Fire Up the Grill: Healthy Labor Day & Tailgating Recipes with Laura’s Lean Beef

Laura's Lean Beef - August 29, 2025

Fire Up the Grill: Labor Day and Tailgating Recipes with Laura’s Lean

Labor Day is upon us, and what better way to celebrate the final stretch of Summer and kickoff Fall than with a tailgate-worthy menu? We’re wrapping up our Summer/Back-to-School series with three bold, crowd-pleasing recipes from Laura’s Lean. Perfect for backyard BBQs, tailgate parties, or family get-togethers, these dishes make it easy to serve up incredible flavor without compromising on quality.

If you’re planning ahead for a busy week, these Labor Day favorites also double as excellent meal prep recipes. Grilled sliders and skewers can be made in batches, stored in airtight containers, and quickly reheated for weekday lunches or after-school snacks. Using Laura’s Lean ground beef ensures that your meals stay lighter without sacrificing flavor, making it easy to enjoy classic cookout dishes as part of your regular meal rotation. Pair them with fresh sides like roasted vegetables or quinoa salad for a balanced, ready-to-go option.

Tailgating season also means plenty of opportunities to share food with friends, and these healthy tailgate recipes are built to impress. From the hearty Beer Can Burgers to the grab-and-go Meatball Skewers, each dish brings big flavor while staying true to a better-for-you grilling approach. By choosing lean beef recipes that are high in protein and lower in fat, you’ll keep your guests satisfied while staying on track with your wellness goals. Plus, these dishes are simple to transport, making them the perfect addition to any stadium parking lot or backyard celebration.

Beer Can Burgers

Ingredients:

1 lb. Laura’s Lean Ground Beef (92% Lean or 96% Lean)
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
8 slices bacon (2 per burger)
4 slices cheese (cheddar, provolone, or your favorite)
1 cup assorted toppings (diced peppers, onions, jalapeños, mushrooms, etc.)
4 hamburger buns
Lettuce and tomato, optional

Instructions:

Preheat grill to medium heat.
In a large bowl, combine beef, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently.
Divide mixture into 4 large balls (½ lb. each).
Press the bottom of a beer can into each ball to form a cavity “bowl.” Carefully remove the can.
Wrap each beef “bowl” with 2 slices of bacon.
Stuff each cavity with cheese and toppings.
Grill burgers indirectly for about 30 minutes, or until cooked through (160°F internal temp).
Serve on buns with lettuce and tomato.

Grilled Sweet & Sour Meatball Skewers

Ingredients:

1 lb. Laura’s Lean 96% Lean Ground Beef
½ cup grated yellow squash (squeezed dry)
2 Tbsp whole wheat flour
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp ground ginger
½ tsp salt
1 large egg
1 green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 small onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 cup pineapple chunks

Sweet & Sour Sauce:

½ cup ketchup
3 Tbsp rice vinegar
3 Tbsp brown sugar
2 Tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp cornstarch

Instructions:

In a large bowl, combine ground beef, squash, flour, garlic powder, ginger, salt, and egg. Mix well and form into 16 meatballs.
In a small saucepan, whisk together ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, and cornstarch. Heat until thickened.
Reserve ? cup of the sauce. Toss meatballs in remaining sauce and marinate 15 minutes.
Thread meatballs, peppers, onion, and pineapple onto skewers.
Preheat grill to 425°F. Place skewers on foil-lined grill and cook for 15 minutes, turning every 5 minutes, until meatballs reach 160°F.
Brush with reserved sauce before serving.

Beef & Cheddar Sliders

Ingredients:

1 lb. Laura’s Lean 92% Lean Ground Beef
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
8 slider buns (sweet Hawaiian preferred)
8 slices sharp cheddar cheese
Pickle slices, optional

Instructions:

Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
In a large bowl, combine beef, Worcestershire, salt, and pepper. Mix gently.
Form mixture into 8 small patties.
Grill patties for 2–3 minutes per side, or until fully cooked (160°F).
Top each patty with cheddar slice just before removing from grill.
Place patties on buns and add pickles if desired. Serve warm.

As we say goodbye to Summer and hello to Fall routines, Labor Day is the perfect excuse to fire up the grill one more time. Whether it’s the hearty Beer Can Burgers, the sweet-and-savory Meatball Skewers, or the cheesy bite-sized Sliders, Laura’s Lean helps you celebrate with flavor you can feel good about. Here’s to a season of good food, family, and tailgating fun!