50+ Camping Labor Day Recipes (That’ll Have Them Begging For More!)
We’ve got tons of ideas for your menu with awesome camping Labor Day recipes whether you are cooking using a grill, Dutch oven or want no-cook options to feed a small group or a crowd!
The Labor Day holiday weekend is the last big bash of the summer which means easy trip planning and camping food are absolutely necessary.
Over 50 Labor Day Holiday Recipes For Your Camp Trip
We’ve organized our Labor Day Holiday camping recipes by cooking method.
You’ll find grilling recipes first, camp stove meals second, Dutch oven recipes next, followed by make-ahead and no-cook options and finishing with drinks and desserts!
Grilled Camping Recipes
One of the most popular American past-times on Labor Day is creating huge feasts on the grill.
Here are a few of our favorite camping recipes that can be made on a charcoal grill, propane gas grill or even over a campfire.
Strawberry Basil Bruschetta
Before the summer is officially over, try this amazingly easy, almost-gourmet appetizer that uses fresh strawberries and basil to create a fabulous and sophisticated flavor.
Grilled Flat Iron Steak
A simple marinade makes flat iron steak a big treat for campsite dinners. It only takes 5 minutes to prep and 8 minutes to cook the steak but you’ll need extra time for the marinade to do its magic. Go for a long hike and let the ingredients do the work while you explore the great outdoors!
Grilled Potato Wedges
Serve these yummy “french fries” with a simple burger and you’ll be a hero on your Labor Day camping trip! They are delicious served plain but even better with the Chipotle Mayonnaise dipping sauce on the side!
Chicken Shish Kabobs
I absolutely LOVE this easy recipe! It can be made over a campfire or using a charcoal grill. But, a propane grill works well too! Recipes that can easily transition to different cooking methods makes menu planning simple in the event of weather changes or even the problem of last-minute fire restrictions that prohibit open-flame cooking.
Grilled Halibut
Fish is the perfect choice if you want food that requires little prep and cooks quickly. The soy and garlic combination in this recipe tastes AMAZING … and … it’s healthy too!
Grilled Flatbread With Prosciutto, Charred Tomatoes, Fresh Mozzarella And Basil
Using slightly fancy ingredients that are readily available give this meal a TON of flavor with very little work. A quick char of the flatbread and tomatoes is all the grilling you’ll need to do to have this recipe on your table.
Grilled Greek Pita Sandwich Recipe
Tzatziki sauce, Kalamata olives and feta cheese provide tons of flavor to these hearty sandwiches.
Camp Stove Recipes
If you are camping during a time of fire restrictions or you just don’t want to deal with campfires or charcoal, these camp stove recipes are just what you need!
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Best Diablo Sandwich Recipe
This yummy Tex-Mex style BBQ sandwich is sweet and spicy. It’s a fantastic dinner when you need a quick prep & cook meal.
One-Pot Pork Chops With Vinegar Peppers And Potatoes
I’ve made this classic Italian comfort food easy for campsite cooking.
Cast Iron Skillet Chicken Breast Recipe
Ordinary chicken breasts are easily transformed into a dinner with a slight Mexican flare. Canned tomatoes, beans and corn provide protein, fiber and flavor while the fresh avocado and cilantro add a bright finish.
California-Style Camping Breakfast Burritos With Avocado, Eggs & Chorizo
You can be in the Midwest or on the East Coast and still enjoy this California breakfast burrito! It is loaded with eggs, potatoes, chorizo sausage, black beans, cilantro and avocado all served in a tortilla. We call that a “walkable feast” in my family!
One Pot Cast Iron Fish
If you enjoy Spanish flavor influences, you’ve gotta try this one pot fish dinner! Don’t let the ingredient list scare you … it looks long but it really isn’t. It’s just a combination of dried spices that are easy to mix at home and provide a crazy amount of flavor for you at the campsite!
Hobo Eggs
If you like complicated recipes, keep scrolling! If you want a ridiculously simple & surprisingly delicious breakfast put these 3-ingredient hobo eggs on your menu! The buttery grilled bread is what makes this simple recipe taste so good!
One Pot Spaghetti Camping Recipe
Did you know you can cook spaghetti right in the sauce … no boiling water is required! This simple dinner will be on your table in about 30 minutes and will satisfy the entire family!
