27 Labor Day BBQ Sides That Beat Anything From The Store

The unofficial end of summer deserves to go out with a bang, not a lineup of sad sides from the store. Nobody looks forward to plastic tubs of coleslaw or potato salad that tastes like it’s been sitting for days. Making your own sides doesn’t take much time and the payoff is real because the flavors are fresh. Corn, crisp vegetables and bold dressings belong at a Labor Day cookout when the grill is loaded with burgers and ribs. These recipes are easy to prep, feed a crowd and stand out on the table. Skip the deli counter and finish summer with food that’s worth remembering.

Corn and Black Bean Salsa

Sweet corn, hearty black beans and a squeeze of lime make this salsa fresh and bold without much effort. It comes together quickly and can be made ahead, which is exactly what you need when you’re trying to get everything ready for a holiday cookout. Served with chips or alongside grilled meat, it adds a punch of flavor that outshines anything from a jar.
Get the Recipe: Corn and Black Bean Salsa

Grilled Green Beans

Green beans grilled until tender with a bit of char and tossed in garlic soy sauce make a quick 15-minute side dish. They’re easy to cook alongside meat on the grill so everything finishes at the same time. The flavor is bold and far fresher than a store container.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Green Beans

Grilled Potato Wedges

Potatoes cut into wedges, seasoned and grilled until crisp on the outside and soft inside create the ultimate BBQ side. They’re simple to prep and cook right next to burgers or steak so they’re ready when the meat is. These wedges beat frozen fries every time.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Potato Wedges

Pesto Couscous

Couscous stirred with pesto makes a side dish that’s light and herby but filling enough to stand next to heavier mains. It takes only 10 minutes to prepare and works well with chicken or seafood. Store-bought couscous mixes never deliver the same fresh flavor.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Couscous

Lentil Tabbouleh

Lentils mixed with tomatoes, herbs and lemon create a fresh side that’s hearty enough to stand alone but light enough to complement BBQ plates. It’s quick to make and gives you something different than the usual potato or pasta salads.
Get the Recipe: Lentil Tabbouleh

Red Cabbage Slaw

Red cabbage mixed with apples and raisins in a honey Dijon dressing creates a crisp and tangy slaw. It’s light and colorful and pairs perfectly with grilled meat or fish. Unlike heavy mayo slaws, this one stays bright and fresh throughout the meal.
Get the Recipe: Red Cabbage Slaw

Broccoli Raisin Salad

Broccoli combined with raisins, bacon and pumpkin seeds in a creamy dressing creates a side dish with crunch, sweetness and saltiness. It’s easy to prep in advance and holds up well at cookouts. Homemade always beats the cloying store tubs.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Raisin Salad

Simple Summer Tomato Corn Salad

Fresh corn and tomatoes tossed with basil make one of the easiest summer sides. It takes minutes to prepare and works with anything off the grill. No store salad can match the taste of peak season produce.
Get the Recipe: Simple Summer Tomato Corn Salad

Greek Pasta Salad

Pasta tossed with cucumber, tomato, olives and feta creates a side full of flavor and texture. It comes together quickly and can be made ahead so it’s ready to go on BBQ day. Fresh ingredients keep it crisp compared to soggy deli counter versions.
Get the Recipe: Greek Pasta Salad

Creamy Cucumber Salad

Cucumber slices paired with quick pickled red onion in a light creamy dressing make a refreshing side dish. It’s cool and crisp, exactly what you want on a hot holiday afternoon. Preparing it at home keeps it crunchy instead of watery like store-bought.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Cucumber Salad

Zesty Elote

This pasta salad takes the flavors of Mexican street corn and turns them into a dish big enough to feed a crowd. Roasted corn, lime and cheese are mixed into pasta with a creamy dressing that balances tangy and rich flavors. It’s hearty enough to sit next to ribs or burgers and still stand out as a side people will want seconds of.
Get the Recipe: Zesty Elote

Tangy Red Cabbage Slaw

Red cabbage mixed with a tangy dressing makes a crunchy side that’s bold and vibrant. Unlike heavy mayo-based slaws, this version stays crisp and refreshing even if it sits out at the table for a while. It pairs well with anything off the grill and adds a bright pop of color that makes the spread look as good as it tastes.
Get the Recipe: Tangy Red Cabbage Slaw

Lemony Quinoa Chickpea Salad

Quinoa and chickpeas are tossed with cucumber, bell pepper and parsley then finished with a lemon dressing that ties it all together. The salad is light yet filling and can be made in advance, which makes it a reliable option for a BBQ where you don’t want to fuss with sides at the last minute. It brings protein, crunch and brightness to the plate.
Get the Recipe: Lemony Quinoa Chickpea Salad

