: Easy Slow Cooker. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This made-from-scratch sloppy joe recipe for a crowd has a sweet and tangy sauce, easy to prepare and simmer in a slow cooker.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Sloppy Joe Recipe For A Crowd: Easy Slow Cooker

Creamy Homemade Macaroni & Cheese With Evaporated Milk

Scooping mac and cheese. — Creamy Homemade Macaroni & Cheese With Evaporated Milk. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This creamy Mac and Cheese is made with evaporated milk for an ultra silky, smooth cheese sauce that the boxed stuff can’t compete with.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Homemade Macaroni & Cheese With Evaporated Milk

Yellow Squash Casserole With Ritz Crackers

A scoop of a squash casserole. — Yellow Squash Casserole With Ritz Crackers. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This cheesy squash casserole with Ritz crackers and sour cream has a cheesy, tangy sauce and buttery topping. Perfectly baked and never mushy.
Get the Recipe: Yellow Squash Casserole With Ritz Crackers

Southern Baked Beans With Hamburger Meat

A spoon full of baked beans with hamburger. — Southern Baked Beans With Hamburger Meat. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

These easy baked beans with ground beef are a perfect side dish for cookouts. Smoky with a sticky sweet sauce, they’re a classic.
Get the Recipe: Southern Baked Beans With Hamburger Meat

Creamy Macaroni Salad With Cheese

Creamy macaroni salad with a wooden spoon. — Creamy Macaroni Salad With Cheese. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

A Southern-style macaroni salad made with a creamy mayo, sour cream and dijon mustard dressing. Mix with cheddar cheese to finish, and served chilled.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Macaroni Salad With Cheese

Easy Overnight 7 Layer Salad Recipe

A bowl of 7 layer salad next to a serving spoon. — Easy Overnight 7 Layer Salad Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

With its gorgeous rows of colors and bright flavors, this classic seven-layer salad is the perfect make-ahead dish for any gathering.
Get the Recipe: Easy Overnight 7 Layer Salad Recipe

Tangy Cucumber Salad With Apple Cider Vinegar

A bowl of cucumber salad with onions and two serving spoons — Tangy Cucumber Salad With Apple Cider Vinegar. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This tangy Cucumber Salad is light, refreshing, and since it has no mayo, it’s perfect for warm summer days.
Get the Recipe: Tangy Cucumber Salad With Apple Cider Vinegar

Green Beans And New Potato Salad With Honey Vinaigrette

A platter of green bean and potato salad. — Green Beans And New Potato Salad With Honey Vinaigrette. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Full of fresh summer flavors, this cold green bean salad recipe adds in tender new potatoes for a refreshing take on a classic summer meal.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans And New Potato Salad With Honey Vinaigrette

Fruit Salad With Honey Lime Dressing

Mixed fruit salad with lime dressing in a bowl. — Fruit Salad With Honey Lime Dressing. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Add lime zest and juice along with a little honey to your summer fruit salad, featuring your favorite fruits for a perfect summer side dish.
Get the Recipe: Fruit Salad With Honey Lime Dressing

Cornbread Biscuits

Squares of cornbread on a linen napkin. — Cornbread Biscuits. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

A Southern dinner isn’t complete without easy Cornbread Biscuits. They’re a cheesy, fluffy, warm addition to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Cornbread Biscuits

Soft And Fluffy Cream Cheese Biscuits (With Buttermilk)

A plate of cream cheese biscuits. — Soft And Fluffy Cream Cheese Biscuits (With Buttermilk). Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Unbelievably soft and tender cream cheese biscuits make the perfect biscuit for breakfast or dinner in just 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Soft And Fluffy Cream Cheese Biscuits (With Buttermilk)

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 Dessert.

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

Peach And Blueberry Cobbler Cake

A bowl of peach and berry cobbler topped with whipped cream is on a dark plate with a spoon. The cobbler consists of baked peaches, berries, and a golden crust. In the background, part of a baking dish filled with more cobbler and a whole peach are visible. — Peach And Blueberry Cobbler Cake. Photo credit: Easy Southern Dessert..

Indulge in this Peach Blueberry Cobbler with a sweet, buttery batter and a splash of peach schnapps. A summer favorite that’s easy to make and delicious!
Get the Recipe: Peach And Blueberry Cobbler Cake

Classic Lemon Icebox Pie With Condensed Milk

A creamy pie with a golden brown graham cracker crust is partially cut, revealing its smooth texture. A slice of this delectable lemon dessert is placed on a white scalloped plate nearby, next to another plate holding lemon wedges and silver utensils. A grey napkin lies beneath the plates. — Classic Lemon Icebox Pie With Condensed Milk. Photo credit: Easy Southern Dessert..

With its classic graham cracker crust and creamy lemon filling, this Lemon Icebox Pie is the perfect dessert for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Classic Lemon Icebox Pie With Condensed Milk

Sweetly Southern Coca-Cola Cake With Marshmallows

A metal plate holds a piece of chocolate sheet cake topped with chopped nuts, served alongside two scoops of vanilla ice cream also sprinkled with nuts—a perfect back to school dessert. In the background, there's a baking tray with more chocolate cake and two bottles of Coca-Cola. — Sweetly Southern Coca-Cola Cake With Marshmallows. Photo credit: Easy Southern Dessert..

This chocolate Coca-Cola cake is made with the iconic soda, mini marshmallows, and unsweetened cocoa powder for extra rich chocolate flavor.
Get the Recipe: Sweetly Southern Coca-Cola Cake With Marshmallows

The Easiest Banana Pudding With Vanilla Wafers

A bowl of creamy, layered banana pudding topped with crushed vanilla wafers, served with a silver spoon. A small glass container of the same dessert is next to it on a gray surface, offering a delightful contrast to your favorite lemon desserts. — The Easiest Banana Pudding With Vanilla Wafers. Photo credit: Easy Southern Dessert..

Featuring layers of bananas, creamy vanilla pudding, and crunchy vanilla wafer cookies, this Banana Pudding is an instant classic.
Get the Recipe: The Easiest Banana Pudding With Vanilla Wafers

Sweet Peach Iced Tea

A close-up of a refreshing iced tea in a glass, garnished with a peach slice. The beverage is filled with ice cubes, and there are additional glasses and a pitcher in the background, along with some whole peaches placed casually around the setup. — Sweet Peach Iced Tea. Photo credit: Easy Southern Dessert.

Made with fresh peaches, black tea, and as little or as much sugar as you like, this Peach Iced Tea is perfect way to cool down on a hot day.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Peach Iced Tea

Refreshing Blackberry Iced Tea

A close-up of a refreshing berry drink in a mason jar filled with ice cubes. The drink is a deep red color, and it is garnished with a slice of lemon and a blackberry. Another similar drink is visible in the background, along with a scattered blackberry. — Refreshing Blackberry Iced Tea. Photo credit: Easy Southern Dessert..

If you love sweet tea and fresh blackberries, make this homemade iced blackberry tea and sip on a splash of fruity indulgence.
Get the Recipe: Refreshing Blackberry Iced Tea

Homemade Salsa with Peaches and Corn

A bowl of peach salsa with tortilla chips. — Homemade Salsa with Peaches and Corn. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Try an easy to make mouthwatering peach and tomato salsa with a spicy twist of sriracha! Perfect as a refreshing dip, or as a topping for tacos or quesadillas. It showcases the balance between sweet and spicy flavors that the South is known for.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Salsa with Peaches and Corn

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