10 Must-Try Labor Day BBQ Recipes for Your End-of-Summer Cookout

Labor Day is the unofficial send-off to summer, and what better way to celebrate than with a backyard BBQ? Whether you’re firing up the grill for a big family gathering, heading to the park with friends, or hosting a simple cookout at home, having the right recipes makes all the difference.

I’ve gathered some of my favorite Labor Day BBQ recipes from my blog—juicy burgers, smoky ribs, flavorful sides, and a cool dessert to top it all off. Each dish is perfect for outdoor entertaining, easy to prepare, and guaranteed to wow your guests. My husband is our grill master, so come on, let’s dig in!

Grilled Mains

1. The Ultimate Memphis Barbecue Recipe

Smoky, tender pork ribs coated in a classic Memphis dry rub—this recipe is pure backyard barbecue tradition.

2. Grilled Chicken BBQ Pizza

Fire up the grill and transform pizza night with juicy grilled chicken, tangy BBQ sauce, and gooey cheese.

3. Gateway Bloody Marys, Gateway to the North Steak Butter & Grilled Ribeye Steak

A three-in-one grilling treat—sizzle up ribeye steaks with compound butter and serve with bold Bloody Marys.

4. Savor the Season: Smash Burgers on the Grill

Crispy edges, juicy centers—smash burgers are a must-have for an easy, delicious Labor Day cookout.

Sides & Fresh Pairings

5. Savor the Season: Grilled Corn with Elote Toppings

Charred sweet corn smothered in creamy, zesty elote toppings—messy, fun, and full of flavor.

6. Savor the Season: Lemon Herb Chicken Skewers

Bright and citrusy, these chicken skewers are light, fresh, and ideal for grilling in batches.

7. Savor the Season: Caprese Salad with Balsamic Glaze

Fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and balsamic glaze—this no-cook side balances out the smoky mains.

Sweet Finish

8. Savor the Season: No-Churn Berry Ice Cream

Cool off with a refreshing, homemade berry ice cream that requires no special equipment.

Extra Crowd-Pleasers

9. Savor the Season: Chicken Skewers (Lemon Herb)

Another take on juicy, herb-packed chicken skewers—easy to customize with your favorite veggies.

10. Savor the Season: Smash Burgers Collection

Part of the seasonal roundup, smash burgers steal the spotlight with their unbeatable grill flavor.

Celebrate Labor Day with Flavor

Labor Day is about relaxing, celebrating the end of summer, and gathering with the people you love. With these Labor Day grilling recipes, you’ll have everything you need for a festive spread: smoky mains, flavorful sides, and a sweet finish to cool things down.

Whether you’re cooking for two or twenty, these dishes will make your holiday memorable.

If you make any of these recipes, be sure to tag me on Instagram—I’d love to see your cookout creations!

Happy grilling and Happy Labor Day!