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23 Cookout Recipes for the Labor Day Weekend Everyone Ends Up at Your House
Pasta

23 Cookout Recipes for the Labor Day Weekend Everyone Ends Up at Your House

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Labor Day weekend gets busy fast when your house becomes the place everyone ends up. These 23 cookout recipes cover the whole spread, from grilled mains and burgers to dips, cold salads, baked sides, and handheld snacks. Several dishes can be prepped before guests arrive, while the grilled recipes can take their turn as the afternoon moves along. With savory mains, sturdy sides, and two warm fruit desserts, the table has enough range for people who build very different plates.

Caramelized Grilled Pineapple

Sweet grill marks and a lightly caramelized edge make Caramelized Grilled Pineapple an easy way to finish a cookout without bringing out another pan. Fresh pineapple rings sit briefly with brown sugar and dark rum before grilling, then get a little flaky salt and mint. The recipe takes 20 minutes and serves four. Bring it out warm beside vanilla ice cream, or set the rings next to grilled meats for a sweet-savory side.
Get the Recipe: Caramelized Grilled Pineapple

Queso DipClose-up of creamy cheese dip being poured over chopped tomato salsa with diced onions and cilantro.

Queso Dip. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Warm and creamy from the first scoop, Queso Dip gives the snack table something people can keep dipping into while the grill is busy. Cheddar, Monterey Jack, cream cheese, jalapeño, onion, and a little hot sauce melt into one skillet in 25 minutes. The recipe serves eight and gets topped with pico de gallo. Keep it warm near a bowl of tortilla chips for the stretch before burgers, tacos, and skewers are ready.
Get the Recipe: Queso Dip

Brats in a BlanketSliced sausage wrapped in golden-brown pastry, sprinkled with sesame and poppy seeds.

Brats in a Blanket. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Wrapped in golden crescent dough, Brats in a Blanket put a cookout staple into a handheld form that works before or alongside the main spread. Halved cooked bratwursts are paired with caramelized onion and Cheddar, then finished with everything bagel seasoning. The recipe takes 35 minutes and makes eight servings. Set them out with mustard or another dipping sauce when people want something substantial without balancing a full plate.
Get the Recipe: Brats in a Blanket

Grilled Thai Chicken SkewersThai chicken skewers topped with a creamy sauce and garnished with chopped herbs and peanuts, served over a bed of white rice.

Grilled Thai Chicken Skewers. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Smoky edges and a punchy dipping sauce give Grilled Thai Chicken Skewers more range than a standard barbecue skewer. Chicken thighs marinate with ginger, garlic, lemongrass, red curry paste, lime, sesame oil, and fish sauce before hitting the grill. The 1-hour-5-minute recipe serves four and includes a peanut sauce with soy, lime, honey, and Sriracha. Serve the skewers straight from a platter so guests can take one without leaving the conversation.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Thai Chicken Skewers

Southern Farmhouse Feta & Veggie SaladA bowl of Greek salad with cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, red onion, black olives, feta cheese, and fresh mint leaves, sprinkled with herbs. A fork rests on the side.

Southern Farmhouse Feta & Veggie Salad. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Cool, crisp, and built for a crowded plate, Southern Farmhouse Feta & Veggie Salad gives grilled food a fresh counterpoint. Cucumber, bell peppers, tomatoes, red onion, olives, feta, and mint are tossed with an olive oil, vinegar, oregano, and Dijon dressing. It takes 30 minutes and serves six. Make it before the grill gets busy, then bring the bowl out with the mains so there is a lighter option beside burgers, tacos, and beans.
Get the Recipe: Southern Farmhouse Feta & Veggie Salad

Beef TacosThree beef tacos filled with ground meat, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, grated cheese, and sliced red onions.

Beef Tacos. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

A build-your-own taco station gets an easy anchor from Beef Tacos, especially when people are arriving at different times. Seasoned ground beef cooks with tomato paste and a blend of chili powder, cumin, oregano, and garlic before going into corn tortillas. The recipe takes 30 minutes and serves four. Put lettuce, shredded cheese, tomatoes, and red onion in separate bowls so everyone can fill a plate exactly the way they want.
Get the Recipe: Beef Tacos

Green Goddess SaladA close-up of a plate with bright green guacamole, chopped vegetables, and tortilla chips on the side.

Green Goddess Salad. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Finely chopped and sturdy enough for scooping, Green Goddess Salad brings crunch to a Labor Day table packed with richer dishes. Cabbage, Persian cucumbers, and green onions are coated in a creamy dressing made with spinach, basil, lemon, cashews, Parmesan, and rice vinegar. The recipe takes 10 minutes and serves eight. Set tortilla chips beside the bowl and it can work as either a salad, a dip, or both throughout the afternoon.
Get the Recipe: Green Goddess Salad

Bacon and Jalapeño Cheese BallsClose-up of several Bacon Jalapeno Popper Cheese Balls wrapped in bacon, stuffed with cheese, and seasoned with herbs and spices, placed on crumpled parchment paper.

