21 Labor Day Side Dishes That Keep the Grill From Getting All the Credit

Let’s be honest: the grill gets plenty of attention at a Labor Day cookout. But I’ve been to enough gatherings to know it’s usually the side dishes people keep going back for.

Give me a really good potato salad, something crisp and fresh, a creamy scoop of this, a little smoky bite of that, and suddenly the burgers aren’t the only thing disappearing. These are the Labor Day sides I’d put on the table when I want the whole spread to pull its weight, not just whatever happens to be coming off the grill.

Spicy Cucumber Salad With Chili Crisp Oil

When the late-summer heat makes heavy food feel like too much, this cold, crunchy cucumber bowl completely saves the day. Tossing sliced cucumbers with spicy chili crisp oil gives you a quick, refreshing side that adds a fun pop of heat next to classic holiday foods.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Cucumber Salad With Chili Crisp Oil

Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots

Standing out next to heavy grilled meats is easy when you bring a tray of these sweet, caramelized carrots to the party. Roasting sliced carrots in a hot oven with honey and fresh thyme gets the edges nicely browned, giving you a tender veggie side everyone will gladly reach for.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots

Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

Charring sweet corn in a hot skillet builds a rich, smoky flavor that actually gets better after sitting in the fridge overnight. Tossing that corn with cold pasta, cheese, and a zesty chili-lime dressing gives you a make-ahead side dish that outshines anything cooked over open flames.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

Baked Mac and Cheese with Cottage Cheese (So Easy!)

The grill usually gets all the attention at a cookout, but this velvety baked mac and cheese will have everyone loading up their plates twice. Blending cottage cheese straight into the warm sauce keeps the pasta extra creamy without any stove fuss, bringing pure old-school comfort right to your holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Baked Mac and Cheese with Cottage Cheese (So Easy!)

Mexican Street Corn Elotes

Getting that deep, smoky char on sweet corn in a hot skillet is my favorite way to keep the grill from taking all the credit. Coating the warm corn kernels in a creamy chili-lime sauce gives you all that street-food flavor in a bowl that keeps your guests talking long after the party ends.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Elotes

Easy And Creamy Classic Deviled Eggs Recipe

You cannot have a proper cookout without a platter of deviled eggs waiting on the table before the hot dogs are even cooked. Mashing smooth egg yolks with simple mustard and mayo creates a classic bite that vanishes from the food table long before the main course even hits the plates.
Get the Recipe: Easy And Creamy Classic Deviled Eggs Recipe

Mexican Coleslaw

Balancing out heavy ribs and burgers calls for a cold, crunchy side that brings a burst of freshness to your plate. Tossing shredded cabbage with a quick garlic and lime dressing takes less than five minutes, giving you a bright, crisp salad that keeps your plate balanced and colorful.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Coleslaw

Balsamic Caprese Pasta Salad

Tossing ripe summer tomatoes and fresh mozzarella balls with cold pasta and sweet balsamic vinegar lets all those juicy flavors mingle together in the fridge. It is an easy, impressive side dish you can prep hours in advance, keeping your holiday kitchen cool and stress-free.
Get the Recipe: Balsamic Caprese Pasta Salad

Creamed Corn

Steaking a little spotlight from the grill master is easy when you set out a pot of warm, scratch-made creamed corn. Simmering sweet corn kernels in a rich homemade cream sauce gives you a smooth, velvety dish that feels way more special than anything pulled out of a can.
Get the Recipe: Creamed Corn

Slow Cooker Baked Beans With Bacon

Letting your slow cooker do all the heavy lifting frees you up from standing over a hot grill all afternoon. Simmering tender beans with sweet brown sugar and smoky bacon creates a thick, bubbling side that delivers all that cozy cookout flavor everyone looks forward to.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Baked Beans With Bacon

Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

While everyone is fussing over the burgers on the grill, setting out a big bowl of this tangy pickle pasta salad will completely steal the show. Tossing cold noodles in punchy pickle brine instead of heavy mayo gives you a crunchy, cool dish you can make the day before so you can actually enjoy your long weekend.
Get the Recipe: Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

Cheesy Funeral Potatoes (Hash Brown Casserole)

If you want a side dish that outshines every hot dog coming off the fire, this bubbling potato bake is it. Layering cheesy hash browns under a buttery, crunchy cornflake crust creates a warm, creamy pan that people will crowd around the second you set it down.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Funeral Potatoes (Hash Brown Casserole)

Homemade Corn Casserole

This golden, sweet corn bake is the exact kind of comforting dish that makes people skip second helpings of meat to grab another scoop. Mixing basic kitchen staples into a soft, spoonable casserole gives you a steady, crowd-pleasing side that holds its warmth right on the buffet line.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Corn Casserole

Creamy Cucumber Dill Salad

This simple cold salad acts like a cool breeze on a warm summer afternoon right alongside your hot food spread. Slicing fresh cucumbers thin and tossing them with a light cream dressing and plenty of dill gives you a clean, crisp bite that cuts right through rich meats.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Cucumber Dill Salad

Ambrosia Fluff Salad

Everyone expects meat from the grill on Labor Day, but setting out a chilled bowl of this sweet retro fluff is what makes people smile. Mixing mandarin oranges, sweet pineapple, and fluffy marshmallows with whipped topping takes just five minutes and brings back all those happy holiday memories.
Get the Recipe: Ambrosia Fluff Salad

Cowboy Caviar

I love setting out a big bowl of this colorful dip because it lets everyone snack happily while waiting on the grill to warm up. Opening cans of black beans and corn, chopping up crisp peppers, and tossing it all in a zesty dressing gives you an easy, no-cook side ready hours before guests arrive.
Get the Recipe: Cowboy Caviar

10-Minute Beet and Feta Salad With Pears and Pistachios

Adding a bright, fresh bowl to your holiday spread is the best way to give your heavy cookout foods a run for their money. Slicing soft pre-cooked beets with juicy pears, salty feta cheese, and crunchy pistachios gives you a stunning vegetable dish that comes together in just ten minutes.
Get the Recipe: 10-Minute Beet and Feta Salad With Pears and Pistachios

Garden Veggie Macaroni Salad and Creamy Avocado Dressing

Catching everyone’s eye on a busy buffet table is easy when your pasta salad is packed with a full rainbow of fresh vegetables. Tossing crunchy garden veggies and cold macaroni with a smooth, green avocado dressing keeps every bite tasting light, cool, and super refreshing.
Get the Recipe: Garden Veggie Macaroni Salad and Creamy Avocado Dressing

Broccoli Salad with Bacon

Even people who usually walk right past the vegetable tray will line up for a big scoop of this crunchy cold salad. Tossing raw broccoli florets with salty bacon bits and sweet blueberries in a creamy dressing gives you a hearty side dish that stays crisp even outdoors in the summer heat.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Salad with Bacon

Bacon Ranch Potato Salad

Swapping standard yellow mustard for a creamy homemade ranch dressing turns a simple bowl of potatoes into the real star of the table. Loading tender red potatoes with crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, and green onions makes a heavy, delicious side that goes hand in hand with hot dogs.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Potato Salad

Easy Cheesy Tennessee Onions

The grill might be cooking the main event, but this bubbling pan of sweet Vidalia onions will be the dish everyone asks you about. Baking sliced sweet onions under a thick layer of melted cheeses turns simple pantry staples into a rich, cozy side that completely steals the spotlight.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cheesy Tennessee Onions

Give the grill its glory, then make a few sides that might quietly steal the whole show.