When you plan a Labor Day picnic or backyard barbecue, choosing side dishes is often the toughest decision. Whether you’re grilling burgers and hot dogs, smoking a pork shoulder, or serving up ribs, the sides usually require the most thought. They can make the meal feel complete and give guests plenty of variety.
I’ll admit: while a perfectly grilled burger is hard to beat, I often get more excited about the array of sides. With so many classic picnic options, it’s difficult to pick just a few favorites.
Since Labor Day is the last big outdoor gathering before cooler weather sets in, I like to sample several sides so I can enjoy them one last time before the season ends.
Before I even reach the end of the food line, my plate is usually overflowing and I’m trying to make room for a few last items. To celebrate the final big cookout of the year, here are my favorite side dish recipes I like to make for family and friends. The list includes classic picnic sides, fruit dishes, and some low-carb options for those following Keto.
39 Labor Day Side Dish Recipes
First, a quick note on classification: some items typically served as appetizers can easily double as side dishes at a relaxed backyard gathering. For example, Cold Veggie Pizza often appears as an appetizer but works fine on a picnic spread. Toward the end of the list I’ve included a few such appetizers that also make great sides. No matter how you serve them, these recipes will please a crowd.
1. Pasta & Potato Salad Recipes
A picnic or barbecue feels incomplete without a large bowl of creamy potato salad or a bright, zesty pasta salad. These staples appear on menus at backyard cookouts and barbecue restaurants for good reason.
Instead of buying premade tubs at the store, try making them at home. Homemade salads are economical, easy to customize, and you can omit any ingredients you don’t like.
- Classic Macaroni Salad
- All American Macaroni Salad
- Zesty Italian Pasta Salad
- BLT Pasta Salad
- Amish Country Style Potato Salad
- Southwestern Potato Salad
- Instant Pot Potato Salad
- BLT Potato Salad
- Instant Pot Dill Pickle Potato Salad
- Grilled Potato Packs
2. Corn Recipes
Late summer brings the peak sweetness of fresh corn. For our Labor Day gatherings we almost always include some form of corn side—most often corn on the cob. There are several ways to prepare it that don’t require standing over a boiling pot, including grilling, air frying, slow cooking, or using an Instant Pot.
If you prefer a make-ahead or no-cook option at your picnic destination, corn salads are a convenient choice and work with fresh, frozen, or canned corn.
- Grilled Corn on the Cob
- Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
- Crock Pot Corn on the Cob
- Instant Pot Sweet Corn
- Skillet Corn Salad
- Creamy Confetti Corn
3. Baked Beans
Baked beans are another picnic classic with many variations. You can flavor them in different ways and start from canned or dried beans. Here are a few reliable methods to prepare baked beans for your gathering.
- Slow Cooker Baked Beans
- Homemade Baked Beans
- Instant Pot Baked Beans
4. Other Popular Labor Day Side Dish Recipes
Some favorites don’t fit neatly into a single category, so here’s a mixed selection of tried-and-true picnic sides—from classic coleslaw to a personal favorite: Doritos Taco Salad.
- Doritos Taco Salad
- Classic 7 Layer Salad
- Light & Creamy Coleslaw
- Watermelon Salad
- Cold Ramen Noodle Salad
- Easy Caprese Salad with Cherry Tomatoes
- Creamy Broccoli Salad
- Wild Rice Salad
5. Fruit Side Dishes
If you want a lighter option this Labor Day, include fruit. A red, white, and blue fruit salad or fruit salsa keeps the spread festive. Fruit Pizza is another fun choice—often thought of as dessert, but it can work as a sweet, colorful side.
- All American Fruit Salad
- Fruit Salad with Honey Vanilla Glaze
- Red, White & Blue Fruit Salsa
- Fruit Pizza
6. Low-Carb Side Dishes
Sticking to a low-carb or Keto plan can be challenging at a picnic, where potato and pasta salads are common. Fortunately, there are tasty low-carb side options that pair well with bunless burgers or grilled meats.
Consider cucumber and onion salad for a crisp, refreshing choice, or bring a Keto cauliflower casserole for something heartier—both are crowd-friendly and satisfying.
- Cucumber, Onion & Tomato Salad
- Creamy Cucumber & Onion Salad
- Keto Cauliflower Casserole
7. Labor Day Appetizers That Can Be Served As A Side Dish
A few recipes usually served as appetizers or desserts work well as side dishes at a picnic. They’re easy to prepare and pair nicely with classic barbecue fare.
- Classic Deviled Eggs
- Bacon Cheddar Deviled Eggs
- Cold Veggie Pizza
- Fruit Pizza
- BBQ Little Red Smokies
There you have it—39 Labor Day side dish ideas to inspire your picnic menu. You won’t make all of them, but this selection should help you find something your friends and family will enjoy.
Enjoy! Mary
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