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Home » Recipe Collections

These 17 Labor Day side dishes might be better than the main course

Published: Aug 31, 2026 by Shruthi · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

A great Labor Day gathering deserves side dishes that get just as much attention as the main course. These recipes bring crowd-pleasing flavors and plenty of variety to your holiday table, from comforting classics to fresh seasonal favorites. They’re easy enough for a relaxed celebration but delicious enough to have guests coming back for seconds. If you’re planning a Labor Day menu, these sides may end up stealing the show.

Roasted Cabbage Steaks

An image of roasted cabbage steaks on a serving plate.
Roasted Cabbage Steaks. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Cabbage steaks roast in under 40 minutes with crisp edges and a tender center. They’re proof that a simple vegetable deserves a place at any Labor Day table.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Mango Avocado Salad

An overhead image of avocado salad in a serving bowl.
Mango Avocado Salad. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie

Mango avocado salad comes together in 15 minutes with a light vinaigrette. It’s quick, fresh, and fits the kind of side you don’t want missing from a holiday spread.
Get the Recipe: Mango Avocado Salad

Corn in a Cup

Two glasses of Corn in a Cup garnished with lime.
Corn in a Cup. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Corn in a cup is creamy, sweet, and ready fast. It’s the type of side that works whether you’re snacking or filling out the main cookout plate.
Get the Recipe: Corn in a Cup

Raw Carrot Salad

An overhead image of raw carrot salad on a plate.
Raw Carrot Salad. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Raw carrot salad takes just 10 minutes and brings a crisp bite. It’s the kind of easy dish that keeps summer meals bright and balanced.
Get the Recipe: Raw Carrot Salad

Green Beans and Potatoes

An image of green beans in a serving bowl with a spoon resting on it.
Green Beans and Potatoes. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Green beans and potatoes cook in under half an hour with simple seasoning. They’re hearty enough to stand beside grilled mains, making them hard to skip.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans and Potatoes

Boondi Raita

An overhead view of a boondi raita in a bowl.
Boondi Raita. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Boondi raita is cool, spiced, and ready in five minutes. It holds its own with rich dishes, which makes it perfect for a crowded holiday spread.
Get the Recipe: Boondi Raita

Corn Casserole

Corn casserole in a casserole dish with a portion removed.
Corn Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Corn casserole with a cheesy top and sweet base feels like pure comfort. It’s a classic side that earns its place no matter the season.
Get the Recipe: Corn Casserole

Sweet and Spicy Pickled Onions

Top view of sweet and spicy pickled onions in a jar.
Sweet and Spicy Pickled Onions. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Quick pickled onions are sharp, crunchy, and ready in 15 minutes. They stick around for weeks and add punch to burgers, tacos, or any cookout plate.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Spicy Pickled Onions

Gomen Wat (Spicy Ethiopian Greens)

An overhead view of gomen wat in a white bowl.
Gomen Wat (Spicy Ethiopian Greens). Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Gomen Wat uses greens and pantry staples to build real flavor. It’s the kind of side that brings depth and variety to a holiday meal.
Get the Recipe: Gomen Wat (Spicy Ethiopian Greens)

Pickled Avocado

A close-up image of pickled avocados in a glass jar.
Pickled Avocado. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Pickled avocados are tangy, fast, and use only a few ingredients. They’re fresh and different, giving the summer table a little extra spark.
Get the Recipe: Pickled Avocado

Mediterranean Black Bean Salad

Mediterranean Black Bean Salad in a white bowl being drizzled with cilantro lime dressing.
Mediterranean Black Bean Salad. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Black bean salad takes 10 minutes with a quick cilantro lime dressing. It’s fresh and filling, which makes it a side that never feels like an afterthought.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Black Bean Salad

Pickled Jalapeños

A close-up image of pickled jalapenos in a glass jar being scooped with a fork.
Pickled Jalapeños. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Quick pickled jalapeños are ready in 45 minutes and last for weeks. They’re a sharp, crunchy add-on that fits right in with summer food.
Get the Recipe: Pickled Jalapeños

No Mayo Coleslaw

Close up of no mayo coleslaw.
No Mayo Coleslaw. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Asian-style slaw with peanut dressing skips the mayo but keeps the crunch. It’s bold, crisp, and made to stand out at a cookout spread.
Get the Recipe: No Mayo Coleslaw

Tomato Miso Jam

A close up image of  a glass jar filled with tomato miso jam sits on a wooden board.
Tomato Miso Jam. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Tomato spread with miso is simple but has depth. It’s an easy way to keep fresh summer flavors alive on toast or alongside grilled dishes.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Miso Jam

Easy Mango Salsa

An overhead image of mango salsa in a serving plate.
Easy Mango Salsa. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Mango salsa takes just minutes and uses only a handful of fresh ingredients. It’s colorful and bright, which makes it a natural fit for a holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Easy Mango Salsa

Mexican Street Corn Salad

An overhead image of Mexican street corn salad in a bowl with two slices of lime resting on the side.
Mexican Street Corn Salad. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Street corn salad is bold with charred kernels and creamy dressing. It’s quick, feeds a group, and belongs on any summer spread.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Salad

Classic American Potato Salad

An overhead image of the classic American potato salad in a white serving dish.
Classic American Potato Salad. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Classic potato salad with eggs is the dish people expect at a cookout. It tastes even better the next day, which makes it a side worth making ahead.
Get the Recipe: Classic American Potato Salad

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Hi, I'm Shruthi! I am the owner and blogger at Parallel Plates. I love everything about food, and I hope that you can find the best recipe inspiration, trends, hacks, and more here.

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