If you want to become the legend of Labor Day, these 19 BBQ ideas are exactly what you need. Each recipe is straightforward yet bursting with flavor, perfect for impressing your guests without breaking a sweat. Whether you’re a seasoned griller or just getting started, these dishes will have everyone talking about your skills. Get ready to be the star of the show with these BBQ hits that are sure to make your gathering unforgettable.
Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup
Embrace the rich flavors with Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup, a classic dish turned extraordinary with the addition of smoky goodness. Each spoonful is infused with a deep, smoky chicken flavor that melds beautifully with the traditional spices and crisp tortilla strips. This soup promises warmth and comfort, making it a must-have for your Labor Day celebration. It’s an inviting dish that will leave everyone asking for the recipe.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup
Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese
Transform the humble grilled cheese into a masterpiece with Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese. Juicy, smoked pulled pork combined with melty cheese between slices of buttery bread offers an irresistible contrast. Each bite delivers a symphony of textures and tastes—crisp bread, stringy cheese, and succulently seasoned pork—making it an irresistible option for both comfort food enthusiasts and adventurous eaters alike. Guests will marvel at the creative pairing, solidifying your status as a BBQ legend.
Get the Recipe: Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese
Pork Stuffed Smoked Jalapeno Poppers
Pork Stuffed Smoked Jalapeno Poppers are the ultimate appetizer that’ll set your Labor Day apart. Filled with flavorful pork and enveloped in smoke’s embrace, these jalapenos offer just the right kick. They’re a crowd-pleaser, perfect for setting the tone for a memorable barbecue. Each bite is a discovery of flavors, proving that great things come in small packages.
Get the Recipe: Pork Stuffed Smoked Jalapeno Poppers
Texas-Style Carne Asada
Bring the bold flavors of the Lone Star State to your table with Texas-Style Carne Asada. Marinated in a blend of vibrant spices and grilled to perfection, each slice is juicy and full of flavor. This dish is a testament to the power of simple ingredients creating extraordinary results. It’s a celebration on a plate, promising to be a highlight of your Labor Day feast.
Get the Recipe: Texas-Style Carne Asada
Smoked Pork Shots
For a unique twist, Smoked Pork Shots are a playful yet delicious choice. These bite-sized treats filled with flavorful pork and wrapped in bacon are smoked to perfection. They’re not just food; they’re conversation starters, offering a blend of flavors that explode in your mouth. It’s fun on a plate, ensuring your BBQ is remembered long after the last firework has faded.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Pork Shots
Grilled Beef Finger Meat
Grilled Beef Finger Meat is all about highlighting the meat’s natural flavors through the simple art of grilling. This dish shows the beauty of minimalism, focusing on the quality of beef and the skill of the grill master. Served hot and juicy, it’s a straightforward yet profound way to enjoy beef. It shows your guests that sometimes, the best approach is the simplest one. Luminary BBQ moments are made of dishes like these.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Beef Finger Meat
Smoked Ribeye Roast
Transforming the classic barbecue lineup, Smoked Ribeye Roast offers a luxurious twist. The slow smoking process infuses the ribeye with an unparalleled depth of flavor, making each slice melt in your mouth. It’s a dish that speaks volumes of your culinary prowess, impressing even the most discerning guests. This roast is not just a meal; it’s a statement, underscoring your Labor Day event as a premium cooking experience.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Ribeye Roast
Grilled Corn Guacamole
Bring a smoky twist to everyone’s favorite dip with Grilled Corn Guacamole. The charred kernels add a pop of sweetness and texture that pairs beautifully with creamy avocados and fresh lime juice. It’s a side dish that goes beyond the ordinary, offering a fresh take on a classic. This guacamole is the perfect companion to any BBQ dish, adding a fresh layer of flavor that complements smoky meats perfectly.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Corn Guacamole
Smoked Turkey Thighs
Smoked Turkey Thighs are a succulent alternative that deserves a spot at your barbecue. The low and slow smoking process locks in moisture, leaving the turkey incredibly tender and filled with smoky flavor. It’s an unexpected choice that stands out from the typical BBQ fare, promising to intrigue and satisfy your guests. This dish showcases the versatility of turkey, making it a standout option for any festive occasion.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Turkey Thighs
Grilled Vegetables
Not just an accompaniment but a celebration of summer’s bounty of Grilled Vegetables. Charred to perfection, each vegetable offers a different texture and flavor, making them the perfect side to complement any main dish. They add a splash of color and nutrition to your BBQ spread, ensuring there’s something for everyone. These veggies prove that grilling isn’t reserved for meats alone, elevating the entire dining experience.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Vegetables
Smoked Queso
Smoked Queso is a cheesy treat that will change the way you think about dips. Its creamy texture and deep smoky flavor make it a decadent way to kick off any gathering. This queso becomes the heart of any party, inviting guests to gather around and share in the deliciousness. It’s a testament to the magic of smoke and cheese combined, creating a dish that’s both comforting and exciting.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Queso
Sizzling Thai Pork & Green Beans on the Blackstone Griddle
When you prepare Sizzling Thai Pork & Green Beans on the Blackstone Griddle, you’re introducing your guests to a world of vibrant flavors. This dish combines the umami of pork with the crisp freshness of green beans, all tied together with a tantalizing Thai sauce. Cooking on the griddle not only makes preparation a breeze but also adds a wonderful char that enhances the dish. It’s a cooking adventure that’ll make your barbecue unforgettable.
