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Beautiful Soul, Labor Day cooking doesn’t have to look the same in every kitchen.
Maybe you’re firing up the grill. Maybe you want your Instant Pot doing some of the work. Maybe it’s 100 degrees outside, and you’re looking at that grill like… Absolutely not, LOL!
So, here’s what I want you to know before you choose:
There isn’t one “right” cooking method for your Labor Day meal.
Choose the method that works for your kitchen, your schedule, and the kind of holiday you actually want to have. Better yet? Mix and match.
So, Yes! Whatever your kitchen setup, there’s a way in.
❤️ Why I make it this way
Soul food has always reflected ingenuity.
The cooks who came before us worked with the ingredients, equipment, knowledge, and circumstances available to them.
I believe we can honor what they preserved while using the tools available in our kitchens today. That’s the balance I’m always looking for:
Preserve the tradition. Simplify the process. Never sacrifice the flavor.
That’s how we cook around here.
👩🏾🍳 Make-It-Your-Way
This is one of the principles behind how I cook at The Soul Food Pot®.
I care deeply about preserving the flavors and traditions that make soul food what it is. But preserving tradition doesn’t mean we have to preserve every bit of labor that once came with making it.
So when a recipe can be grilled, pressure cooked, air fried, baked, or made on the stovetop I’ll show you the options. You choose your kitchen adventure.
🔥 Team Grill
Sometimes you want the cookout to feel like a cookout. And grilling gives you the outdoor cooking experience, beautiful browning, and that unmistakable barbecue character. If that’s part of what makes Labor Day feel like Labor Day to you? Team Grill it is!
Perfect for:
That classic outdoor Labor Day cookout experience
Smoky, caramelized BBQ flavor
Cooking burgers, chicken, and ribs outdoors
Feeding family and friends straight from the grill
When firing up the grill is part of the celebration
Grilled BBQ chicken is a Labor Day classic when you want juicy, flavorful chicken with those smoky, caramelized edges only the grill can give you. Brush on your favorite BBQ sauce as it cooks for a sticky, saucy finish that tastes like cookout season.
My Afro-Caribbean curry chicken kabobs are made for the grill, where seasoned chicken and colorful vegetables cook together with beautifully charred edges. They're an easy Labor Day main when you want bold island-inspired flavor served straight from the skewers.
When I want an appliance handling part of the meal while I’m doing something else, I put the Instant Pot to work. The Instant Pot doesn’t need to replace your whole cookout. Give it one job if that’s all you need.
Perfect for:
Busy Labor Day hosts juggling several dishes
Getting a head start on traditionally longer-cooking recipes
Keeping the kitchen cooler on hot September days
Freeing up the oven, stovetop, and grill
Letting your soul food sous chef handle one job while you handle another
Instant Pot ribs are my Labor Day shortcut when I want tender, flavorful BBQ ribs without spending hours tending the grill. The pressure cooker does the heavy lifting, and your ribs come out ready, sauced, and with that sticky, saucy cookout flavor we came for!
Instant Pot pulled BBQ chicken is an easy Labor Day option when you want tender, flavorful chicken without standing over the grill. The pressure cooker gets the chicken ready for shredding, then toss it with BBQ sauce for sandwiches, sliders, or a mix-and-match cookout plate.
Instant Pot-assisted fried chicken uses the pressure cooker to speed up the buttermilk marinating step instead of waiting hours for the chicken to soak. Then, finish it with the traditional seasoned coating and frying method for crispy, juicy Southern fried chicken—with a smart shortcut where it actually helps!
Instant Pot turkey legs give you tender, deeply seasoned meat without spending hours cooking them low and slow. Let the pressure cooker do the heavy lifting for an easier Labor Day main that's big on soulful flavor and lighter on hands-on cooking.
Instant Pot baked beans bring slow-cooked Southern flavor to the cookout table without the long cooking time. The pressure cooker makes this sweet, smoky, savory side easy to prepare while freeing you up to work on the rest of your Labor Day menu.
Instant Pot potato salad is one of my favorite kitchen assists because the pressure cooker quickly cooks the potatoes and eggs. You still get the creamy, seasoned Southern potato salad you know and love, with an easier first step when you're juggling a full Labor Day menu.
Instant Pot deviled eggs use the pressure cooker as a handy kitchen assist for perfectly cooked, easy-to-peel eggs before they're filled with that creamy, tangy Southern filling. Make them ahead and chill until serving for an easy Labor Day side while your soul food sous chef handles the boiling step!
Instant Pot mac and cheese is for the days when you want creamy, cheesy soul food comfort without tying up a stovetop burner or the oven. The pressure cooker handles the pasta quickly, leaving you with a rich, flavorful side that's especially useful when your Labor Day kitchen is already working overtime!
