Here’s the Best Labor Day Recipe in Every State

Alabama: Firecracker Grilled Salmon

Let this sensational salmon perk up dinner tonight. With a super flavorful glaze that kicks you right in the taste buds, this weeknight dish is anything but boring. —Melissa Rogers, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Arizona: Fresh Broccoli Salad with Lemon

The slightly sweet flavor of this salad’s dressing is a great contrast to the rich bacon. You can substitute cauliflower for the broccoli if you prefer. —Janet Roth, Tempe, Arizona

Arkansas: Chocolaty S'mores Bars

One night my husband had some friends over to play poker and he requested these s'mores bars. They polished off the pan and asked for more! I shared the recipe, and now their families make them, too. —Rebecca Shipp, Beebe, Arkansas

California: Grilled Huli Huli Chicken

This huli huli chicken recipe will bring island flavor to your backyard. These grilled chicken thighs are marinated and finished with a sweet and savory sauce.

Colorado: Apple Salsa with Cinnamon Chips

Both my husband and I were raised on farms, and we prefer home cooking to eating out. That works out fine since I love trying new recipes! I've served this apple salsa as an appetizer and a snack. Plus, it's sweet enough to be a dessert. It's easy to transport besides. —Carolyn Brinkmeyer, Golden, Colorado

Connecticut: Berry White Ice Pops

Nothing says summer like an ice pop. Kids and adults alike love this fruit-filled version. —Sharon Guinta, Stamford, Connecticut

Delaware: Favorite Cucumber Salad

Add a fresh-tasting touch to your menu with this favorite salad. The crunchy cucumbers are tossed with onion, green pepper and a sweet-tart dressing seasoned with celery seed.—Mary Lou Boyce,Wilmington, Delaware

Florida: Jalapeno Popper Burgers

What do you get when you combine a jalapeno popper and a classic burger? This fantastic recipe! It takes the essential components of a popper and encases them in a juicy patty for a burst of flavor in every bite. —Jo Davison, Naples, Florida

Georgia: Strawberry Trifle

I won first prize in a dairy recipe contest with this tasty strawberry trifle. You can double the recipe and make two for large groups. —Norma Steiner, Monroe, Wisconsin

Hawaii: Refreshing Rhubarb Ice Cream

No matter where my military family is stationed, this ice cream always makes me think of my parents’ backyard rhubarb patch in Rochester, New York. —Rachel Garcia, Honolulu, Hawaii

Idaho: Pot of S’mores

Mom’s easy Dutch-oven version of the popular campout treat is so good and gooey. The hardest part is waiting for this to cool so you can devour it. Yum! —June Dress, Meridian, Idaho

Indiana: Fourth of July Bean Casserole

The outstanding barbecue taste of these beans makes them a favorite for cookouts all summer and into the fall. It's a popular dish, even with kids. The beef makes it so much better than plain pork and beans. —Donna Fancher, Lawrence, Indiana

Iowa: Peach Cobbler Cookies

My sister brought me fresh peaches one year, and we decided to make these fruity cookies. They also make fantastic ice cream sandwiches—just put some vanilla ice cream between two cookies for a delicious summer treat! —Anna Miller, Churdan, Iowa

Kansas: Five-Star Brownies

There’s a bit of my state’s history behind these brownies’ name and shape. In 1990, when I entered them at our state fair, Kansas was celebrating the 100th birthday of a famous native son, Dwight Eisenhower. In fact, that occasion was the theme of the fair. So I renamed my brownies, in honor of the rank he’d achieved as a general and cut them out with a star cookie cutter. They ended up winning a blue ribbon! —Pam Buerki Rogers, Victoria, Kansas

Kentucky: Judy’s Macaroni Salad

After finding this vintage macaroni salad recipe years ago, I tweaked the flavor and bumped up the pickles. Tuck this dill pickle pasta salad inside your picnic basket. —Elizabeth Kirchgatter, Maysville, Kentucky