Bacon and Jalapeño Cheese Balls. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Small enough to eat between trips to the grill, Bacon and Jalapeño Cheese Balls make a practical appetizer for a house full of people. Cream cheese, mayonnaise, chives, jalapeño, shredded cheese, cayenne, and garlic powder are mixed with cooked bacon, then rolled with more bacon outside. The recipe yields 10 servings and needs chilling until firm. Arrange them on a cold platter with picks or crackers so guests can grab one without needing utensils.
Get the Recipe: Bacon and Jalapeño Cheese Balls

Caprese Pasta SaladA bowl of rotini pasta salad with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, fresh basil leaves, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

Caprese Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Bright tomatoes and basil keep Caprese Pasta Salad from getting lost beside heavier cookout sides. Short pasta is tossed with pesto, cherry tomatoes, bocconcini, olive oil, fresh basil, and balsamic for a familiar combination with more staying power than a leafy salad. The recipe takes 30 minutes and serves four. Make a larger batch for a full house, then let it sit slightly cool rather than ice-cold when the main dishes come off the grill.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Pasta Salad

Grilled PeachesClose-up of grilled peach slices with caramelized, slightly charred edges on a white plate.

Grilled Peaches. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Soft centers and caramelized grill marks make Grilled Peaches a low-effort dessert that still belongs beside everything coming off the barbecue. Firm ripe peaches are brushed with oil and served with a brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, lemon, and optional golden rum sauce. They take 11 minutes and serve six. Add a scoop of ice cream while the fruit is still warm, then let everyone finish dessert outside instead of moving the party back indoors.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Peaches

Mac and CheeseClose-up of a creamy, golden-brown macaroni and cheese dish with a crunchy breadcrumb topping reminiscent of comforting funeral potatoes. A spoon is partially submerged in the cheese sauce.

Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

A bubbling dish with a breadcrumb top gives Mac and Cheese the kind of side people can spoon next to almost any cookout main. Elbow pasta is folded into a sauce of milk, mature Cheddar, Parmesan, mustard, garlic, and butter, then baked briefly until golden. The recipe takes 20 minutes and serves four. Double it for a bigger crowd and keep the baking dish near the beans and salads where people can come back for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Mac and Cheese

Spinach Artichoke DipClose-up of a baked spinach and artichoke dip in a dark dish, showing a golden brown, bubbly cheese topping with a portion scooped out, revealing the creamy interior.

Spinach Artichoke Dip. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Creamy enough for chips but sturdy enough for toasted bread, Spinach Artichoke Dip gives early arrivals something to snack on while the rest of dinner comes together. Cream cheese, Parmesan, mozzarella, artichoke hearts, spinach, mayonnaise, and dried basil bake into a warm dip in 35 minutes. The recipe serves six. Prep the dish ahead, then bake it closer to serving so the top is hot when everyone starts circling the appetizer table.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Artichoke Dip

Italian SlidersClose-up of sesame seed-topped sliders filled with sliced meat and melted cheese.

Italian Sliders. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Stacked with several deli meats under melted cheese, Italian Sliders can cover the gap between appetizer and main when the house fills up fast. Hawaiian rolls hold ham, salami, pepperoni, provolone, roasted red peppers, and optional banana peppers, with seasoned butter brushed over the top. The recipe takes 40 minutes and makes 12 servings. Cut the tray into individual sliders and serve marinara on the side for an easy grab-and-go plate.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sliders

Grilled EggplantClose-up of grilled eggplant slices garnished with chopped herbs and a glossy glaze.

Grilled Eggplant. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Deep grill marks and tender centers make Grilled Eggplant a straightforward side that does not need much dressing up. Thick eggplant slices are seasoned with olive oil, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, then finished with chopped parsley. The recipe takes 25 minutes and serves four. Slide the pieces onto a platter beside the other grilled food, where they can work as a side dish or a meatless option without taking over the grill schedule.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Eggplant

Hawaiian Baked BeansA plate of Hawaiian baked beans garnished with a pineapple slice and chopped herbs.

Hawaiian Baked Beans. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Sweet, smoky, and substantial enough to hold its own beside burgers, Hawaiian Baked Beans bring a classic cookout side with extra pineapple flavor. Pork and beans bake with bacon, red onion, green bell pepper, brown sugar, barbecue sauce, smoked paprika, liquid smoke, and crushed pineapple. The recipe serves 10 and takes 1 hour 35 minutes. Get the pan into the oven before guests arrive so it is ready when the grilled mains start coming inside.
Get the Recipe: Hawaiian Baked Beans

Grilled Tri TipSliced medium-rare steak arranged on a wooden board, topped with a green herb sauce.

