Pepper Jelly BBQ Glaze Shrimp Skewers for Labor Day

Labor Day weekend means one last blast at the grill before summer packs up and heads out, and nothing says "send off summer right" like skewers glistening with a sticky-sweet pepper jelly BBQ glaze. If you've been stuck in a rotation of burgers and dogs all season, grilled shrimp skewers brushed with pepper jelly BBQ glaze are the fast, crowd-pleasing dish that will make this year's Labor Day cookout the one everybody talks about at work on Tuesday.

Why Pepper Jelly BBQ Glaze Works So Well on Shrimp

Shrimp cook fast, and that is the whole appeal on a holiday weekend when you have already got burgers, corn, and three side dishes going at once. A good pepper jelly BBQ glaze does the heavy lifting in minutes: it caramelizes in the heat, clings to every curve of the shrimp, and delivers sweet-heat flavor without a long marinade time. We reach for Peach Habanero Spread for shrimp specifically because the peach sweetness plays off the natural brine of the seafood while the habanero brings just enough heat to keep things interesting without overpowering a delicate protein.

Building Your Labor Day Shrimp Skewers

This recipe is built for backyard speed and a full picnic table. Here is the step-by-step for skewers that will disappear before the first inning of the cornhole tournament is over.

1. Soak wooden skewers in water for 20 minutes (or use metal ones) so they do not scorch on the grill.
2. Peel and devein 2 pounds of large shrimp, leaving tails on for easy grabbing at a crowded party.
3. Thread 5 to 6 shrimp per skewer, alternating with chunks of red onion and bell pepper for color and crunch.
4. Warm Peach Habanero Spread in a small saucepan over low heat for 2 to 3 minutes until it loosens into a brushable pepper jelly BBQ glaze.
5. Grill skewers over medium-high direct heat for 2 minutes per side, brushing generously with the warm glaze during the last minute of each side.
6. Pull skewers once shrimp are opaque and slightly charred at the edges, about 6 to 7 minutes total, and brush with one final coat of glaze off the heat.
7. Serve immediately with extra pepper jelly BBQ glaze on the side for dipping.

Make It Work for a Labor Day Crowd

Labor Day cookouts tend to run bigger than your average Saturday grill session, since end-of-summer gatherings pull in neighbors, cousins, and that one coworker who always shows up with a cooler. Plan on 4 to 5 shrimp per guest as an appetizer, or double the recipe if shrimp skewers are your main event. Skewers can be threaded up to 4 hours ahead and refrigerated, which means less scrambling and more time actually enjoying the last long weekend of the season. If you want to give guests options beyond a single flavor of pepper jelly BBQ glaze, set out a tasting station with THE BBQ Boost 3 Pack Bundle so everyone can brush on their own favorite before it hits the grill.

A Few Grilling Notes

Keep your grill grates clean and well-oiled before shrimp go on, since they are delicate enough to stick, and nobody wants to lose half their glaze-coated shrimp to the grate. Direct medium-high heat is the sweet spot for any pepper jelly BBQ glaze; too hot and the sugars will scorch before the shrimp cooks through. If you are working a packed grill alongside burgers and dogs, shrimp skewers can go on a top rack or a cooler section of the grate to buy yourself a little more control over timing.

Perfect Pairings for Your Labor Day Table

Pair these shrimp skewers with classic Labor Day sides like corn on the cob, a cold pasta salad, and watermelon wedges for a table that feels like summer's grand finale. If you are setting out a grazing spread before the main event, the same pepper jelly BBQ glaze doubles as a killer condiment: warm a little extra and spoon it over a block of cream cheese with crackers for guests to nibble on while the shrimp cooks.

However you spend the last long weekend of summer, a plate of glazed shrimp skewers is an easy way to send it off right. Ready to build your own Labor Day spread? Visit Smoky Mountain Spread to stock up on the pepper jelly flavors that make this recipe, and the rest of your holiday menu, unforgettable.