Can you believe it’s almost Labor Day? It feels like summer just started and already there is talk of back-to-school and autumn leaves. Well, before we say goodbye to summer, let’s make sure we have a Labor Day celebration filled with fun and yummy food.
Labor Day, the first Monday in September, was created by the labor movement. The holiday is dedicated to the contributions American workers have made to the well-being of this country, both social and economic. The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated in 1882 in New York City with a parade.
Today we tend to mark the holiday by acknowledging the end of summer and our last weekend to enjoy summer barbecues, cook-outs, and get-togethers. No matter what kind of Labor Day bash you’re planning – a pool party, a barbecue, or just a small dinner with friends and family – we have the recipes to make your holiday mouthwatering and delicious.
Everyone loves appetizers. Be the Life of the Party With These 20 Vegan Appetizers. Take a look at these 15 Vegan Cookout Recipes for Labor Day, Fire Up the Grill With These 15 Savory and Saucy Vegan BBQ Dishes, and Get Out The Grill! 10 Meatless Main Dishes to Celebrate Labor Day. Need new ideas for side dishes? Check out these Scrumptious, Shareable Vegan Sides for Labor Day. Of course, desserts are always on the menu. If it’s still too hot to turn on the oven, don’t worry. We have 10 Fresh and Delicious No-Bake Pies, 10 No-Bake Raw Vegan Cakes, and Desserts for Your Labor Day Bash That Require No Cooking!
Need even more recipes? No problem. We’ve got you covered with recipes for appetizers, entrees, sides, desserts, and beverages. So sit back, relax, and let us help you plan your last weekend of summer with these 50 awesome vegan recipes that celebrate the best of summer.
1. BBQ Pulled Veggie Sandwiches
These BBQ Pulled Veggie Sandwiches have thinly sliced veggies tossed in tangy BBQ sauce and piled on a soft bun. Bring a tray of these playful sandwiches to your last summer shindig and have fun watching them all disappear!
2. Margherita Pizza With Fresh Basil Pesto and Mozzarella
This Margherita Pizza tastes like Italian summer in your mouth! The crunchy yet chewy crust is topped with tomato sauce, thinly sliced tomatoes, homemade vegan mozzarella, and fresh-from-the-garden basil pesto. It is creamy, chewy, fresh, and most of all….delicious!
Get the Summer Cookbook!
SUMMER: Stunning Plant-Based Recipes to Enjoy All Season When the Sun’s Out is the only cookbook you need this summer! This cookbook will be your savior this summer. You can now enjoy your mouth-watering meals without spending hours prepping in a hot kitchen. With 75 plant-based, refreshing recipes featuring classic summer flavors, this will be your guide to breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner, with some cooling indulgences! You’ll also find plenty of BBQ and grill recipes that are guaranteed to impress everyone at your next summer barbeque outing! This cookbook features recipes like BBQ Chickpea Sliders with Pineapple Slaw, Watermelon Salad with Fried Tofu and Basil-Lime Dressing, Dragon Fruit Lemonade Frappé, and a Nectarine and Mango Summer Tart that will make your summer a memorable one!
3. Cucumber Hummus Canapé
Did you know hummus just happens to be heaven on some cucumber? Everyone will love this Cucumber Hummus Canapé. Bring these to your next potluck or barbecue and they are guaranteed to be a hit.
4. Summer Squash Spice Cake
If you are lucky enough to have a garden full of summer veggies that you don’t know what to do with, this Summer Squash Spice Cake is the recipe for you! Shredded yellow squash and zucchini give this irresistible spice cake a moist texture and natural sweetness. The fluffy maple vanilla frosting takes it to the next level!
5. Portobello Mushroom Burgers
Are you looking to spice up your grilling game? What better option than Portobello Mushroom Burgers to eat on a gorgeous summer night? Gluten-free and all veggies, this is a great recipe to impress the company – simple and very few ingredients that create a beautiful dish.
