Summer is unofficially coming to a close with Labor Day this Monday in the U.S., but that doesn’t mean grilling season is over yet! Keep the summer (and early fall) BBQ festivities going with some of my favorite healthy Labor Day recipes.
September is actually our favorite month to grill because the weather is still warm enough to eat outside but not so hot that you’re dripping with sweat (especially with the hot grill in the mix)!
Appetizers & Sides
No BBQ with friends is complete without a few appetizers to munch on while the grill is heating up. Here are a few of my favorites!
Healthier Seven Layer Dip
This dip uses plain Greek yogurt in place of mayo and sour cream for a lightened-up, super flavorful appetizer that tastes just like the original.
Healthy Deviled Eggs
Plain Greek yogurt lightens up the filling while keeping the creaminess – and dijon mustard adds tons of flavor! These deviled eggs are so delicious, and require just 6 ingredients.
Spicy Hummus Queso Dip
A mix of spicy hummus and cheddar cheese makes this queso creamy, melty, and decadent without being too heavy – perfect for BBQ snacking.
Lemon Avocado Hummus
Tired of bringing regular ol’ hummus and carrots to parties? This crossover between white bean hummus and guacamole is your answer! It’s super easy to throw together and is a total crowd-pleaser.
Mediterranean Sweet Potato & Hummus Bites
These bite-sized snacks are my latest obsession. Roasted sweet potato rounds topped with hummus, tomato, feta, and basil? Yes, please! They’re so easy to make and are perfect for bringing along to a potluck.
Creamy Vegan Garlic & Herb Pasta
This pasta is creamy and garlicky, but not too heavy. The fresh herbs brighten it up, making it perfect for summer, and it’s equally delicious hot or cold – perfect for potlucks!
Watermelon Rind Coleslaw
If you’ve never used watermelon rind in a recipe before, you’re in for a treat! It adds a nice crunch and freshness to this coleslaw, and cuts down on food waste, too.
Main Dishes
Here are some of our favorite grilled & grill-able recipes:
Chimichurri Grilled Shrimp
I’m obsessed with chimichurri sauce, and it’s amazing on shrimp. I use some of the sauce to marinate the shrimp, and save the rest to drizzle on top – so much flavor for such little effort!
Jamaican Jerk Turkey Burgers with Pineapple Salsa
These turkey burgers are packed with spicy jerk flavor, while the bright and refreshing pineapple salsa cools them off a bit – this recipe is a great way to dress up regular turkey burgers!
Pesto Baked Salmon with Veggies
This recipe has you baking salmon and veggies on a foil-lined baking sheet – but you could easily turn this into a BBQ game-changer by wrapping everything up in a foil packet and placing it on the grill! Whether you bake or grill it, this recipe is easy and filled with flavor.
Greek Lamb Burgers
Matt and I LOVE these burgers – they have tons of Greek flavor packed right into the patty! Feel free to substitute ground turkey, beef or chicken for the lamb if you’d like. You can use regular buns or serve them up with pita bread to mix it up!
Roasted Salmon with Watermelon Salsa
Cook this delicious spice-rubbed salmon on the grill instead of in the oven, and you’ve got a perfect Labor Day BBQ main dish! The watermelon salsa is so summery and fresh and adds a great crunch to the dish – this is seriously one of my favorite salmon recipes!
Easy Lentil Veggie Burgers
Vegetarians shouldn’t have to stick only to sides or store-bought veggie burgers! These easy 5-minute veggie burgers are the perfect addition to a BBQ spread to make sure everyone has something yummy to eat. They’re so tasty, meat eaters will love them, too!
Drinks & Desserts
Fun and creative drinks and desserts really take a BBQ to the next level – but they don’t have to be time-consuming or complicated. Here are some of my favorite easy drink and dessert recipes for summertime celebrations:
Cucumber Lime Basil Prosecco Spritzer
If there’s one main alcoholic drink I miss since being pregnant, it’s prosecco. I love refreshing bubbly drinks, and this one is no exception! It’s light, fresh, incredibly easy, and could totally be made with sparkling water for a non-alcoholic version.
Fruit Salad with Yogurt Honey-Lime Dressing
This recipe takes fruit salad to the next level with a delicious yogurt & honey-lime dressing. It’s easy, flexible, and absolutely delicious! It’s a great side for brunch or lunch BBQs in particular.
Nectarine Popsicles
Who doesn’t love a refreshing popsicle at a BBQ?! Making your own is so simple – just blend, pour, and freeze.
What are your favorite things to make for end-of-summer BBQs and parties?
I’m all about the burgers!!!!! happy Labor Day!
All of this looks delicious, but that prosecco spritzer is really speaking to me. Thanks for sharing, hope you have a great weekend!
Hello Anne! Random question…..I seem to remember that you posted once about running in Seattle? My husband and I are heading there next weekend, and I have a 9mile training run on Sunday morning, just wondered if you by chance have any top-of-mind recommendations for good running spots there. If not, no worries! If so, I don’t mind a 4.5mile out and back. Thx!
Yes! The Burke-Gilman trail is lovely (read about it in this post) – check it out! The other runs I’ve done in Seattle have all been as part of the Rock ‘n’ Roll half marathon. :) Check out the Rock ‘n’ Roll course map – that might give you other ideas! I remember we ran on a lovely trail along a lake as part of the race. Have fun!!
Thank you for sharing this healthy labor day recipes compilation! All of these look super delicious =)
Thanks Diego!