40 Best Labor Day BBQ Recipes

Ah, Labor Day—the unofficial farewell to summer and a final hurrah before we’re plunged into the crisp fall season. For many of us, this long weekend is a perfect opportunity to fire up the grill one last time, to celebrate with family and friends over a feast of BBQ delights.

If you’re aiming to be the master griller of your Labor Day gathering, you’re likely in search of recipes that will make a lasting impression. You’ve come to the right place. This blog post is all about leveling up your Labor Day BBQ recipes game.

We’re not just talking the usual suspects like burgers and ribs; we’re venturing into some creative, palate-pleasing options that are sure to be the talk of the party. From succulent meat dishes to our favorite sides, drinks, and desserts, these recipes are designed to send off summer with a culinary bang.

Other Recipe Compilations to Enjoy

• 50 Homemade Ice Cream Recipes for the Ice Cream Maker
• 21 Easy 30-Minute Summertime Meals
• What to Serve with Brisket

Our Favorite Labor Day BBQ Recipes

Appetizers

Easy Guacamole Recipe

Packed with good monounsaturated fats and fiber, this easy guacamole recipe makes a healthy and irresistible snack.

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Strawberry Caprese Skewers with Balsamic Glaze

This quick and easy appetizer is sure to be a hit at your next party. This fun variation of the traditional Caprese salad replaces the classic tomato with sweet strawberries, which pair beautifully with the rich balsamic blaze and fresh basil.

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Mini Taco Appetizers

These mini taco appetizers are filled with meat, cheese, and all your favorite taco toppings.

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BBQ Pulled Pork Egg Rolls

These BBQ Pulled Pork Egg Rolls are packed with delicious pulled pork, tangy bbq sauce, and crispy coleslaw.

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Grilled Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

Just because you’re on a keto diet doesn’t mean you can’t grill up amazing appetizers like these Grilled Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Spears.

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Classic Mexican Street Corn (Elote)

A classic Mexican street food, this corn on the cob is charred on the grill, then slathered in mayo, and topped with tangy Cotija cheese, chili powder and cilantro. 

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Smoked Cream Cheese

If you haven't tried Smoked Cream Cheese yet, you must give this tasty appetizer a try. With just two ingredients – cream cheese and dry rub – it's a serious flavor bomb when smoked.

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Easy Tomato Tart

This Tomato Tart is an easy vegetarian recipe that is flavorful and comforting. Make a delightful tomato tart with ready-rolled pastry and delicious tomatoes that will be a big hit at the dinner table.

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Pigs in a Blanket (Classic Finger Food)

Pigs in a Blanket is a tasty appetizer that combines crescent roll dough and cocktail-sized smoked sausages with a delicious Sriracha mayo dip to add a spicy kick to this crowd-pleasing snack. » You might also like these Fried Chicken Sliders. Who can resist pigs in a blanket? It’s a classic appetiz…

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Corn Dip With Cream Cheese

If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing appetizer or snack, this delicious corn dip with cream cheese recipe is the one. Made with cream cheese, green chilies, sweetcorn, and Mexican cheese.

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Salads

Corn & Black Bean Pasta Salad

This Corn & Black Bean Pasta Salad combines fusilli pasta with corn, black beans, bell pepper and cilantro for a Southwestern flair.

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Classic Potato Salad (Easy & Delicious)

This Classic Potato Salad is made with tender potatoes, eggs, celery, and pickles, with a creamy mayonnaise dressing and one simple secret ingredient that really elevates the flavor. » You might also like this Smoked Corn on the Cob and Classic Macaroni Salad. When summer is in full swing and the gr…

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BBQ Chicken Macaroni Salad

This BBQ Chicken Macaroni Salad is a great twist on a classic that combines tender macaroni with a medley of vegetables, tender chicken, and a tangy BBQ sauce and mayonnaise-based dressing. » You might also like this Grilled Mexican Street Corn and Classic Potato Salad. This side dish is one of our…

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Summer Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing

Summer Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing is a colorful, irresistible treat for any summer occasion. Whether a pool party, backyard barbecue, or picnic, this fruit salad will steal the show with its vibrant, fresh fruit and sweet, zesty dressing!

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Broccoli Salad

This salad is packed with fresh broccoli, bacon, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds and cheese. It's a huge hit at barbecues and parties.

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Main Dish

Easy Instant Pot Pulled Pork

This Instant Pot Pulled Pork is the ultimate recipe to make tender and flavorful pulled pork from a Pork Butt or Shoulder.

