41 Labor Day BBQ Ideas to End Summer with a Sizzle

Labor Day is the perfect time to celebrate summer with a feast. These 41 BBQ ideas include everything you need to grill, smoke, and serve up a memorable meal. Whether you want classic flavors or something new, this collection has you covered for a festive holiday cookout.

Smoked Pulled Pork

Smoked Pulled Pork is a mouth-watering treat that brings together the tangy, sweet, and smoky flavors characteristic of barbecue.  Get the recipe

Irresistible Grilled Volcano Potatoes

If you’re ready to take your grilled sides to the next level, you have to try these Irresistible Grilled Volcano Potatoes. Picture tender baked potatoes wrapped in smoky bacon, stuffed with a cheesy pulled pork filling, and finished off with a bubbling, golden glaze from the grill. Get the recipe

Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

This Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream uses a custard-style base (with eggs) to make a creamy deliciously scoopable homemade ice cream. Get the recipe

Bang Bang Chicken Skewers

These skewers combine tender, juicy chicken with a creamy, spicy sauce that hits all the right notes. It’s sweet, tangy, and just the right amount of heat. Get the recipe

Easy Oven Baked Baby Back Ribs

These super easy Oven-Baked Baby Back Ribs turn tedious fire-pit cooking into a simple indoor process that delivers fall-apart baby back ribs every time. You’re going to love this recipe!  Get the recipe

Smoked Shotgun Shells

Smoked Shotgun Shells are the perfect BBQ treat, featuring manicotti tubes stuffed with a savory mixture of ground beef and cheese, wrapped in crispy bacon, and glazed with BBQ sauce. Get the recipe

Smoky Summer Guacamole Burgers

Juicy, cheesy, and piled high with guacamole—these Smoky Summer Guacamole Burgers bring bold flavor and texture. With a smoky spice blend and crispy tortilla strips on top, they’re the kind of burger that makes a plain one feel totally underdressed. Get the recipe

Classic Potato Salad

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. Get the recipe

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. Get the recipe

Chicken Skewers with Cowboy Butter

Chicken Skewers with Cowboy Butter are one of those meals that feels like it was made for outdoor grilling season. The chicken is juicy, flavorful, and just the right amount of charred, while the cowboy butter adds a rich, zesty kick that makes the whole thing completely addictive. Get the recipe

Perfect Grilled Pork Chops

Thick chops seasoned with dry rub sear to a juicy, flavorful crust over medium‑high heat. They hit the sweet spot of smoky and tender every time. Get the recipe

Marinated Grilled Chicken Thighs

These marinated grilled chicken thighs are packed with flavor from the marinade, using just 7 easy ingredients. This is your go-to grilled chicken recipe! Get the recipe

The Best Brisket Buns

These delicious BBQ Brisket Buns are the perfect meal to make after you’ve spend hours smoking a brisket on the smoker. The intense smoked flavor of the tender, fatty meat makes the perfect sandwich. Get the recipe

Perfect Korean BBQ Chicken

Chicken thighs are marinated in a rich Korean BBQ sauce and grilled until sticky, charred, and irresistible. Every bite bursts with sweet, savory, tangy flavor. Get the recipe

Iced Strawberry Green Tea Lemonade

This strawberry green tea lemonade is the perfect mix of sweet and sour, with a fresh green tea base – a combination that’s perfect for spring and summer drinks. Putting a pitcher of this on the table at a summer BBQ would make you the most popular person there! Get the recipe

Best Broccoli Salad Recipe

This Broccoli Salad combines fresh broccoli, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and bacon bits in a creamy homemade dressing. Get the recipe

Perfectly Grilled Steak Recipe

There’s nothing quite as satisfying as a Perfectly Grilled Steak, and knowing how to achieve that elusive combination of tenderness, juiciness, and flavor is a skill that any grill master should have in their arsenal. Get the recipe

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. Get the recipe

Easy Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches

Combine two of your favorite desserts into one delicious treat with these Homemade Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches, made with boxed or homemade brownies and your favorite ice cream. Get the recipe

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. Get the recipe

Simple Grilled Brats Recipe

As we usher in the warm weather, it’s time to break out the BBQ and prep for those delightful cookouts. And there’s one dish that’s bound to be a hit among both family and friends: Grilled Brats. Get the recipe

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. Get the recipe

Churros Rice Krispies Treats

If you love the crispy, gooey goodness of traditional Rice Krispies treats and the sweet, cinnamon-sugar flavor of churros, then you’re in for a real treat! Churros Rice Krispies Treats combine the best of both worlds: crispy cereal squares coated in a buttery marshmallow mixture, then dusted with cinnamon sugar for that iconic churro taste. Get the recipe

