Smoke, Sear, and Celebrate: Labor Day Grill Ideas & Recipes
Summer is almost over, kids are heading back to school, and the hectic holiday season is just around the corner. What better way to end the summer months than by enjoying a Labor Day barbecue?
Labor Day is observed on the first Monday of September. But millions of Americans celebrate the holiday the whole weekend with fireworks, picnics, long weekend getaways, and, of course, cookouts. A fun three-day weekend allows American workers to relax on the weekend that was created to honor their contributions.
What are you doing this Labor Day weekend? Will you be heading to the lake house or staying home with your family? Maybe you’ve scheduled a hike to your favorite fishing hole or camping spot.
Whatever your plans, Kick Ash Basket has got you covered. In this guide, we’ll share 8 of our favorite Labor Day grilling recipes and some ideas to help you make the most of the long weekend.
Kick Some Ash With these 11 Labor Day Grilling Recipes
For some Americans, Labor Day just wouldn’t be complete without something sizzling on the grill. And our Kick Ash Crew is a unique group of grillers who loves going beyond traditional grilling meats.
If you’re wondering what to grill on Labor Day, here are 10 of our favorite grill recipes that will have your family and guests begging for more. We included beef, chicken, veggies, seafood and fish to fit all taste buds!
1. Grilled Skirt Steak Fajitas
Everyone cooks burgers and hot dogs on Labor Day. Why not stand out from the crowd with these grilled skirt steak fajitas?
The recipe calls for a cast iron skillet, but you can easily cook these beauties on the Original PK-Go Grill and Smoker. The cast iron cooking surface will work perfectly and make your celebration simple to clean up. You can even take your Labor Day weekend grilling game up a level with two-zone cooking with our basket and divider for the PK-Go.
2. Dijon-Marinated Grilled Skirt Steak
Dijon-Marinated Grilled Skirt Steak is a zesty and aromatic addition to any grill master’s repertoire. This steak takes 30 minutes on the grill and features a no-fuss marinade that any chef or griller can master.
3. Smokey Beef Brisket
This smokey, juicy beef brisket is worth every patient hour it takes. It’s a full-on flavor victory lap that’s perfect to say adios to summer fun. Brisket takes a while, so be sure to start your meat earlier so you can make the most of your Labor Day weekend.
4. Grilled Buffalo and Blue Cheese Chicken Sandwich
A tasty deviation from your classic buffalo wing or drumsticks, this chicken sandwich is easy to prepare and oh-so-delicious. This recipe, too, can be cooked on the PK-Go Grill for easy cleanup and no-fuss grilling. And you can easily swap blue cheese for Ranch instead.
5. Spicy Chipotle Chicken
If you want something with a kick this Labor Day, try this recipe for Spicy Chipotle Chicken Marinade. This recipe was formulated by a bona fide chuck wagon cook, so you know it’s one of the best grill recipes for Labor Day (or any other day)!
6. Hawaiian Shrimp
This shrimp recipe is quick to prep and even quicker to cook on the grill. The seafood lovers on your Labor Day guest list will love you for serving up these skewered treats. Not interested in taking the time to skewer the ingredients? You guessed it – the PK-Go Griller and Cooker will come to your holiday aid.
7. Grilled Seafood Boil Foil Packets
If you’re looking for a simple grilled seafood recipe that will feed a crowd this Labor Day, look no further than the Grilled Seafood Boil Foil Packets. The fun of these is in the preparation. Even the kids can help put together each packet!
8. Lobster Tails
Your grill deserves a little luxury, too. Sweet, buttery lobster tails on the grill are the perfect way to celebrate summer’s grand finale. Grilling lobster tails is easy and delicious. Grab your tongs, flex those grill skills, and get ready to make the neighbors jealous with this lobster recipe and handy grilling tips!
9. Grilled Vegetable Skewers
These skewers are great on their own, as a side, or as an alternative option for the vegan and vegetarians on your guest list. Simple to make and quick to cook, you can season these grilled vegetable kebabs any way you like. (If you’re looking for options, our rubs are tried and true favorites.)
