If you’re anything like us, you probably judge a cookout by the strength of its sides! Zippy, varied, creative and fresh, great side dishes are a major draw at any potluck, cookout or get-together. As any great host knows, offering diners a colorful assortment of tasty sides is a good way to stretch mains, and hit a wider array of foods that will please every guest.
With late-summer and early fall produce in the market, Labor Day side dishes are some of the best of the year. For cookouts, choose dishes that you can make ahead of time and that will hold well, even on warm days. Whatever’s at the center of your plate, you can go classic, with cold side salads, slaws and grilled veggies, or mix things up with crowd-friendly grain dishes heaped with tasty add-ins. Made with a foundation of RiceSelect® rice and pasta, they’re a fast, convenient and worry-free option when cooking for family, or a roomful of friends!
Dishes that can hit a world of flavors on a single buffet spread, great sides will keep your next cookout from falling into humdrum territory. Keep things creative, eye-catching, easy and delicious, and you’ll minimize stress even as you impress. Craving side dishes that come dangerously close to outshining your mains? You’ve come to the right spot!
What Makes the Best Labor Day Side Dishes?
Though there’s bound to be disagreement on what makes the “best” Labor Day side dishes, we think most people can agree on a few fundamentals. Keep these tips in mind when planning this year’s menu.
Easy to Prep Ahead
As you kiss a summer of fun goodbye, hold on to the season’s carefree attitude with dishes that aren’t overly complicated and don’t require a Herculean level of prep. Instead, breathe easy with straightforward recipes that won’t dirty numerous dishes and that can be made ahead of time. Prep anything you can—from vinaigrettes to grains, chopped veggies and seasoned beans—before your event, leaving the final assembly until just before dinner is served.
Serve Very Cold or at Room Temperature
Though you want to avoid planning a menu with excess cold dishes, one or two can make a nice contrast to warm or room-temperature fare. For best results, place cold dishes over ice or keep them in a cooler to ensure they stay frosty. Dishes that can sit at room temperature without wilting include quinoa salads, orzo salads, veggie stir-fries and bean dishes.
Travel-Friendly for Potlucks & BBQs
While soups are best saved for fall dinners indoors, salads, layered bowls and grain-based sides are the type of travel-friendly dish that’s ideal for Labor Day. When choosing a dish to bring to a potluck or BBQ, opt for ones that can be easily taken from one place to another. The best options have few components and won’t spill, leak or drip in transit.
Bold Flavors & Fresh Ingredients
For dishes that make a statement, fill your Labor Day sides with peak seasonal ingredients along with flavorful add-ins. From umami-rich spices and fresh herbs to punchy vinaigrettes and aromatic cheeses, bold ingredients will result in striking sides.
Cold Labor Day Side Dishes That Will Grab Everyone's Attention
This September, don’t leave anything to chance. Instead, plan a Labor Day menu that’s full of intrigue, color and flavor, and that will delight everyone on your guest list.
Caesar Pasta Salad with Grilled Chicken
Craving a Labor Day menu that sings? Then leave wilted lettuce at home, instead dressing RiceSelect® Pearl Couscous with your favorite Caesar dressing. Chewy and delectable, pearl couscous can stand up to hearty ingredients and warm weather, making it a must-have for potlucks, barbecues and cookouts.
Green Goddess Pearl Couscous Salad
With its refreshing blend of crunchy greens, pool of creamy herby dressing and the satisfying chew of RiceSelect® Pearl Couscous, this salad has something for every diner. A vegetarian option, this bright salad can be artistically assembled onsite or tossed together and transported in a single container.
Pesto Rice Salad
Tossed with vibrant homemade pesto, grilled corn, tomatoes and red onions, RiceSelect® Texmati White Rice turns into an irresistible summery side. A crowd-pleaser when paired with saucy barbecue, smoky kebabs or simple burgers, this dish can round out any Labor Day menu.
Creamy Feta and Chickpea Pearl Couscous
Make this ahead of time—or with 15 minutes to spare—and you’ll reap the rewards of a tasty, hearty RiceSelect® Pearl Couscous dish peppered with creamy sautéed chickpeas, briny feta and a tangy yogurt and lemon dressing. A recipe that serves 4, this can also easily be doubled for larger groups.
Forbidden Rice and Greens Pilaf
Dramatic and bursting with zesty, savory things, this eye-catching pilaf is an exciting addition to any buffet table. To bring out the best in every grain of RiceSelect® Black Rice, we cook it in lime juice and vegetable broth, and accent it with a host of sautéed aromatics, including leeks, chilies, garlic and onion. Fresh asparagus and peas add an irresistible touch of green to every mouthful.