Grilled Tri Tip. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Sliced across the grain and spooned with herb sauce, Grilled Tri Tip gives the Labor Day table a main that looks made for sharing. A two-pound tri-tip is coated in chimichurri made with parsley, cilantro, garlic, red wine vinegar, olive oil, oregano, and red pepper flakes. The listed recipe time is 40 minutes, plus at least 30 minutes to marinate, and it serves four. Carve it on a board so guests can take as much as they want.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Tri Tip

Antipasto SaladA bowl of salad with mixed greens, prosciutto, cherry tomatoes, olives, artichokes, and roasted red peppers.

Antipasto Salad. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Packed with enough salty and crisp elements to stand beside grilled meat, Antipasto Salad adds a no-cook option to the cookout spread. Romaine and arugula are loaded with salami, prosciutto, artichoke hearts, olives, roasted red peppers, tomatoes, and bocconcini, then dressed with olive oil and balsamic. The recipe takes 15 minutes and serves six. Keep it chilled until close to mealtime, then toss and bring the bowl out when the mains are ready.
Get the Recipe: Antipasto Salad

Grilled Corn on the CobFour grilled corn cobs topped with crumbled cheese, chopped herbs, and spices are arranged on a white plate.

Grilled Corn on the Cob. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Charred kernels under seasoned butter make Grilled Corn on the Cob one of the easiest sides to pass around a busy backyard table. Four ears of corn are grilled, then finished with melted butter, TajĂ­n, lime, chopped cilantro, and Cotija cheese. The recipe takes 25 minutes and serves four. Line the finished cobs on a platter and put extra lime nearby so people can take one as soon as the next batch comes off the grill.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Corn on the Cob

Chicken ShawarmaClose-up of a wrap filled with grilled chicken, lettuce, cucumber, red onion, and sauce in a folded flatbread.

Chicken Shawarma. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Fragrant spices and a yogurt marinade give Chicken Shawarma a main-dish option that can be prepped well before guests start arriving. Boneless chicken thighs are marinated with Greek yogurt, lemon, cumin, smoked paprika, turmeric, cardamom, garlic, and onion powder before cooking. The current recipe card lists 3 hours 15 minutes total, including 2 hours of marinating, and serves four. Slice the chicken for pita, bowls, or plates so everyone can build their own combination.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Shawarma

Taco Pasta SaladA bowl of fusilli pasta mixed with ground beef, black beans, chopped tomatoes, and herbs, garnished with lime wedges.

Taco Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Loaded enough to work beside a burger or on its own, Taco Pasta Salad combines picnic-table practicality with taco-night flavors. Rotini, seasoned ground beef, cherry tomatoes, corn, beans, Cheddar, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, and lime come together in 35 minutes. The recipe makes 10 servings, which suits a larger Labor Day crowd without much scaling. Keep the bowl chilled until serving, then set it where guests can scoop it alongside grilled mains and other cold sides.
Get the Recipe: Taco Pasta Salad

Chickpea SaladA ceramic bowl filled with chickpea salad, including chopped red onion, yellow peppers, tomatoes, almonds, and fresh herbs.

Chickpea Salad. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

A cool bowl with plenty of crunch makes Chickpea Salad useful when the rest of the cookout leans smoky, cheesy, or rich. Chickpeas, cucumber, red onion, red bell pepper, mint, and cilantro are dressed with olive oil, lemon, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and paprika. The current card allows 30 minutes including resting time and serves six. Make it before guests arrive so the seasoning has time to settle, then serve it straight from the fridge or slightly cool.
Get the Recipe: Chickpea Salad

Charred Grilled VegetablesA platter of grilled vegetables including zucchini, mushrooms, asparagus, bell peppers, and red onions, garnished with chopped herbs.

Charred Grilled Vegetables. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Colorful grill marks across a full platter make Charred Grilled Vegetables an easy side when several different preferences are sharing the same table. Zucchini, red onion, bell peppers, asparagus, and portobello mushrooms are coated with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, oregano, salt, and pepper before grilling. The recipe takes 35 minutes and serves six. Cook them in batches alongside the mains, then pile everything together so guests can choose the vegetables they want without extra serving dishes.
Get the Recipe: Charred Grilled Vegetables

Copycat Smash BurgerClose-up of a copycat smash burger with lettuce, tomato, and a thick beef patty on a sesame seed bun.

Copycat Smash Burger. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Crisp-edged patties and melted Cheddar make Copycat Smash Burger a natural centerpiece when the Labor Day crowd expects burgers. Ground beef is formed, chilled, smashed onto a hot skillet, topped with cheese, and tucked into buns with lettuce, tomato, spicy mayo, and pickles. The current recipe card lists 53 minutes total, including 15 minutes of chilling, and serves four. Set out the toppings separately if you want guests to finish each burger their own way.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Smash Burger

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