10 Recipes to Make for Your Last Cookout of the Summer
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Labor Day weekend is the unofficial last hurrah of summer, and it deserves a proper send-off. Whether you are hosting a crowd or just firing up the grill one more time before the season turns, these recipes are everything you want on the table: a mix of crowd-pleasing mains, fresh sides, and one very good reason to save room for dessert. Make the most of it because pumpkin season is right around the corner.
Grilled Vietnamese Chicken Skewers
Juicy chicken thighs marinated in a sweet and savory blend of fish sauce, garlic, and fresh herbs, grilled until perfectly charred and served with an incredible peanut sauce. A guaranteed first-to-disappear dish at any cookout. Full Recipe: Grilled Vietnamese Chicken Skewers
Chimichurri Steak Tacos
Tender grilled steak, sauteed peppers, and a vibrant, garlicky chimichurri sauce all tucked into warm tortillas. A step up from the usual cookout fare, and one that will have everyone asking for the recipe before the day is done. Full Recipe: Chimichurri Steak Tacos
Ancient Grains Salad
Nutty farro, crisp arugula, crunchy homemade pita chips, shaved Parmesan, and a zesty lemon vinaigrette. Hearty enough to hold up outdoors for hours, and a welcome change from the usual pasta salad on a cookout table. Full Recipe: Ancient Grains Salad
Peach Mango Salsa
Fresh peaches and ripe mango with jalapeño, lime, and cilantro, ready in minutes with zero cooking required. Spoon it over grilled chicken or fish, pile it onto tacos, or just set it out with chips and watch it disappear. Full Recipe: Peach Mango Salsa
Sauteed Corn and Zucchini
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Sweet summer corn and tender zucchini cooked until lightly golden, finished with Parmesan and fresh herbs. The side dish that quietly steals the show at every cookout it shows up to, ready in 15 minutes. Full Recipe: Sauteed Corn and Zucchini
Blackened Fish Tacos with Black Bean and Corn Salsa
Deeply charred Cajun-spiced fish in warm tortillas with a fresh black bean and corn salsa and a cool lime crema. Light enough for a hot day, bold enough to hold its own alongside anything coming off the grill. Full Recipe: Blackened Fish Tacos with Black Bean and Corn Salsa
Mexican Watermelon Salad
Juicy watermelon, peppery arugula, toasty pepitas, and a bright lime vinaigrette finished with crumbled queso fresco. It takes five minutes to pull together and looks absolutely beautiful on a summer table. Full Recipe: Mexican Watermelon Salad
Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
Colorful chicken and vegetable skewers marinated in a homemade pineapple teriyaki sauce and grilled until sticky and caramelized. A perennial crowd-pleaser that works for kids and adults equally well. Full Recipe: Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
Grilled Peach Salad
Sweet caramelized grilled peaches over peppery arugula with creamy mozzarella, toasted pistachios, and a tangy balsamic vinaigrette. Light, beautiful, and the perfect way to use the last of summer stone fruit before the season turns. Full Recipe: Grilled Peach Salad
Chicken Teriyaki Burgers
Juicy ground chicken patties coated in a homemade pineapple teriyaki sauce and topped with sweet grilled pineapple and caramelized red onions on a toasted brioche bun. Full Recipe: Chicken Teriyaki Burgers