6. Kale Caesar Pasta Salad
Everyone loves Caesar salads so why not make this new and improved vegan-friendly version? This Kale Caesar Pasta Salad is a new twist on the classic with a hemp-based Caesar dressing.
7. Strawberry Wine Cupcakes
These Strawberry Wine Cupcakes are perfect for using up all of those fresh summertime strawberries. The cakes are vanilla marbled with strawberry wine compote. The frosting is a soft, fluffy buttercream that’s flavored only with the wine. The wine cuts the sweetness a little, giving the frosting a slight tang.
8. Chili Sin Carne Cornbread Pie
Chili is the perfect potluck, get-together dish. But this Chili Sin Carne has a little something extra. Not only is it vegan but it’s topped with a warm cornbread, which can be made gluten-free if needed. You can skip the dippin’ because it’s already there for you.
9. Black Pepper Burgers
These Black Pepper Burgers are amazing and pack a real punch! They consist of a patty made out of lentils, chickpeas, and carrots and are topped off with a fiery black pepper sauce and Dijon mayonnaise.
10. Cheezy Polenta Bruschetta
These Polenta Bruschetta with guacamole and mint salsa are so good that they will have your guests snooping around the kitchen for more. Using polenta in place of bread is a delicious and interesting spin on this classic, crowd-pleasing appetizer.
11. No Bake Peanut Butter Cheesecake
While this No Bake Peanut Butter Cheesecake tastes and seems like a naughty indulgence, it is a healthy and hearty treat that you can eat guilt-free! It nurtures your body while appearing to be a luscious escape. Creamy peanut butter filling with a chocolaty crust, topped with chocolate chips and coconut for a little added texture….mmmm…
12. Roasted Summer Veggie Gratin
The best of any summer recipe is all the ripe, bright flavors melding together. This Roasted Summer Veggie Gratin has lots of summer veggies baked with a crunchy breadcrumb topping.
13. Carrot Dogs
These look and taste so much like hot dogs, no one will believe they are Carrot Dogs. This is a great way to enjoy a summer classic without soy, gluten, or any ingredients other than what you put in the marinade.
14. Easy Chocolate Tart
This Chocolate Tart might be one of the easiest vegan chocolate desserts you can make. All you need is a food processor and fridge and eight ingredients. Then stand back and watch everyone devour it.
15. Tofu-Tomato Salad
During the summer you see lots of tomato-mozzarella salads that aren’t vegan. However, that doesn’t mean vegans can’t enjoy those same flavors. In this Tofu-Tomato Salad, marinated tofu slices stand in for the mozzarella. It’s perfect for BBQs and parties.
16. Healthy Piña Colada (Hallelujah!)
If you like Pina Coladas…and getting caught in the rain…then you need to make this Healthy Pina Colada. Say no to pre-made mixes and make this a much tastier drink. It’s a perfect way to cool off during a hot summer weekend.
17. Black Bean Hemp Burgers
These Black Bean Hemp Burgers are perfect for your summer cookout or party. They’re filled with healthy ingredients that will keep you energized through softball, swimming, and dancing. Serve them with bread, in a leaf, or on their own.
18. Simple Summer Macaroni Salad
While the black bean burgers and the veggie kabobs get all the attention, it’s the side salads, appetizers, dips, and chips that rake the party. This Simple Summer Macaroni Salad is easy and creamy. It’s going to steal the spotlight.
19. Frozen Summer Mint Slice
This Frozen Summer Mint Slice is a perfect, quick dessert you can make at home to share with your friends for your BBQ or potluck this weekend. Or you could just eat it all by yourself because, with the combination of mint and chocolate, you may not want to share.
20. Buffalo BBQ Chicken
Put two favorite flavors together to make one fantastic, knock-your-socks-off dish. This Vegan Buffalo BBQ Chicken combines BBQ sauce and Buffalo sauce for a dish that’s spicy, smoky, and decadent.
21. Off The Grill Cupcakes With Gummy Kebabs
You can’t have a barbecue without these adorable Off Grill Cupcakes with Gummy Kebabs. Melted chocolate makes the “grill” on top of the frosting while gummy candies look like grilled fruit skewers.
