A collection of summer-inspired recipes with a hint of autumn eats to celebrate Labor Day and say farewell to summer deliciously. Getting in those last bits of summertime bites while welcoming all those warm autumn comfort foods.
In this post you’ll find the following:
Appetizers and Finger Foods
If you ever went some a cookout or gathering I threw or my parents threw there always, ALWAYS were appetizers and finger foods. Traditionally Mom would have a single 8′ bingo table at the very front of the ‘line’ full of nothing but these snacky-type/nibbles of food.
Bacon Wrapped Cheesy Big Daddy Mac Meatballs On The Smoker
Tender, juicy meatballs oozing with cheesy goodness wrapped in seasoned bacon. It’s time to fire up the smoker to make one of the best appetizers you’ll ever eat!
Ultimate Buttery Maple Bourbon Glazed Candied Bacon Pineapple Spears
Get ready for a mouthwatering culinary adventure with a sweet and savory twist. Imagine crispy bacon, candied ham, juicy pineapple that’s baked to perfection and finished with a decadent buttery maple bourbon glaze!
Caramelized Vidalia Onion Dip Made On The Smoker
Delicious dips can elevate any gathering, and a caramelized Vidalia onion dip made on the smoker takes it to a whole new level. This smoky caramelized onion dip is truly an irresistible snacking favorite!
The Best Smoked Hatch Chile Salsa
Smoking your vegetables is the secret ingredient you’ve been missing to elevate your salsa to something truly outstanding. Adding a smoky twist can transform your hatch chile salsa into a flavor fiesta like no other!
Be a Hosting Guru with this Ultimate Charcuterie Board!
Be a hosting guru with this delicious, easy, crowd-pleasing Ultimate Charcuterie Board featuring meats, cheese, fruits, veggies and so much more!
Elevate Your Grill Game with Flame Kissed Cheesy Jalapeño Poppers
Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with a fiery explosion of flavor! Flame-kissed cheesy jalapeño poppers, oozing with melted cheese and savory bacon, are always a huge crowd favorite.
Main Dishes
Oh sure, I will absolutely serve hot dogs and burgers, but I’m also breaking out some comfort dishes to celebrate the cooler temps.
Mom’s Classic Stuffed Cabbage Rolls – The Best Recipe!
No summer cookout is complete without a tray of stuffed cabbages! Tender cabbage leaves stuffed with rice, seasoned ground meats and a rich tomato sauce make this the perfect summer comfort food. Plus these freeze beautifully!
Fire up the Flavor with Grilled BBQ Chicken Lollipops
Chicken Lollipops are a delicious, flavorful, and fun-to-eat twist on classic grilled chicken! Fire up the grill today and elevate your BBQ game with flame-kissed BBQ chicken lollipops.
Ultimate Smoked & Candied Pork Belly Burnt Ends
Lip-smacking succulent Candied Pork Belly Smoked Burnt ends. Smoked to perfection. these crispy and melt-in-your-mouth bites of .pig candy are the perfect addition to any game day or BBQ gathering.
Ricotta Stuffed Italian Sausage Boats on the Smoker
Tantalize your taste buds with a mouthwatering dish that combines the savory goodness of Italian sausage stuffed with the creamy indulgence of ricotta cheese. Fire up the smoker, gather your ingredients, and prepare to elevate your grilling game with this delicious recipe.
Ultimate Loaded Chili Stuffed Baked Potatoes
Perfectly baked potatoes fluffed up and stuffed with chili (bean or beanless), topped with 2 types of cheese, sour cream, and chives for the perfect anytime meal!
The Best Pittsburgh Haluski – Fried Cabbage and Noodles in Butter
Are you in the mood for a hearty and comforting meal that won’t break the bank? Look no further than Mom’s Rustic Slovak recipe! This delicious dish features butter-fried onions and cabbage, tender egg noodles, flavorful seasonings, and optional charred kielbasa.
Sandwiches, Burgers, and Dogs
The end of summer is when many of you use your grill for the last time. Living in AZ, this is one thing I don’t have to worry about as I grill/smoke out all year long.
So let’s whip up a killer burger or sandwich. From pulled pork to cheesy hotdogs, it’s practically a law.
Irresistibly Amazing Smoked Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwiches
Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with the ultimate comfort food experience. Venture with me into the world of irresistibly amazing smoked pulled pork BBQ sandwiches. Picture smoked-to-perfection pork butt, tangy BBQ sauce, and diner-style coleslaw all coming together in a symphony of flavors.