Get the Recipe: Sizzling Thai Pork & Green Beans on the Blackstone Griddle
Smoked New York Strip Roast
Enjoy a dish that brings elegance to your BBQ spread with Smoked New York Strip Roast. Smoking this prime cut of beef imbues it with a complex flavor profile that is hard to match. Each slice is a testament to the art of smoking, offering a luxurious eating experience. This roast is more than food; it’s a celebration of texture and taste, setting a sophisticated tone for your Labor Day BBQ.
Get the Recipe: Smoked New York Strip Roast
Big Mac Tacos
Big Mac Tacos blend the iconic flavors of a classic burger with the fun form of a taco, creating a playful dish that’s sure to be a hit. This innovation layers in all the beloved elements of a Big Mac inside a crisp taco shell. It’s a creative twist that combines the best of both worlds, offering a memorable eating experience. This dish is a true crowd-pleaser, proving that taking risks with food can lead to delicious rewards.
Get the Recipe: Big Mac Tacos
Traeger Smoked Chicken Spatchcock
Offer a masterclass in poultry preparation of Traeger Smoked Chicken Spatchcock. The spatchcocking technique ensures even cooking, while the smoking process adds a layer of complexity to the flavor. Presented in its entirety, the chicken not only tastes amazing but also makes for a dramatic presentation. It’s a dish that expresses your dedication to the making of BBQ, guaranteeing admiration from your guests.
Get the Recipe: Traeger Smoked Chicken Spatchcock
Korean Galbi Ribs
With Korean Galbi Ribs, you introduce an international flair to your barbecue. The ribs are marinated in a rich sauce that blends sweet, flavorful, and umami notes, then grilled to caramelized perfection. This dish is a gateway to exploring global barbecue traditions, offering flavors that are bold and exciting. It encourages your guests to explore new cooking landscapes, making your barbecue an event to remember.
Get the Recipe: Korean Galbi Ribs
Grilled Chicken Wings with Buffalo Sauce
Combine the universal love for wings with the irresistible allure of the grill with Grilled Chicken Wings with Buffalo Sauce. The smoky char of the grill adds a new dimension to the spicy, tangy buffalo sauce, making each bite a revelation. This dish is a lively addition to any BBQ menu, promising to spark conversations and joy. It shows that classics can always be reinvented, bringing new life to beloved flavors.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Wings with Buffalo Sauce
Traeger Smoked Garlic
Traeger Smoked Garlic takes an often-overlooked ingredient and transforms it into a star. Smoking garlic cloves soften their bite and infuse them with a gentle smokiness, making them a versatile addition to any dish. It can transform simple recipes or be enjoyed as a spread, proving the power of subtle transformations. This smoked garlic is a reminder that great BBQ is about more than just meat; it’s about mastering the details.
Get the Recipe: Traeger Smoked Garlic
Grilled Hanger Steaks with Chimichurri
Experience a bold statement on the grill with Grilled Hanger Steaks with Chimichurri. The vibrant chimichurri sauce complements the rich, beefy flavor of the hanger steaks, creating a harmonious balance. This dish is a dance of bold and fresh flavors, proving that simplicity often leads to the most memorable meals. It’s a celebration of quality ingredients and the joy of grilling, making it a perfect highlight for your Labor Day BBQ.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Hanger Steaks with Chimichurri
