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Labor Day Menu Ideas

ByLana Stuart
3 Comments
Updated: January 9, 2026

Are you ready for the holiday weekend? Got plans for a cookout or maybe a picnic? No matter what your Labor Day menu plans are, I’m here to help! I have all the best recipes for Your Labor Day Menu Ideas right here!

You can definitely count on one thing – our Labor Day menu will certainly have a Southern bent, and many of the following recipes will be included. I’ve gathered some of the most popular Southern summer recipes to choose from for the perfect spread.

A collage of Labor Day foods, including flatbread, mini pies, grilled chicken, a burger, strawberry pie, and a bowl of stew, surrounds text reading “The Best Recipes For Your Labor Day Menu.”.

There’s enough variety here that I’m sure you’ll find at least one or two to add to your Labor Day menu! Let’s start with the main course, shall we?

Main Dishes

An always popular menu item here is my Slow Cooker Ribs! Followed closely by Slow Cooker Pulled Pork. Both of these are always a good choice for us because our weather can be really unpredictable this time of year!

If you’re not a fan of the barbecue, then how about a great grilled burger? BeeBop’s Bacon Cheeseburger is a fantastic choice.

Slow Cooker Barbecued Ribs

A platter of barbecued ribs with coleslaw and sauce on the side.
Slow Cooker Barbecued Ribs
These luscious, perfectly tender Slow Cooker Barbecued Ribs are prepped in about 10 minutes and cooked long and low for maximum flavor.
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A platter of barbecued ribs with coleslaw and sauce on the side.

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

A pulled pork sandwich on a serving plate with a slow cooker in the background.
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Fool-proof recipe with 5-minute prep for making southern style Slow Cooker Pulled Pork. Great for feeding a crowd or dinner on busy days!
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A pulled pork sandwich on a serving plate with a slow cooker in the background.

BeeBop’s Bacon Cheeseburger

Bacon cheeseburger with blue cheese on a white plate with french fries.
Bacon Cheeseburger
This bold Bacon Cheeseburger with bacon grilled right on the patty is topped with blue cheese for big flavor in every bite.
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Bacon cheeseburger with blue cheese on a white plate with french fries.

Juicy Grilled Turkey Burgers

Finished turkey burger on a white serving plate.
Juicy Grilled Turkey Burgers with Gruyere Cheese and Dijon Mustard
Juicy, delicious, lightly seasoned and grilled turkey burgers – an indulgent ground turkey patty made with gruyere cheese, tangy Dijon mustard and breadcrumbs to bind it all together.
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Finished turkey burger on a white serving plate.

Juicy Meatloaf Burgers

A meatloaf burger on a white serving plate.
Meatloaf Burgers
Meatloaf Burgers are your favorite comfort food transformed into tender, juicy burgers served on toasted buns.
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A meatloaf burger on a white serving plate.

Air Fryer Taco Burgers

Finished taco burger on a wooden serving board.
Air Fryer Taco Burgers
Change up your Taco Tuesday with these easy, juicy Air Fryer Taco Burgers! In less than 30 minutes you'll sit down to burgers full of flavor, perfectly juicy, and deliciously seasoned.
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Finished taco burger on a wooden serving board.

Buffalo Chicken Dogs

A hot dog bun filled with diced chicken, celery, and crumbled blue cheese, served with carrot and celery sticks, potato chips, and a cup of dipping sauce in a red basket.
Buffalo Chicken Hot Dogs
Quick and easy Buffalo Chicken Hot Dogs with blue cheese and celery for simple weeknight dinners or summer meals.
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A hot dog bun filled with diced chicken, celery, and crumbled blue cheese, served with carrot and celery sticks, potato chips, and a cup of dipping sauce in a red basket.

Perfect Baked Buffalo Chicken Wings

Finished buffalo wings on a serving plate.
Oven Baked Buffalo Wings
These Oven Baked Buffalo Chicken Wings have all the classic taste with no messy frying and no added fat! Serve these at your next football party and enjoy the compliments.
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Finished buffalo wings on a serving plate.

Salads

You know you can’t have a summer cookout menu without including several salads, right? Some of my favorites are this Black Eyed Pea Salad, old-fashioned Copper Pennies, Fire and Ice Tomatoes, and my traditional Potato Salad.

And if you’re a born-and-bred Southerner (or just one at heart), you know you must include a congealed salad! Polly’s Pink Stuff fits that requirement very nicely.

Black Eyed Pea Salad

Finished salad in a white bowl.
Black Eyed Pea Salad
Southern marinated Black Eyed Pea Salad is a versatile and effortless side dish for your next picnic or potluck dinner. 15 minutes to make!
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Finished salad in a white bowl.

Old Fashioned Copper Pennies

Copper pennies salad in a serving bowl.
Copper Pennies
Old Fashioned Copper Pennies
This delicious vintage recipe for Old Fashioned Copper Pennies is a sweet-sour combination of carrots, onions, and peppers that will keep your guests coming back for more!
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Copper pennies salad in a serving bowl.

