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Three Best Recipes for Labor Day BBQ: Super Tasty, Super Easy, and Foolproof for Your Summer Sendoff

Labor Day marks the last hurrah of summer and the start of a brand new fall. If you're looking for a fun and easy Labor Day BBQ, here are three super easy, mouthwatering delights that are sure to make a hit, and leave you plenty of time to enjoy the party.

Taking you beyond burgers and chips, these recipes use the fresh fruits and vegetables of summer, but are no trouble at all. Prepare them in a snap, then go play!

Peach Cobbler with Ice cream

Carefree Cobbler

(Serves 6-8)

You can use any kind of summer fruit for this wonderful cobbler. I'm no cook, and even I turn this out perfectly. From fresh peaches to blackberries, this is a perennial favorite.

Ingredients

  • 3/4 stick of butter (6 teaspoons)
  • 1/2 - 3/4 cup of sugar measured out twice
  • 3/4 cup of flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup of milk
  • 1 teaspoon good quality vanilla
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)
  • 4 cups of fruit

Instructions

Begin by preheating the oven to 350 degrees. Drop butter in a 2 qt Pyrex dish and place in the preheated oven to melt. Mix fruit with sugar, and add lemon juice if desired (for freshness) then stir together. 

In another bowl add flour, baking powder, sugar and salt then slowly stir in milk and vanilla. Pour batter into center of melted butter but don't stir!

Add fruit mixture into center of batter, once again don't stir. Bake for 45 minutes to an hour until the crust is golden brown and the center isn't gooey. Serving with ice cream on top is a fantastic idea.

Honey Marinade Chicken

Honey Marinade Chicken in a Snap

(serves 6-8)

Deceptively simple, this chicken is satisfying to every palate. Grill it using breasts, or cut into chunks and skewer for easy kabobs. You can also use the smaller pieces on top of the Chilled Pesto Pasta. This is an all time crowd pleaser.

INgredients

  •  8 Chicken breast halves
  • 5 Tablespoons soy sauce
  • 5 Tablespoons honey
  • 4 Tablespoons veggie oil
  • 2 Minced garlic cloves
  • 1 Teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Instructions

Mix soy sauce, honey, veggie oil, garlic and pepper in a bowl. Marinate chicken breasts whole (or cut for kabobs) for 3 hours or overnight. Grill over medium hot coals to your liking (normally about 5 minutes per side - you can cut into one and if its white all the way through without any pink then you are good to go).

If your looking for something more meaty and tasty then try some of our healthy smoked meat recipes. Don't have a smoker? You won't believe what your missing out on. Check out our electric smoker reviews and let the true BBQ master in you take over!

Chilled Pesto Pasta

Chilled Pesto Pasta

(Serves 6-8)

This pasta salad is short on preparation, but delivers big on flavor. Not your average pasta dish, and it's easy to dress up with crunchies listed below. Warning: there will be no leftovers!

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. bowtie pasta 
  • 1 10 oz. can of rotel (diced tomatoes w/green chilies) 
  • 1 and ½ cups of corn (or a 10 oz. can of corn) 
  • 1 small jar of pesto (approx. 8 oz.) 
  • Fresh cilantro to taste 
  • Chopped green onion to taste 
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Cook pasta according to directions and mix with pesto until coated. Add rotel, corn, cilantro and green onion.

Tip: Add chopped fresh peppers of any color, fresh jalapeño, celery, zucchini, green peas, or 1 tablespoon Italian dressing.

Chill for 2 hours. 

Now you've got the makings of a fun and easy Labor Day BBQ. These recipes are so simple that your kids will enjoy helping you out too!

Add some smoky flavor to your meat and take it to the next level with a pellet grill. We reviewed many pellet grills and the king of em all is made by Traeger, read our Traeger Junior Elite Pellet Grill Review and see for yourself why its the best.


Check out some of our other posts

About the Author William Clay

William Clay is a BBQ enthusiast dedicated to sharing his grilling (and overall cooking) expertise with FireFoodChef's readers.