20 Labor Day Menu Ideas for Your Holiday Party

Labor Day celebrates the efforts and achievements of the labor movement in various countries. In the U.S. and Canada, Labor Day, or Labour Day, falls on the first Monday in September, while South American countries celebrate this holiday in May. No matter where you celebrate this year, there are some tried and true menu options that are sure to be a crowd favorite. Below we list our best Labor Day menu ideas to help you plan your end-of-summer event.

How to celebrate Labor Day

Before planning your Labor Day menu, it’s a good idea to check out the local activities being held in honor of this holiday. Labor Day is often celebrated in local communities with parades, athletic events, and parties. With this in mind, you may want to organize your Labor Day menu based on your family and friends’ weekend plans. For example, like baseball or softball games, athletic events go hand-in-hand with an outdoor barbecue and some refreshing beers.

If your friend or family group includes kids, a trip to the local parade or fireworks display may be in order, as well as some kid-friendly snacks and beverages. Private or community gatherings may be more open-ended, but keeping in mind the size of the crowd will go a long way in making sure every guest can find something they love at the buffet table.

Best Labor Day finger food ideas

Since Labor Day is a federal holiday, many people spend the entire day celebrating with friends and family. This means there will be ample time for guests to get hungry throughout the day. Since you may not want to serve entire meals all day long, finger foods are the perfect solution to satisfying guests as they wait for the main event. Finger foods are small snacks that usually don’t require silverware. They can be picked up easily with the fingers and popped into the mouth as a quick snack. The best finger foods to incorporate this Labor Day include:

1. Mozzarella sticks 

Mozzarella sticks are a quick and easy finger food to prepare. They come prepackaged and frozen and only require a quick reheating before they’re ready to serve guests. Don’t forget the marinara sauce for dipping!

2. Corn dogs

Frozen corn dogs are another easy finger food to prepare and a staple for many Labor Day events. There are regular or mini-sized options to choose from, and this snack pairs well with all kinds of condiments!

3. Pigs in a blanket

Pigs in a blanket are another bite-sized item worth including on your Labor Day finger food menu this year. Tiny frank hotdogs come frozen in a blanket of bread and, once reheated, are ready to eat.

4. Chips or vegetables and dip

Chips and freshly cut vegetables, like carrots or celery, are a great snack to offer guests at your Labor Day event. These finger foods pair perfectly with all kinds of dips and spreads, like olive, beer cheese, and french onion. You can stock up on many different chip flavors, dip flavors, and vegetable varieties to give your guests options!

5. Baked goods

Baked goods like pastries, doughnuts, or cupcakes are a great addition to any Labor Day event. These small snacks will satisfy any guest’s sweet tooth.

6. Nachos

Nachos are an easy appetizer to prepare for guests and offer various flavors and ingredients. Tortilla chips make up the base, and the toppings are up to you! Some crowd favorites include ground beef, chicken, shredded cheese, onions, beans, refried beans, tomatoes, guacamole, and sour cream.

7. Popcorn

Popcorn is a great snack to offer guests, especially when outdoor activities are involved in your Labor Day plans. This snack is quick to pop on the stovetop, but there are also bagged options available if you’d like to save more time!

8. Fruit

Fresh fruit at the end of summer is a quick, easy, and refreshing snack that your guests are sure to appreciate. Some of the best fruits to offer at your Labor Day event include strawberries, watermelon, and cantaloupe.

9. Nuts or trail mix

Nuts and trail mix options are another healthy snack that is easy to prepare. Almonds, peanuts, and pistachios are sure to be a hit at your Labor Day event, and chocolate-covered options aren’t a bad idea either. Trail mix offers guests a variety of flavors in each bite.

10. Hummus

Hummus comes in a variety of flavors and pairs well with many chip flavors. Buying prepackaged hummus can save you preparation time on the day of your event.

Best Labor Day cookout menu ideas

For many, Labor Day signifies the end of summer and back-to-school season. To celebrate, families and friends flock to the outdoors to soak up the last warm days of the year in backyard parties, picnics in the park, camping trips, and athletic events. Cookouts and barbecues are a staple of Labor Day traditions, and they feature heavily at all these outdoor events.

1. Grilled shrimp skewers

Grilled shrimp skewers are an easy yet tasty addition to any Labor Day food menu. Slide the shrimp onto a skewer, grill them, and add a buttery garlic sauce with lemon and you’re ready to go! You can even add some vegetables to the skewer to give this dish some variety.

2. Baby back ribs

Baby back ribs take some time to prepare and cook, but the result is worth it. To time this dish, try slow cooking your ribs during the day and transferring them to the grill when you’re ready for the event.

3. Grilled vegetable platter

Adding some fresh, grilled vegetables to your Labor Day menu is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. The grill can add a hearty flavor to these sweet and savory veggies, and your guests are sure to love the extra variety and healthy alternatives.

4. Lamb chops

Lamb chops are a rich and savory item to add to your Labor Day menu. To prepare, marinate in olive oil, rosemary, and thyme mixture and leave in the fridge for an hour. After they return to room temperature, your lamb chops should take only around five minutes until they’re ready to eat.

5. Baked beans

Baked or barbecue beans are a great addition to any Labor Day event. To cut down on preparation time on the day of your event, cook your beans the day before and reheat to serve to guests. Throwing your beans on the grill can also add a great smoky flavor your guests are sure to love.

6. Chicken Wings

Chicken wings are a Labor Day classic that your guests are sure to love. Prep time can be spent tossing your wings in a variety of spices or rubs, while grilling time takes only around 20 minutes. Be sure to include dipping sauces, like ranch, blue cheese, buffalo, or hot sauce.

7. Potato skins

Grilled potato skins are a classic for end-of-summer events. To prepare, cut your potatoes length-wise, cover in cheese, and grill. Then throw on your favorite toppings, like sour cream and bacon bits. To save on time, you can also snag a bag of frozen potato skins and reheat them on the day of the party.

8. Cheeseburgers

Hamburgers or cheeseburgers are a Labor Day staple in many homes. The bulk of preparation time involves grilling the burgers. After that, simply laying out toppings and buns buffet-style for your guests is all that’s left to do!

9. Corn on the cob

Ears of corn can be bought in bulk and are a relatively cheap cookout idea for summer events. Roasting the corn adds a savory flavor, while butter, salt, pepper, and other herbs and spices can enhance the sweetness.

10. Bratwursts and hotdogs

Bratwursts and hotdogs are a great cookout idea for end-of-summer events. Brats and hotdogs are relatively cheap and quick to grill. Buns, relish, chili, onions, ketchup, and mustard are classic pairings you can offer guests to satisfy various tastes.

Make the most of your Labor Day celebrations with Instacart

As Labor Day quickly approaches, it’s a good idea to get a jump start on your Labor Day menu planning. Putting together a list of popular finger foods and cookout dishes can help you plan your shopping list. With Instacart, you can conveniently browse for the items you need at local grocery stores near you. Select same-day delivery to get your items quickly, or schedule a pickup time that works best with your schedule and event plans.

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