22. BBQ Jackfruit
This BBQ Jackfruit may look and taste similar to meat but it’s a fruit! Use your favorite BBQ sauce and make this in the slow cooker until it’s falling apart delicious
23. Sweet and Spicy Salsa
This Sweet and Spicy Salsa is both tasty and satisfying. The blend of sweet with spicy is just the perfect combo to liven up your next party!
24. Buffalo Cauliflower Dip
Every single person at your party will love this tangy Buffalo Cauliflower Dip. You should make a giant batch of it because everyone will want to dip their celery, crackers, veggies, and fingers… in the spicy, buffalo dip with a creamy blue cheese dressing layer.
25. Double Black Bean Tofu Cheeseburgers
These Double Black Bean Tofu Cheeseburgers are so good. They have a “beefy” flavor with a crispy texture on the outside and tender deliciousness inside.
26. Southwest Smoky Rolled Tacos
Tacos are the perfect party food. They’re made up of delicious, versatile, and interesting ingredients and come in an edible wrapper. These Southwest Smoky Rolled Tacos, also known as taquitos or flautas, contain protein-rich black beans and homemade smoky cream, and fiber-rich nopales.
27. Almost Raw Ice Cream Sandwiches
These Ice Cream Sandwiches will be a big hit, helping people cool off in the summer heat. These cuties are gluten-free, dairy free, and almost 100% raw. Enjoy them with all your guests but be sure you grab yours before they’re all gone.
28. Roasted Sweet Potato Salad With Homemade Almond Feta
Change up the usual potato salad and serve this Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Homemade Almond Feta. It’s so delicious, it doesn’t require any dressing but you can top this salad with any dressing of your choice.
29. Chipotle Gazpacho
Soup may not be on your usual list of summer cookout dishes but this Chipotle Gazpacho should be. It combines all the tastiest vegetables summer has to offer and since this soup is served ice cold, there is no need to turn on your oven in the hot weather. Serve it in shot glasses for easy, utensil-free sipping.
30. Sundried Tomato, Basil, and Kalamata Olive ‘Ricotta’ Spread
Flavorful and bright, basil makes any dish more special and this creamy Sundried Tomato, Basil and Kalamata Olive ‘Ricotta’ Spread is no exception. Bright, savory, and salty, this spread will be the life of your party.
31. No-Bake Strawberry Cream Pie
Strawberries and coconut cream are a match made in heaven. It takes only a few ingredients to make this beautiful creation – Strawberry Cream Pie. Super easy, super healthy, and super delicious.
32. Quinoa Power Salad With Lemon Vinaigrette
Packed with protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and all of the essential amino acids, this Quinoa “Power” Salad is perfect served as an entrée or a side dish. As delicious as it is served warm and fresh, this dish is even more flavorful and served cold, which makes it an excellent choice to prepare ahead and bring to get-togethers!
33. Veggie Ceviche With Dill
Traditionally, ceviche is a cold dish featuring seafood with lime and cilantro to accent it. But who says traditional is always better? This Veggie Ceviche features steamed cauliflower instead of seafood, fresh, bright grapefruit, and lime for a citrus kick, and delicate, summery dill instead of cilantro. The result is flavorful, light, and completely satisfying for light hors d’oeuvres at your gathering.
34. Blueberry Pie Ice Cream
Pie? Ice cream? Pie in ice cream?! This Blueberry Pie Ice Cream is the kind of stuff dreams are made of. Serve this at your party in dishes or cones and watch your best dessert dream come true.
35. Chili Lime Lentil Tacos With Spicy Grilled Pineapple Salsa
Everyone likes tacos but they will love these Chili Lime Lentil Tacos. The spicy lentils are amazing and perfectly balanced by the spicy and tangy grilled pineapple salsa.
36. Papaya Coladas
Extra thick, ice-cold, and creamy, this papaya twist on pina colada is a refreshing, vitamin-packed drink. Enjoy these Papaya Coladas with some rum for a tropical party co*cktail.
