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 outdoor dining going with some of my favorite healthy Labor Day recipes.
September is actually our favorite month to grill. 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)!
Whether you’re looking for appetizers or side dishes, grilled mains, or dessert/drink ideas that are end of summer friendly, this post has you covered.
I originally published this post a few years ago, but it has been updated with my relevant newer recipes. Enjoy!
Healthy Labor Day Recipes
Labor Day Appetizers & Sides
No BBQ 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.
Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
This salad is crunchy, tangy, and doesn’t require any cooking. And the grapes add a nice sweetness to the mix!
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!
Zesty Italian Pasta Salad
Is there anything more summery than pasta salad? This is a perfect side dish for a cookout on a hot day!
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.
Quinoa Taco Salad
This taco salad is bright and refreshing, making it perfect for summer and for potlucks. Plus, it’s super easy to make!
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 for Labor Day
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.
Watermelon Chicken with Balsamic Glaze
This grilled chicken has a delicious sweet & salty glaze featuring watermelon and balsamic vinegar. So summery and crave-worthy!
Grilled Italian Sausage & Veggie Foil Packets
Toss some sausages and your favorite veggies into foil packets for a delicious grilled dinner (+ quick & easy cleanup)!
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!
Grilled Pork Tenderloin Tacos
Grill up some pork tenderloin for these tasty tacos! Top with homemade salsa verde (recipe included), sliced radishes, cilantro, and/or your favorite taco toppings.
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!
Honey Lime Chicken with Grilled Peach & Corn Salad
This recipe takes lots of yummy summer foods (corn, peaches, grilled chicken) and puts them together for an incredible meal.
Labor Day 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.
Cucumber Lime Basil Prosecco Spritzer
I absolutely love Prosecco, but it’s nice to mix it up a little from just the basic bubbly!
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.
Zucchini Bread Ice Cream
This dairy-free ice cream tastes like a creamy, cool version of zucchini bread! Perfect for a hot day, plus zucchini is in season during the summertime.
Nectarine Popsicles
Who doesn’t love a refreshing popsicle at a BBQ?! Making your own is so simple. Just blend, pour, and freeze.
No-Bake Lemon Bars
These lemon bars are vegan (made with ultra-creamy coconut milk) and don’t require any baking! Even the crust is no-bake, and oh so delicious. Zingy and refreshing!
Watermelon Rosemary Popsicles
The addition of rosemary to these refreshing watermelon popsicles makes them even tastier! The perfect treat to cool down in hot weather.
No-Bake Blueberry Custard Pie
This blueberry custard pie doesn’t require any baking, so it’s perfect for hot weather. Plus, it’s delicious, and it’ll look so pretty on the table with your Labor Day spread!
What are your favorite things to make for end-of-summer BBQs?
