A Labor Day cookout is our favorite gateway to fall, and it’s the perfect send-off to summer.
Our favorite dishes to serve up over the Labor Day weekend are easy and prep in minutes. They feature the best flavors of summer, with a hint or two of the richness of our favorite fall dishes.
What’s important for this holiday weekend is to gather with friends, family, and good food. Your crowd works hard, so it’s time to play hard—or, at least, take it easy after a long, hot summer.
BBQ Smoked Meatloaf Balls
What it is: These BBQ Smoked Meatloaf Balls are the perfect late-summer crowd pleaser.
Why we love it: There’s no slicing required, and they’re the perfect size for kids and grown-ups who love bite-sized eats. Mix up and shape the meatloaf balls ahead of time to make prep extra-easy on cookout day.
Head Country BBQ sauce or seasoning used:
FULL RECIPE: BBQ Smoked Meatloaf Balls
Pulled Pork Sandwiches
What it is: Pulled Pork Sandwiches are one of our go-to recipes to quickly and easily feed a crowd something delicious and deeply satisfying.
Why we love it: You can make the pulled pork up to three days before, then serve it up as sliders, full-sized sandwiches, or offer it on the buffet alongside all your favorite BBQ cookout toppings—our classic End-of-Summer slaw is one of our favorites, and we wouldn’t argue with jalapenos or seasoned potato chips, either.
Head Country BBQ sauce or seasoning used:
FULL RECIPE: Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Bacon Blue Cheese Cowboy Hot Dogs
What it is: Anyone can grill a hot dog on Labor Day weekend, but only a Head (Country) Honcho can serve up these grown-up flavors on such a classic canvas.
Why we love it: Line these ‘dogs up on a serving tray and let your crew serve themselves. Don’t skip the onion rings and the BBQ sauce.
Head Country BBQ sauce or seasoning used:
FULL RECIPE: Bacon Blue Cheese Cowboy Hot Dogs
Southwestern BBQ Bacon Burger
What it is: A burger featuring the bright flavors of summer—fire-grilled corn and spicy peppers—while the rich flavor of bacon and the smokiness of BBQ sauce calls to mind the campfires of fall.
Why we love it: You’ll love how pretty it looks on the plate as much as you’ll love biting into it. Don’t forget the BBQ sauce and pepperjack cheese. No regrets.
Head Country BBQ sauce or seasoning used:
FULL RECIPE: Southwestern BBQ Bacon Burger
BBQ Chicken Pizza
What it is: This BBQ Chicken Pizza offers a few shortcuts—including an already-prepared crust—that make it an easy recipe for the Labor Day weekend.
Why we love it: Plan to bake it in the oven like we show in our recipe, or throw it fully assembled on the grill to kiss it with smoke. The combo of red onion, gouda cheese, and BBQ chicken is not to be missed—any of our sauces work wonderfully on this pretty pie.
Head Country BBQ sauce or seasoning used:
FULL RECIPE: BBQ Chicken Pizza
Easy Baked BBQ Beans
What it is: This classic cookout side is the perfect, humble, tummy-warming side for the Labor Day weekend.
Why we love it: It’s difficult to find four words that are more musical and comforting together than Easy Baked BBQ Beans. Simply assemble all ingredients and allow to chill in the fridge until it’s time to go in the oven or on the smoker—prep couldn’t be easier.
Head Country BBQ sauce or seasoning used:
FULL RECIPE: Easy Baked BBQ Beans
Oven Roasted BBQ Potato Salad
What it is: If there were ever a recipe where summer and fall come together, it’s in our Oven Roasted Barbecue Potato Salad.
Why we love it: We combined the roasted flavors we love in autumn dishes with the nostalgia of a classic potato salad to create something new, satisfying, and quick-and-easy to whip up for a hungry crew.
Head Country BBQ sauce or seasoning used:
FULL RECIPE: Oven Roasted BBQ Potato Salad
