25 Labor Day Cookout Recipes To End Your Summer Right

Tomato Confit

We're pretty sure that this tomato confit is the perfect side because of how versatile it is. Add it on top of toast, pasta, or a salad — or just stick a bowl on your buffet and let guests add it to their plates.

Homemade Dunkaroos

Kids of all ages will love these tasty cookies — almost as much as they love the vanilla icing! Top with rainbow sprinkles for some extra magic.

Brownie Cake Pops

These brownie pops are the perfect cookout recipe because they're easy to eat, and since they come on a stick, they're easy to serve to large groups of people. That's a win-win.

Pamplemousse La Croix and Lavender Mocktail 

This refreshing mocktail mixes Pamplemousse La Croix with a homemade lavender simple syrup and fresh grapefruit juice to hit the spot when you're gathered with friends (and even when you're not).

Mint Lemonade

Upgrade your go-to afternoon drink with this Lebanese recipe. Not only does it have, well, lemon, but it also features orange blossom and rose waters to balance out the mint and lemon flavors.

Appetizers

Mango Salsa

Sure, we've seen chips and salsa before, but there's nothing like the homemade kind. This special version is loaded with strawberries, avocado, and, of course, plenty of mangoes. Serve with tortilla or baked pita chips.

Grilled Tomato Lollipop Toasts

If you plan on firing up the grill, consider this simple app. Fire roasted cherries meet ricotta-slathered grilled bread. Use the sweetest cherry tomatoes you can find.

Avocado Dip

This recipe requires five ingredients and five minutes to make. That means you've got time for another round of cornhole.

Cantaloupe Panzanella

Cantaloupe is SO good right now and adding it to a panzanella sweetens the deal. We'll take two, please.

Sides

Herbed Red Potato Salad

Potato salad is always a crowd pleaser and pairs well with so many dishes. This version swaps mayo for a flavorful herb and olive oil dressing, helping it stand up to hot summer afternoons.

Tomato Mozzarella Salad With Balsamic Reduction

This salad is suuuper simple to throw together, travels well, and makes for a showstopping side. Consider the balsamic reduction a new life skill — it's delicious on everything from grilled peaches to ice cream.

Elote Corn

Take advantage of corn season with elote, a classic Mexican street food dish. Sweet corn gets charred over an open fire and seasoned with all kinds of yumminess.

Summer Quinoa Salad

This hearty salad is filled with fresh fruit, quinoa and drizzled with a lemon dressing that'll keep your guests coming back for more.

Zucchini and Fresh Corn Farmers’ Market Salad With Lemon-Basil Vinaigrette

Hurray for no-cook sides! They're fresh, delicious, and keep you from sweatin' up a storm in the kitchen on warmer days. This one gets a flavor boost with goat cheese and pine nuts.

Garlic Brown Sugar Flank Steak With Chimichurri

If you're looking for a steak recipe that's also easy on the wallet, flank is your friend. This dish has an option for broiling the meat, so you can still get that cookout vibe even if you don't own a grill.

Easy Grilled Lemon Garlic Shrimp

Sometimes, the simplest recipes are the best ones. We think this is a perfect example. A buttery sauce of garlic, lemon, and herbs is all you need to transform juicy shrimp into a stunning entrée.

Mains

Sweet Tea Oven-Fried Chicken Sliders With Jalapeño Cheddar Corn Slaw and Crispy Onions

Where to begin with these sliders? If the name alone hasn't convinced you, consider the fact that almost everything can be prepped in advance.

Ground Beef Tacos

Craft these super easy ground beef tacos for guests that'll be glued to the TV watching college football games. They'll appreciate the handheld dish while yelling at the screen. Just make sure they have lots of napkins nearby!

Beer and Honey BBQ Chicken Skewers

This BBQ recipe hits all the salty, sweet, crispy, charred, tender notes we look for in a good kebab.

Dessert

Mixed Berry Slab Pie

If you feel like getting patriotic with your Labor Day Dessert, check out this slab pie. It's festive and a perfect way to use all those beautiful berries you found at the farmers' market.

S’more Ice Cream Sandwiches

It's hard to imagine a more iconic summer dessert than a s'more, except perhaps an ice cream sammie. We're head over heels for this recipe, which combines the two.

Key Lime Cheesecake

A Labor Day cookout isn't complete without a yummy Key Lime cheesecake but this one comes with a twist. It features a no-bake chocolate crust made of oreo cookies!

Lemon Bars

Nothing beats the heat like this classic lemon treat. Keep them chilled in the refrigerator right before serving to help keep your guests cool while they're lounging in your backyard.

Drinks

Spicy Cucumber Margaritas

This drink answers all of our summertime cravings. It's refreshing, clean, and has just a little kick. Plus, there's nothing that says fiesta like a little tequila.

Blood Orange Ginger Cocktail with a Rosemary Simple Syrup

For a sweeter drink, serve your guests blood orange ginger cocktails! They'll enjoy the refreshing reprieve sans the spice and may even ask you for the recipe!