Join us this Labor Day for the ultimate list of our very favorite Traeger Labor Day Cookout Recipes! These delicious recipes are going to cover ALL of the bases from incredible main courses to irresistible sides and we even have some great drink suggestions too.
Labor Day Cookout Recipes for the Traeger
Labor Day is almost here, and that means a weekend of summer celebration and hopefully – BARBECUE and grilling! We’re going to walk you through all of our favorite main dishes, from classics like Smoked Pulled Pork and Barbecue Beef to nice cuts of steak like a Tomahawk Ribeye or Filet Mignon, all the way to Pork Chops, Whole Grilled Chicken, Chicken Wings, and more!
Main Dishes
These awesome main dishes are perfect for your next BBQ or cookout! There’s something for everyone here, so pick a few that sound great and get cooking!
These delicious grilled chicken leg quarters are coated in copious amounts of seasoning rub, and then grilled on my wood-pellet grill. Tender, juicy, and super flavorful; your whole family is going to LOVE this economical meal!
This flavorful and tender New York Strip is cooked on the grill after being seasoned simply with salt and pepper.
This is Traeger Ribeye is cooked right on the pellet grill. Instructions included here are for both a traditional sear and a reverse sear. Choose your own adventure, as long as it includes Berta beef, s&p, 4 minutes a side, down the hatch.
The Cadillac of steaks, a tomahawk is not only impressive to serve, it is also one of the best steaks out there.
Marinated pork chops are one of our favorite quick dinner recipes! Tender, juicy, and packed with flavor, you can’t go wrong!
These are the ultimate wing. The best of the best, and will go down in history as my all-time favorite appetizer. Quote me on it. They are SO GOOD. Smoked and Fried wings are my perfect match, and you have to try these at least once in your life, I feel that strongly about them.
These no-fuss Traeger No-Wrap Ribs are amazing! Cooked straight through at 275°, no-wrap needed, until they are bendy and tender.
My Traeger Grilled Pork Ribs leaped immediately to #1 on my favorite grill recipes list. These aren’t quick, but they ARE easy. 5-4-1 take on the 3-2-1 method.
Sticky Smoked Asian Pork Ribs are going to be the best thing to hit your Traeger Pellet Grill all summer long. Smoked with a Togarashi rub for 3-4 hours, and then braised for 2-3 hours longer in a covered pan with a boldly spicy Asian marinade, these fall off the bone and onto your list of MUST MAKE recipes.
Delicious, tender, packed-with-flavor Traeger Smoked 3-2-1 Ribs! This is a solid method for cooking ribs. Get my suggested rubs below!
Want to crack the code of crispy skin on a smoked wing? Fire up your smoked and your air fryer and get going!
This chicken lives up to ALLLLLL of the hype. Traeger Grilled Chicken is going to be the best roasted and grilled chicken you’ve ever had.
This epic smoked bbq beef sandwich is an all-time favorite of ours! Tender, shredded beef, crunchy tangy coleslaw, and your favorite bbq sauce!
This Traeger Pulled Pork takes a while to get on the table, but the long cook is mostly hands-off and totally worth it. This one needs to be started the day BEFORE you want to eat!
This salmon is SO easy, but is one of my favorite meals! Season with your favorite fish blend, or just simple salt and pepper.
We’re taking the Over The Top Chili recipe to a whole ‘nother level with this no-bean chili dog that’s perfect for the bean-haters in your life!
These easy smoked beer brats are cooked on the pellet grill alongside with plenty of sweet Walla Walla onions and then braised in beer!
Side Dishes
All the side dishes your BBQ needs, and then some. Mac and Cheese, Cole Slaw, Pasta Salads, and more! Try not to make a whole meal of these, but I don’t blame you if you do!
These easy grilled baked potatoes are cooked right on your pellet grill, and make the best bakers!
This simple caesar pasta salad is a cookout classic, and you can make it all in a snap, even the dressing.
Skip the store-bought pasta salads and whip up this homemade Greek pasta salad in no time flat. Colorful, vibrant, packed full of rich flavors, and a homemade Greek dressing that will blow you away.
Delicious dilly tuna pasta salad is a perfect pair for any of your summertime gatherings!
This classic potato salad recipe is simple, and my favorite version of the ever-popular salad made from potatoes!
Easy vinegar-based coleslaw recipe that gets thrown together in 5 minutes and will leave you wanting to make a meal out of it.
Skip the pre-made coleslaw dressing and mix up a batch of your own! This coleslaw is tangy, sweet, and if you are smart it’ll have a kick of horseradish in it too.
Homemade Smoked Baked Beans are a tangy, delicious side dish for any table! You’re going to want to make extras because people are going to want to take home these leftovers!
This smoked macaroni and cheese has smoked cheese in it, and is finished off on your wood-fired grill! Just enough smoke to make it interesting.
These delicious homemade scalloped potatoes are cooked right on your pellet grill! There’s nothing like wood-fired flavor to add that missing piece to your next bbq or holiday meal.
These delicious homemade scalloped potatoes are cooked right on your pellet grill! There’s nothing like wood-fired flavor to add that missing piece to your next bbq or holiday meal.
These rich and creamy mashed potatoes are given some smoke on the grill and have copious amounts of smoked garlic in the mix! One of the most decadent mashed potatoes you’ll ever have.
Sauces and Stuff
Make your own sauces and really make your meal snazzy! Get ready to hand out the links to these recipes, because people are going to be asking!
This simple barbecue sauce features one of our favorite sodas, Cherry Dr. Pepper! Sweet, tangy, and delicious!
Tangy, creamy, and everything you need in a bbq sauce, this Alabama White Sauce is perfect for chicken and pork!
This tangy spicy barbecue sauce features the flavors of your favorite cocktail, a whiskey coke! Great on ribs, pulled pork, barbecue beef, and everything else you put bbq sauce on.
A homemade version of my favorite Thai Sweet Chili Sauce! Only 5 ingredients and you can have the best tasting homemade sweet chili sauce, EVER.
Homemade Buffalo sauce featuring one of my all-time favorite hot sauces, Cholula. This easy Cholula Buffalo Sauce recipe is super quick to make, and adds enough heat to the party to make you remember you’re eating something that’s supposed to be spicy.
Homemade Buffalo sauce made with Old Bay Buffalo Sauce! Homemade buffalo sauce has never been easier, and you’re going to love the kick from the Old Bay!
Cocktails
These cocktails are my favorites, and often make appearances at our adult gatherings. Whip one (or two) up and let me know what you think!
This boozy Spiked Arnold Palmer is refreshing, delicious, and one of my very favorite warm-weather drinks!
Big batch party style giant Blue Hawaiian Long Island!
Fruity Cherry Pineapple Rum Punch takes 3 different kinds of rum (4 if you are brave) and mixes it with pineapple, orange, and cherry juice to make one of the tastiest cocktails there is. If you can’t BE on the beach, you can still drink like you are.
This easy cocktail recipe features all of the rum you can possibly handle, and sweet tropical fruit juice. Garnished with fresh lemon, orange, and a cherry.
Deliciously sweet raspberry margarita can be made at home, and is a delicious way to serve up some fresh berry flavor!
This homemade margarita recipe features fresh lime juice, silver tequila, Patron Citronge, and simple syrup to make the freshest and best tasting margarita you’ve ever had!