37. Coconut Ice Cream Cheesecake With Lime and Avocado
This Coconut Ice Cream Cheesecake with Lime and Avocado is dense and rich and delicious. The lime, nuts, and avocado blend so well with the sweetness of the agave, the dates, and the coconut. Top it off with fresh strawberries – real food love and a perfect dessert for your Labor Day bash.
38. Grilled Seitan Kebabs With Creole Coconut Sauce
Fire up the grill with these Grilled Seitan Kebabs. Seasoned with a Creole spice mix, these are packed with flavor. The Creole coconut sauce is rich, creamy, and amazing.
39. Zucchini Chickpea Burger
Great burgers can be light and filled with healthy veggies. These Zucchini Chickpea Burgers are the proof. Filled with the best summer veggies, these burgers are perfect for your cookout.
40. Simple Basil Citrus Salad With Balsamic Jam Dressing
This Simple Citrus Salad is like no fruit salad you’ve ever had. Dressed with balsamic jam and flavored with fresh basil, this fruit salad is perfect for your outdoor summer party.
41. Artichoke Sunflower Burgers
Change up your usual veggie burgers with these Artichoke Sunflower Burgers. If you like artichokes, you will love these burgers. If you think you don’t like artichokes, these burgers will change your mind.
42. Rustic Pesto and Heirloom Tomato Tart
You’ll want to clear off a big section of your serving table because this Rustic Pesto and Heirloom Tomato Tart deserves to be the centerpiece. With its beautifully colored heirloom tomatoes, this delicious tart is a work of art. It’s almost too pretty to eat…almost.
43. Peach Ginger Sangria
What’s a party without sangria? This Peach Ginger Sangria is super simple and perfect for a hot outdoor cookout. Light, crisp, and just a little bubbly, this is a classic party beverage.
44. Beet and Quinoa Veggie Burgers
No summer cookout is complete without a red, juicy burger. These Beet and Quinoa Veggie Burgers are simply gorgeous with that vibrant reddish purple shining through. They have a slightly meaty texture that will make these your new favorite burgers.
45. Margarita Cupcakes With A Twist Of Lime
Sure you can serve Margaritas at your Labor Day party and you can also serve these Margarita Cupcakes. Lime is incorporated in a few ways: a little juice in the batter; some juice and zest in the syrup; and some zest in the frosting. Yum!
46. Low-Fat Vegan Pizza Hummus
Pizza and hummus become best buds in this incredibly delicious, bold-flavored dip. This Pizza Hummus is amazing with a spoon, on chips, on toast, or any other way you can think of. It is not only oil-free, making it healthier than most hummus recipes out there, it is wonderfully creamy and addictive.
47. Edamame Burger With Cilantro Wasabi Aioli
Fresh edamame and Asian vegetables are used to create a delicious green Edamame Burger served with a zesty cilantro-wasabi aioli. These unique and popular burgers are wholesome, easy to prepare, and they always get rave reviews.
48. Creamy Coconut Mango Pops (With a Boozy Version)
These Coconut Mango Chocolate Pops are creamy and full of coconut flavor. Dipped into a chocolate shell and topped with more coconut, these pops are super decadent, yet dairy free!! They only take a few simple ingredients, and we highly recommend trying the boozy version!
49. Mango Avocado Salsa
Sweet mango, creamy avocado, crunchy cucumber, and spicy jalapeno combine to make the most amazing dish that is bright and colorful, and packed with flavor. This Mango Avocado Salsa makes a great summer side dish or would be refreshing all on its own.
50. Sriracha Tempeh Sliders With Ranch Dressing
Tempeh makes the best little sliders. These Sriracha Tempeh Sliders are great for parties and lots of fun. The spicy Sriracha burgers are perfectly balanced by the homemade ranch dressing. Summer may be ending but there’s still plenty of sunshine and warm weather ahead. Enjoy your Labor Day weekend with fun, friends, and these awesome vegan recipes!
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