The Ultimate Labor Day Cookout Menu

Plan the perfect Labor Day cookout with our favorite burgers, barbecue, Southern sides, appetizers, and desserts. This easy menu guide has everything you need for a memorable backyard celebration.

Labor Day has always been one of my favorite weekends to fire up the grill.

For our family, it isn't just the unofficial end of summer—it's one last chance to gather everyone together before life settles into its fall routine. Some of the kids and grandkids head back to public school, others are homeschooled, and some attend private school.

This year is especially exciting because several of the young people in our family are starting brand-new adventures, including five heading off to college. Before football schedules, homework, and busy calendars take over, we love spending one more afternoon around the backyard table.

When we host, everyone pitches in.

I'll usually be outside tending the grill or smoker while my wife, Randi, is in the kitchen putting together potato salad, deviled eggs, coleslaw, and all the classic Southern sides. My mother-in-law, Janice, always shows up with incredible desserts (trust me—you'll want to save room!) and her famous Southwest beans. Before long, the rest of the family starts arriving with chips, dips, drinks, ice, fruit trays, and veggie platters.

Sure, most of the cooking falls to us—but honestly, we wouldn't have it any other way.

There's something special about watching everyone gather around the food, filling their plates, pulling up lawn chairs, and spending a few hours simply enjoying one another's company. That's what Labor Day is all about.

We've Got You Covered this Labor Day

If you're planning a backyard barbecue this Labor Day, we've gathered our favorite recipes all in one place to make your menu planning easy. Whether you're feeding four people or forty, you'll find plenty of inspiration below.

You will find links to every recipe throughout this roundup. Bookmark this page and come back whenever you're planning a holiday cookout!

What Is Labor Day?

Labor Day is celebrated on the first Monday in September and honors the hard work and contributions of American workers. It became a federal holiday in 1894 and has grown into one of the country's favorite long weekends.

Today, Labor Day is about more than taking a day off from work. It's a chance to slow down, reconnect with family and friends, and enjoy one last taste of summer before fall arrives.

For many families—including ours—that means gathering outside, firing up the grill, and sharing a meal together.

Why Labor Day and Backyard BBQs Go Hand in Hand

There's just something about Labor Day that calls for burgers on the grill, kids playing in the yard, and a table full of homemade side dishes.

Maybe it's because the weather is beginning to change. Maybe it's because football season is just around the corner. Or maybe it's simply because everyone is looking for one more reason to gather before schedules get hectic again.

Whatever the reason, Labor Day has become one of America's favorite grilling holidays, and we think that's worth celebrating.

Step 1: Pick Your Main Dish

Every great cookout starts with an unforgettable main course. Whether you're grilling over charcoal, cooking on a pellet smoker, or using your trusty gas grill, these recipes are guaranteed crowd-pleasers. Enjoy the following meats, guaranteed to make your Labor Day festivities tasty and fun.

Beef Favorites

When it comes to Labor Day, you can never go wrong with beef. Whether you're flipping burgers for the kids or smoking a rack of ribs low and slow, beef has a way of bringing everyone to the table. These recipes are hearty, satisfying, and perfect for feeding a hungry crowd after a day spent outdoors.

Pork Favorites

Pork is one of the most versatile meats you can serve at a backyard cookout. From juicy bratwurst and tender pork tenderloin to a beautifully smoked honey ham, these recipes are packed with flavor and easy enough for both beginner and experienced grill masters.

Chicken Favorites

Chicken is always a crowd-pleaser, especially when it's cooked over an open flame. Whether you prefer crispy spatchcock chicken, smoky beer can chicken, or finger-licking wings, these recipes are simple to prepare and loaded with backyard flavor.

Seafood

Looking for something a little lighter? Seafood is a delicious option for late-summer gatherings. Our teriyaki salmon is smoky, flavorful, and cooks surprisingly quickly, making it a wonderful choice when you want something a little different from the usual burgers and barbecue.

Step 2: Build the Perfect Plate with Homemade Sides

If the grill is the heart of a Labor Day cookout, the side dishes are what make the meal memorable. Around our house, my wife Randi is the one you'll usually find in the kitchen, stirring up potato salad, peeling eggs for deviled eggs, chopping vegetables, and making sure every serving bowl is full before guests arrive. She's mastered the art of make-ahead sides, which means we can actually enjoy the party instead of spending the whole day cooking.

The best plates have a little bit of everything—a scoop of creamy potato salad, a helping of crisp coleslaw, maybe a spoonful of cowboy caviar or Southwest beans, and whatever else catches your eye. Everyone has a favorite, and that's half the fun!

The recipes below are all family-tested favorites. Most can be prepared ahead of time, they travel well if you're headed to someone else's gathering, and they're just as welcome at a neighborhood barbecue as they are at a church picnic or family reunion. Mix and match a few of them, and you'll have a Labor Day spread your guests will be talking about long after the holiday is over.

Step 3: Set Out Plenty of Appetizers

The best conversations usually happen while everyone is waiting on the meat to finish cooking. While I'm tending the smoker, we always like to set out a few easy appetizers to keep everyone happy. From creamy dips and smoky spreads to fresh guacamole and candied bacon, these recipes are simple to prepare, easy to share, and guaranteed to disappear long before it's time for dinner.

Step 4: Don't Forget Dessert

If you ask my family, dessert is never optional. My mother-in-law always brings something sweet, and somehow there's still room after a big barbecue meal. (And by the way, you can check out more of her desserts at Out of the Box Baking.)

Randi's really great with desserts, too. In fact, the whole family is pretty addicted to our sweets, so we like to close out a meal with dessert every time. Here are some of our favorites for Labor Day.

Three Easy Labor Day Menus

Here are some fun suggestions to fill empty tummies on Labor Day. Mix & Match or follow our plan. . .your guests will have a blast and leave happy and fully.

Classic Backyard BBQ

Texas Smokehouse Feast

Easy Family Cookout

Frequently Asked Questions

What foods are traditionally served on Labor Day?

Classic Labor Day menus usually include grilled meats like burgers, hot dogs, ribs, chicken, or bratwurst along with potato salad, baked beans, coleslaw, deviled eggs, fresh fruit, chips and dips, and a homemade dessert.

What are the best make-ahead Labor Day side dishes?

Potato salad, coleslaw, pasta salad, deviled eggs, cowboy caviar, and dips can all be prepared the day before your gathering, making Labor Day much more relaxing.

What desserts are best for a Labor Day cookout?

Southern favorites like banana pudding, cobblers, no-bake pies, Pig Pickin' Cake, and cookies all travel well and are easy to serve to a crowd.

How much food should I prepare?

A good rule of thumb is to plan for each guest to enjoy one main dish, two or three sides, an appetizer or snack, and dessert. If you're grilling for a crowd, leftovers are never a bad thing!

Can I prepare most of the menu ahead of time?

Absolutely! In fact, we recommend it. Prepare your sides, desserts, and appetizers the day before so that Labor Day is all about enjoying family and friends—not spending the entire day in the kitchen.

Final Thoughts

However you celebrate Labor Day, we hope it's filled with laughter, good conversation, and plenty of great food.

Whether you're grilling burgers for a few close friends or smoking enough barbecue to feed the whole neighborhood, remember that the best memories aren't made by perfect recipes—they're made by the people gathered around the table.

From our family to yours, we wish you a safe, happy, and delicious Labor Day.

Happy grilling!

— Zach

Thanks for Stopping By!

If you make any of these dishes this Labor Day please leave a comment or review. And before you go, why not pin some photos to your Pinterest boards?

The Ultimate Labor Day Cookout Menu (40+ Recipes for Your Backyard BBQ)