Labor Day recipes – Live Laugh Love Do http://livelaughlovedo.com A Super Fun Site Fri, 29 Aug 2025 07:56:54 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.1 The Easy Corn Dip I’m Making for Labor Day http://livelaughlovedo.com/food-and-drink/the-easy-corn-dip-im-making-for-labor-day/ http://livelaughlovedo.com/food-and-drink/the-easy-corn-dip-im-making-for-labor-day/#respond Fri, 29 Aug 2025 07:56:54 +0000 http://livelaughlovedo.com/2025/08/29/the-easy-corn-dip-im-making-for-labor-day/ [ad_1]

I’m making this 10-ingredient corn dip for our Labor Day cookout. Inspired by Mexican street corn, it’s creamy, zesty, and delicious—always a hit!





I have one goal over Labor Day weekend: to enjoy ALL the summer produce! Though fall is just around the corner, tomatoes, zucchini, and my favorite—fresh sweet corn—are still in season, and I’m doing my best to make the most of them while I can.

I’m planning a Labor Day cookout menu packed with summer veggies, and I’m kicking it off with this crowd-pleasing Mexican street corn dip. It’s inspired by the Mexican dish esquites, the off-the-cob version of elote. Creamy, tangy, spicy, and savory, it’s one of my all-time favorite appetizers!

Here’s why I love this Mexican street corn dip:

  • It’s a corn celebration! You’ve probably realized that I love fresh sweet corn. 🙂 This dip is bursting with the sweet, crisp, and juicy kernels. Serve it with corn tortilla chips for double corn flavor!
  • The textures and flavors are amazing. I coat the corn in a rich, zesty mixture of Greek yogurt, mayo, and lime. The creamy/crunchy contrast is SO delicious! The flavors are incredible too—the corn is grilled, so it has a nice smoky undertone. Scallions add a savory kick, and jalapeños bring the heat. Tangy Cotija cheese takes it all over the top.
  • You can prep it in advance. Serving a crowd? Don’t worry about assembling this dip at the last minute. It actually tastes better if you make it ahead and give the flavors a chance to mingle in the fridge. Feel free to prep it up to a day in advance! Add garnishes like cilantro, hot sauce, and Cotija just before serving.

If you’re looking for a fun, fresh appetizer to serve this weekend, you can’t go wrong with this dip.

L&L reader Beth wrote, “I’ve been making this for the past two years and it’s always a crowd pleaser.” Cece said, “This was so darn good!”

Get the recipe:


Grilled corn, green onions, and creamy mayo mixture segmented in bowl with wooden spoon


Want to make this recipe? Here are a few tips:

  • No grill? No problem. You can char the corn on the stove instead of grilling it. I do this all the time—heat a large, dry cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. When it’s hot, add as many ears of corn as will fit in a single layer and cook, rotating them as they char, until they’re lightly charred on all sides. Each batch should take just 7 to 8 minutes, and the corn comes out delicious!
  • Adjust the spice level to taste. Don’t let the word “spicy” scare you. If you’re sensitive to spice, you can totally adapt this recipe to your tastes! I like to top it off with hot sauce, but that’s optional. You can also skip the jalapeño to reduce the heat even more.

Get the recipe:

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]]> http://livelaughlovedo.com/food-and-drink/the-easy-corn-dip-im-making-for-labor-day/feed/ 0 25 Best Labor Day Recipes http://livelaughlovedo.com/food-and-drink/25-best-labor-day-recipes/ http://livelaughlovedo.com/food-and-drink/25-best-labor-day-recipes/#respond Tue, 26 Aug 2025 14:35:31 +0000 http://livelaughlovedo.com/2025/08/26/25-best-labor-day-recipes/ [ad_1]

Celebrate the end of summer with our best Labor Day recipes! They include fun appetizers, picnic salads, grilling recipes, no-bake desserts, and more.


