If you’re like us you love a good BBQ, and Labor Day will be a great chance for you to show off your grilling skills and host a feast for your friends and family.
While burgers and hot dogs will inevitably be in abundance on your grill, a true master of the spatula knows that the only way to host a memorable BBQ is with a selection of unconventional foods that will really get your party talking.
In the image gallery below we’ve included a selection of meat, fish and fruit that can all be grilled, and will all leave a lasting impact on your guests. Check them out and note them down.
Unique Labor Day Grilling Ideas
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Pheasant
Chicken is often the default poultry in BBQs, but you want to go a little more fancy. Pheasants are only small birds, so you won't want to make it the main course of your BBQ, but as a side-dish accompanied by some salad it'll certainly get people talking. It's also relatively low in calories, so consider this a healthier option for your Labor Day feast.
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Flank Steak
If you're hosting a large BBQ, you're going to want to get your hands on a steak. Steak is the main event of the grilling kingdom, the finishing move that you lay on your buddies after one-two combinations of burgers and hot dogs.
Flank steak is among the best meat you can throw on your grill due to it being one of the leaner options, ensuring that it still tastes good without proving to be too much of a challenge for those who have already spent the majority of Labor Day chowing down on various meats.
To give it that extra bit of kick, you can try lightly marinading it with some chili sauce, then sit back and wait for your guests to bow down to you, the King of the BBQ.
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Bananas
Dessert? At a BBQ?! Yes, you really should conclude your day of grilling with something sweet, and the versatility of the grilled banana means that you can do anything with it; put it in a sundae, pour chocolate sauce on top of it, coat it with sugar: the sky's the limit.
For best results, grill the banana in its skin until it turns brown all around. Be sure to check up on it frequently, as it obviously can't take as much of a beating with those flames as your burgers can.
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Mahi Mahi
Whati Whati?
You may not have heard of mahi mahi, but it's one of the most tasty fish you can put on your grill. Packed with flavor and low in calories, the mahi mahi fish tastes great on its own, but is perfectly complemented by a marinade.
Grill the mahi mahi until it begins to turn white, and then marinade it with either lemon or lime juice for the perfect kick. You can even grill it the day before your BBQ and store it in your refrigerator to use in a Labor Day salad.
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Oysters
Now you're really stepping into unfamiliar territory. Oysters are an acquired taste and might prove to be divisive on your menu, but chances are that many of your guests will have never been to a BBQ where they were served grilled oysters. As you're looking to host a Labor Day grill with a difference, this is exactly the kind of reaction you're looking for.
Grilling oysters helps to preserve their flavour, and as is typically when cooking the mollusc, they should be grilled until their shells open. Coat in lemon juice and cook with finely minced parsley to top them off.
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Watermelon
On a warm summer's day you're going to want to stay hydrated, and BBQ food doesn't necessarily cut the mustard in that regard. Fortunately, watermelon is here to save the day, and it tastes perfect when grilled.
Simply slice it up and cook for 3-4 minutes, and serve it in between some of the heavier dishes you have planned for a tasty, juicy break.
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Pizza
Everybody loves pizza because pizza is the ultimate food. It's a doughy (mmm... dough) base coated in meat (mmm... meat). What's not to love? The biggest BBQ secret is that pizza tastes great when grilled, and you need to try it immediately.
If you're feeling a little more ambitious, feel free to create your own pizza from scratch. Our tip would be to top it with mozzarella, as it tastes delicious when grilled. If you haven't got the time (or the skills), then go ahead and get one from the store. Just don't tell your guests.
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Swordfish
Swordfish is perhaps the most popular fish that you can grill besides salmon, and with good reason.
Swordfish stickers are thicker than most fish steaks, meaning that they can easily be served up as a main course. It's also got a subtle taste, meaning that a variety of combinations of sauces and spices can be used to really enhance its flavor. Our tip would be to coat each steak with a layer of honey, giving it a sweet taste to make it stand out from the rest of your Labor Day menu.