Pastrami Reuben Sandwich
Grilled lunchmeat sandwiches are awesome for dinner. Slap a little butter on the bread and toast it in a skillet … and … you have dinner instead of a plain old lunch sandwich. Serve it with a side of coleslaw and a few pickles for a complete meal.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Camp Stove Pancakes
You will not believe how delicious just-add-water pancakes can be until you try these chocolate chip pancakes! The simple peanut butter topping is waaaaay better than a standard syrup! Kids and adults love this recipe!
Breakfast Camping Burrito Bowls
Trying to reduce carbs without sacrificing flavor? Try these breakfast burrito bowls. The eggs, cheese, black beans, avocado and prepared salsa make a quick and satisfying breakfast.
Get more simple camp stove recipes for your holiday menu!
Dutch Oven Camping Recipes
So many campers would rather prepare meals cooked in a Dutch oven than any other type of gear! Here are a few of our most popular Dutch oven meals.
Dutch Oven Chili Mac
This chili mac is one of my favorite easy camping meals for large groups. This one-pot dinner uses inexpensive meat that is stretched by adding beans and macaroni. It is a real crowd pleaser that is easy to scale and won’t break the bank!
Dutch Oven Beef Sandwiches
You only need 3 ingredients to make these delicious beef sandwiches … and that includes the buns! The slow-cooked beef roast is fork tender with a bit of tang from the mild peppers in this satisfying dinner.
Campfire Dutch Oven Chili Recipe
As the end of summer draws near, you may experience cold weather during your Labor Day camping trips, so, you may want to add one of the most popular winter camping recipes to your menu … campfire chili!
Dutch Oven Pork Chops Campfire Recipe
These pork chops have a flavor profile that is slightly sweet and salty that comes from cider vinegar and brown sugar. I like serving them with rustic mashed potatoes and fresh green beans.
Campfire Stew
It will only take you 15 minutes to prep this recipe but that is not why it is WILDLY POPULAR! The fork-tender beef has a phenomenal flavor that comes from the simple ingredients as it simmers with the carrots and potatoes to make one fantastic beef stew.
Dutch Oven Campfire Goulash
This goulash is a good, old-fashioned comfort food. My family asks me to make this recipe all the time. So, if you have the same kind of eaters in your clan, try this meal and sit back as they sing your praises!
Camp Chef Dutch Oven Carry Bag
See all of our yummy Dutch oven camping recipes! And, don’t forget to pack your Dutch oven accessories!
Dutch Oven Temperature Control
If you are cooking with your Dutch oven and need to maintain a specific temperature … we’ve got tips for you! Learn how to manage your heat and master the art of Dutch oven temperature control with these simple methods!
Make-Ahead Camping Meals
If you want to “dump and cook” or “dump and re-heat” your Labor Day camping meals, here are some of our favorites.
Dutch Oven Thai Campfire Chicken
Thai flavors are not really common on most camp menus so if you want to try one … this is it! You can prep this entire meal at home and freeze it well before your trip. Then, just defrost, dump and cook at the campsite. The coconut milk and peanut butter are the stars of the show!
Greek Tomato And Feta Pasta Salad Camping Recipe
I love make-ahead pasta salads! They actually taste better after they sit for a day or two. They are not too fragile for transportation. This makes a great side dish but you can add a protein, like grilled chicken, to create a yummy cold main dish too.
Potato Salad With Bacon And Chives Make Ahead Camping Recipe
Anytime I need to bring something to a potluck, I bring this potato salad. It gets rave reviews every single time. And really, it is no surprise because bacon makes everything taste better! At the campsite, it really dresses up an ordinary meal of hamburgers and hot dogs.
Caramel Nut Brownies Camping Recipe
Be careful, these brownies are hard to stop eating! They are the perfect make-ahead dessert because you can cut them and freeze them as individual servings. Then, just take as many pieces as you need for your trip. Alternatively, you can make the entire batch right in your camp Dutch oven.
Rubbermaid Easy Find Lids Food Storage Containers
Get more ideas for convenient make ahead camping meals! When you are preparing your meals at home, use food storage containers with tight-fitting lids to transport your meals to the campsite without making a mess!
No Cook Camping Meals
If you want to avoid cooking … you can … without sacrificing a delicious meal. Here are some awesome options.
