Ultimate Labor Day Cookout Guide: 20+ Grill Recipes to Close Out Summer in Style
Labor Day weekend marks the perfect finale to grilling season—it’s your last chance to fire up those coals and celebrate summer’s end with bold, crowd-pleasing flavors. Whether you’re working with a gas grill, charcoal, or even a grill pan indoors, these recipes are designed to make your holiday cookout both effortless and memorable.
I’ve gathered a collection of meaty and vegetarian dishes that capture that classic end-of-summer taste everyone craves. You won’t need complicated techniques or endless prep—just quality ingredients, hot flames, and friends and family ready to toast the season’s grand finale.
These recipes are ideal for traditional Labor Day barbecues, neighborhood block parties, or intimate family gatherings that celebrate summer’s last hurrah. If you want to send off the season with meals that are relaxed in prep but big on flavor, this collection has you covered.
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Grilled Recipes
Fire up the grill and enjoy the best of summer with this mouthwatering collection of grilled recipes and BBQ favorites. From juicy mains to flavorful sides, these easy ideas are perfect for outdoor gatherings and laid-back weekends.
These easy-to-make skewers are marinated in a smoky-sweet barbecue sauce, threaded with tender chicken pieces and colorful veggies, then charred on the grill for that irresistible summer flavor. Perfect for backyard cookouts, weeknight dinners, or party appetizers.
Savor the smoky, savory flavor of these perfectly grilled pork chops. Marinated in a blend of garlic, herbs, and spices, then seared to juicy perfection on the grill, they make a quick and delicious dinner option. Serve them with grilled veggies, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad for a complete, mouthwatering meal.
This is a fantastic Lemon Lime Chicken recipe made with only 5 simple ingredients that tenderize and flavor chicken. It can be air fried or grilled and served with your favorite side dishes for a complete dinner.
Ideal for chicken breasts or thighs, this easy marinade infuses juicy flavor in under 30 minutes. Great for meal prep, summer BBQs, or a fresh weeknight dinner.
Savor the flavors of summer with these Easy Grilled Shrimp Tacos. Juicy, marinated shrimp are grilled to perfection and tucked into warm tortillas, then topped with crunchy slaw, zesty lime crema, and fresh cilantro.
Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a backyard get-together. These tacos are light, flavorful, and ready in no time.
This Perfect Grilled Ribeye Steak is a must-try for any steak lover. Seasoned simply with salt, pepper, and garlic, then grilled to perfection with a delicious char, it’s the ultimate centerpiece for your backyard cookout or weekend dinner. Serve it with your favorite sides and savor every bite of this mouthwatering classic.
Indulge in the vibrant flavors of summer with this Spicy Grilled Shrimp recipe. This dish brings together succulent shrimp, fresh vegetables, and a bold, zesty Zhoug sauce.
It's a perfect blend of heat, freshness, and oceanic delight, creating a memorable meal that's sure to tantalize your taste buds.
Fire up the grill for these bold, smoky St. Louis-style ribs coated in a rich coffee molasses BBQ sauce. Perfectly charred and fall-off-the-bone tender, these ribs blend the deep bitterness of brewed coffee with the sweet tang of molasses for a next-level backyard feast.
These grilled mushrooms are absolutely delicious. They are incredibly versatile, easy to prepare, and packed with a rich, earthy flavor that pairs wonderfully with a variety of dishes.
If you are a seasoned grill master or a beginner, grilling mushrooms is a breeze and a surefire way to impress your friends and family.
Juicy grilled shish kabobs loaded with marinated chunks of beef, colorful bell peppers, onions, and cherry tomatoes. Perfect for summer barbecues, weeknight dinners, or meal prep. Easy to make, full of flavor, and totally customizable with your favorite veggies or protein.
These Grilled Italian Chicken Breasts are marinated in a zesty blend of olive oil, garlic, Italian herbs, and lemon juice. Perfectly charred on the grill,Juicy, flavorful, and easy to make.They are ideal for a healthy weeknight dinner or summer BBQ.
Tender, flavorful Chicken Souvlaki Skewers grilled to perfection then paired with a fresh Chopped Greek Salad is game day food at its best. Bright flavors of lemon and oregano along with just the right amount of garlic make the chicken absolutely mouthwatering.
Perfectly seasoned ground beef is shaped into thick patties, grilled to perfection, and served on toasted buns with all your favorite toppings.
If you are hosting a backyard BBQ or just craving a classic comfort meal, these burgers are easy to make and absolutely mouthwatering.
Take chicken breasts to another level with this easy and delicious Grilled Chicken Sandwich. The perfect sandwich bite.
Moist grilled chicken topped with melty provolone and served on bacon grease toasted brioche bun with seasoned mayo, fresh tomatoes, bacon, iceberg lettuce and pickles.
Grilled Corn With Tomato Basil Butter combines buttery goodness with lightly charred corn and savory Italian flavor.
Corn on the cob cooks up to sweet perfection on the grill. Slather it with a homemade flavored butter and you’ll be making Grilled Corn With Tomato Basil Butter all summer long.
This grilled zucchini is the perfect healthy side dish for summer. Sliced fresh zucchini is lightly brushed with olive oil, seasoned with salt, pepper, and garlic, then grilled until beautifully charred and crisp-tender.
This Grilled Zucchini Parmesan Recipe is a fantastic way to use up garden zucchini! Tender spears with Italian seasoning and cheese are SO delicious, and healthy too. It’s a scrumptious summer side dish. Perfect for busy weeknights.
Grilled corn on the cob gains an incredibly rich flavor and smoky sweetness! Grab some fresh corn at the Farmer's market or store. It cooks in just 10 minutes and can be put together ahead of dinner or a cookout party.
Savor layers of tender grilled eggplant, rich marinara sauce, melted mozzarella, and freshly grated Parmesan in these mouthwatering Grilled Eggplant Parmesan Stacks.
Perfect as a hearty vegetarian main or elegant side dish, each stack is bursting with Italian-inspired flavor and rustic charm.
Imagine sweet, fluffy glazed donuts grilled to golden perfection and stuffed with gooey melted cheddar and mozzarella. It’s the ultimate sweet-and-savory mashup - crispy on the outside, melty inside, and totally over-the-top.
Fresh Grilled Peaches with Mascarpone Cheese are the BEST Summer dessert made in only 15 minutes. Juicy peaches are grilled until slightly caramelized and topped with honey whipped mascarpone pistachios.
Juicy peach halves are lightly grilled to enhance their natural sweetness, then topped with a dollop of rich, smooth mascarpone cheese and finished with a drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of crushed nuts or herbs.
Ways to Serve Your Summer BBQ Favorites
The right serving pieces can make your grilled dishes look just as amazing as they taste. From rustic wooden boards to colorful ceramic platters, these picks are perfect for presenting everything from juicy burgers to vibrant grilled veggies.
These grilled recipes are perfect for Labor Day celebrations, holiday gatherings, or that final backyard cookout before autumn arrives. They’re easy to execute, guaranteed crowd-pleasers, and packed with those bold, smoky flavors that make summer memorable.
As we bid farewell to grilling season and welcome the cozy flavors of fall, don’t miss our collection of autumn recipes that celebrate the changing seasons. From hearty appetizers to apple-spiced desserts and warming comfort drinks, we’ve got everything you need to embrace the cooler months ahead.
Looking for more simple, crowd-pleasing summer ideas? Don’t miss all these grilling side salad ideas perfect for summer, or delve into our round-up of drinks to serve at your Labour Day party.
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