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Best Traeger Labor Day Recipes

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Summer has officially come to a close, so that means it's time to pull out your grill for one last epic cookout of the season. For this year's big barbecue, make the best Traeger Labor Day recipes from classics like pulled pork sandwiches, to unique wood-fired dishes like armadillo eggs.


BBQ Burnt Ends Sandwich

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Burnt ends are delicious, but have you ever had them on a sandwich with melted cheese? Top with our Texas Spicy BBQ sauce for an extra kick.


Grill Zucchini Spears

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Take your veggie game to a whole new level with this grilled zucchini squash recipe. The secret to these delicious zucchini spears? Sherry vinegar.

Find more appetizers to make at your Labor Day cookout by reading these recipe roundups:

15 Classic BBQ Sides

10 Smoked Appetizers


BBQ Half Chickens

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This BBQ chicken may be cut in half, but that just makes it easier to take on all of that Traeger wood-fired flavor.


Grilled Corn Salad

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This Traeger twist on a Mexican street food classic is a summer staple and make a grilled corn salad. Take grilled corn and mix it up with crema, lime, cotija cheese, garlic, and chili powder for the ultimate flavor-packed side.

Learn how to make grilled corn on your Traeger like a pro with our guide.


BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich

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A BBQ pulled pork sandwich might be the most classic out of our Trager Labor Day recipes - and it's classic for a reason. Tender, applewood-smoked pulled pork meets cool and crunchy coleslaw for a sandwich that will send you to hog heaven.


Smoked Pulled Chicken

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For a leaner alternative to the pulled pork sandwich, consider making a smoked pulled chicken sandwich instead. Check out our recipe and read our guide to learn how this Labor Day.


Smoked Macaroni Salad

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Try this smoky twist on a summer classic. Macaroni is boiled then smoked, and combined with red onions, green bell peppers, and shredded carrots all tossed together in a tangy dressing AKA the best Macaroni Salad.


Flat Top Smashed Burger

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A good barbecue is incomplete without a burger. For a Traeger take on a classic dish, try this Flat Top Smashed Burger.


Smoked Jalapeño Poppers

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Jalapeño poppers have gone from a trendy dish to a barbecue classic and we're here for it. To make these finger foods even more epic, use Super Smoke for an extra wood-fired taste.


Grilled Portobello Mushroom Burger

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Epic BBQ doesn't automatically mean meat. There are also some veggie-centered Traeger Labor Day recipes that you can try this year. Start with this grilled portobello mushroom burger. The secret is coating the mushrooms in a homemade rub for extra flavor.


Thai Chicken Skewers

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Take your chicken to new heights. This Thai chicken skewers recipe will take your food, and your family's taste buds on a trip to the Far East with flavors such as coconut, ginger, red curry and cumin.


Pull Apart Meatball Sliders

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Another finger food to make this Labor Day is pull-apart meatball sliders. They may be a little messy, but they're sure to be a crowd favorite at your cookout.


Loaded Baked Potato Salad

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Bacon, chives, and cheddar cheese take this loaded baked potato salad from average to epic.


Bacon Armadillo Eggs

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Suprise your guests with a unique recipe that is sure to become a favorite. Bacon-wrapped armadillo eggs bring everything to the table we love: cream cheese, jalapeños, and bacon.


Smoked Chili Rib-Eye Steaks

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Steak is a must-have at any Labor Day BBQ. With a spicy homemade chili paste, your guests will keep coming back for seconds. Read our steak temperature guide to learn how to get the ultimate medium rare so no one leaves disappointed.


Cast Iron Pineapple Upside Down Cake

End out the summer with a wood-fired take on pineapple upside down cake. If you're not a fan of cherries, you can always use your last-of-the-season blueberries instead.

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Grilled Texas Spicy Shrimp

Grilled Texas Spicy Shrimp

Add a spicy dish to your Traeger Labor Day recipes menu and grill up some of these Texas spicy shrimp. Just remember to keep an eye on them as each shrimp only takes 2-3 minutes to cook per side.


321 Ribs

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If you haven't made ribs yet this summer (or if you've made them weekly - we won't judge), you have to make the famous 321 Ribs. Just remember to prep and start cooking them ahead of the party as they will take a while to cook.

Read our 321 Ribs guide before your cookout to become an expert on this famously easy method.


Baked Peach Cobbler Cupcakes

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Pie is a barbecue staple, but can be hard to share. Instead, make baked peach cobbler cupcakes. Just as delicious with less of a hassle.


Beginner's Smoked Beef Brisket

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If you're cooking for a crowd, brisket is always the way to go. For an easy-to-cook brisket, try this beginner's brisket. If you're feeling unsure or just want to touch up on your skills, make sure to read our article about how to smoke a brisket.

BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich

by Traeger Kitchen

Prep Time

15 Min

Cook Time

9 Hr

Serves

8

Pellets

Apple

It doesn’t get much better than this cookout classic. Tender, applewood-smoked pulled pork meets cool and crunchy coleslaw for a sandwich that will send you to hog heaven.

Ingredients
Pulled Pork
1 (8-10 lb) bone-in pork butt
1 1/2 Cupapple juice, divided
4 Tablespoonbrown sugar
1 Tablespoonkosher salt, plus more to taste
1/4 CupTraeger Pork & Poultry Rub, divided, plus more to taste
To TasteTraeger Sweet & Heat BBQ Sauce
Coleslaw
1/2 CupMayonnaise
1/2 Cupsour cream
2 Tablespoonwhite vinegar
1 Teaspoonkosher salt
1/2 Teaspoonfreshly ground black pepper
1/2 Teaspooncelery seeds
1/2 Mediumgreen cabbage, shredded
1/2 Mediumpurple cabbage, shredded
2 Largecarrots, shredded
For Serving
4 burger buns
dill pickles
    Steps
  • 1

    Make the pulled pork: When ready to cook, set Traeger temperature to 250℉ and preheat, lid closed for 15 minutes.

  • 2

    Trim the pork butt of all excess fat, leaving 1/4 inch of the fat cap attached.

  • 3

    In a small bowl, combine 1 cup apple juice, the brown sugar, salt, and 2 tablespoons of the Traeger Pork & Poultry Rub. Stir until most of the sugar and salt have dissolved.

  • 4

    Inject the mixture into the pork butt, spacing every square inch or so. Season the pork butt with the remaining 2 tablespoons of Traeger Pork & Poultry Rub.

  • 5

    Place the pork butt directly on the grill grates. Insert the probe into the center of the pork, avoiding the bone and any large pockets of fat. Close the lid and cook until the internal temperature reaches 160℉, about 6 hours.

  • 6

    Remove the pork butt from the grill and increase the temperature to 275°F. Wrap the pork in two layers of aluminum foil, leaving one end of the foil open. Pour the remaining 1/2 cup apple juice into the opening, then secure the foil tightly. Place the pork in a large pan.

  • 7

    Place the pan with the pork on the grill grates. Re-insert the probe. Close the lid and cook until the internal temperature reaches 205°F, about 3 hours more.

  • 8

    Meanwhile, make the coleslaw: In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, salt, pepper, and celery seeds. Add the green and purple cabbage and carrots and toss until well coated. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

  • 9

    Remove the pork from the grill and unwrap. Shred the pork, removing and discarding the bone and any excess fat or tendons. Transfer to a medium bowl and season with more Traeger Pork & Poultry Rub and salt, to taste. Toss with Traeger Sweet & Heat Barbecue Sauce until well coated.

  • 10

    To serve, pile the pulled pork on the bottom burger buns, then top with the coleslaw, pickles, and the top buns. Enjoy!

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