Rainbow Orzo Salad
Named for its bright combination of crunchy vegetables, this zippy RiceSelect® Orzo salad is perfect for using up odds and ends you have hanging around the crisper. Though we recommend the combination of juicy tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, onion, basil and dill, this salad would also be delicious with zucchini, broccoli, olives, parsley, or sundried tomatoes. Keep the Italian-style vinaigrette as is but get creative with the add-ins for a new experience every time!
Spanakorizo (Greek Spinach Rice)
Creamy, lemony and flecked with greens, this RiceSelect® Arborio Rice dish is best served at room temperature. Feta adds undeniable Greek flair, but feel free to top this dish with your favorite cheese, be it Parmesan, goat cheese or bouncy bocconcini.
Couscous Salad with Feta
Keep this 20-minute recipe handy and you’ll instantly know what to make for every event—including Labor Day! A tasty combination of RiceSelect® Couscous, bell peppers, cucumber, herbs, feta and a surprising smattering of tart pomegranate seeds, this dish can liven up any plate.
Greek Orzo Salad
A lively riff on classic pasta salad, this dish refreshes and restores, thanks to a satisfying number of fresh and tangy ingredients. Ready in 20 minutes, it’s also perfectly portable and delicious, whether eaten right away or a few hours after it was made.
Lemon Butter Pearl Couscous Salad
Despite a straightforward ingredient list—including RiceSelect® Tri-Color Pearl Couscous, fresh veggies, herbs, walnuts and raisins—this dish packs a powerful punch of flavor. Don’t skimp on the garlic-scented lemon butter sauce; it’s the key to tying every ingredient together.
Arroz con Gandules
So hearty that it could almost stand on its own, this Puerto Rican stunner turns fragrant RiceSelect® Jasmine Rice into a savory side you won’t want to miss. Generously seasoned with heaps of spices, sofrito, tomatoes and herbs, the grains are then mixed with capers, olives and pigeon peas for full flavor in every bite.
Why Grain-Based Side Dishes Work So Well for Labor Day
- Whether you use rice, quinoa, orzo or couscous, grains and pasta are satisfying ingredients that will ensure nobody at your event goes hungry. More filling than lettuce, they make a great foundation for the season’s heaps of fresh ingredients.
- Because they aren’t affected by temperatures, sauces or other ingredients, grains and pasta are the right choice for make-ahead dishes. Knowing that your sides are ready and waiting in the fridge can also help ease stress on the day of your event.
- Unlike ingredients that wilt or sweat in the heat, grains and pasta are robust enough to stand up to the hottest temps! Though you want to be careful with dishes that include dairy, mayonnaise or seafood, as these can easily spoil in warm, sunny weather, you can trust RiceSelect® grains to hold up no matter what the thermometer reads.
- Give people the grilled classics that they crave—including burgers, kebabs, hot dogs and seafood—then switch things up with sides that they’re not expecting! There’s nothing quite like a tableful of surprisingly creative side dishes to ensure a roomful of delighted guests.
Tips for Hosting an Easy Labor Day Cookout
When you’re the host, it’s up to you to plan a great gathering brimming with good times and plenty of delicious eats! Instead of panicking, keep these tips in mind when planning the menu for your next event. With the food sorted, you’ll enjoy every minute of the fun.
Prep Salads the Night Before
The best thing about hearty salads is that they get better over time! Opt for grain-based sides— made with quinoa, couscous, or rice—and you can cook and prep them the night before your big event. Simply stir in delicate ingredients, such as cheese, watery vegetables, herbs and dressing, right before serving.
Mix Fresh & Hearty Side Dishes
Variety isn’t just the spice of life—it’s the ingredient that keeps a buffet from falling flat! Ensure you have something for every type of diner by mixing and matching dishes with different ingredients and flavor profiles. Offer up light, refreshing sides alongside heartier items, and invite guests to discover the ones that they like best.
Serve Dishes Family-Style
Cookouts and BBQs aren’t the times for finicky plating and single-serve dishes. For a gathering that feels casual and carefree, set up a buffet table and invite guests to help themselves to food and drinks. If you’re expecting a large crowd, avoid traffic jams by setting up two identical buffet tables with family-size bowls and platters of every dish.
Balance Bright Flavors with Smoky Grilled Foods
Labor Day is synonymous with the smoky goodness of grilled foods. For balance, offer up a selection of bright, herb-forward sides that can cut through the fat and savoriness of saucy, smoky proteins. This is the perfect time to make side dishes brimming with peak produce, citrus, herbs and sharp dressings.