A Labor Day cookout deserve better than the same tired burgers and dried-out hot dogs. This lineup of easy cookout recipes and backyard barbecue ideas focuses on the kind of food that makes people linger around the patio long after the plates are empty.

Brushing mango glaze over a rack of ribs

From small bites to mains, sides, and grilled chicken recipes that actually steal the show, here are 20 of My Favorite Labor Day Grilling Recipes for your end-of-summer party.

Table of Contents

Nibbles and Starters

Start the afternoon right with finger foods that keep guests busy while the main coals burn down.

Dipping a tortilla chip into cheese dip

Slow Cooker Corn and Pepper Cheese Dip

Made completely hands-off in the slow cooker and kept warm right in the pot, this ultra-creamy dip blends milk, cream cheese, and two melting cheeses with sweet corn and tender sweet peppers for a mellow, flavorful bite.

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A wooden plate of Indian chicken wings with naan bread

Tandoori Masala Chicken Wings

No need for a tandoor oven. These wings deliver massive Indian spice flavor right from your own kitchen, baked until extra crispy and served alongside a cool, homemade raita to balance the heat.

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A cast iron platter covered with potato chips topped with melted blue cheese and jalapeño spicy sauce

Spicy Blue Cheese Potato Chips

A fancy way to elevate standard potato chips using just three ingredients, layering crisp chips with blue cheese and a fiery hit of hot sauce.

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A closeup of apple slices wrapped in prosciutto with basil

Prosciutto Wrapped Apple Bits

A salty, sweet, and crisp little pre-game bite made by wrapping fresh apple slices, cheese, and fragrant basil in savory prosciutto.

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Main Event

The heavy hitters from the grill, from sticky skewers to burgers that demand a two-handed grip.

Hot dog and bun with fresh toppings of salsa, avocado cream and cilantro

Mexican-Style Hot Dogs

Your favorite hot dog gets a massive flavor upgrade for kids and adults alike. Topped with with fresh salsa, sweet peppers, a drizzle of crema, and fresh cilantro.

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Brushing teriyaki sauce over grilled chicken

Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Skewers

Tender chicken skewers coated in a quick, glossy homemade teriyaki sauce and grilled until they’re sticky and caramelized.

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A thick chipotle chicken burger topped with melted cheese, tomato and lettuce

Chipotle Chicken Burger

Smoky, spicy chipotles in adobo mixed right into juicy ground chicken patties, ready to be topped with all your favorite fixings.

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Brushing mango glaze over a rack of ribs

Mango BBQ Ribs

Fall-off-the-bone ribs brushed with a vibrant, sticky homemade sauce made from fresh mango, soy sauce, and sesame, caramelizing into a sweet, savory glaze over the hot grill.

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On the Side

Cool, crisp, and herbaceous dishes designed to balance out all that rich, smoky meat.

A closeup of potato salad with herbs

Herb Potato Salad

The best make ahead potato salad. Roasted potatoes tossed in a light Dijon dressing and a fresh, herbaceous medley of chopped parsley and chives.

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A closeup of sliced peppers, feta and olives with pasta

Greek Pasta Salad

Rigatoni pasta tossed with chickpeas, crisp cucumbers, sweet peppers, Kalamata olives, red onion, and crumbled feta, all tied together in a bright, creamy Greek yogurt lemon and mint dressing.

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An overhead view of vegetable coleslaw in a bowl with shredded chicken

Crunchy Vegetable Coleslaw

A vibrant crunch of fresh cabbage, carrots, scallions, and fennel tossed in a creamy dressing with a clever protein boost hidden right inside.

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Pouring a jalapeno dressing onto grilled corn and squash salad

Mexican Grilled Corn and Squash Salad

Charred corn, tender summer squash, and sweet onion tossed in a vibrant, light dressing packed with bold Mexican flavors, giving you all the smoky goodness of street corn without any of the mess.

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Sweet Finishes

End the day on a high note with cold, decadent treats that beat the late-summer heat.

3 popsicles lying down on top of a plate of blueberries

Blueberry Coconut Frozen Yogurt Popsicles

Cooling frozen yogurt pops studded with juicy fresh blueberries and protein-packed coconut Greek yogurt for a sweet, wholesome treat.

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Tall glass of banoffee pie milkshake topped with whipped cream, sliced fresh bananas, crushed graham crackers, and caramel.

Banoffee Pie Milkshake

A creamy blend of caramel sauce, ripe bananas and whipped cream and Graham crackers or Digestive biscuits.

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Pretty piped cream cheese frosting on top of carrot cake with a decorative sugar carrot

Carrot Cake Squares

Moist spiced carrot cake baked in a rectangle pan for an effortless crowd-pleasing dessert, finished with a thick layer of rich cream cheese frosting.

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An overhead view of brownie slices on a white platter with whipped cream and caramel sauce

Salted Caramel Pecan Brownies

Fudgy, rich brownies taken to the next level with a decadent swirl of salted caramel and a generous crunch of toasted pecans.

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