Labor Day Side Dishes

1. Creamy Grape Salad

This sweet and creamy summer side dish is made by tossing red and green grapes in a vanilla cream cheese dressing! It has a crunchy topping of brown sugar (or cinnamon sugar), and chopped nuts will keep you coming back for more!

2. Potato Salad

When it comes to Labor Day celebrations, a big bowl of homemade potato salad is a must! This is my go-to recipe for classic potato salad with the perfect blend of mayo, mustard, and relish.

3. Grilled Corn On The Cob

If you already plan on firing up the grill, why not throw on a couple of corn cobs? It's an easy and delicious side dish that can be cooked alongside your main course.

If you aren't grilling this Labor Day, try milk butter boiled corn or steamed corn on the stovetop! You can also see my guide on how to cook corn on the cob or my collection of corn recipes!

4. Greek Yogurt Fruit Salad

A fresh fruit salad makes a tasty dessert or a refreshing side dish! The tartness of the Greek yogurt in this fruit salad dressing is balanced beautifully by a burst of fresh lime juice and sweet honey syrup.

5. Mandarin Orange Jello Salad

This orange Jello salad is always a hit with the kids! It's light, fluffy, cool, and creamy, with juicy mandarin oranges, pineapples, and (best of all) mini marshmallows.

6. Grilled Yellow Squash

If you have an abundance of yellow summer squash, slice and cook it on the grill. It cooks perfectly in minutes and adds a pop of color to any plate!

7. Baked Potato Bar

Whether you are hosting five people or fifty, everyone loves a baked potato bar. You can cook baked potatoes in your air fryer, slow cooker, or oven, then offer a diverse collection of baked potato toppings for guests to choose from!

If you're smoking meats this Labor Day, you have to give smoked baked potatoes a try!

8. Sweet Potato Muffins

These warmly spiced sweet potato muffins are super tasty with BBQ and grilled meats. To save time, you can bake them in advance and freeze them to be reheated on Labor Day!

9. Sausage Cream Cheese Biscuit Bites

These delectable sausage biscuit bites feature fluffy Pillsbury Grands biscuits filled with ground sausage, cream cheese, Worcestershire sauce, and cheddar. Best of all, they're ready to eat in about 15 minutes!

10. Grilled Bok Choy

On the grill, bok choy leaves become tender and slightly charred, which gives them the most wonderful flavor! This recipe also includes a flavor-packed Asian dipping sauce that will have everyone asking for the recipe.

11. Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes

Everyone loves a big bowl of rich and creamy mashed potatoes! These cream cheese mashed potatoes are a fool-proof recipe that never disappoints.

12. Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese

Smoked gouda gives this mac and cheese a smokey flavor that will have you savoring every bite. Sharp white cheddar is the perfect contrast to the rich flavor of gouda for a truly addictive mac & cheese.

13. Lobster Salad

Lobster salad is a creamy combination of succulent lobster meat, creamy mayo, crisp celery, and a simple blend of seasonings. If you want to, you can serve the lobster mixture on a bun to make lobster rolls or over fresh green lettuce as a traditional salad!

14. Southern Coleslaw

This easy summertime favorite is a fabulous addition to backyard BBQs, cookouts, pool parties, and just about any other occasion. It makes a great topping for sandwiches, tacos, and more because it has a great crunch!

15. Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing

Cool and tangy pasta salad with Italian dressing is easy and delicious, plus you can prepare it ahead of time! It will complement any protein beautifully (especially if you marinate it with my easy Italian marinade!)

💭 Tips For Making The Best Labor Day Side Dishes

Here are some of my best tips to help you choose which side dishes are the best for you.

1. Go With the Main Course. Keep your main course in mind when preparing your menu. Try to serve side dishes that go well with what your making. If you're grilling burgers and hot dogs, you can't go wrong with classic options like coleslaw, potato salad, or baked beans.
2. Preparation Time. Side dishes that can be prepared in advance will save you tons of time (and stress). This can include recipes that can be refrigerated or meats that can be marinated in advance.
3. Easy to Eat. If you're going to be outside or walking around, keep this in mind when planning your menu. Avoid serving things that are difficult to eat while standing, walking around, or being outside.
4. Have Cold and Warm Dishes. Cold salads like pasta salad or cucumber vinegar salad are always refreshing, and warm dishes like cornbread are always satisfying.
5. Popular dishes. You can never go wrong with traditional, popular side dishes. Some great options are macaroni and cheese, deviled eggs, and baked potatoes.

Labor Day signifies the end of summer and is the perfect time to enjoy your favorite summer recipes one last time during the year. You can't go wrong with any of the tasty dishes on this list. Let me know which ones you try. ~ Angela

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