Louisiana: Lazy Man’s Ribs

I’ve made these tender ribs for a lot of my buddies—including my preacher. Some have even suggested that I try bottling my sauce and selling it to the public! —Allan Stackhouse Jr., Jennings, Louisiana

Maine: Banana Split Icebox Cake

One day a friend showed me how to make a traditional icebox cake with just cream and graham crackers. I make it extra special with the fruit. Now everyone can have a banana split, no muss, no fuss! —Shelly Flye, Albion, Maine

Maryland: Summer Macaroni Salad

This creamy macaroni salad recipe is a classic cold noodle dish with oodles of crowd appeal. It features tender macaroni and crisp, colorful veggies tossed with an ultra-creamy, sweet-and-tangy dressing.

Massachusetts: Colorful Spiral Pasta Salad

Tackle gatherings with a bright pasta salad. This tricolor toss-up with broccoli, tomatoes, olives and a hardworking dressing is one of the easiest cold pasta salad recipes you could take. —Amanda Cable, Boxford, Massachusetts

Michigan: Strawberry Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

My family is always happy to see this fruit and veggie salad on the table. If strawberries aren’t available, substitute mandarin oranges and dried cranberries. —Irene Keller, Kalamazoo, Michigan

Minnesota: Grilled Vegetable Platter

The best of summer in one dish! This pretty grilled vegetable recipe is meant for entertaining. Grilling brings out their natural sweetness, and the easy marinade really kicks up the grilled vegetables’ flavor. —Heidi Hall, North St. Paul, Minnesota

Mississippi: Homemade Cherry Crisp

Our family loves this pretty, tasty dessert. It uses convenient pie filling, so you can make it in no time—and it takes mere minutes to heat in the microwave. —Laurie Todd, Columbus, Mississippi

Missouri: Mixed Berry Pie

Here’s a delightful way to enjoy summertime fruits. If you’re short on one of the berries, just make up the amount with one of the other fruits in the pie. —Elaine Moody, Clever, Missouri

Montana: Crispy Fried Chicken

If you’ve wanted to learn how to make crispy fried chicken, this is the recipe for you. Always a picnic favorite, this deep fried chicken recipe is delicious either hot or cold. Kids call it my Kentucky Fried Chicken! —Jeanne Schnitzler, Lima, Montana

Nebraska: Campfire Bundles

I created this recipe on a family camping trip. I'd brought along a hodgepodge of ingredients, so I just threw them all together in a foil packet. Everyone said that the bundles were delicious. Ever since, I've grilled them at home with equally good results. —Lauri Krause, Jackson, Nebraska

Nevada: Cucumber-Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes

Besides being tasty, these little tomato poppers are extra awesome because you can make them ahead of time. At parties, I often triple the recipe because they disappear fast. —Christi Martin, Elko, Nevada

New Hampshire: Cheese-Stuffed Burgers for Two

Here’s a sandwich that does traditional burgers one better—with a surprise pocket of cheddar! My family really enjoys the melted cheese center. —Says Janet Wood, Windham, New Hampshire

New Mexico: Buttery Grilled Shrimp

This is easy and delicious! These shrimp are great with steak, but for a special occasion, brush the sauce on lobster tails and grill. —Sheryl Shenberger, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Go to Recipe

New York: Easy Refrigerator Pickles

Look no further than this easy refrigerator pickles recipe when you want pickles in a flash. Crispy, crunchy, sweet and sour—there's a lot to love about these pickles!

North Carolina: Patriotic Frozen Delight

My husband and I pick lots of fruit at berry farms in the area and freeze it to enjoy all year long. This frozen dessert showcases both blueberries and strawberries and has a refreshing lemon flavor. —Bernice Russ, Bladenboro, North Carolina

North Dakota: Crisp Cucumber Salsa

This cucumber salsa is a fantastic way to use cucumbers, combining their crunchy texture and super fresh flavor with tomatoes, hot peppers, herbs and more, mixed up with a tasty dressing.

