The Perfect Labor Day Weekend Backyard Cookout
A Quick and Easy Guide To Take Out The Stress of Hosting Your Cookout
August 28, 2026
Labor Day weekend is one of those occasions that doesn't need to be complicated. A hot grill, great food, cold drinks, and a backyard full of family and friends are usually all you need.
As the unofficial end of summer, it's also one of our favorite opportunities to fire up the grill and make the most of a long weekend.
Whether you're hosting a crowd or planning a laid-back dinner on the patio, here's our guide to putting together the perfect Labor Day weekend backyard cookout.
Start With the Main Event: What's Going on the Grill?
Every great cookout starts with the protein—and variety is your friend.
Instead of choosing just one main course, put together a grilling lineup that gives everyone something they'll enjoy.
Go Big With Steaks
For a smaller gathering, it's tough to beat Certified Piedmontese steaks straight off the grill.
Ribeyes bring plenty of rich beef flavor, while NY Strips offer a great combination of tenderness and a satisfying bite. Filet Mignon is an easy choice when you want to make the evening feel a little more special.
Keep the preparation simple. Season your steaks generously with salt and pepper (or your favorite rub), grill over high heat, and allow them to rest for several minutes before slicing.
When you're starting with great beef, you don't need to overthink it.
Keep the Crowd Happy With Burgers
If you're feeding a bigger group, burgers are hard to beat.
They're easy to prepare, quick to grill, and everyone can customize their own.
Set up a simple burger bar with sliced cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onions, bacon, and a few favorite sauces. Put everything out and let your guests do the rest.
And don't be afraid to make a few extra burgers. Labor Day leftovers make for a pretty great lunch the next day.
Add Brats & Sausages to the Lineup
A cookout doesn't have to be all steak and burgers.
Brats and sausages add variety to the grill and are especially convenient when you're feeding a crowd. Serve them on toasted buns with grilled onions, mustard, sauerkraut, or your favorite toppings.
Better yet, put a little bit of everything on the grill and turn your Labor Day meal into a true backyard feast.
Keep the Sides Simple
When the grill is the star of the meal, there's no reason to spend the entire day preparing side dishes.
Stick with backyard classics that can be made ahead of time:
- Grilled sweet corn
- Potato or pasta salad
- Baked beans
- Coleslaw
- Fresh watermelon
- Grilled vegetables
- Chips and homemade dip
A few cold sides paired with something hot off the grill are really all you need.
Don't Forget the Appetizers
If you're entertaining, chances are people will arrive before dinner is ready.
Put out a simple grazing spread while the grill heats up. Beef jerky, cheese, crackers, fresh vegetables, dips, and other easy finger foods give everyone something to snack on without filling them up before the main event.
It's also one less thing you have to worry about cooking.
Get the Grill Hot Before Guests Arrive
One of the easiest ways to make hosting more enjoyable is to do as much preparation as possible ahead of time.
Have your proteins thawed, sides prepared, toppings sliced, and drinks cold before anyone arrives.
Then get the grill preheated.
For steaks and burgers, you want a properly heated grill that can create a great sear without requiring you to leave the meat over the heat longer than necessary.
Once the cooking starts, keep a meat thermometer nearby. It's one of the simplest tools you can use to get consistent results—especially when you're cooking several different cuts at once.
Build the Perfect Labor Day Plate
Not sure what to serve? Keep it classic.
THE BACKYARD BURGER PLATE
Grilled Certified Piedmontese Burger
Sweet Corn
Potato Salad
Watermelon
THE STEAKHOUSE PLATE
Grilled Certified Piedmontese Ribeye or NY Strip
Grilled Vegetables
Baked Potato
Fresh Summer Salad
THE COOKOUT SAMPLER
Sliced Steak, Grilled Brat or Sausage,
Sweet Corn
Baked Beans
Coleslaw
Or skip the planned menu entirely, cook a little bit of everything, and let everyone build their own plate.
That's part of the fun.
Save Room for Something Sweet
After an afternoon around the grill, dessert should be easy.
Think brownies, cookies, fruit cobbler, ice cream, or even s'mores around the fire after the sun goes down.
Labor Day isn't the weekend for complicated plating.
Most Importantly, Enjoy the Weekend
The perfect backyard cookout isn't about creating the perfect menu or spending all day in the kitchen.
It's about getting people together.
Fire up the grill. Put some great beef on it. Turn on some music. Grab a cold drink. Let the kids run around the yard.
And enjoy one more long summer weekend with the people around your table.
Stock Up for Labor Day & Beyond
If you're getting ready for your Labor Day cookout, now is a great time to stock the freezer, too.
During our Labor Day Savings Event, save 25% on a huge selection of Certified Piedmontese Beef and other premium proteins.
Grab the steaks, burgers, brats, and grilling favorites you need for the weekend—and put a few extras away for the fall meals ahead.
No Code Needed. Sale Ends Labor Day.
SHOP THE LABOR DAY SAVINGS EVENT
