11 No-Fuss Recipes for Labor Day Weekend
All products featured on Epicurious are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.
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.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Susan Ottaviano1/11Dolly 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.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton2/11Rosie 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.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson3/113-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.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson4/11Grilled Corn on the Cob With Salt-and-Pepper Butter
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop styling by Megan Hedgpeth, Food styling by Simon Andrews6/11Baked 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.
Photo & Food Styling by Joseph De Leo7/11Habanero BBQ Shrimp
In this recipe from Lazarus Lynch's Son of a Southern Chef, shrimp marinates in a sweet-and-spicy mixture of apricot preserves, lime juice, habanero, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. It's the perfect 15-minute dinner party main. Serve with beer or fresh limeade.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson8/113-Ingredient Ginger-Peach Ice Cream Floats
Poaching fresh peaches in ginger beer infuses them with sweet, spicy flavor. Layer the cooked fruit with vanilla ice cream and top with more ginger beer for a fun take on the classic float.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton10/11Easy 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.