Ohio: Barbecued Burgers

I can’t take all the credit for these winning burgers. My husband’s uncle passed down the special barbecue sauce recipe. We love it on everything…it was only natural to try it on, and in, burgers. Add cheese and bacon to take them over the top. —Rhoda Troyer, Glenford, Ohio

Oklahoma: Patriotic Dessert

I took this patriotic dessert to a luncheon and came home with dozens of requests for the recipe! It was quite a success. People told me it looked as good as it tasted. —Flo Burtnett, Gage, Oklahoma

Oregon: Blueberry Zucchini Squares

I saw a bar recipe on a box of muffin mix using apple and lemon zest. I tried it from scratch with shredded zucchini and fresh blueberries instead. It’s a tasty combo. —Shelly Bevington, Hermiston, Oregon

Pennsylvania: Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle

This rich, tempting, peanut butter brownie features the ever-popular combination of chocolate and peanut butter. Try this dessert for your next get-together. —Nancy Foust, Stoneboro, Pennsylvania

Rhode Island: New England Baked Beans

You can’t beat this classic side that starts with a pound of dried beans. Molasses and maple syrup give it a slight sweetness. —Pat Medeiros, Tiverton, Rhode Island

South Carolina: Honey-Glazed Chicken Kabobs

This is my husband’s favorite "special day" meal. I serve it with rice pilaf, salad and grilled garlic bread. —Tracey Miller, Aiken, South Carolina

South Dakota: Must-Have Burgers

My family thinks these juicy cheeseburgers are super deluxe, with or without a bun. Customize them with mushrooms, onion, bacon or a shot of hot chili sauce. —Susan Harju, Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Tennessee: Fresh Blackberry Pie

I grew up on a farm, and we always picked fruits in early summer and used them to make desserts. This blackberry pie is a real stunner. —Gladys Gibbs, Brush Creek, Tennessee

Texas: Homemade Guacamole

Nothing is better than freshly made guacamole when you’re eating something spicy. It is easy to whip together in a matter of minutes and quickly tames anything that’s too hot. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas

Utah: Avocado Salsa

This avocado salsa is smooth, cool and downright refreshing. Scoop it with chips, spoon it over chicken or steak—or just eat it on its own!

Vermont: Lemon-Lime Bars

This easy lime bar recipe is a dessert that will wow your guests. I baked these bars for a luncheon on a hot summer day. A gentleman made his way to the kitchen to compliment the cook who made them. —Holly Wilkins, Lake Elmore, Vermont

Virginia: Iced Raspberry Tea

Frozen raspberries lend fruity flavor and lovely color to this pretty iced tea that's good throughout the year. The recipe calls for just a few common ingredients and offers make-ahead convenience. —Lois McGrady, Hillsville, Virginia

Washington: Slow-Cooker BBQ Chicken

Of all the recipes I make in my slow cooker, this Crock-Pot BBQ chicken is my most treasured. If you enjoy your BBQ sweet with a little spice, this will be your new favorite, too. —Yvonne McKim, Vancouver, Washington. Looking for more? Enjoy the last big celebration of the summer with these Labor Day BBQ ideas.

West Virginia: Simple Marinated Grilled Pork Chops

This pork chop marinade is so simple that I use it on all kinds of meat. For a more robust flavor, let the meat marinate in the refrigerator overnight. —Lori Daniels, Beverly, West Virginia

Wisconsin: Raspberry-Rhubarb Slab Pie

“Slab pie” is a pastry baked in a jelly-roll pan and cut in slabs like a bar cookie—or a pie bar, if you will. My grandfather was a professional baker and served pieces of slab pie to his customers back in the day. Here is my spin, featuring rhubarb and gorgeous red raspberries. —Jeanne Ambrose, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Wyoming: Tangy Cilantro Lime Confetti Salad

I love standout salads that burst with flavor—the kind that make you feel as if you’re splurging without having to eat that piece of chocolate cake. This is one of my very favorites, and everyone I serve it to loves it as well. —Jasey McBurnett, Rock Springs, Wyoming