These 35 Vegan Labor Day Recipes will give you every dish you need for a successful holiday! Appetizers, side dishes, dishes for the grill, and desserts that are sure to please.
Labor Day is nature’s way of saying, “Peace out, summer! Bring on the pumpkin recipes.” Originally meant to celebrate the American worker, it’s become a way to bid adieu to the warm weather and celebrate uncle Fred putting away the speedo for the next nine months.
If you plan on hosting or attending one final potluck, gathering, or cookout this Labor Day weekend, arm yourself with one or many of these delicious vegan recipes. They’re all oil-free and dairy-free; a few are gluten-free; and, they all taste absolutely amazing!
Help your family “Fall 🍁” in love with veggies (see what I did there). This vegan Labor Day recipe roundup provides everything you need to create a menu that’s hearty and full of flavor. Here’s what you’ll find:
- Starters and appetizers: dip, chips, and hearty munchies
- Recipes for outdoors: picnics, barbecues, and cookouts
- Sandwiches & Burgers
- Summery sides
- Decadent dairy-free desserts
Appetizers
Finger foods and appetizers are the keys to keeping people happy at any party or gathering. Here is a delicious list of dips, chips, and anything else you could possibly need to get the party started.
Vegan Buffalo Tofu Wings
Vegan buffalo tofu wings are the perfect appetizer, game-day snack, or comfort food. Covered in a crunchy panko bread crumb mixture and then tossed in a hot and spicy buffalo sauce, they’re baked to crispy perfection and completely oil-free.
Ingredients: extra-firm tofu, non-dairy milk, panko breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, hot sauce
5 Ingredient Vegan Queso
Irresistibly creamy 5 Ingredient Vegan Queso will be the appetizer or snack of your dreams! Whip up this tasty Tex-Mex vegan cheese dip in just 10 minutes. All you need is a blender and 5 easy ingredients!
Ingredients: raw cashews, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, Ro-Tel tomatoes (no salt added)
Easy Vegan Black Bean Meatballs
Easy Vegan Black Bean Meatballs are a delicious plant-based alternative to regular meatballs. These hearty and savory veggie meatballs are perfect over pasta with marinara sauce, a party appetizer, or making an incredible vegan meatball sub. Low-fat, oil-free, and filling!
Ingredients: black beans, flax, breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, minced onion, garlic powder, ketchup, Worcestershire
Strawberry Salsa
This Strawberry Salsa from Eating by Elaine will blow your mind. It’s sweet, spicy, and salty all in one dish, and the addition of strawberries delights everyone who tries it. It’s filled with fresh produce and our favorite summer chip dip!
Ingredients: strawberries, cilantro, jalapeños, red onion, lime, maple syrup
The Best Vegan French Onion Dip Recipe
This Vegan French Onion Dip is so easy to make and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Made with homemade dry onion soup mix and creamy Cashew Sour Cream, it’s perfect for the holidays, gatherings, and snacking. Serve it with crackers, chips, or fresh veggies.
Ingredients: cashew sour cream, copycat Lipton onion soup mix, vegetarian Worcestershire
Boar’s Head Sweet Chili Garlic Hummus (Copycat)
This copycat Boar’s Head Sweet Chili Garlic Hummus recipe is totally irresistible. Sriracha, maple syrup, and garlic create the perfect combination of hot, tangy, and sweet! Oil-free, gluten-free, and vegan!
Ingredients: chickpeas, tahini, maple syrup, garlic, and sriracha
For the grill: BBQs and Cookouts
Just because you’re vegan doesn’t mean you can’t join in around the grill. Yes, people will likely make fun of your veggie burgers, seitan ribs, and carrot hot dogs. But, that just means more for you and you are under no obligation to share.
Vegan Carrot Hot Dogs
These Vegan Carrot Hot Dogs are THE perfect plant-based alternative to regular hot dogs! Healthy, LOW-FAT, easy, delicious, and great for a cookout.
Ingredients: carrots, marinade, spices
Easy Vegan BBQ Seitan Ribs
Easy Vegan BBQ Seitan Ribs are tender on the inside and crispy on the outside. Slathered in a homemade barbecue sauce, these ribs are sticky, succulent, meaty, and guaranteed to satisfy your vegan BBQ desires.
