Hi Reader,

When I was growing up, Labor Day weekend was always a spectacle of smoke, sweat, and unsolicited advice.

Picture this: One of five uncles, cigarette with an ash that defied the laws of gravity bobbing from his lips, flipping burgers on our habachi like he was auditioning for a Portuguese remake of Top Chef.

My mother? She ran a one-woman commentary track from the kitchen window: “Turn it now, Tex (or Joe or Tony or Manny)! Not that one—the other one!” As if my uncle had eyes in the back of his head.

Meanwhile, my cousins and I were running around, cranked up on candy and soda, with paper plates sagging under mountains of grilled linguica, hot dogs, and,for the brave among us, my Aunt Irene's purple octopus.

It was the unofficial end of summer, yes, but also a kind of communal last supper before autumn snapped and school started.

I still feel that tug this time of year—that mix of urgency and nostalgia. Last burger, one more skewer of shrimp, another round of corn on the cob dripping with butter. Because, really, isn’t Labor Day about holding summer hostage for just a few more bites?

Grill Like It’s Your Last Hurrah

1. Double Up on Marinades: Grill once, eat twice. Marinate extra meat or veggies so leftovers taste as good the next day.
2. Think Beyond Meat: Grilled peaches, pineapple, or even watermelon—yes, watermelon—bring unexpected flair to the table.
3. Batch Cocktails, Not Burgers: Mix a pitcher of sangria or spiked lemonade ahead of time so you’re not playing bartender when you should be eating.
4. Prep Sides for the Win: Potato salad, coleslaw, or tomato salad—make them the night before so all you need to do is pull off the lid.
5. Finish with Fire: Toast marshmallows or grill pound cake slices for a low-lift dessert that screams summer’s last call.

​Grilled Porterhouse Steak​

This grilled porterhouse steak is impressive yet easy to make and arguably the best way to make a porterhouse steak at home. Here's how.

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​Barbecued Beef Back Ribs​

These barbecued beef back ribs are easy to make. They're coated with a homemade spice rub and slowly grilled to perfection.

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​Grilled Beef Short Ribs with Bourbon BBQ Sauce​

Tender grilled beef short ribs are smothered with tangy bourbon barbecue sauce to make this showstopping meal.

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​Bobby Flay’s Barbecue Sauce​

I created this barbecue sauce to top the Wyoming burger, but it's also an ideal dipping sauce for French fries. After you've made this quick and easy sauce once, you'll want to slather it on grilled chicken, steak, pork chops...you might never go back to the bottled stuff.

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​How to Cook the Perfect Hot Dog​

The best hot dog means knowing the perfect way to cook a hot dog, whether you roast, grill, simmer, microwave, or turn it over an open campfire. Here's everything you need to know.

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​Easy Marinated Chicken Skewers​

These chicken kebabs are a cinch to throw together. Whip up a flavorful honey, soy, and chile marinade, let the pieces of chicken thigh soak up all that flavor, and then quickly grill or broil.

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​Roasted Potatoes on the Grill​

These grilled potatoes are a cinch to make--simply potatoes, garlic, oil, and rosemary—that turn crispy on the outside, blissfully tender on the inside.

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​Buttermilk Onion Rings​

These buttermilk onion rings are briefly soaked in buttermilk and double-dipped in flour before frying to ensure an extra crisp coating and oh so tender onions within. Spectacular alongside burgers. Or simply on their own.

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​Homemade Sriracha Sauce​

This homemade Sriracha sauce, made with everyday ingredients including hot peppers, vinegar, garlic, and salt, is easy to make, incendiary in taste, and less salty than the traditional version.

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