Give summer a proper send-off with our favorite Labor Day barbecue ideas. From tender meats to classic picnic sides to grilled desserts, we've got ideas that will keep the grill fired up all day long.
46 Labor Day Grilling Recipes
Updated on Sep. 08, 2024
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Grilled Corn in Husks
If you’re new to grilled corn in the husk, season the ears with butter, Parmesan cheese and parsley. It’s especially good! Be sure to give the corn a long soak before putting it on the grill. Hot off the grate, the kernels are moist and tender with a wonderful, sweet flavor that are perfect for a Labor Day barbecue. —Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey
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The Best Baby Back Ribs
Grilling ribs soon? Learn how to grill ribs as we share our step-by-step recipe and secret to grilling the best-ever baby back ribs.
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Best Hamburger
This is the only hamburger recipe you need! We'll walk you through how to make hamburger patties that grill up to juicy perfection.
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Grilled Potato and Corn Salad
Corn salad and potato salad are two summer classics. I smashed them together for a crowd-pleasing side that we love with burgers. Locally sourced ingredients from the farmers market make it extra special. —Donna Gribbins, Shelbyville, Kentucky
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Chicken Souvlaki Pitas
These chicken souvlaki pitas are a favorite at our house, especially for a Labor Day barbecue. A quick trip to the market for a few ingredients results in gourmet-style Greek sandwiches we often enjoy outdoors by the grill. Of course, a simple Greek salad on the side is a nice addition. —Becky Drees, Pittsfield, Massachusetts
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Smoked Ribs
The gorgeous crisp bark and trademark pink smoke ring on these ribs will wow your friends and family. A generous splash of tangy apple cider added during the smoking process helps to make them super tender. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Grilled Vegetable Pesto Sandwiches
Grilling isn’t just the pastime of meat eaters! Ask my vegetarian family members who love these wholesome sammies slathered with prepared pesto and stacked with char-kissed summer produce. —Tanya Mehta, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Chicken and Zucchini Foil Packs
I enjoy foil-wrapped dinners cooked on the grill, especially because there are no pots or pans to wash. You can try making chicken foil packs with most fresh vegetables you have on hand. —Dianna Smith, Newport, Tennessee
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Pesto Corn Salad with Shrimp
This Labor Day barbecue recipe showcases the beautiful bounty of summer with its fresh corn, tomatoes and delicious basil. Prevent browning by spritzing the salad with lemon juice. —Deena Bowen, Chico, California
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Cuban Sandwich Burgers
My mom would make these Cuban burgers when we would visit her in Florida. They are a take on the real Cuban sandwich. My kids love them. My boys could eat two of these monsters in one sitting. —Marina Castle Kelley, Canyon Country, California
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Grilled Peach, Rice & Arugula Salad
This hearty salad was created when I needed to clear out some leftovers from the fridge—and it became an instant hit! The grilled peaches are the ultimate “tastes like summer” salad booster for your next Labor Day barbecue. —Lauren Wyler, Dripping Springs, Texas
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Italian Sausage Sandwich
For a casual but hearty meal, try these saucy subs created by our Test Kitchen. Full of traditional Italian flavor, these sandwiches are a snap to make.
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Buttery Grilled Shrimp
This grilled shrimp recipe is easy and delicious! These shrimp are great with steak, but for a Labor Day barbecue, brush the sauce on lobster tails and grill. —Sheryl Shenberger, Albuquerque, New Mexico
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Jalapeno Popper Mexican Street Corn
One of the best things about summer is fresh sweet corn, and this recipe is a definite standout. We love its creamy dressing, crunchy panko coating and spicy jalapeno kick. If you're really feeling wild, sprinkle these with a bit of cooked and crumbled bacon! —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado
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Baby Back Ribs
Slow-cook the ribs during the day and they will be ready to finish on the grill when you get home. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, WisconsinIf you’re looking for lighter fare, check out these healthy Labor Day recipes.
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Pot of S’mores
Mom’s easy Dutch-oven version of the popular Labor Day barbecue 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
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Grilled Peach Sundaes
These peaches with a hint of grill flavor are sweet and juicy. We serve them in a waffle bowl with ice cream. That’s jackpot at our house. —Nancy Dentler, Greensboro, North Carolina
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Chicken Skewers with Cool Avocado Sauce
I’m always looking for lighter recipes for a Labor Day barbecue—and this one works fabulously for grilling. Just whip up the marinade, add the chicken and take it along to the festivities. —Veronica Callaghan, Glastonbury, Connecticut. Hungry for more? Check out our collection of easy Labor Day recipes.
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Barbecue Chicken
Juicy, saucy barbecue chicken is a highlight of any grilling season. Cut up whole chickens for the best quality pieces, and add a homemade tangy barbecue sauce that's impossible to resist.
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Spicy Grilled Eggplant
This side dish goes well with any meat you might also be grilling. Thanks to the Cajun seasoning, the zesty eggplant gets more attention than an ordinary veggie. —Greg Fontenot, The Woodlands, Texas
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Grilled Marinated Ribeyes
These juicy steaks are a favorite meal of ours when we go camping. Let them sit in tangy, barbecue-inspired marinade overnight and you've got a rich and hearty dinner ready to grill up the next day. —Louise Graybiel, Toronto, Ontario
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Fruit Skewers
Fruit skewers made with fresh fruit, cheese and a cinnamon yogurt dip will become a regular snack for every potluck, barbecue and game-day party.