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Fried Chicken Sliders

These Fried Chicken Sliders are perfect for any get together. Make with tasty fried chicken, crunchy pickle slices, and homemade slaw on sweet slider buns, they will go down a treat. » You might also like these Tasty Cajun Potato Wedges and What to Serve With Sliders. Fried Chicken Sliders using chi…

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Marinated Grilled Chicken Thighs

As soon as you taste these marinated grilled chicken thighs it will be the only thing you want to grill, thanks to the marinade that's packed with flavor.

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Smoked Pulled Pork (Butt or Shoulder)

Smoked Pulled Pork is a mouth-watering treat that brings together the tangy, sweet, and smoky flavors characteristic of barbecue. » You might also like The Best Smoked Mac and Cheese and Smoked Corn on the Cob. Smoking the meat at a low temperature for a long period allows it to become incredibly te…

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How to Cook Brats in the Air Fryer

Cooking brats in the air fryer is an easy method that always leads to crispy and juicy brats.

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Ninja Woodfire Grill Smoked Chicken

Ninja Woodfire Grill Smoked Chicken makes a delicious meal that will blow you away with the smoky flavor, crispy skin, and incredibly juicy meat.

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Smoked Tri Tip

This delicious smoked Tri Tip is coated in a flavorful dry rub and slow smoked to perfection.

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Easy Brisket Sliders

These easy Brisket Sliders are made with deliciously tender smoked brisket (get the recipe here), served on toasted, buttered slider rolls, bbq sauce, a quick pickle, and pickled red peppers.

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Easy Oven-Baked Baby Back Ribs

Oven-baked baby back ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender and flavorful, just like grilled ribs, but with a lot less effort.

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Cajun Dry Rub Chicken Wings

These delicious Cajun Dry Rub Chicken Wings are seasoned with a spicy and flavorful Cajun seasoning then cooked to perfection. They're so crispy and delicious, you won't be able to stop eating them.

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Jerk Chicken Wings

These easy Jerk chicken wings have a spicy, flavorful jerk seasoning and they turn out perfectly crispy and juicy in just 30 minutes in the oven.

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Honey Sriracha Chicken Wings

These delicious Honey Sriracha Chicken Wings are cooked to perfection, then coated in sweet and spicy sauce that will have you licking your fingers.

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Dessert

Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

This homemade vanilla ice cream uses a custard-style base to make a creamy deliciously scoopable homemade ice cream.

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Homemade Blueberry Ice Cream

This homemade blueberry ice cream is made with fresh blueberries, sugar, and half and half to make a creamy deliciously scoopable homemade ice cream that's incredibly flavorful.

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Chocolate Malted Crunch Ice Cream

This Chocolate Malted Crunch Ice Cream is so rich and chocolatey, with a hint of malt flavor, and lots of crunchy bits from the Whoppers candies.

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No-Bake Oreo Cheesecake

Who could resist this decadent, rich, silky No-Bake Oreo cheesecake, with none of the bake time? It’s a no-brainer, especially for summertime when no-bake is a must.

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Scotcheroos

These easy no-bake scotcheroos are rich, decadent, and packed full of chocolate and butterscotch flavor.

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Brookies

The perfect marriage of rich chocolaty brownie and buttery chewy cookies.

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Drinks and Cocktails

Instant Pot Blackberry Iced Tea

This fresh and fruity Blackberry Iced Tea uses in-season fruit to create a tasty summer drink. The instant pot is fantastic for making tea.

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Raspberry Gin Fizz

This Raspberry Gin Fizz is a great cocktail for a summer holiday, like 4th of July or Labor Day. The colors are vibrant and you can make them in a large batch to serve at a barbecue.

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Classic Moscow Mule Recipe

The Classic Moscow Mule has a very good balance of sweet, sour, spicy, and boozy, but watch out…they go down easy!

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Instant Pot Peach Iced Tea

You can make a batch of Instant Pot Peach Iced Tea in just 15 minutes and it won’t heat up your kitchen like it does on the stovetop. Its the perfect drink for a lazy summer afternoon.

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Watermelon Vodka Lemonade

This refreshing watermelon vodka lemonade is super quick and easy to prepare. It combines 2 iconic summer treats and is perfect for a backyard BBQ.

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The Best Strawberry Mojito Recipe

This Strawberry Mojito is packed with fresh, vibrant strawberries and mint, mixed with sugar and rum and soda water.

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Hippie Juice Cocktail for a Crowd

This delicious summer cocktail is made with lemonade and watermelon vodka to make the summer’s best big-batch cocktail for parties and gatherings.

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Laura Lynch

Laura is a home cook, with 25 years experience behind the stove, who spends an extraordinary amount of time in the kitchen cooking. She loves making new recipes and finding wonderful new things to eat, both at home or abroad. She spends a lot of time researching, crafting, and perfecting her recipes.