These Labor Day side dishes let you do your day off the right way. Prepare to make crowd favorites for every Labor Day to come.
30 Labor Day Side Dishes
1
/
30
Cucumber Salad with Sour Cream
It’s been a tradition at our house to serve this dish with the other Hungarian specialties my mom learned to make from the women at church. It’s especially good during the summer when the cucumbers are fresh-picked from the garden. —Pamela Eaton, Monclova, Ohio
2
/
30
Grilled Southwestern Potato Salad
This salad is perfect with a grilled steak for a Tex-Mex meal, and most of it can even be prepared out in the backyard. Poblanos and cayenne make it pop and it’s ideal as a Labor Day side dish. —Johnna Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona
3
/
30
Cucumber Coleslaw
I created this cucumber coleslaw recipe so I could use a julienne peeler I received as a gift. I had leftover sparkling wine, so I thought I'd try to use it over julienned cucumbers to make this refreshing slaw. It's a nice way to round out a brunch or picnic. —Merry Graham, Newhall, California
4
/
30
Hawaiian Fried Rice
Growing up in the South Pacific, rice was the mainstay of our diet. When my husband and I moved stateside, we created this Hawaiian fried rice recipe. We bring this dish to every potluck, and it’s always the hit of the party. It’s especially a crowd favorite as a Labor Day side dish. —Janice Edwards, Plainville, Illinois
5
/
30
Slow-Cooker Sriracha Corn
A restaurant here advertised Sriracha corn on the cob, but I knew I could make my own. The golden ears cooked up a little sweet, a little smoky and a little hot—perfect if you ask my three teenage boys! —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
6
/
30
Bacon Pea Salad
My husband absolutely loves peas. My middle son isn’t the biggest fan, but he loves bacon. So, I combined the two, and it was perfect! This pea salad is an awesome Labor Day side dish, especially for a barbecue. —Angela Lively, Conroe, Texas
7
/
30
Sweet & Sour Squash Salad
This Labor Day salad goes over really well with all ages, and it’s a good way to get kids to eat summer squash. —Opal Shipman Levelland, Texas
8
/
30
Heirloom Tomato Salad
This is a simple yet elegant dish that always pleases my guests. Not only is it tasty, but it is healthy, too. The more varied the colors of the tomatoes you choose, the prettier the salad will be. —Jess Apfe, Berkeley, California
9
/
30
Pina Colada Molded Salad
My gelatin ring gets a tropical twist from coconut, pineapple and macadamia nuts. It’s a wonderful anytime treat and as a Labor Day side dish. Now that I’m retired from teaching, I have more time for kitchen experiments. —Carol Gillespie, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
10
/
30
Tomato-Melon Chicken Salad
Nothing says summer like picking watermelon, tomatoes and raspberries, then tossing them together in a salad. The addition of grilled chicken makes it a satisfying summery meal. —Betsy Hite, Wilton, California
11
/
30
Jalapeno Popper Corn Salad
I created this recipe for a wedding I was catering, and it's a good thing I made buckets of it, because I couldn't stop eating it! This chilled creamy salad combines all the best flavors of jalapeno poppers with the delicate sweetness of fresh corn. —Amanda Miller, Hutchinson, Kansas
12
/
30
Tomato, Avocado and Grilled Corn Salad
With ripe tomatoes, fresh basil and grilled corn, this bright salad tastes just like summertime! It’s sure to be a massive crowd favorite as a Labor Day side dish. —Angela Spengler, Tampa, Florida
13
/
30
Salami & Provolone Pasta Salad
Everyone needs a perfect pasta salad that’s easy to make, especially on busy nights when your family wants a dish that’s fast, light and cool. This is just the thing. —Jill Donley, Warsaw, Indiana
14
/
30
Patriotic Potatoes with Mustard Sauce
Show your true spirit with a bowl of red, white and blue potatoes dressed with bacon and sour cream. They’re tops in my hit parade of patriotic dishes. —Julie Murphy, Peachtree City, Georgia
15
/
30
Simple Waldorf Salad
This is my go-to salad when I need a quick little meal. When I want a sweeter taste, I use whipped cream instead of yogurt. —Wendy Masters, East Garafraxa, Ontario
16
/
30
Ranch Pasta
I came up with this ranch pasta after making recipes for a bridal shower. It was party day and I needed to take some shortcuts! Everyone loves the simple Parmesan ranch white sauce, and it's easy to throw in veggies you have on hand. —Merry Graham, Newhall, California
17
/
30
Marinated Three Bean Salad
Fresh herbs and cayenne pepper provide the fantastic flavor in this marinated salad featuring fresh veggies and canned beans. —Carol Tucker, Wooster, Ohio
18
/
30
Honey-Pecan Kiwi Salad
This dish won second place in a summer salad recipe feature published in our local newspaper. But it takes first place with my family, always happy to try my new creations. —Marla Arbet, Kenosha, Wisconsin
19
/
30
Creamy Macaroni Salad
This creamy macaroni salad recipe is a classic cold noodle dish with oodles of crowd appeal. It features tender macaroni and crisp, colorful veggies tossed with an ultra-creamy, sweet-and-tangy dressing.
20
/
30
Pina Colada Fruit Salad
Give friends a taste of the tropics on warm summer days with this refreshing fruit blend. For a little extra punch, you might add a splash of coconut rum. —Carol Farnsworth, Greenwood, Indiana
21
/
30
Marinated Tomatoes
In just about 10 minutes, you can prepare these tasty marinated tomatoes, a quick, light and family-friendly recipe.
22
/
30
Pressure-Cooker Summer Squash
We love squash, but I got bored with fixing plain old squash and cheese. I decided to jazz it up a bit by adding seasoned croutons and bacon. This was a huge hit with the family. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
23
/
30
Grilled Veggies with Caper Butter
We enjoy the tart, peppery taste of capers. No one likes a bland veggie, and caper butter helps peppers, squash and zucchini shine. —Danyelle Crum, Indian Trail, North Carolina
24
/
30
Broccoli and Apple Salad
Even my picky daughter loves this one! My yogurt dressing on crunchy veggie salad makes a cool and creamy Labor Day side dish. —Lynn Cluff, Littlefield, Arizona
25
/
30
Linguine with Fresh Tomatoes
This garlic and basil linguine is a perfect way to use up your late-summer tomato harvest. It makes a great light supper when paired with a salad, or you can make it heartier with some chopped chicken. —Susan Jones, Downers Grove, Illinois
26
/
30
Creamy Red Potatoes
This rich and creamy potato side dish is my go-to for potlucks. It’s super easy to double, so I usually do. Folks almost always take seconds, and I almost always get compliments. —Shelia Schmitt, Topeka, Kansas
27
/
30
Ruby Raspberry Slaw
Give ordinary coleslaw a "berry" tangy twist. It's sure to get raves at your next picnic or potluck. —Deborah Biggs, Omaha, Nebraska
28
/
30
Cheesy Summer Squash Casserole
Onion and cheddar cheese perk up the rich flavor of summer squash in this comforting casserole. A crispy cornflake-crumb topping adds a little crunch. —Katherine Metz, Jacksonville, Florida
29
/
30
Garden Chickpea Salad
Looking for a summer dish with a difference? Combine colorful crunchy veggies with soft feta cheese and good-for-you garbanzos. If you like, add sliced, cooked chicken or lamb. —Sally Sibthorpe, Shelby Township, Michigan
30
/
30