Salt & Pepper Chicken Wings

Salt and pepper chicken wings keep it simple—but don’t mistake that for boring. These wings are all about crispy texture and clean, bold flavor. With just a handful of ingredients, they deliver that classic crunch and a savory, peppery finish that makes them totally addictive. Get the recipe

Slow Grilled Tri Tip Steak

This tri tip roast develops a flavorful crust and stays amazingly tender when grilled indirectly. With a simple homemade dry rub, it’s a crowd‑pleaser any grilling pro will appreciate. Get the Recipe

Grilled Mexican Street Corn (Elote)

A classic Grilled Mexican Street Corn or Elote is charred on the grill, then slathered in mayo, and topped with tangy Cotija cheese, chili powder and cilantro. It’s like corn on the cob packed with joy and happiness. Get the recipe

Sugar Cookie Fruit Cups

If you’re looking for a dessert that feels summery, looks impressive, and doesn’t require a ton of work, sugar cookie fruit cups check all the boxes. They’re bright, sweet, and bite-sized, with a buttery cookie base, a creamy filling, and fresh fruit on top. Get the recipe

Korean BBQ Grilled Chicken Sandwich

This Korean BBQ Grilled Chicken Sandwich will spice up your sandwich game and quickly become a favorite. This yummy sandwich features tender chicken thighs, grilled to perfection, basted with a homemade Korean BBQ sauce, and topped with a lightly pickled cucumber and cabbage. Get the recipe

Easy Smores Bars Recipe

This delicious Smores Bars Recipe is a perfect way to enjoy the classic campfire treat. The gooey and sweet dessert features a crunchy graham cracker base and a rich chocolate topping made from melted chocolate chips and marshmallows. Get the recipe

Instant Pot Peach Iced Tea

You can make a batch of this Instant Pot Peach Iced Tea in just 15 minutes and it won’t heat up your kitchen like it does on the stovetop or have to sit outside for hours in the sun.  For Labor Day a glass of chilled peach iced tea is the perfect beverage to cool you down. Get the recipe

Smoked Tri Tip Steak

Coated in a savory rub and smoked low and slow, this tri tip delivers rich, smoky flavor in just about 2 hours. It’s perfect for letting the meat shine with minimal fuss. Get the recipe

Grilled Chicken Drumsticks

Grilled Chicken Drumsticks are a classic and delicious dish that can be made on the grill all year round for that delicious smoky flavor that only the grill can impart. Get the recipe

Fruit Pizza Summer Appetizer with Rice Krispie Crust

Bring a burst of color and sweetness to your next summer gathering with this Fruit Pizza Summer Appetizer! Instead of a traditional cookie crust, this recipe uses a chewy, buttery Rice Krispies Treat base that’s topped with whipped cream cheese frosting and fresh, vibrant fruit.  Get the recipe

Smoked Armadillo Eggs

These Smoked Armadillo Eggs are jalapeno poppers with a creamy, cheesy center, encased in sausage meat, then rolled in bacon and smoked to soak up all that classic wood flavor. Get the recipe

Grilled Steak Skewers

Bite‑sized cubes of steak threaded with peppers and onions grill up fast for a no‑fuss, charred snack or entrée. Ideal for feeding a hungry crowd—quick to grill and easy to serve. Get the recipe

Delicious Scotcheroos Bars

These easy No-Bake Scotcheroos are rich and decadent, with a thick chocolate topping and peanut butter and butterscotch flavor. Looking for something with chocolate, peanut butter, and butterscotch? These truly are the perfect trifecta of all your favorite things. Get the recipe

3 2 1 Rib Recipe

The 3 2 1 rib recipe method is one of the best ways to get lip-smacking, fall-off-the-bone tender ribs that will have you convinced this is the method to rule them all. So, fire up your grill or smoker, and let’s get started on this finger-licking culinary journey! Get the recipe

Simple Banana Split Dessert Skewers

These Banana Split Dessert Skewers bring all the flavors of the beloved ice cream sundae into a fun, portable, and easy-to-make snack that’s perfect for parties, summer gatherings, or anytime you want a sweet treat without the mess. Get the recipe

Classic Macaroni Salad

This Classic Macaroni Salad combines tender macaroni with a medley of vegetables, eggs, and a tangy mayonnaise-based dressing to make the perfect side dish for your outdoor cookout or picnic. Get the recipe

Easy 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. Any Oreo lover and fans of cookies and cream will love this dessert. It has a decadent Oreo-cookie crust with a rich and creamy cheesecake base with crumbled cookies mixed in. Get the recipe

Strawberry Caprese Skewers with Balsamic Glaze

Rather than serving the traditional Caprese salad, try this fun variation that substitutes sweet strawberries for the tomatoes. These quick and easy  Strawberry Caprese Skewers are sure to be a hit at your next party. Get the recipe