Instant Pot pasta salad uses the pressure cooker as a smart kitchen assist to quickly cook the pasta before it's cooled and tossed with the remaining ingredients. It's an easy way to get a classic cookout side started while you work on the rest of your Labor Day menu.
An Instant Pot Low Country shrimp boil brings shrimp, sausage, corn, and potatoes together with bold Southern seasoning using an easier pressure-cooker method. It's a fun Labor Day option when you want the flavors of a traditional seafood boil without tending a big pot on the stove.
Hot outside? Small gathering? Grill already occupied? Or maybe you simply don’t feel like dealing with it. Hello, air fryer! I especially like the air fryer when I want a smaller batch without heating the entire kitchen.
Perfect for:
Smaller Labor Day gatherings
Cooking without heating the whole kitchen
Crispy chicken and BBQ favorites without tending the grill
Making smaller batches while other dishes cook
Reheating cookout leftovers while keeping them crispy
Air fryer BBQ ribs are perfect when you want tender, saucy ribs without firing up the grill or cooking a full rack for a crowd. The air fryer gives you an easier, smaller-batch Labor Day option with caramelized BBQ sauce and flavorful edges.
Air fryer BBQ chicken gives you juicy, flavorful chicken with sticky, caramelized BBQ sauce without standing over the grill. It's an easy Labor Day option for smaller batches when you want cookout flavor while keeping the kitchen—and the cook—cool!
Air fryer fried chicken is my shortcut when I want crispy, juicy, well-seasoned Southern fried chicken without a pot of hot oil. The air fryer makes it easier to cook a smaller batch while still giving you that golden, crunchy coating and soulful flavor we expect from fried chicken.
Air fryer turkey legs are an easy way to get juicy, well-seasoned turkey with beautifully browned, crisp skin without heating the whole oven. Choose this method for a smaller Labor Day gathering when you want a hearty main with less hands-on cooking.
The oven can handle savory dishes and dessert while the other appliances work elsewhere. And if you’re already baking dessert, you can plan the oven schedule ahead instead of discovering at 3:00 that three dishes need the same rack.
Perfect for:
Anyone who’d rather skip the specialty appliances altogether
Bringing the cookout indoors when the weather won’t cooperate
Traditional recipes you already know and love cooking this way
Simmering, boiling, baking, and browning different dishes at once
Making sides and desserts while the grill handles the main
Oven-baked BBQ ribs are perfect when you want tender, flavorful ribs without firing up the grill. Slow baking gives the ribs time to become fall-apart tender before they're finished with BBQ sauce for a sticky, caramelized coating. An easy indoor way to bring classic cookout flavor to your Labor Day table.
Oven-baked BBQ chicken is an easy Labor Day option when you want juicy, saucy chicken without firing up the grill. The oven gives the BBQ sauce time to become sticky and caramelized while you handle the rest of the meal indoors.
Pulled BBQ chicken is an easy Labor Day main when you want tender, saucy chicken without tending the grill. Cook the chicken until tender, shred it, and toss it with BBQ sauce for sandwiches, sliders, or a mix-and-match soul food plate.
Steve Harvey's homemade BBQ sauce simmers on the stovetop into a rich, flavorful sauce that's ready for your Labor Day ribs, chicken, burgers, and more. Make a batch while the grill handles the main event for an easy way to add homemade flavor to your cookout.
Soul food burgers don't have to wait for the grill! Cook these juicy, well-seasoned beef patties on the stovetop for an easy indoor Labor Day main, then pile them with your favorite toppings and make each burger your way.
Homemade baked beans are worth choosing when you have time to let those sweet, smoky, savory flavors come together the traditional way. They're a hearty Labor Day side that can cook while you turn your attention to the rest of the meal.
Southern potato salad is a cookout essential made the traditional stovetop way, with tender boiled potatoes folded into a creamy, tangy, well-seasoned dressing. Make it ahead and let it chill so the flavors come together while you work on the rest of your Labor Day menu.
Southern deviled eggs start with a simple stovetop boil, then turn into the cool, creamy little cookout favorite everybody seems to reach for first. Make them ahead and refrigerate until serving so one Labor Day side is already handled.
Soul food macaroni salad starts with tender stovetop-cooked pasta that's cooled and folded into a creamy, seasoned dressing. Make it ahead and refrigerate it for a classic chilled Labor Day side that's ready when the rest of the cookout comes together.
Black Folks baked mac and cheese earns its oven space with layers of rich, creamy cheese and that signature golden-brown top. Choose the traditional baked version when you want the soulful Southern classic at the center of your Labor Day side-dish spread.
Pasta salad with noodles starts on the stovetop, then heads to the refrigerator for a cool, easy cookout side. Toss the tender pasta with colorful vegetables, shrimp, and a flavorful dressing for a make-ahead Labor Day dish that's especially good alongside BBQ.