Fire and Ice Tomatoes

Finished fire and ice tomatoes in a glass serving bowl.
Fire and Ice Tomatoes
This vintage Southern recipe for Fire and Ice Tomatoes is a sweet-tart salad or side dish combining ripe summer tomatoes, bell peppers, and sweet Vidalia onions.
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Finished fire and ice tomatoes in a glass serving bowl.

Southern Potato Salad

Southern potato salad on a white plate with a hamburger and slice of watermelon.
Southern Potato Salad
This Classic Southern Potato Salad Recipe is great to take to a potluck. It's made with tender, steamed potatoes and a mayonnaise dressing.
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Southern potato salad on a white plate with a hamburger and slice of watermelon.

Raspberry Jello Mold (“Polly’s Pink Stuff”)

Raspberry jello mold on a silver serving tray with vintage serving pieces in the background.
Polly’s Pink Stuff
Polly’s Pink Stuff (Raspberry Jello Mold)
A retro recipe for a festive Raspberry Jello Mold. My grandmother's holiday specialty served for every Christmas and Easter dinner.
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Polly's Pink Stuff - A retro recipe for a festive raspberry jello mold. http://www.lanascooing.com/pollys-pink-stuff-raspberry-jello-mold/

Tomato and Avocado Salad

A plate of vibrant tomato and avocado salad with sliced red onion and fresh cilantro sits on a white marble surface.
Tomato and Avocado Salad
The very essence of summer! A light, refreshing, and healthy Tomato and Avocado Salad. Ready for the table in just 10 minutes.
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A plate of vibrant tomato and avocado salad with sliced red onion and fresh cilantro sits on a white marble surface.

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Southern Tomato Cracker Salad

A serving of tomato cracker salad on a white plate.
Southern Tomato Cracker Salad
If you like a southern tomato sandwich, then you'll fall head over heels for this 15-minute Southern Tomato Cracker Salad recipe!
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A serving of tomato cracker salad on a white plate.

Layered Tortellini Salad

Finished salad layered in a glass bowl.
Layered Tortellini Salad
Layered Tortellini Salad with colorful layers of Mediterranean ingredients is perfect for long summer days when it's just too hot to cook!
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Finished salad layered in a glass bowl.

Black Bean and Corn Salad

Finished recipe in a white serving bowl.
Black Bean and Corn Salad
No time to cook? No problem! Whip up this delicious and nutritious Black Bean and Corn Salad in just 10 minutes. It’s great for picnics, barbecues, or weeknight dinners.
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Finished recipe in a white serving bowl.

Mexican Street Corn Salad

Mexican Street Corn Salad in a blue bowl.
Mexican Street Corn Salad
Great summer side dish with chicken, pork, burgers…you name it!
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A serving of the finished salad in a blue bowl.

Side Dishes

Now, on to the sides! What better to go with the pulled pork or barbecued ribs above than a pot of Brunswick Stew? And, of course, Baked Beans are pretty much a given.

Also, if your crew doesn’t care for the mayonnaise type of potato salad, why don’t you try my Lemon-Dill Potato Salad? It’s nice and tangy and you can easily take it to a friend’s house or on a picnic without worrying about the mayonnaise!

And then there’s Deviled Eggs. One of BeeBop’s all-time favorite recipes. I think he could eat a dozen of them right by himself.

Copycat KFC Coleslaw

A glass serving bowl filled with coleslaw.
Copycat KFC Coleslaw
Bring back the flavor of KFC’s discontinued coleslaw with this easy copycat recipe. Perfect for cookouts, picnics, and weeknight meals.
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A glass serving bowl filled with coleslaw.

My Big Fat Greek Appetizer | Feta Dip

Finished layered feta dip on a white platter.
My Big Fat Greek Appetizer (Feta Dip)
My Big Fat Greek Appetizer is an easy to make layered Feta Dip with good olive oil, feta cheese, cucumber, green onion, tomatoes, and Kalamata olives. Scoop it up with a pita!
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Finished layered feta dip on a white platter.

Old Fashioned Brunswick Stew

Brunswick stew in a white bowl.
Old Fashioned Brunswick Stew
Learn to make the very best Old Fashioned Brunswick Stew recipe! This Georgia staple is an iconic southern barbecue side dish.
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Brunswick stew in a white bowl.

Mama’s Southern Baked Beans with Bacon

Baked beans and bacon on a plate with a hamburger.
Mama’s Southern Baked Beans with Bacon
Everybody loves Mama's Southern Baked Beans with Bacon! Their sweet, smoky flavor makes them ideal for cookouts and potluck dinners!
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Baked beans and bacon on a plate with a hamburger.

Lemon Dill Potato Salad

Lemon Dill Potato Salad - A warm potato salad dressed with a mixture of olive oil, lemon, and dill. No mayo makes it safer for picnics! https://www.lanascooking.com/lemon-dill-potato-salad/
Lemon Dill Potato Salad
Lemon Dill Potato Salad
This Lemon Dill Potato Salad combines tender red potatoes with a bright dressing of olive oil, fresh dill, garlic, and lemon for a fresh, flavorful side dish served warm or at room temperature.
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Lemon Dill Potato Salad - A warm potato salad dressed with a mixture of olive oil, lemon, and dill. No mayo makes it safer for picnics! https://www.lanascooking.com/lemon-dill-potato-salad/

Traditional Southern Deviled Eggs

A finished deviled egg on a white plate.
Traditional Southern Deviled Eggs
Traditional Southern Deviled Eggs are just about perfect for any party, barbecue, or holiday. This classic recipe is easy and delicious!
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A finished deviled egg on a white plate.