The Best Smoked Hot Dogs You’ll Ever Eat
Are you looking to take your cookout game to the next level? Cross-hatching hotdogs, seasoning them with brisket seasoning, and smoking them make them one of the best hot dogs you’ll ever have!
The Best Grilled German Bratwurst Burgers Stuffed With Cheese & Sauerkraut
Prepare to take your taste buds on a flavor-packed journey of a perfectly grilled bratwurst burger stuffed with sauerkraut and gooey Swiss cheese. A slice of red onion, crispy sauerkraut, and whole-grain mustard on a pretzel bun will make this your new favorite burger!
Korean-Style Crispy Shrimp Burgers
These panko-crusted shrimp patties are jam-packed with flavor, air-fried until crispy golden brown then topped with melted cheese, spicy pepper jam, lettuce, and nestled in a sesame seed brioche bun. It’s truly one of the best bites you’ll ever have!
Tots and Pulled Pork Sandwich
This Pittsburgh classic sandwich is a culmination of Tangy Pulled Pork, epic Pittsburgh slaw and Crispy Tater Tots. It’s the perfect tailgating party food to cheer on your favorite team!
The Most Amazing Pulled Chicken Sandwich with Crisp Apple Coleslaw
Adding BBQ pulled chicken topped with a lip-smacking applesauce BBQ sauce and crispy apple coleslaw to a soft brioche bun for one of the most amazing BBQ chicken sandwiches you’ll ever eat!
Salads, Slaws, and Sides
What I love about Labor Day is you get to have a mix of classic summer salads but also you get to bring out some of the cooler temp foods.
Stone Fruit Summer Salad with Burrata & Prosciutto
Say hello to summer deliciously with this stone fruit salad with shaved prosciutto, luscious burrata, and 2 types of basil!
Ultimate Bacon Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad
Transform chicken, crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, and cooked pasta coated in a homemade ranch dressing into the most amazing pasta salad!
Simple Caprese Italian Salad with Artichokes
This light and refreshing Artichoke Caprese Italian Salad takes your tastebuds to Italy with each delicious bite! A delightful blend of Italian marinated tomatoes, artichoke hearts, fresh mozzarella, & basil.
Fall Apple Coleslaw With A Honey Dijon Vinaigrette
Crisp apples and crunchy slaw mixed gently and then coated in a honey dijon vinaigrette make this perfect for any season.
Ultimate One-Pot Spicy Southwestern Cheesy Pasta
The perfect one-pot pasta & cheese dish! Cavatappi noodles coated in a delicious spicy southwestern cheese sauce with bits of corn, bacon, and hatch chiles! Easy, cheesy, and there’s no draining required!
The Best Classic Diner-Style Coleslaw
Retro diner-style coleslaw with that perfectly balanced sweet & tangy dressing mixed with cabbage, carrots, onions, and seasonings.
Ultimate Grilled Brussels Sprouts Salad With Bacon Pecans and Cranberries
Our favorite holiday and summer salad! Shaved Brussels sprouts & shallots grilled in bacon drippings mixed with toasted pecans, and cranberries then drizzled with a maple dijon vinaigrette.
Sweets & Treats
I honestly don’t recall a single cookout, BBQ, or gathering growing up that never had at least 1 sweet treat. From pies to cookies, freeze pops to Jell-O salad, we had it all.
Streusel Crumb Smoked Apples with Maple Pecans and Bourbon
Fire up the smoker for the perfect fall dessert. These smoked apples are topped with maple, bourbon, craisins, and pecan oat streusel. All you need to decide is whether to top them with vanilla ice cream and a butterscotch drizzle or caramel.
Nectarine Crisp with Cinnamon Oat Pecan Streusel
This juicy nectarine crisp topped with a cinnamon oat pecan streusel captures summer deliciousness in every single bite!
Fudgy Hot Chocolate Cookies with Marshmallow Filling
Everything you love about hot chocolate but as the best cookie, you’ll ever eat!
Fudgy Buckeye Peanut Butter Bars
Transforming the iconic buckeye dessert into fudgy bar cookies topped with a whipped peanut butter filling, toasted peanuts, chocolate fudge, and sea salt flakes.
What Are Your Favorite Labor Day Foods?
Grilling has become a huge part of my life. I’m adding more and more grilled foods on here, plus throughout social media. Is there something you absolutely must have at your cookouts (besides cold beer)?
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