Russian Food Recipeub August 2, 2026 0 Comments

25 BBQ Recipes That Make Labor Day the Best Cookout of the Year

By Labor Day, we’ve already had plenty of summer meals outside, but I’m never quite ready for the last big cookout. I want the grill going, the table crowded with dishes everyone can pass around, and enough food to keep people lingering long after they’ve finished their first plate. It’s less about making something elaborate and more about ending summer generously. These 25 BBQ recipes are exactly what I’d want on the table for the best cookout of the year.

Grilled Huli Huli Chicken

Grilled chicken with sesame seeds, served with white rice and colorful diced vegetables on a black plate. — Grilled Huli Huli Chicken. Photo credit: Or Whatever You Do.

I love making this Hawaiian classic because the sweet brown sugar and pineapple glaze caramelized over the fire is so good. Continuous basting coats the meat in a rich glaze while keeping every single piece deeply juicy.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Huli Huli Chicken

Grilled Pork Chop Surf and Turf

Bone in pork chop topped with hollandaise sauce and shrimp, on a white plate next to green beans. — Grilled Pork Chop Surf and Turf. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

This is my go-to whenever I want a full steakhouse experience without paying restaurant prices in my own backyard. Bone-in chops hold onto their moisture over the flames while you flash-sear a few garlic butter shrimp right alongside them.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pork Chop Surf and Turf

Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebab

Chicken skewers on skewers with lemon wedges. — Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebab. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Mixing fresh herbs and warm spices directly into ground chicken is my smart method for keeping lean poultry juicy over high heat. Traditional Middle Eastern spices form a deep crust that fills your entire backyard with an incredible aroma.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebab

Pinchos (Puerto Rican Chicken Skewers)

Grilled chicken skewers with spices on a cutting board, with sauce and bread nearby. — Pinchos (Puerto Rican Chicken Skewers). Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Switching to boneless chicken thighs for skewers is my favorite move because they stay incredibly tender no matter how long they sit over the coals. A bold adobo seasoning rub builds up a savory crust that keeps everyone coming back for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Pinchos (Puerto Rican Chicken Skewers)

Nordic Fire-Grilled Salmon

Overhead view of fire-grilled salmon in white plate. — Nordic Fire-Grilled Salmon. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Open-fire fish is my simple secret for throwing together a standout Labor Day main dish with almost zero effort. High heat creates an incredible crisp on the skin while keeping the center flaky and tender.
Get the Recipe: Nordic Fire-Grilled Salmon

Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp

These bite-sized skewers are always the first app to vanish off my platter before dinner even hits the table. Par-cooking the bacon for a few minutes first guarantees the pork gets crisp at the exact second the shrimp cooks through.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp

Traeger Pork Shoulder Skewers

Barbecue meat skewers stacked on a wooden board, glistening with sauce, ready to be served. — Traeger Pork Shoulder Skewers. Photo credit: Or Whatever You Do.

Pork shoulder is usually a day-long commitment, but this simple version gives you that tender smokehouse flavor in under an hour for Labor Day. Bite-sized cubes absorb deep wood smoke from every angle, delivering melt-in-your-mouth perfection in a fraction of the time.
Get the Recipe: Traeger Pork Shoulder Skewers

Grilled Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

Wrapping tender asparagus in thick strips of bacon is my favorite trick for turning a basic vegetable into something people fight over. Rendered pork fat drips onto the hot coals, sending up smoky flares that season the stalks under the grill lid.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

Grilled Chicken Shawarma Wrap

Two grilled wraps with visible grill marks are placed on a green plate with a yellow cloth underneath. Shredded cheese and a small bowl of sauce are seen nearby on a white surface. — Grilled Chicken Shawarma Wrap. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Pressing these stuffed wraps directly on the grates is my favorite way to serve a complete, hands-on dinner without piling up dishes. Deep grill marks crisp up the pita exterior, locking in spiced chicken and cold, crunchy veggies in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Shawarma Wrap

Grilled Pork Kabobs with Fresh Peaches

Grilled meat and vegetable skewers with pieces of pork, green bell pepper, and yellow sliced fruit on a parchment-lined tray. — Grilled Pork Kabobs with Fresh Peaches. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Ripe peaches are the star of my late-summer menu because hot iron transforms their natural sugars into pure caramel. A quick citrus marinade tenderizes the pork chunks so fruit and meat reach golden perfection together.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pork Kabobs with Fresh Peaches

Spicy Thai Chicken

Three seasoned chicken breasts topped with shredded cheese and herbs on a dark plate with green garnishes. — Spicy Thai Chicken. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

My cookout menu always includes this dish when I want to surprise guests with big, bold herbs instead of standard sauce. A quick splash of sweet coconut-lime sauce right before serving balances the kick of fresh chilis.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Thai Chicken

Grilled Scallop Skewers

Grilled chicken skewers with parsley, orange slices, and a bowl of crushed peanuts on a white plate. — Grilled Scallop Skewers. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Sweet scallops threaded onto wooden sticks are my personal pick for a special treat on Labor Day. A warm drizzle of citrus-garlic butter over the charred edges turns simple seafood into a centerpiece dish.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Scallop Skewers