Alabama Fire Crackers

Finished crackers in a white serving bowl.
Alabama Fire Crackers
Alabama Fire Crackers, soaked through with butter, red pepper, and hot sauce are always a hit at parties and perfect with salads and soups.
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Finished crackers in a white serving bowl.

Refrigerator Kosher Dill Pickles – Claussen Copycat Recipe

A glass jar filled with refrigerator dill pickles (Claussen copycat), sprigs of dill, and brine, with a metal lid sealed on top. Garlic, mustard seeds, and another jar are visible in the background.
Refrigerator Kosher Dill Pickles (Claussen Copycat)
Delicious, crispy Refrigerator Kosher Dill Pickles without the canning process! You'll love my copycat recipe of the famous Claussen brand of dill pickles found in your grocery store's refrigerator case.
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A glass jar filled with refrigerator dill pickles (Claussen copycat), sprigs of dill, and brine, with a metal lid sealed on top. Garlic, mustard seeds, and another jar are visible in the background.

Desserts

No celebration would be complete without a delicious dessert, right? One of my favorites, and one that I haven’t made in quite some time, is good Old-Fashioned Southern Teacakes. Not exactly a cookie, but not a cake either, and not too sweet – they’re just perfect for a light treat after a big meal.

Or maybe you could go for something cold? Like my Homemade Peach Ice Cream. But if cake is what you’re craving, choose one of these Southern specialties – Caramel Layer Cake or Chocolate Little Layer Cake. Both are delicious and very, very Southern.

Old Fashioned Southern Tea Cakes

Old Fashioned Southern Tea Cakes on a white serving plate.
Southern Tea Cakes
Old Fashioned Southern Tea Cakes
Old Fashioned Southern Tea Cakes is a classic, vintage recipe. A cross between a cookie and cake, not too sweet, and utterly delicious.
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Old Fashioned Southern Tea Cakes on a white serving plate.

Homemade Peach Ice Cream

A beige bowl with a waffle pattern holds two scoops of vanilla ice cream, garnished with a sprig of mint. A fresh peach and another bowl of ice cream are nearby, with a striped cloth partially visible.
Homemade Peach Ice Cream
Old-fashioned Southern Homemade Peach Ice Cream made with fresh fruit and a rich custard base, churned to creamy perfection.
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A beige bowl with a waffle pattern holds two scoops of vanilla ice cream, garnished with a sprig of mint. A fresh peach and another bowl of ice cream are nearby, with a striped cloth partially visible.

Old Fashioned Southern Caramel Layer Cake

Southern caramel layer cake on a white cake stand.
Old Fashioned Southern Caramel Layer Cake
This old fashioned southern Caramel Layer Cake with an easy homemade caramel frosting tastes like a little slice of heaven!
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Southern caramel layer cake on a white cake stand.

Chocolate Little Layer Cake

A slice of cake held on a spatula.
Chocolate Little Layer Cake
This southern heritage Chocolate Little Layer Cake consists of tiny layers baked individually and topped with boiled chocolate icing.
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A slice of cake held on a spatula.

Easy Strawberry Jello Pie

A slice of strawberry jello pie on a white serving plate.
Easy Strawberry Jello Pie
This easy, no-bake Strawberry Jello Pie is full of delicious fruit flavor and the perfect ending for a summer party!
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A slice of strawberry jello pie on a white serving plate.

Southern Banana Pudding

A serving of banana pudding in a clear glass dish.
Classic Southern Banana Pudding with Homemade Custard
Creamy Southern banana pudding with layers of homemade custard, bananas, and vanilla wafers, topped with a fluffy, golden meringue.
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A serving of banana pudding in a clear glass dish.

Blueberry Pie Cookies

Finished blueberry pie cookies on a wooden board.
Blueberry Pie Cookies
Easy to make Blueberry Pie Cookies use purchased pie crust and canned pie filling to make a unique dessert that all ages will love!
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Finished blueberry pie cookies on a wooden board.

So there you have it! A recap of some of the very best recipes from Lana’s Cooking for your Labor Day celebration.

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I’m Lana Stuart, an award-winning cookbook author, food blogger, and lifelong cook raised deep in Southwest Georgia. I started Lana’s Cooking in 2009 to share the tried-and-true recipes I grew up with. Around here, the food is full of flavor, the traditions run deep, and there's always room at the table.

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3 Comments

  1. Lana Stuart says:

    Thanks! I think I’ve decided to make pulled pork for our Independence Day. With coleslaw and potato salad. Don’t know about dessert yet, but maybe teacakes :-)

    Reply
  2. Lana Stuart says:

    Thanks, Katy! Hope you have a great holiday.

    Reply

    1. I, too, wish you and yours a great Holiday. I neglected to mention your recipe recap…I’ll have some of everything…!!!

      Reply