Labor Day

11 No-Fuss Recipes for Labor Day Weekend

Quick habanero shrimp, three-ingredient peach floats, and perfectly seasoned grilled corn on the cob.
Image may contain Plant Food Egg Vegetable and Corn
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell

Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end of summer—the last hurrah at the beach, park, or neighborhood block party. It’s a time for food that’s low on effort and big on reward. You know, like shrimp you can grill in five minutes (and Labor Day desserts you can make with just a handful of ingredients). Below we’ve gathered some of our favorite super-quick, super-easy summer recipes to help you kick back, relax, and soak up the sun while you still can.

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  • A person making chopped cole slaw with cabbage carrots red peppers and pickle juice.
    Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Susan Ottaviano
    1/11

    Dolly Parton's Coleslaw

    If you split your Labor Day recipes into the major food groups, you'd probably mention grilled things, crunchy sides, and drinks. Right? For the sides category, this is the slaw we'll always love. It's simple enough that you can memorize the formula—and yes, Dolly has a secret ingredient.

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  • Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton
    2/11

    Rosie Ranch Water

    Ranch water is a Texan specialty that's truly simple to make. This version is even more tasty, thanks to a muddled orange, a touch of sotol or mezcal, and spicy, herby salt.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson
    3/11

    3-Ingredient Pesto-Grilled Chicken with Peaches

    You can change up your grilling routine without getting complicated or committing to a lot of prep. In this recipe, store-bought pesto works as both a simple marinade for the chicken and a finishing sauce. Consider it a good step toward the worthy goal of eating as many peaches as you can while they're still in season.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson
    4/11

    Grilled Corn on the Cob With Salt-and-Pepper Butter

    No need to pass the salt shaker around the table—this grilled corn is perfectly seasoned thanks to a simple, spreadable salt-and-pepper butter.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Simon Andrews
    5/11

    Frozen Margarita Pie

    It's a cocktail. It's crowd-pleasing Labor Day dessert. And it'll cool you off, too. This tart and creamy pie only uses a few ingredients, but it needs time to freeze—so make it a day or two before your Labor Day barbecue.

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  • Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Megan Hedgpeth, Food Styling by Simon Andrews
    6/11

    Baked Tomatoes, Peppers, and Goat Cheese with Crisped Toasts

    If you haven't gotten your fill of tomatoes yet this summer, serve this cheesy, tangy-sweet concoction with bread for lunch or an elegant appetizer.

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  • Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Liza Jernow
    9/11

    Spicy Tamarind-Glazed Grilled Chicken Wings

    Serve these tangy, beautifully-charred wings with crunchy onions, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges for squeezing over the top.

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  • Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton
    10/11

    Easy Pasta Salad

    This easy pasta salad recipe makes enough for a crowd—add a can of chickpeas if you want to make it the center of your meal rather than a side. Other than the pasta, nothing is cooked, but the final product is full of varied textures and fresh and tangy flavors.

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