Refrigerator Cucumber Salad
You’ve gotta love salads you can make days (or even weeks) in advance so they’re ready to serve when you get to camp.
Easy No Cook Healthy Southwest Camping Salad Recipe
This crazy-popular cold salad is the perfect side dish for grilled meat. And, if you have leftovers, you can roll it up into tortillas for a meatless main course.
Basil And Prosciutto Sandwich Camp Recipe
This simple sandwich tastes so fancy because of the ciabatta rolls, fresh mozzarella and basil leaves. When you use really fresh ingredients you don’t need to use lots of them to make a delicious meal.
Panzanella Salad No Cook Camping Recipe
My husband does not think a meal is complete if it doesn’t contain meat. But, this panzanella salad is so hearty and flavorful you really don’t need anything else added to it. It’ll take you about 20 minutes to chop the ingredients but when you’re done … dinner is served!
Fruit And Nut Peanut Butter Stuffed Tortilla
Spread some peanut butter on a tortilla then add a fresh banana, dried fruit and nuts and you have a protein-rich, high-fiber, flavor-packed meal. This is a perfect breakfast, snack or dessert you can eat at the campsite or on the trail!
Chicken Parmesan Wrap Recipe
I like piling salad ingredients on a tortilla and making a portable meal that has the meat and veggies all in one neat little wrap. This chicken parmesan wrap is a quick lunch that is perfect to make on travel days when you don’t have a lot of time to prep, cook or clean.
Find more exciting no cook camping meals for your menu! No cook meals still need equipment for chopping, slicing and serving so don’t forget to pack those items.
Camping Cocktail Drink Recipes
Labor Day camping usually means warm weather so plan on a few refreshing cold drinks. Many of our cocktails can be made with or without alcohol … bottoms up!
Mint-Kissed Lemontini Camping Cocktail Recipe
Kids and adults love this freshly squeezed, refreshing lemonade with a touch of mint. For adults who want an alcoholic version, just add a shot of vodka.
Mochatini Camping Cocktail Recipe
This Mochatini is a smooth and boozy cocktail that is the perfect after-dinner drink. If the kids want something similar, try my Chocolate Covered Almond Mocha On The Rocks that is better than your favorite coffee house’s version!
Cucumber Lemonade Chiller
If you like super-refreshing summertime drinks, try this Cucumber Lemonade Chiller! We usually serve it with vodka but you can easily omit that ingredient to make an alcohol-free version too.
Try all of our camping drinks! Don’t forget to pack your camp bar accessories!
Camping Dessert Recipes
Camping Smores Dutch Oven Brownies
These Smores Brownies are a fun and tasty alternative to the classic campfire treat. They are really yummy when served slightly warm … if you want to get really crazy, add a scoop of ice cream too.
Grilled Pound Cake With Berries
Did you ever butter then grill store-bought pound cake? No, you really should! Fresh berries, mascarpone cheese and powdered sugar are the perfect topping for this patriotic, colored dessert.
Chocolate Lava Dutch Oven Cakes
You might think you are sitting in a 5-star restaurant when you try these Chocolate Lava Cakes! They are so luscious it is hard to believe they are so easy to make at the campsite!
Dutch Oven Blueberry Cobbler
This delicious dessert is made with fresh blueberries that are complimented with orange juice then topped with a simple crumb topping.
Dutch Oven Pineapple Upside Down Cake
This classic campfire dessert is easy to make and starts with a boxed mix.
Dutch Oven Apple Dump Cake
If you want a ridiculously easy dessert try this dump cake. It’s not gourmet but it is a sweet ending for your campsite meals.
Cinnamon Cupcakes
Yummy cupcakes have an irregular “rustic” shape when baked directly in a Dutch oven without a cupcake pan. The taste overcomes the odd-shaped sweet treats.
Campfire Smores Recipes: 10 Mouth-Watering Smore Variations
You can always serve the classic campfire dessert … but … if you do, you may want to try some new and exciting versions too. “Tropical Therapy” is my personal favorite! Here are more camping dessert recipes that make the perfect ending to your meals!
Awesome food is a huge part of a Labor Day celebration but there is more planning to do. Our Labor Day camping tips will help you plan your entire trip so you can enjoy the last big bash of summer!
What do you think?
Leave me a comment, question or suggestion below. I’d love to hear from you so let’s chat.