A Healthy, Delicious, and Labor-Free Labor Day Menu

The unofficial end of summer is almost here and, we’ll be honest, our mood is significantly less exuberant than it was a few months ago. Some of us are already navigating the emotionally-fraught back-to-school season; likely all of us are wondering what the delta variant means, exactly, for the next few months. Still, it’s not all doom and gloom! So many of us are finally able to see friends and family, taking trips, and firing up the grill as often as we can. If you want to go out with a bang not a whimper, this super effortless, nutrition-packed, Delicious (with a capital D) Labor Day menu is for you.

Here’s what we’ll be cooking this year:

An Easy & Delicious Labor Day Menu

Grilled Salmon with Strawberry-Avocado Salsa

One of the healthiest foods you can eat, salmon is bursting with omega 3s, vitamins B6, B12, and D. Pair it with sweet and juicy strawberries, creamy avocado, along with the sweet bite of red onion, and the fresh zip of cilantro, and you’ve got one of the easiest and most delicious ways to impress your guests.

Photo Credit: Foodie Crush

No-Mayo Potato Salad with Herbs from Foodie Crush

This easy, no-mayo recipe uses small red potatoes that don’t need to be peeled. It tastes even better the next day, which means you can (and should) make it ahead of time. And it has a fresh, slightly French flavor thanks to white vinegar, Dijon mustard, red onion, and loads of herbs.

Photo Credit: Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott

Tomato Salad with Feta and Pistachios from Bon Appetit

It would not be the end of summer without some celebration of tomatoes. And while we appreciate a classic caprese, there’s something about this combination of feta, pistachios, and fresh herbs that feels special (without requiring a ton of effort).

Photo Credit: Cookie & Kate

Simple Blueberry Cake from Cookie + Kate

We absolutely love this blueberry cake. It screams summer, especially when paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, but it’s not too sweet and full of healthier ingredients (like whole wheat flour and Greek yogurt). If you don’t eat it all for dinner, it also makes excellent leftovers for breakfast the next day (ice cream optional!).

Happy cooking! And P.S. If you make any of these recipes, take a photo and share on Instagram. Don’t forget to tag us and use the hashtag #cleanplates.