Having a Labor Day BBQ?
Treat your family, friends, and neighbors to classic and simple menu items with a twist.
Below is a perfect blend of special dishes – from main attraction to dessert – that will have your loved ones licking their forks clean and begging for second helpings!
However-You-Want-It BBQ Burgers
Grilled burgers are a surefire hit for kids and adults. But how can you keep your burgers from fading into the background of all the other BBQs going on this season? Allow the guests to personalize them!
Buy beef, turkey, veggie, and salmon burgers so there’s something for everyone. Try to ask each guest how they would like their burger cooked – rare, medium, or well done. And that’s it – your part is over. May sure to have an array of toppings laid out so that your guests can dress their burger however they like. Include lettuce, tomato, pickles, cheese slices, sliced red onion, avocado, and whatever else might make the burger more exciting – like grilled mushrooms.
Want to give your BBQ a fun twist? Make sliders! We love this delicious recipe for tasty Mini Burger Sliders!
Ultimate Vegetable Coleslaw
This is a really easy side salad that is just so refreshing on a hot day. To serve 8 to 10 people, thinly grate 1/2 a head of white and 1/2 a head of red cabbage, five carrots, and a big handful of dried cranberries for an extra flavorful kick.
In a separate bowl, mix together 1 cup of mayonnaise, 1/4 cup of Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 2 tablespoons of cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
Pour dressing to coat the veggies and stick in the fridge an hour before guests arrive. Serve cold and watch the salad disappear as people keep coming back for more.
Garlic Corn on the Cob
Corn on the cob is not just a crowd pleaser, it’s also super easy to make. And now, you can add that extra kick of flavor with garlic.
All you need to do is peel off the corn husks, break the corn in half, smooth on some garlic butter (combine unsalted butter and garlic seasoning – or freshly chopped garlic cloves), add a pinch of salt and pepper, wrap in aluminum foil, and cook on the grill for approximately 20-30 minutes. The garlic butter gives the corn an unbelievable burst of flavor and serves the practical function of keeping the kernels from burning. Perfect!
Want another way to cook corn? Try this tasty recipe for bacon wrapped corn on the cob!
Berry Guava Lemonade
There’s no better way to get people talking than a refreshing signature drink. Add pizzazz to plain old lemonade by adding strawberries and guava. Mash up 10 fresh strawberries with 1/3 cup of sugar and 1/2 cup of guava juice in a pitcher. Fill with ice and add 3/4 cup lemon juice and water to fill it up. Add lemon slices for the perfect mouth-watering presentation.
Fresh Fruit Sorbet
Nothing could be a better way to end a BBQ than with some fresh fruit and a light sorbet. This totally beats the traditional tray of fruit that typically signifies the end of a BBQ. Just buy a carton of vanilla sorbet (shhh…we won’t tell anyone that it’s not homemade) and cut up some pineapple, berries, melons, kiwi, and mango to add on top. This will be a refreshing conclusion to a fun and filling celebration. (Another option: Fresh Fruit Freeze Recipe)
Make it Memorable
Whether you’re serving up burgers or lemonade, the key to making your Labor Day BBQ memorable is to add just a touch of something unique and surprising. Extra touches like these will ensure that people will leave your house with a smile on their faces!