BBQ Chicken Breasts with Grilled Granny Smith Apples

BBQ chicken breasts topped with grilled Granny Smith apple slices showing char marks and caramelized edges. — BBQ Chicken Breasts with Grilled Granny Smith Apples. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Pairing tangy barbecue sauce with charred apple rings completely changed how I feel about grilling chicken breasts. Tart fruit slices hold their crunch over the flames, adding a fresh contrast that keeps the meat from tasting heavy.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Chicken Breasts with Grilled Granny Smith Apples

Colombian Marinated Chicken Drumsticks

Chicken drumsticks on a plate. — Colombian Marinated Chicken Drumsticks. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Budget-friendly drumsticks are my favorite pick for feeding a big, hungry crowd without blowing through my grocery budget. Warm cumin and citrus seep deep into the skin, baking into a crisp, savory coating over the coals.
Get the Recipe: Colombian Marinated Chicken Drumsticks

Smoky Grilled Apricot Lamb Kebabs

Two plates with grilled meat skewers, salad greens, red onion, and avocado halves on a blue surface. — Smoky Grilled Apricot Lamb Kebabs. Photo credit: Running To The Kitchen.

Pairing rich lamb with sweet dried fruit is my top recommendation if you want a meal that feels truly unique. Hot coals turn the apricots jammy and sweet, cutting right through the savory depth of the meat.
Get the Recipe: Smoky Grilled Apricot Lamb Kebabs

Grilled Peanut Chicken Satay

Grilled chicken skewers topped with peanut sauce, garnished with fresh cilantro on a white surface. — Grilled Peanut Chicken Satay. Photo credit: Or Whatever You Do.

Chicken satay skewers are my top choice for party foods because people can easily eat them while mingling around the yard. High heat chars the chicken thighs, making them perfect for dipping into a rich, savory peanut sauce.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Peanut Chicken Satay

Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Shrimp skewers on a plate with lemon wedges. — Grilled Shrimp Skewers. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Fast-cooking shrimp skewers are my top shortcut when I need a light, high-protein option ready in under five minutes flat. A quick turn over hot grates turns them sweet and snappy with almost no prep work required.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Grilled Chicken Wings

Tossing wings straight onto grill grates is my favorite alternative to heating up a messy pot of oil inside. Direct heat renders the fat out of the skin, giving you that crackling pub-style crunch naturally.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Wings

Peach Salmon Skewers With Peach Jalapeno Crema

Side view of salmon skewers with more in background. — Peach Salmon Skewers With Peach Jalapeno Crema. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Thick cubes of fresh salmon paired with stone fruit are my answer for a light, colorful summer plate. Natural fruit juices keep the fish moist over the heat, while a drizzle of jalapeno cream adds a smooth, spicy finish.
Get the Recipe: Peach Salmon Skewers With Peach Jalapeno Crema

Grilled Hawaiian Chicken

Three grilled chicken breasts stuffed with ham and melted cheese are artfully arranged in a speckled ceramic dish, making them the perfect backyard BBQ hero. Garnished with sliced green onions and glazed with a savory sauce, this grilled meal invites everyone to the table. — Grilled Hawaiian Chicken. Photo credit: Running To The Kitchen.

Stuffing plain chicken breasts with salty ham and pineapple is my favorite way to make a basic dinner feel special. A blanket of melted provolone cheese seals the pocket shut, trapping all those delicious juices inside while it grills.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Hawaiian Chicken

Grilled Lamb Loin Chops

Starting these chops in a hot cast-iron skillet right on the grates is my favorite trick for getting a thick, golden crust every time for Labor Day. Heavy iron locks in the rich juices before the open fire adds that final layer of smoky flavor.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Lamb Loin Chops

Juicy Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs

I always pick chicken thighs over breasts for big cookouts because they are virtually impossible to dry out over hot coals. A sweet sauce brushed on during the final few minutes bakes into a rich, sticky glaze everyone loves.
Get the Recipe: Juicy Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs

Grilled Halloumi Burger

Halloumi is a staple in my fridge because it chars into golden slabs on the grill without melting into the fire. Toasted buns packed with warm cheese, crisp pickles, and a quick aioli make this my top pick for non-meat eaters.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Halloumi Burger

Garam Masala Cedar Plank Salmon

Cedar plank salmon seasoned with garam masala and grilled to a golden finish. — Garam Masala Cedar Plank Salmon. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Soaked cedar boards are my favorite tool for grilling fish because they shield delicate fillets from burning over direct flames on Labor Day. Brown sugar and warm spices melt into the fish, trapping woodsy smoke under the hood with minimal cleanup afterward.
Get the Recipe: Garam Masala Cedar Plank Salmon

Grilled Greek Lemon Chicken Kabobs

Bright lemon and oregano skewers are my top recommendation when you want a meal that feels like a sunny Mediterranean getaway. Colorful red onions and bell peppers threaded between the chicken keep every single bite tender and juicy.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Greek Lemon Chicken Kabobs

If this is summer’s last big hurrah, I’m not wasting it on forgettable food. Which recipe earns a spot at your cookout?