Labor Day Cookout Ideas

It's almost time for the end of summer and this means Labor Day is quickly approaching. Labor Day is the perfect opportunity to break out the grill one more time before summer has vanished and have friends and family over for a holiday cookout!

If you'd like to go with the same fare as last year and the year before, feel free to throw hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill and serve with chips. Hot dogs and hamburgers are classic foods to be thrown on the grill and there is nothing wrong with them for a Labor Day cookout. But if you want to go above and beyond, and have a cookout people will be talking about, consider upgrading your food options!

Here are some suggestions for you to have a memorable Labor Day cookout:

1. Grilled chicken. Chicken tastes best when it is prepared on a grill. You will be grilling for your Labor Day cookout. This combination is clearly meant to be! Of course, you don't want to just throw the poultry on the grill. For optimal flavor, prepare it ahead of time with one of these recipes:

Take 6 thawed chicken breasts and place in a gallon-sized Ziploc bag; add ¼ cup olive oil, ¼ cup soy sauce, and ¼ cup Asian toasted sesame dressing; seal bag and shake; let sit in fridge for four hours prior to grilling.

Take 6 thawed chicken breasts and place in a gallon-sized Ziploc bag; add ¼ cup olive oil, and ¼ cup Italian dressing; seal bag and shake; let sit in fridge for four hours prior to grilling.

Take 6 thawed chicken breasts and place in a gallon-sized Ziploc bag; mix 6 tablespoons of spicy brown mustard and 3 tablespoons of honey together in a small bowl; add ¼ cup olive oil and honey mustard sauce to the chicken; seal bag and shake; let sit in fridge for four hours prior to grilling.

2. Steaks. This is a pricier option than chicken, but if you are having a small Labor Day cookout consider throwing some beef on the grill. As with the chicken, pre-cooking preparation will go a long way towards enhancing the flavor. The following recipe is a surefire way to win over your guests:

Take 6 steaks (of your preferred cut) and place in a gallon-sized Ziploc bag; add ¼ cup olive, ¼ cup soy sauce and ¼ cup steak sauce; seal bag and shake; let sit in fridge for four hours prior to grilling.

3. Veggies. Chips are pretty standard at a cookout, but grilled vegetables are healthier and offer more taste for your guests. Pick up a variety of: peppers, mushrooms, grape tomatoes, and onions. Season the vegetables in a gallon-sized Ziploc bag with a couple tablespoons of olive oil and some salt and pepper. Skewer the seasoned veggies, and place them on the grill besides your savory meats.

4. Fruit salad. With the summer season winding down and the fall season setting in, you can capitalize on fruit from either season. Watermelon, strawberries, and blueberries are still great options, but you can also dice up some peaches or nectarines to enhance this nutritious side dish. Make sure you wash all the fruit carefully and, if possible, serve chilled.

5. Beverages. There is absolutely nothing wrong with enjoying brew, in moderation, at your Labor Day cookout. If you choose to go this route, though, be sure to take advantage of seasonal offerings. Breweries have different beers for the various seasons and this will be the last chance to capitalize on their summer selections.

For a non-alcoholic option soda is the old standby, but you can do better than that by serving up an end-of-summer punch. In a large punchbowl, combine lemonade, fruit punch, and a white, citrus-based soda (7-Up, Sprite, etc.). Stir your punch and add some orange sherbet.

Hot dogs and hamburgers are all-American and best served grilled, but save them for another day. This Labor Day holiday, offer your guests tender chicken or steak, sumptuous grilled veggies, and delicious fruit salad. Their taste buds will really appreciate your efforts!