Labor day recipes


Looking for Labor Day food ideas? You’re in the right place!

Below, I’ve rounded up our best Labor Day recipes for an epic end-of-summer cookout. You’ll find easy mains that you can toss on the grill, fun appetizers, seasonal side dishes, and—of course—summer desserts to round out the meal.

I don’t know exactly what I’m making for our BBQ yet…but I do know that corn, tomatoes, and peaches will be on the menu. If you ask me, summer food is the best food. Celebrate it this weekend with these Labor Day recipes!

Labor Day Appetizer Ideas


corn salsa


Corn Salsa

Crisp, juicy sweet corn is the star of this fresh, 5-minute salsa. Serve it with tortilla chips for a zesty Labor Day appetizer!


Best Labor Day recipes - 7 layer dip


7 Layer Dip

Can’t decide whether to serve guacamole or bean dip? This recipe delivers the best of both…and then some. A creamy layer of refried beans is topped with guac, taco-spiced sour cream, and loads of fresh fixings. It’s one of our family favorites.


Avocado salsa in a bowl with tortilla chips


Avocado Salsa

Another fun, fresh salsa for your Labor Day menu! This one is a delicious combination of creamy avocado, sweet, juicy mango, and spicy chiles. Fresh lime juice brightens it all up.


Tomato galette recipe


Tomato Galette

Filled with herbed goat cheese and jammy heirloom tomatoes, this galette is a summer stunner. I love to serve small slices as an appetizer. Guests are always impressed!


Caprese skewers


Caprese Salad Skewers

Classic Caprese salad in bite-size form! Drizzles of olive oil and balsamic reduction take these over the top.

Main Dish Labor Day Recipes


Best Veggie Burger


Best Veggie Burger

This recipe has over 450 5-star reviews for a reason! Made with mushrooms, walnuts, and brown rice, the burgers have an amazing meaty texture and savory flavor. They’re grill-able too!


Best Labor Day recipes - Vegan hot dogs


Vegan Hot Dogs

Ok, bear with me here: marinated grilled carrots make a shockingly delicious hot dog sub. Serve them on buns with all the fixings, and even meat eaters will love them!


Labor Day food ideas - BBQ tofu skewers


BBQ Tofu

Slathered with barbecue sauce and nicely charred, these tofu skewers are a delicious plant-based cookout main.


Best Labor Day recipes - Black bean burger


Black Bean Burger

These burgers are easy to make in one bowl in under 30 minutes…no food processor required! I like to prep the patties ahead so that they’re ready to grill when guests arrive. They keep in the fridge for up to a day before cooking!

Picnic Salads


Easy pasta salad


Easy Pasta Salad

Filled with fresh herbs, feta, and a zesty lemon dressing, this packable pasta salad was one of our most popular recipes of the summer. It would be a perfect side dish for a Labor Day cookout!


Mexican Street Corn Salad


Mexican Street Corn Salad

Speaking of popular recipes, readers RAVE about this elote-inspired salad! Paula wrote, “Oh wow! This was so amazing I may have made it as a side and then ate the whole bowl for dinner! Honestly one of the best things I’ve eaten this summer.”


Best Labor Day Recipes - Greek salad


Greek Salad

If you’re looking for Labor Day recipes that are 1) easy, 2) super fresh, and 3) great for making ahead, this Greek salad is for you! Just wait to add the mint until right before serving so that it doesn’t wilt.


Watermelon Salad with Feta and Mint


Watermelon Salad

What’s a summer cookout without watermelon? This ultra-refreshing salad is my favorite way to serve it. I love how the sweet melon plays off the bright lime dressing, tangy feta, and creamy avocado.


Labor Day recipes - Black bean and corn salad


Black Bean and Corn Salad

Looking for make-ahead Labor Day recipes? You can’t beat this salad. I actually like it best a day or two after it’s made. The flavors just get better as it sits in the fridge!