Cilantro Lime Bell Pepper Salad

Sliced bell peppers mixed with red onion, fresh cilantro and lime juice turn into a crisp and refreshing salad that comes together fast. It’s a colorful side that works with tacos, sandwiches or anything off the grill. The citrus and crunch make it a BBQ side that feels fresh and balances out heavier main dishes.
Get the Recipe: Cilantro Lime Bell Pepper Salad

Antipasto Skewers

These skewers pack all the flavors of an antipasto platter onto a stick, making them easy to grab and eat at a cookout. Cheese, cured meat, olives and vegetables layered together give you variety without needing a giant platter. They’re simple to assemble ahead of time and beat store-bought trays that never taste quite as fresh.
Get the Recipe: Antipasto Skewers

Loaded Potato Salad

This potato salad borrows everything you love about a loaded baked potato and turns it into a BBQ side that will disappear quickly. Yukon gold potatoes mixed with bacon, cheddar cheese and green onions create a hearty bowl that always holds its own next to the grill. It’s creamy and filling, and no store container comes close to the flavor.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Potato Salad

Easy Elote Pasta Salad

Pasta tossed with roasted corn, lime and spices in a creamy dressing makes this salad a standout. It’s bold and fresh and has enough flavor to keep people coming back for more. You can make it ahead and let the flavors meld so all you need to do on Labor Day is pull it out of the fridge and serve.
Get the Recipe: Easy Elote Pasta Salad

Crispy Smashed Potato Salad

Golden roasted potatoes smashed and tossed with herbs and a tangy dressing turn a classic side into something that feels special. The crisp edges with creamy centers bring texture you won’t find in a store container. It’s quick to make and serves as a hearty, crowd-pleasing side dish for any BBQ table.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Smashed Potato Salad

Buttered Corn

Fresh corn scraped from the cob creates a creamy base when cooked with butter. The natural corn liquid adds richness without needing heavy cream. It’s simple, quick and perfect for a cookout where you want the flavor of summer without much work.
Get the Recipe: Buttered Corn

Three Bean Salad

Green beans, kidney beans and garbanzo beans come together with a tangy dressing for a side dish that’s classic but always reliable. Making it at home means the beans stay firm and flavorful, unlike the soggy canned versions. It’s easy to prepare in advance and works with anything you throw on the grill.
Get the Recipe: Three Bean Salad

Stone Fruit Salad

Peaches, nectarines or plums sliced and tossed together make a light and colorful side dish. The natural sweetness pairs well with grilled meat and balances out heavier plates. It’s quick to prepare and feels fresher than any store fruit tray.
Get the Recipe: Stone Fruit Salad

Napa Cabbage Ramen Salad

Crunchy noodles, almonds and sunflower seeds mixed with napa cabbage create a salad that’s both hearty and refreshing. The mix of textures makes it stand out on a crowded table. It holds well at room temperature, making it perfect for outdoor gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Napa Cabbage Ramen Salad

Tuscan Pasta Salad

Pasta combined with sun dried tomatoes, olives and herbs in a light dressing brings bold Mediterranean flavor to the cookout. It pairs easily with grilled chicken or burgers and is sturdy enough to make ahead. Store versions can’t match the freshness of one made at home.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Pasta Salad

Asparagus Parmesan

Fresh asparagus cooked quickly with butter and topped with Parmesan cheese makes a simple side with big flavor. It’s ready in minutes and adds a green option to balance out heavier BBQ mains. Quick prep and minimal cleanup make it easy to fit into a busy holiday meal.
Get the Recipe: Asparagus Parmesan

Pennsylvania Dutch Corn Relish

Corn, peppers, cabbage and onions simmered in a vinegar base create a sweet and tangy relish that goes with almost anything at a BBQ. It’s bright and crisp, making it a welcome break from heavy sides. Homemade always tastes sharper and fresher than anything in a jar.
Get the Recipe: Pennsylvania Dutch Corn Relish

Amish Macaroni Salad

Elbow macaroni mixed with eggs, celery and red peppers in a sweet tangy dressing makes this salad a cookout classic. It’s easy to make ahead and always feeds a crowd. Skipping the store tub means you actually get fresh crunch and real flavor.
Get the Recipe: Amish Macaroni Salad

Sweet Corn Pudding

Corn baked into a creamy base with cheese and herbs makes this side rich and comforting without being heavy. It can be prepared ahead and baked right before serving, which makes it a smart choice for busy holiday gatherings. It’s always a hit on the table.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Corn Pudding