Labor Day weekend is the perfect time to fire up the grill, get together with friends and family, and enjoy good food that’s both delicious and nutritious. To make planning your holiday menu easier, I’ve rounded up 10 healthy Labor Day recipes—including high-protein mains, fresh summer sides, and better-for-you desserts—that are perfect for your BBQ spread.
From juicy grilled steak skewers to smoky chicken pasta salad, vibrant veggie-packed dishes, and gluten-free treats, these easy recipes will help you celebrate the long weekend with flavor and balance. Here you go!
Crowd-Pleasing, High-Protein Mains
Grilled Steak Satay Skewers with Creamy Peanut Curry Sauce
These steak skewers with peanut curry sauce are exactly what you need for your Labor Day Weekend BBQ. Marinated in coconut milk, lime juice, red curry, and warming spices, the flank steak becomes tender and infused with the best flavors. Plus, the rich peanut curry dipping sauce adds a nutty, spicy, and slightly tangy contrast that perfectly complements the smoky grilled beef. Drool-worthy, if you ask me! Serve over jasmine rice with fresh cucumbers, or as an app with just the skewers and sauce.
Smoky BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad
A high-protein, gluten-free pasta salad that’s loaded with fresh veggies, grilled corn, black beans and a homemade, creamy BBQ lime dressing is pretty much guaranteed to impress everyone at your weekend gathering. It’s the perfect balance of sweet, smoky, and tangy, making it one of those healthy Labor Day recipes you’ll make for so many summers to come. This is another one of those recipes you can totally serve as a main, or side dish (we love versatility).
Kofta Burgers
It wouldn’t be a Labor Day menu without at least one burger option. And these Kofta Burgers are the juiciest, most delicious reason to fire up the grill any and every day. Seasoned to perfection, packed with protein and flavor, and served with a delish homemade tzatziki—they’re insanely good. Try serving them with my Greek Feta Fries for a full Mediterranean style meal.
Crunchy Grilled Chicken Greek Salad with Roasted Potatoes
I’m always looking for more grilled chicken recipes, and this one came together on a whim with leftovers from my fridge and pantry. And it turned out insanely good. It’s crunchy perfection, packed with flavor, and hearty enough to stand alone as a main meal thanks to the roasted potatoes (the best part!). But it also makes for a fresh, colorful side salad too!
Fresh & Flavorful Side Dishes
Grilled Pesto Zucchini with Goat Cheese & Pine Nuts
When zucchini and fresh basil are both at their peak, this recipe has to be on your summer menu. Tender, charred zucchini gets tossed in a bright, nutty homemade basil pesto, then finished with toasted pine nuts and creamy goat cheese for the ultimate crowd-pleasing side dish. It’s easy to make and also works well served with grilled flank steak and rice.
High-Protein Hummus
This hummus recipe is a total vibe. It’s perfect for snacks, parties, or anytime you want a bright and fun dish that tastes just as good as it looks. The best part about it? It comes together in just 10 minutes. Homemade with chickpeas, cottage cheese, and tahini, and loaded with fresh toppings, it’ll have everyone asking you for the recipe.
Grilled Elote Pasta Salad with Jalapeño Green Sauce and Bacon
This is one of those side dishes that screams summer—and tastes incredible. Salty bacon, sweet charred corn, and a (slightly) spicy jalapeño green sauce? It’s unreal how good this one is! It’s nutrient-rich yet packs in so much freshness and flavor. It pairs perfectly alongside your favorite grilled protein, or can be enjoyed as a snack. (If there are any leftovers, that is!)
Better-For-You Summer Desserts
Grilled Peaches and Cream with Pecan Crumble (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
This is one of my favorite easy summer desserts. In true RGE fashion, it’s a gluten-free, dairy-free dessert that is truly chef’s kiss. There’s just nothing better than grilling stone fruit in the summer. And these grilled peaches topped with a simple maple and nut crumble make for the perfect after-dinner treat. It’s literally all the best parts of a peach cobbler, but with way less fuss. An ideal healthy Labor Day recipe, if you ask me!
(But don’t worry, I’ve got you with my full Paleo Peach Cobbler recipe, if that’s what you prefer!)
Strawberry Shortcake Trifles (Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free)
If you’ve ever had one of those soft shortcakes from the grocery store produce section—loaded up with fresh strawberries and whipped cream—this recipe is for you. These Strawberry Shortcake Trifles are a light, summery spin on the classic dessert, made gluten-free and dairy-free so everyone can enjoy.
S’mores Blondies (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
These blondies are chewy, gooey, and packed with dark chocolate, crunchy cinnamon cookies, and toasty mini marshmallows. If you love classic s’mores, this recipe will quickly become your new go-to for a slightly more nutritious take that doesn’t skimp on that nostalgic flavor. A gluten-free, dairy-free treat that’s perfect to celebrate the unofficial end of summer with.
Option to also try my S’mores Cookie Skillet, or this cookie cups version.
Hope you guys have the best weekend! And don’t forget to tag me @rachaelsgoodeats on IG if you make any of these — I love seeing your recreations.
Find more summer cooking links here:
4th of July Hosting Essentials // Summer Grilling Essentials // my Summer Grill Guide
For all my go-to kitchen and cooking essentials (& more!), shop my Amazon Storefront.