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Teriyaki Shish Kabobs
When I was a teenager, my father worked for an airline, and my family lived on the island of Guam in the South Pacific. A friend of my mother gave her this tangy-sweet recipe, and we enjoyed it often. Now I make it for my family, and they're big fans as well. —Suzanne Pelegrin, Ocala, Florida
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Grilled Jalapenos
When hosting a Labor Day barbecue, I also use the grill to serve up hot appetizers. These crowd-pleasing stuffed peppers have a bit of bite. They were concocted by my son. —Catherine Hollie, Cleveland, Texas
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Apple-Butter Barbecued Roasted Chicken
I love cooking so much I sometimes think of recipes in my sleep and wake up to write them down! This dream-inspired dish is my family's favorite way to eat chicken. —Holly Kilbel, Akron, Ohio
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Cake & Berry Campfire Cobbler
This warm Dutch oven cobbler is one of our favorite ways to end a Labor Day barbecue. It’s yummy with ice cream—and so easy to make! —June Dress, Boise, Idaho
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Flavorful Grilled Pork Tenderloin
Folks can find me grilling, no matter the weather. This moist pork tenderloin has loads of flavor thanks to its special spice blend, and it doesn't get much easier to make. My wife especially likes that she doesn't have to do the cooking! —Steve Ehrhart, Villa Park, Illinois
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Marinated Pork Chops
I make these tasty loin chops all the time and my family never tires of them. I whip up this pork chop marinade and let them soak overnight to get them tender. —Jean Neitzel, Beloit, Wisconsin
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Grilled Steak Fajitas
This tasty main dish is as quick and easy to assemble as tacos. Marinating the meat overnight makes it very tender. We like the hearty and flavorful steak slices. I serve the fajitas with Spanish rice, refried beans and a gelatin dessert. —Pamela Pogue, Quitman, Texas
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Meat ‘n’ Potato Kabobs
They’re summery, but these kabobs really stick to your ribs. A microwave makes quick work of cooking the potatoes, so grilling is done in a flash. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Grilled Honey-Balsamic Glazed Fruit
One summer, my mother-in-law made us grilled peaches basted with a sweet and tangy sauce for her Labor Day barbecue. These are so good I’m always tempted to eat the whole batch. —Kristin Van Dyken, West Richland, Washington
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Grilled Guacamole
If you’re a guacamole lover, try this fun grilled version that has a smoky flavor. The veggies tend to darken a bit when heated, so stir it gently to prevent further discoloration. —Lindsay Sprunk, Noblesville, Indiana
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Chimichurri Steak
This flavorful chimichurri steak recipe comes together in less than 30 minutes. Spoon the bright, zesty, herbaceous sauce over any type of grilled steak, like flat iron, top sirloin, ribeye, flank or skirt steak.
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Lemon Garlic Mushrooms
I baste whole mushrooms with a lemony sauce to prepare this simple Labor Day barbecue side dish. Using skewers or a basket makes it easy to turn them as they grill to perfection. —Diane Hixon, Niceville, Florida
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Spicy Lemon Chicken Kabobs
I like using Meyer lemons for these easy chicken kabobs, but regular grilled lemons still add the signature smoky tang. —Terri Crandall, Gardnerville, Nevada
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Spiced Salmon
This delicious, moist fish is very quick and easy to prepare. It gets a little sweetness from brown sugar, but overall the seasonings are mild and give this dish broad appeal. It's a wonderful way to enjoy healthy salmon.—Donna Reynolds, Innisfail, Alberta
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Halibut Soft Tacos
I sometimes serve these halibut tacos wrapped in lettuce instead of tortillas. Either way, the mango salsa tastes amazing with grilled halibut. This Labor Day barbecue recipe is quick, colorful and full of nutrients. —Kristin Kossak, Bozeman, Montana
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Grilled Angel Food Cake with Fruit Salsa
When I need dessert fast, I go with angel food cake. Mix fruit salsa ahead of time, and pop the cake on the grill. —Glorimar Jimenez, Indianapolis, Indiana
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Quick Barbecued Beans
Barbecued beans are a simple, classic recipe and cooking them on the grill adds great smoky flavor. —Millie Vickery, Lena, Illinois
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Grilled Pineapple with Lime Dip
Serve this Labor Day barbecue dish as an appetizer or a dessert—the choice is yours! If desired, the pineapple spears can be rolled in flaked coconut before grilling. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Grilled Pork Chops
Soaked in brine and rubbed with a fragrant spice blend, these grilled pork chops burst with flavor.
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Aloha Burgers
Say aloha to a dinner with a tropical twist: Here's how to make a bacon and pineapple Hawaiian burger.
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Simple Marinated Grilled Pork Chops
Whisk up just four ingredients for the tastiest batch of marinated pork chops ever.
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Grilled Pork with Avocado Salsa
I love the zesty taste of this moist grilled tenderloin. The cumin, avocado and jalapeno give it southwestern flair. It’s an easy, elegant way to prepare pork for you Labor Day barbecue. —Josephine Devereaux Piro, Easton, Pennsylvania
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Grilled Sweet Potatoes
If you're tired of the usual summer side dishes, try these grilled sweet potatoes. The Gorgonzola cheese spread is a perfect match for the caramelized sweetness of the potatoes.
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Pear Crumble
No time to make a pie? This pear crumble recipe is quick and easy, and just as delicious!
