Labor Day’s here, and with it, the bittersweet end of summer. It’s your last chance to soak up the sun, fire up the grill, and enjoy the season before everything turns into pumpkin-flavored chaos. These recipes are all about making sure you go out with a bang—no bland dishes allowed. So, while the days might be getting shorter, your menu doesn’t have to cut any corners.

Two bison cheeseburgers with lettuce, tomato, and sauce on a wooden board, accompanied by sides of pickles and sweet potato fries.
Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.
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Creamy Cucumber Salad

Creamy cucumber salad with pickled red onions in a white textured bowl.
Creamy Cucumber Salad. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This version of creamy cucumber salad adds quick-pickled red onions for a refreshing twist, making it an excellent choice for any Labor Day cookout.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Cucumber Salad

Grilled Vegetable Orzo Salad

Grilled summer vegetables with orzo on a white plate with a fork.
Grilled Vegetable Orzo Salad. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Grilled summer veggies meet orzo pasta in this dish, drizzled with a tart cherry balsamic glaze. Perfect as a side, served warm or cold at your gathering.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Vegetable Orzo Salad

Cucumber Melon Salad

Cucumber melon salad on a plate with a serving spoon.
Cucumber Melon Salad. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Pairing ripe cantaloupe with cucumber and pickled onions, this salad is a refreshing side that complements any grilled meat for your Labor Day spread.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Melon Salad

Elk Burgers

Elk burger sliced in half with cheese, tomato and lettuce on a bun.
Elk Burgers. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Ground elk, seasoned with simple spices and grilled to juicy perfection, creates a burger that’s both easy and impressive for your summer cookout.
Get the Recipe: Elk Burgers

Broccoli Raisin Salad

Broccoli Raisin Salad. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This broccoli salad, with plump raisins, bacon, and pumpkin seeds, is perfect for BBQs. The creamy dressing adds a light, tangy flavor that’s hard to beat.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Raisin Salad

Mango Black Bean Salad

Mango black bean salad in a glass bowl.
Mango Black Bean Salad. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This quick mango black bean salad is not only refreshing but also packed with protein, making it a perfect side or light lunch for your Labor Day feast.
Get the Recipe: Mango Black Bean Salad

Grilled Hummus Berry Flatbread

Grilled hummus flatbread with fruit and corn.
Grilled Hummus Berry Flatbread. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

A summer flatbread topped with grilled corn and berries, and finished with a garlic parsley pesto, offering a fresh bite perfect for holiday weekends.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Hummus Berry Flatbread

Grilled Halloumi Burgers

Grilled halloumi lamb burger on a bun with pesto spread.
Grilled Halloumi Burgers. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Grilled halloumi and lamb burgers burst with Mediterranean flavors, thanks to caramelized red onions and sun-dried tomato pesto. A standout for any gathering.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Halloumi Burgers

Simple Summer Tomato Corn Salad

Tomato corn salad with shaved parmesan and basil garnish in white bowl.
Simple Summer Tomato Corn Salad. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Fresh corn, tomato, and basil come together in this no-fuss salad, making it an easy side dish that screams summer simplicity for your Labor Day menu.
Get the Recipe: Simple Summer Tomato Corn Salad

Grilled Potato Wedges

Grilled potato wedges on grates of charcoal grill.
Grilled Potato Wedges. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Seasoned and grilled to perfection, these potato wedges offer crispy edges and a tender center, making them the ultimate side for any grilled dinner.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Potato Wedges

Bison Burgers

Two bison cheeseburgers with lettuce, tomato, and sauce on a wooden board, accompanied by sides of pickles and sweet potato fries.
Bison Burgers. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Lean ground bison replaces beef in these juicy, tender burgers. Cook them on the stovetop or grill, and top with your favorite fixings for a satisfying bite.
Get the Recipe: Bison Burgers

Grilled BBQ Short Ribs

Grilled BBQ short ribs with tropical salsa.
Grilled BBQ Short Ribs. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

These BBQ short ribs are slow-cooked on the grill with a smoky dry rub and finished with BBQ sauce, making them a tender and flavorful summer dinner option.
Get the Recipe: Grilled BBQ Short Ribs

Flank Steak Pinwheels

Flank Steak Pinwheels. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Flank steak rolled with pesto, parmesan, prosciutto, and spinach, these pinwheels are both visually impressive and perfect for Labor Day parties.
Get the Recipe: Flank Steak Pinwheels

Indian Steak Kabobs

Indian yogurt steak and potato kabobs.
Indian Steak Kabobs. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

These steak kabobs are marinated with fragrant spices and cooked to tender perfection, making them an exciting addition to your Labor Day grill menu.
Get the Recipe: Indian Steak Kabobs

BBQ Lamb Ribs

BBQ lamb ribs on a sheet pan.
BBQ Lamb Ribs. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Easy to grill, these lamb ribs are slow-cooked and finished with a high-heat sear, offering a crispy, BBQ-packed flavor that’s a hit at any summer celebration.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Lamb Ribs

Blueberry Balsamic BBQ Turkey Legs

Blueberry BBQ turkey legs on a baking sheet.
Blueberry Balsamic BBQ Turkey Legs. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Turkey legs get a makeover with a blueberry balsamic BBQ sauce, making them a fun and flavorful dish that’s sure to impress on Labor Day.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Balsamic BBQ Turkey Legs

Grilled Hawaiian Chicken

Grilled chicken breasts stuffed with ham, pineapple and Jarlsberg cheese garnished with green onion.
Grilled Hawaiian Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Stuffed with ham, pineapple, and smoked cheese, this grilled chicken is finished with a sticky teriyaki glaze, offering a tropical twist for your holiday feast.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Hawaiian Chicken

Grilled Stuffed Avocados

Steak stuffed grilled avocados on a metal plate.
Grilled Stuffed Avocados. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Avocados are grilled and stuffed with Asian-marinated steak and vegetables, creating a hearty and unique summer meal perfect for any Labor Day gathering.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Stuffed Avocados

Harissa Grilled Pork Chops

Grilled pork chop on a plate with peach and tomato salad.
Harissa Grilled Pork Chops. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Spiced with harissa, these grilled pork chops pair perfectly with a fresh peach and tomato salad, making them a spicy-sweet choice for summer dinners.
Get the Recipe: Harissa Grilled Pork Chops

Peach Honey Grilled Lamb Chops

Grilled lamb chops with peaches over baby greens on a white serving platter.
Peach Honey Grilled Lamb Chops. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Lamb chops are glazed with peach honey and served with a simple watercress salad, offering a sweet and savory option for your Labor Day meal.
Get the Recipe: Peach Honey Grilled Lamb Chops

Smoky Grilled Apricot Lamb Kebabs

Smoky grilled lamb kebabs with apricots and a side salad.
Smoky Grilled Apricot Lamb Kebabs. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

These lamb kebabs, paired with dried apricots and grilled to perfection, provide an easy and flavorful weeknight grilling option as summer winds down.
Get the Recipe: Smoky Grilled Apricot Lamb Kebabs

Founder and Writer at Running to the Kitchen | About

Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.

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