Best potato salad


Best Potato Salad

Dill lovers, this creamy potato salad is for you! Dill pickles, dill pickle brine, AND tons of fresh dill pack it with tangy, savory flavor.


Labor Day food ideas - creamy colelaw


Creamy Coleslaw

Who else loves coleslaw?! I can’t get enough of it, especially when it’s coated in my 5-minute, naturally sweetened coleslaw dressing.


Tortellini salad


Tortellini Salad

I’ve shared a lot of pasta salad recipes over the years. They’re all delicious, but this one might be the most fun. It stars chewy, cheesy tortellini, plus pepperoncini, artichoke hearts, and a homemade Italian dressing for bold, zesty flavor.


Labor Day recipes - Chickpea salad


Chickpea Salad

You could use regular red onion in this refreshing chickpea salad, but pickled red onions really make it pop. Bring it to a cookout over Labor Day weekend, or pack it up for lunch by the pool or at the beach.

More Side Dish Labor Day Recipes


grilled vegetable skewers


Grilled Vegetables

Loaded with late summer veggies like peppers, zucchini, and corn, these colorful skewers are one of my favorite Labor Day sides. They’re delicious on their own, but I like to serve them with a tasty sauce like tzatziki or Greek dressing to bump up the flavor factor even more.


Grilled corn on the cob


Grilled Corn on the Cob

Serve it simply with butter and salt, or dress it up with elote fixings for a show-stopping cookout side dish.


Grilled zucchini recipe


Grilled Zucchini

You won’t find an easier Labor Day side dish—this simple recipe is ready in under 15 minutes!

Labor Day Dessert Recipes


Labor Day recipes - blackberry crisp


Blackberry Crisp

This easy crisp has a brown sugar and oat topping and a tart, jammy blackberry filling. Just add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the perfect Labor Day dessert!


Peach cobbler recipe


Easy Peach Cobbler

My goal over the last month has been to eat as many peaches as possible. So naturally, I’m planning to make this cobbler over Labor Day weekend. It’s one of my favorite summer desserts—lightly sweet, buttery biscuits top a thick layer of juicy peaches.


Labor Day desserts - No-bake strawberry tiramisu


Strawberry Tiramisu

This fruity no-bake dessert was a HIT over the 4th of July. If you’re looking for one more excuse to make it this summer, a Labor Day gathering is it! Heads up that it needs to chill overnight in the fridge before serving, so plan to make it at least 1 day ahead.


Labor Day recipes - Homemade ice cream


Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

What better way to celebrate the end of summer than with a bowl of homemade ice cream?! My recipe is easy to make with 5 ingredients, and it’s creamy, sweet, and delicious.

Best Labor Day Recipes: Black Bean Burger

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Serves 6

This easy black bean burger is one of our favorite Labor Day recipes!

Prevent your screen from going dark

  • In a large bowl, combine the beans, onion, garlic, chipotles, adobo sauce, tamari, balsamic, cumin, salt, and pepper. Use a potato masher to mash until the mixture holds together but still has some visible chunks of black beans. Add the egg and use a spatula to fold until combined. Then, fold in the panko.

  • Use your hands to form the mixture into 6 patties. The mixture should be cohesive and a little wet. If it’s too wet to handle, chill in the fridge for 20 minutes to firm up or mash your beans a little bit more.

  • Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Brush with a little oil and cook the burgers for about 5 minutes per side, until charred on both sides, turning the heat down as necessary. The exact timing will depend on the heat of your stove and cookware.

  • Alternatively, preheat an outdoor grill to 400°F. Lightly brush the patties with olive oil, spray the grill grates, and grill for 8 minutes on the first side and 4 minutes on the second side.

  • Serve with hamburger buns and desired fixings.

*Grate the onion on the large holes of a box grater. As you grate it, the onion will release a lot of liquid. That’s normal! Add the wet onion pulp to the black bean mixture, leaving excess liquid behind on your work surface.

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