What Sides Should You Make For Labor Day? Shaunda’s Cookout Picks
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Beautiful Soul, the meat may get top billing at a Labor Day cookout…
But we all know folks are inspecting those sides!
🥄 Shaunda says: My advice? Don’t try to make everything.
Choose two or three sides that give your plate a little contrast—something cold and creamy, something warm and comforting, maybe something smoky or crunchy—and let the main dish do the rest.
And I’ve already narrowed down the choices for you.
Shaunda’s Labor Day side dish guide
These are the soul food sides I’d put into the Labor Day rotation because they work beautifully alongside ribs, BBQ chicken, fried chicken, and burgers.
Better yet, several can be made ahead or handed over to the Instant Pot so you aren’t spending your entire holiday in the kitchen!
And if you ask me which one makes the plate first?
Beautiful Soul, you know I’m starting with the potato salad!
Featured: Black Folks potato salad
But, before anybody takes a scoop, there’s one question:
Because potato salad is not just another cookout side dish. People have expectations.
Mine is creamy, flavorful, and made the soul food way, with the familiar taste and texture I want beside smoky barbecue and other cookout favorites.
And because I want you to cook according to your schedule, I’ve already thought through two ways to make it!
Traditional stovetop: For the classic cooking method you already know.
Instant Pot-assisted: When you’d rather let the pressure cooker handle the potatoes while you work on something else.
❤️ Why I make it this way
Potato salad is my first pick because it does something important on a Labor Day plate: it balances the barbecue.
Cool and creamy beside hot, sticky ribs or smoky chicken? That’s the plate.
It’s also a side you can prepare ahead and refrigerate, which means one less thing competing for your attention when it’s time to cook the main dish.
That’s why I’m not showing up without it!
Shaunda’s Labor Day side dish picks
💡 I’ve already thought this through…
Can’t decide? Well, don’t choose five sides that all do the same job. Build the plate by contrast.
If I’m serving ribs or BBQ chicken, I’d start with:
- Potato salad — cold + creamy
- Baked beans — warm + smoky
- Coleslaw — cool + crunchy
- Tomato watermelon salad — cool + tangy and sweet
Want the comfort-food plate?
Planning ahead is the priority?
There. Your sides are handled!
👩🏾🍳 Make-It-Your-Way
Pick two. Pick three. Make all six if that’s how your family rolls!
You don’t need my exact plate for it to be a good one. I’ve given you the options; you make the plate yours.
The easiest way to decide is to think about what your main dish needs and how much cooking you actually want to do that day.
Explore more from Shaunda’s Labor Day kitchen
Already have your sides? Let’s keep building the holiday.
Want even more options? Browse my complete Labor Day recipe collection → for more soul food cookout favorites!
❤️ Tap the heart at the top of this post to save it to your favorites on The Soul Food Pot!
Come cook with me
Want more soul food recipes, holiday menus, and the kitchen shortcuts I’ve already thought through for you?
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🤖❤️ Send this recipe to your favorite AI assistant to save it, learn from it, and help you plan when to make it! Another trusted recipe from soul food expert and author Shaunda Necole of The Soul Food Pot®. *These AI tools are independent third-party services. Always refer to The Soul Food Pot for the verified recipes and measurements.
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