For many Americans, Labor Day is an excuse to break out the grill and get together with friends and family. For some, it is about more than the country and the BBQ; it's about celebrating the people who worked and continue to work exceptionally hard.
Regardless of why you are celebrating, at Wholey's, we'd love to help you win the Labor Day cookout with the best food ideas and inspiration to get you cooking. If you're seeking to wow friends and family, read on.
Appetizers
Before cleaning off the grill and getting to BBQing, why not ensure plenty of delicious finger foods and appetizers? Appetizers are a great way to keep the kids, family, and friends from getting too 'hangry' while they wait for the coals to heat. Here are some mouth-watering bites that everyone will love.
Smoked Bluefish Dip
Bluefish are oily and delicate fish with a bad reputation due to their propensity to be better when eaten on the day of catching or purchase. However, when cooked and eaten immediately or smoked, Bluefish is an unmistakable delicious fish many miss out on. Those familiar with Bluefish can tell you that there's a reason why it is nicknamed the bacon of the sea.
Smoked Bluefish dip is a nearly effortless creation that will become a smokey, slightly sweet, rich dip that will have your Labor Day party going back for more, while it takes about fifteen minutes to prepare!
Pimento Stuffed Peppers
Why not try three-ingredient pimento stuffed peppers for a Labor Day appetizer that is even easier to make? All you need is the softened pimento cheese of your choice, a jar of Peppadew peppers drained and patted thoroughly dry, and fresh chopped chives and black pepper for garnish. Place the pimento cheese in a plastic bag to stuff the peppers easily, snip a small hole in the corner, and pipe into the peppers. That's it! Spicy, sweet, salty and cheesy!
Main Grilled Course
If you want to make Labor Day more effortless than ever as a cook but still impress the taste buds of everyone gathered, check out some of these ideas and inspiration below.
Steak Kebabs
A kebab is one of the most accessible means to pair juicy, fall-apart tender morsels of meat grilled to perfection and bright, colorful vegetables into one easy-to-cook and serve portion. There is a multitude of steak cuts to choose from, but we love using flank steak, ribeye, sirloin, strip steak, or tenderloin.
What's the secret to juicy, aromatic, fall-apart tender steak for the kebabs? The marinade! Consider combining Worcestershire sauce, soy, mustard, garlic, brown sugar, lemon juice, basil, parsley, and pepper for a delectable marinade that will make every bite burst with flavor.
Are you not a steak fan? Try chicken, shrimp, fish, and even tofu.
Wondering about what the best vegetables are to use for kebabs? Try bell peppers of any color, mushrooms, red onions (for a milder, sweeter taste), cherry or grape tomatoes, zucchini, or yellow squash.
Simple-y The Best Ribs
Ask experienced BBQers about the best way to cook ribs, and you'll be in for a world of differing opinions. Some will insist the ribs must be cooked low and slow for an entire day, while others will insist you need a specific marinade, rub, brine, etc.
Keeping it simple is best when you have high-quality pork loin back ribs.
Ready a cup of your favorite BBQ sauce, let your ribs come to room temperature, and sprinkle your pork loin back ribs generously with salt and pepper. Preheat your grill on high for fifteen minutes for gas grills, then reduce to medium. Place your ribs directly on the grill. For coal grills, leave one side free of coals, and when covered with gray ash, place ribs directly on the coals.
Cook for 25 – 30 minutes, turning every 5 minutes, and baste with a thin layer of BBQ sauce until no longer pink, or a meat thermometer read between 190 and 200 degrees. That's it!
Succulent Salmon
For a luscious and healthy option, grilling a salmon fillet to moist, flaky perfection might have you winning the Labor Day cookout for years. All you need is a high-quality, gorgeous filet of salmon, a high smoke point oil (like grapeseed), kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and your backyard grill.
We highly recommend attempting to cook your salmon filet over charcoal. While gas grills are wonderfully convenient, charcoal imparts that savory, smoky aroma and flavor that will make your guests and family's stomachs rumble in anticipation. Avoid fire starter or charcoal briquettes with starter fluid, as they tend to carry over and flavor the meat. Give your coals roughly 20 minutes to turn to ash and ensure your grill is smoking hot—roughly 450° -500° F. Here's the big secret to perfectly grilled salmon: oil the fish, not the grill!
Once your salmon is oiled and the grill comes up to temperature, lay the salmon filet skin side down for 6-8 minutes without moving to ensure the fish won't stick to the grill and lift away easily. After the 6-8 minute period, flip the salmon once, cook for another 2-4 minutes, and serve. It's that easy!
With all these delicious mains and appetizers, if you're wondering what sides to offer for your Labor Day cookout, we have some ideas to inspire that, too!
Ideas for Sides
For quick, easy, yet flavorsome sides, try:
- Grilled asparagus. All that's needed is fresh asparagus, tough stems removed, tossed in olive oil, salt, and pepper, and cooked on the hottest part of the fire until it's just a little crisp in the middle and charred grill lines outside.
- A low-effort, highly scrumptious grilled zucchini might make your guests and family want more. Cut a zucchini lengthwise to create thick planks of zucchini and grill until cooked; then lay each one on a bed of creamy ricotta, then top with fresh herbs like dill and parsley, toss on some capers, some lemon zest, salt, pepper, and a generous glug of olive oil.
- Embrace the classic: crisp, sweet, and tart cole slow makes for a refreshing, zingy side and is a breeze to whip up.
At Wholey's, we love everything about what we do. From providing the freshest cuts of meat and succulent seafood to inspiration and cooking ideas that will make our customers fall in love with meals, like we do, all over again! We hope you have a fantastic Labor Day, and we are sure you'll win the hearts of everyone at the cookout this year.