Crispy Blackened Tofu
These crispy Blackened Tofu steaks are marinated in soy sauce, coated in a spicy blackened seasoning, and then cooked to perfection. They’re hearty, delicious, and so easy to make!
Ingredients: extra-firm tofu, blackened seasoning
Barbecue Sweet Potato Chickpea Burgers (Vegan)
Barbecue Sweet Potato Chickpea Burgers are flavorful, healthy, and so easy to make! Great on a bun or eaten alone with avocado slices. Oil-free, gluten-free, and vegan.
Ingredients: chickpeas, sweet potato, spices, breadcrumbs
Vegan Portobello Steaks with Garlic Basil Aioli
Vegan Portobello Mushroom Steaks with Garlic Basil Aioli are so easy and the perfect main dish. Made with just 6 ingredients and ready in as little as 20 minutes from start to finish, this recipe is sure to be a favorite around the holiday table.
Easy Grilled Teriyaki Tofu Skewers
Quick and easy grilled teriyaki tofu skewers covered in a homemade teriyaki sauce and grilled to perfection. Healthy, vegan, and delicious!
Ingredients: extra-firm or super firm tofu, homemade teriyaki sauce
Easy Grilled Corn On The Cob (The Best!)
Grilled Corn On The Cob is a great summer side dish! It’s so easy to make and is ready in 10 minutes. Slather it with my vegan Cashew Mayo and a sprinkle of smoked paprika for amazing flavor.
Ingredients: fresh corn
The Easiest Vegan Black Bean Burgers
Looking for a quick and delicious plant-based burger you can throw together? These quick and easy vegan black bean burgers are simple, delicious, and healthy.
Ingredients: canned black beans, breadcrumbs, and spices
Sandwiches
Any of these delicious creations will make even the most ardent meat eater drool. These sandwiches are hearty, filling, and so freaking good!
Best Vegan Pulled Pork Sandwich (BBQ Jackfruit)
The BEST Vegan Pulled Pork Sandwich! Served on a toasted baguette and topped with creamy vegan coleslaw for an unbelievable meal. This jackfruit pulled pork recipe is so close to the real thing that it’s scary. Smoky, sweet, tender, and absolutely delicious!
Ingredients: jackfruit, bbq sauce, spices
Cajun Blackened Tofu Sandwich with Sriracha Coleslaw
Perfectly spiced Cajun blackened tofu and crunchy sriracha coleslaw smother a hearty whole-grain roll to make this amazing vegan sandwich. Spicy, filling, and loaded with delicious flavor!
Ingredients: extra-firm tofu, cajun seasoning, cashew mayo, red onion, tomato
Vegan Chickpea Salad Sandwich
A delicious vegan Chickpea Salad Sandwich. It’s loaded with protein; full of fiber; and, super hearty! No cooking and takes less than 10-minutes to prepare. Lunch…is served!
Ingredients: canned chickpeas, tahini, maple syrup, relish, dijon mustard, whole grain bread
TTLA Sandwich (Whole Foods Copycat Recipe)
The TTLA sandwich (Tempeh Bacon, Tomato, Lettuce, Avocado) is Whole Foods take on the classic BLT. This Whole Foods copycat recipe is so easy to make and the absolute best sandwich EVER!
Ingredients: tempeh bacon, lettuce, tomato, avocado, cashew mayo
Best Vegan BBQ Sandwich
The Best BBQ Sandwich is right here! It’s made with Butler Soy Curls & my Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce. Ready in 20 minutes, a great source of protein & fiber, and an awesome game day food.
Ingredients: soy curls, homemade bbq sauce, buns
Vegan BBQ Tempeh Sandwich with Creamy Kale Slaw
This Vegan BBQ Tempeh Sandwich is full of flavor and topped with creamy kale slaw. Healthy, meaty, so satisfying, and absolutely delicious! Guaranteed to please any meat-eater.
Ingredients: tempeh, bbq sauce, avocado, kale, red onion
Summery Side Dishes
If I’ve said it once I’ve said it a million times, I LOVE side dishes! And, I love making a meal out of them. Any one of these dishes would make a perfect side for your Labor Day party or potluck.
Refreshing Watermelon Salad with Tofu Feta and Cucumber
This refreshing Watermelon Cucumber Salad with tofu feta and fresh basil goes great with the summer heat. Healthy, easy, and vegan, it’s the perfect summer side dish.
