Fall Grilling Ideas For Your Labor Day BBQ

Labor Day traditionally signals the end of summer. The neighborhood pool closes and school starts. But summer isn't technically over just yet, and neither is grilling season. Get ready to barbecue on Labor Day and beyond with these delicious fall grilling ideas.

Fall Grilling Ideas: Main Dishes

In spite of the wide variety of dishes you can cook on the grill, everybody automatically thinks of meat when it's time to barbecue. So let's talk about meat.

While you probably can't roast a whole pig or barbecue a side of beef in your backyard, you can grill a whole chicken. Grilled chicken is a delicious alternative to hot dogs and hamburgers on Labor Day. It's easier to cook for a crowd than individual servings. Plus, everyone gets to eat at once!

Serious Eats advocates for butterflying your grilled chicken, and they offer some really smart reasons for recommending this method.

Two more alternatives to traditional grilled fare are pizza and paella. If you haven't tried paella on the grill yet, Labor Day might be the perfect occasion. It's an ideal family dish, and it doesn't require any attention while it's simmering away.

On the other hand, you should watch  grilled pizza closely. However, you can turn out multiple pies in a short time if you have your prep work in order. Many fall vegetables and fruits are ideal for topping pizza, especially if you grill them separately. Try pears, figs, and artichoke hearts in addition to pizza standards like tomatoes and bell peppers.

Fall Grilling Ideas: Side Dishes

It may sound obvious, but grilling vegetables is one of the tastiest ways to cook them. Thread chunks of sweet potatoes or squash onto skewers, and brush them with a sweet or savory glaze. You might not even recognize them as vegetables.

If you'd rather follow a recipe, here are two that look fantastic. First, check out these Miso-Orange Glazed Grilled Sweet Potatoes from Gourmande in the Kitchen. The secret is to steam them briefly ahead of time. The outsides crisp up and the insides stay soft.

Next, take a look at Grilled Brussels Sprouts With Balsamic Glaze on SkinnyTaste. Don't knock them until you've tried them -- when cooked properly, Brussels sprouts are truly delicious.

Fall Grilling Ideas: Desserts

S'mores are the quintessential outdoor dessert, but let's face it: the marshmallow is never hot enough to melt the chocolate, and the graham crackers always break when you try to take a bite. We need an alternative to traditional s'mores.

We love the idea of heating chocolate and marshmallows in a skillet on the grill, then dipping into them with graham crackers. However, we can already see our kids' wrists coming down on the rim of the hot skillet. So we've got our eye on Rachael Ray's Gingerbread S'mores Cake, which you can cook in a skillet but serve on a plate.

Fruit is also a great fit for the grill. Try these Baked Stuffed Apples from Foodness Gracious.  Top them with homemade whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, of course. If you want to get really fancy, check out this Grilled Banana-Pear Pancake from celebrity chef Francis Mallmann.

Whether you choose to grill your entire Labor Day meal or one or two menu items, we hope you enjoy these fall grilling ideas.