25 Of Grandma's Most-Requested Labor Day Recipes

Grandma knows best.

Squash Casserole
Photo: Aaron Kirk; Prop Styling: Sarah-Elizabeth Cleveland; Food Styling: Julia Levy

When planning the menu for a Labor Day gathering, Grandma knows what dishes should be on the table. We're talking all the classics like baked beans, deviled eggs, blackberry cobbler, and more. Plus, it's one last gathering to make the most of summer's best produce like tomatoes, corn, peaches, and blackberries.

01 of 25

Homemade Baked Beans

Southern Living Homemade Baked Beans in the dish ready to serve

Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman

Homemade baked beans are a staple side dish at any cookout. This version starts with canned pork and beans as a shortcut, however you can start with dried beans if desired.

02 of 25

Classic Baked Macaroni And Cheese

Southern Living Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese in the dish to serve with a serving scooped out

Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman

We know Grandma would never show up with a mac and cheese that's not made from scratch. With a recipe this simple, there's no need to buy the boxed version.

03 of 25

Classic Deviled Eggs

Classic Deviled Eggs

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

In our opinion, deviled eggs belong at every gathering so you can't go wrong bringing them to the potluck. Whether they're served as an appetizer or a side dish, we guarantee a few will disappear as soon as you set them out on the platter.

04 of 25

Luscious Lemon Bars

Southern Living Luscious Lemon Bars cut and ready to serve

Fred Hardy; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke

If you need a dessert to bring to the holiday potluck, lemon bars are a great choice because they're easy to transport. This recipe makes 2 dozen bars so there is sure to be enough for your Labor Day crowd.

05 of 25

Heirloom Tomato Pie

Southern Living Heirloom Tomato Pie finished in the pan and ready to serve

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Whether you make homemade dough or buy a store-bought one, you can't go wrong serving this tomato pie.

06 of 25

7- Layer Salad

Southern Living 7-Layer Salad in a bowl to serve with serving spoons beside

Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke

This layered salad is equally as impressive as it is delicious. Plus, it can be made one day ahead of time, just reserve the dressing and parmesan to add just before serving.

07 of 25

Cast-Iron Skillet Burgers

Cast-Iron Skillet Burgers
photographer: Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

Burgers are sure to taste even better when they're cooked up in Grandma's cast-iron skillet.

08 of 25

Best- Ever Succotash

a pan of best-ever succotash
Photographer: Jen Causey, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

This recipe can easily be doubled and travels well if you need a dish that can be easily transported to the cookout.

09 of 25

Peach Chiffon Pie

Peach Chiffon Pie with peach slices on top and peach plate with forks

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Made by West Virginia native Jennifer Garner and her mom every summer, this chiffon pie recipe originally appeared in the pages of our 1989 annual recipe cookbook.

10 of 25

Oven-Roasted Corn On The Cob

Oven Roasted Corn on the Cobb
Photographer: Fred Hardy II, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Props Stylist: Christina Brockman

Just a handful of ingredients are needed for this recipe because in-season corn is delicious on its own.

11 of 25

Chocolate Delight

Ouida’s Chocolate Delight

Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

This dessert is known by over 100 names, but no matter what you call it we can assure you it'll be everyone's favorite dish at the Labor Day cookout.

12 of 25

Easy Squash Casserole

Squash Casserole
Aaron Kirk; Prop Styling: Sarah-Elizabeth Cleveland; Food Styling: Julia Levy

Fresh summer squash is the star of this classic side dish. Everyone will eat their vegetables when they're served in a cheesy casserole, including the kids.

13 of 25

Classic Potato Salad

Classic Potato Salad Southern Living

Fred Hardy; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood

Grandma knows that classic Southern potato salad should include two things: hard-boiled eggs and sweet pickle relish. Other ingredients can be skipped or added to adapt to your taste.

14 of 25

Easy Blackberry Cobbler

easy blackberry cobbler in a white baking dish

Hannah Zimmerman

Four cups of fresh blackberries are the true star of this easy cobbler recipe. If you have other fresh fruit on hand like raspberries, blueberries, or pitted cherries, you can use those as well.

15 of 25

Basic Pimiento Cheese

Basic Pimiento Cheese
Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Our Basic Pimiento Cheese is made with just a handful of ingredients, most importantly cheese that you shred yourself just like Grandma does.

16 of 25

Corn Pudding Casserole

Corn Pudding Casserole
Courtney West

When it's cooked during the summer, this casserole can be made with fresh corn instead of frozen.

17 of 25

Baked BBQ Chicken

Baked BBQ Chicken

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Homemade BBQ sauce and onions add layers of flavor to baked chicken while broiling the chicken just before removing it from the oven gives it a nice char.

18 of 25

Ranch Potato Salad

Southern Living Ranch Potato Salad in a bowl to serve

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

This potato salad recipe is made with homemade ranch dressing instead of bottled ranch dressing, just like Grandma does.

19 of 25

Peach Dump Cake

Peach Dump Cake
Micah A. Leal

As the name implies, the ingredients for this cake are simply dumped into a pan and baked until the top is golden brown in color.

20 of 25

Texas Caviar

texas caviar in a bowl

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

There's always at least one dip on the menu at summer cookouts, and there's a good chance this classic no-cook dip will make an appearance. Italian dressing is used to dress fresh veggies that can be scooped up with tortilla chips.

21 of 25

Classic Coleslaw

coleslaw in a bowl with a wooden spoon

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Making classic coleslaw from scratch is actually easy to make. Once you see how Grandma makes it, you may never buy the bagged stuff again.

22 of 25

Slow Cooker Barbecue Pork

Slow-Cooker Barbecue Pork
Jennifer Davick

Grandma knows that using a slow cooker is the easiest way to cook pork so it's tender enough to shred with a fork. Guests can enjoy it on sandwiches, on a potato, or even by itself.

23 of 25

Zucchini, Squash, and Corn Casserole

Zucchini, Squash, and Corn Casserole
Photo: Hector Sanchez

Three fresh summer vegetables come together in this casserole to make one delicious dish.

24 of 25

Classic Fresh Field Peas

Classic Fresh Field Peas
Photo: Iain Bagwell

This Southern summer specialty takes a few hours to make because of the time the ham hocks are simmered, but Grandma knows it's worth the time.

25 of 25

Macaroni Salad

Southern Living Macaroni Salad in a bowl to serve topped with scallions

Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel

Say farewell to summer with the potluck MVP. While we love our potato salad and coleslaw, this creamy macaroni salad is Grandma's specialty.

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