Healthy Broccoli Cauliflower Salad (Vegan)
Healthy broccoli cauliflower salad that’s creamy and crunchy! Filled with red onion, apples, and carrots, and covered in a tangy-sweet cashew mayo dressing. Vegan, gluten-free, and oil-free!
Creamy Sriracha Coleslaw (Vegan, Oil-free)
Creamy sriracha coleslaw is made with a refreshingly spicy and tangy dressing. Vegan and oil-free, it’s perfect for veggie burgers, tacos, and crunchy salads. The perfect summer side dish!
The Best Vegan Baked Beans Recipe
This classic dish is the perfect addition to your summer cookout. These vegan baked beans are sweet, tangy, smoky, and ready in 30 minutes.
Vegan Pasta Salad
This vegan pasta salad recipe is perfect for picnics! A creamy, no-mayo tahini dressing coats curly noodles, summer veggies, and briny artichokes.
Ingredients: pasta, summer squash, cherry tomatoes, navy beans, red onion, olives, sunflower seeds, fresh herbs
The Best Vegan Macaroni Salad
The BEST Vegan Macaroni Salad is so easy to make and ready in less than 30 minutes. It’s loaded with crunchy veggies, a rich and creamy dressing, and is sure to please any crowd. The best cold pasta salad for summer picnics, cookouts, and gatherings.
The Best Classic Vegan Potato Salad (Oil-Free)
This classic vegan potato salad recipe is healthy and so easy to make! Made with creamy cashew mayo, it’s a must for any potluck or gathering. Gluten-free, dairy-free, and oil-free!
Quinoa Black Bean Salad
This Quinoa Black Bean Salad is super hearty. It’s perfect as a meal all by itself but goes nicely with the main course as well. Vegan, gluten free, loaded with protein, low-fat, and ready in 20 minutes!
Dairy-free Desserts
Gatherings are so much better when you can polish off a delicious meal with a sweet treat. These desserts are so yummy you’ll have a hard time convincing everyone they’re actually plant-based and healthy.
Best Vegan Blueberry Crisp (Easy, Gluten-Free)
The best Vegan Blueberry Crisp made with frozen blueberries and covered in a chewy, crunchy oat topping. Easy to make, gluten-free, and delicious. Perfect for breakfast or dessert.
The Best Vegan Carrot Cake
The absolute best vegan carrot cake recipe! Perfectly spiced and so easy to make, this cake is moist, dense, and topped with an amazing vegan cream cheese frosting made from cashews. Perfect for your Easter menu or anytime dessert, this vegan cake is completely oil-free and dairy-free!
Healthy Avocado Chocolate Pudding
This Avocado Chocolate Pudding is so easy to make, requires FIVE ingredients, and only 5 minutes. It’s rich, creamy, and incredibly decadent. You’ll never taste the avocado and its kid approved!
Healthy Vegan Chocolate Cake Pops
Dairy and refined sugar are a thing of the past with these vegan chocolate cake pops. The only thing left is pure guilt-free deliciousness. Gluten-free, plant-based, and easy to make.
Chocolate Banana Oatmeal Cookies (Vegan, Oil-Free)
Chocolate Banana Oatmeal Cookies are a healthy snack you can make in minutes. All you need are 4 wholesome ingredients and 1 bowl to make these deliciously simple treats. Vegan and oil-free.
Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies
These Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies are so easy to make with just 1 bowl 3 ingredients. They’re soft, crumbly, and melt in your mouth delicious. Ready in less than 15 minutes.
No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie
Easy Vegan No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie. Made with non-dairy chocolate chips, and natural peanut butter, and resting in a delicious nut crust. Rich, dark, creamy, smooth and absolutely delicious. 8 simple ingredients and no baking.
Dressings and Sauces
Creamy sauces and dressings are perfect for adding flavor to any dish.
The Best Vegan Recipes For Labor Day
I hope you love and make one, or all, of the vegan Labor Day recipes! If you do, connect with me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook so I can see your holiday cooking skills. Also, be sure and please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and a review in the comments section below the recipes cards in the recipes.
i’m making macaroni salad even as i speak – vegan-style, of course…. 😀