10. Sweet & Savory Grilled Onions
Whether you want something to top your steak and burgers or just want to try a treat that’s both sweet and savory, try this recipe for Grilled Onions. You really can’t miss with this one. Try them drizzled with French dressing.
11. Grilled Corn on the Cob
Corn on the cob is a Labor Day staple for a reason. When done correctly, it’s juicy, flavorful, and just plain delicious. One of our favorite ways to cook corn on the cob is on the grill, either in the husk or without. You can totally make this barbecue classic your own with different spices and flavors.
Labor Day Grilling Tips to Crush Your Holiday Cookout
Whether you’re smoking a brisket for a crowd or just flipping a few burgers, grilling is serious business. These Labor Day grilling tips will keep your barbecue game strong without unnecessary stress or missing out on all the end-of-summer fun.
Start Early
Low-and-slow cuts of meat (like brisket, pork shoulder, or ribs) don’t care about your weekend schedule. Plan accordingly, check your recipe, and get these on the grill with plenty of time before guests arrive. A well-rested hunk of meat tastes even better.
Pre-Game the Grill
Prepping your grill makes all the difference for your Labor Day meals.
Before you do any cooking, start by cleaning your charcoal grill. This helps minimize grease and food buildup that cause unwanted flare ups and uneven cooking issues.
Be sure to give your grill at least 10–15 minutes to preheat before the food hits. Pre-heating ensures a clean sear and minimizes sticking. Bonus tip: brushing the grates with oil will keep burgers, brats, hot dogs, and other Labor Day goodies intact.
Flirt with the Flame, Marry the Smoke
Direct heat gives you that killer sear, but indirect heat is where the magic happens for larger cuts. Use wood chunks (hickory for bold, fruitwoods for sweet) to layer on flavor without overpowering. Try our Bourbon Barrel Smoking Wood and get ready to fall in love!
Don’t Wing It on Temps
Use a meat thermometer like it’s your grill’s GPS! Guessing definitely leads to dry chicken and chewy steaks. Know your target temps and pull the meat a few degrees early to allow for carryover cooking.
Rest is Not Optional
No matter what you’re grilling, give it a few minutes off the heat before slicing. Juices redistribute, flavors deepen, and you look like you really know what you’re doing (because you totally do).
Keep a “Griller’s Snack”
There’s nothing worse than waiting, especially when you’re hot and hungry after a day of outdoor fun. Have a few hot dogs or wings on hand to throw on the grill while the big stuff cooks. It keeps you fed and keeps the crowd happy throughout the day. It also ensures that even picky or less adventurous eaters have something to satisfy them.
Must-Have Labor Day Grill Accessories from Kick Ash Basket
Labor Day is no time for flimsy tools or messy clean-up. If you’re going to send summer off in style, you need the right gear. Here’s what we’re bringing to the backyard bash.
Heat-Resistant Gloves
Because you’re a pitmaster, not a dumb ash stuntman, our heat-resistant gloves are a must. Handle hot grates, baskets, and pans without fear with these gloves that can handle up to 932 degrees Fahrenheit.
Kick Ash GrillMaster Bundle
Forget wrestling with stuck-on ash or choking your fire with clogged charcoal. The Kick Ash GrillMaster Bundles include our awesome basket, can, and divider. It’s everything you need to keep your coals breathing easy, your temps steady, and make post-party cleanup a breeze.
Spices & Rubs
This Labor Day, skip the bland and bring the bold with these flavor-packed rubs. With options to fit every palate, these rubs turn good grilled meat into “where-have-you-been-all-my-life” meat.
Shop Kick Ash Grill Accessories
No Labor Day is Complete Without a Little Time at the Grill
Whether you’re celebrating the holiday at home, tailgating, or headed out on vacation, Labor Day is meant to be spent at the grill.
Try out these mouthwatering recipes and let us know what you think of them in The Kick Ash Crew, our members-only community on Facebook where we share Kick Ash recipes, exclusive deals, and grilling tips and tricks you can’t find anywhere else.
There’s always room for one more in the Kick Ash Crew, and we’d love to share our exclusive content with you. See you there!
Last updated August 12, 2025