Spiral pasta salad is a colorful make-ahead Labor Day side with tender stovetop-cooked pasta and plenty of flavor tucked into every twist. Chill it before serving for an easy complement to grilled chicken, ribs, burgers, and other cookout favorites.
Southern peach cobbler earns its Labor Day oven space with juicy, warmly spiced peaches and a golden, buttery crust baked together until bubbling. Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream for one last sweet taste of summer before fall takes over.
Southern apple pie is the perfect little bridge between summer and fall, with warmly spiced apples tucked inside a buttery, flaky crust and baked until golden brown. Choose it for your Labor Day table when you're ready for just a hint of cozy season—preferably with vanilla ice cream!
Old-fashioned Southern banana pudding is worth the stovetop and oven time when you want the nostalgic version Grandma made, with layers of creamy homemade custard, bananas, and cookies topped with fluffy meringue baked until beautifully golden. Choose this Labor Day dessert when tradition is part of what you're bringing to the table.
Pig pickin' cake is a light, fruity Southern classic with mandarin orange cake and a cool, fluffy pineapple topping. Bake it ahead, let it chill, and serve it cold for a refreshing Labor Day dessert after all that BBQ!
Southern sweet tea starts with properly steeped tea before it's sweetened, chilled, and poured over plenty of ice. It's a classic Southern cookout drink you can make ahead so a cold pitcher is waiting when your Labor Day guests arrive.
Hibiscus red tea is steeped to draw out its vibrant color and tart, fruity flavor, then chilled for a refreshing Southern-inspired red drink. Make it ahead for an easy, beautiful addition to the Labor Day table.
Q.) “Shaunda, which appliance should I use?” A.) Sometimes the answer is none at all. 👏🏾
Not every dish needs heat—or another appliance competing for counter space. Build part of your Labor Day menu around chilled sides, fresh salads, no-bake desserts, and cold drinks you can prep ahead and pull straight from the refrigerator when it’s time to eat.
Because “Make-It-Your-Way” also means knowing when you don’t need to cook at all!
Perfect for:
Keeping the kitchen cool on a hot Labor Day
Make-ahead dishes you can pull straight from the refrigerator
Giving the grill, oven, and appliances one less job
Easy sides, salads, chilled desserts, and drinks
When you’ve already cooked enough! 😂
Give the whole kitchen the day off
Team No-Cook said: “Y’all go ahead and fight over those outlets. I’m already done.”
But “No-Cook” doesn’t mean “nothing homemade.” It means we’ve intentionally chosen dishes that don’t need another burner, rack, or hot appliance!
Quick and easy coleslaw is a cool, crunchy, no-cook Labor Day side that comes together in minutes with crisp cabbage and a creamy, tangy dressing. Mix it ahead and let it chill in the refrigerator while the rest of your cookout cooks—no oven, stovetop, or appliance required!
Tomato watermelon salad is my kind of no-cook Labor Day side: juicy watermelon and ripe tomatoes come together in minutes for something fresh, colorful, and refreshing. No oven, stovetop, or appliance required—just slice, toss, and serve!
No-bake banana pudding gives you cool, creamy layers of bananas, cookies, and pudding without turning on the oven. Make it ahead and let the refrigerator do the work for an easy Labor Day dessert that's always welcome at the table.
Southern ambrosia salad is a cool, creamy, fruity no-bake classic that's practically made for an easy holiday menu. Mix it ahead, refrigerate, and pull it out when you're ready to serve. No precious Labor Day oven space required.
Southern lemon fruit dip is a bright, creamy no-cook treat that comes together in minutes and pairs beautifully with fresh fruit. It's an easy Labor Day addition when you want something sweet and refreshing without adding another cooking task.
Homemade Dole Whip is a cool, ice-creamy treat made without heating the kitchen… A particularly good idea on a hot Labor Day! Blend it up for an easy frozen dessert that brings a little tropical sweetness to the end of the cookout.
Want the full outdoor cookout experience? → 🔥 Grill
Need something cooking while you handle another dish? → ⚡ Instant Pot
Want a smaller batch or don’t want to heat the whole kitchen? → ♨️ Air fryer
Want the traditional method—or need to simmer, boil, bake, and brown? → 🍽️ Oven & stovetop
Want something cool, make-ahead, and completely heat-free? → 🧊 No-cook
But here’s the part I really want you to remember:
You don’t have to choose a team.
Make Instant Pot ribs.
Cook air fryer chicken.
Prepare potato salad on the stovetop.
Bake peach cobbler in the oven.
Now you’ve divided the work among four cooking methods instead of making one appliance—or one cook—responsible for everything.
That’s not cheating. That’s kitchen management.
🥄 Shaunda says:Nobody is giving out awards for using the most difficult cooking method.
And I don’t believe making something harder automatically makes it more authentic.
What matters to me is understanding what makes the dish what it is… The flavors, techniques, history, memories, and traditions worth carrying forward.
Then I can decide where a modern kitchen helper makes sense. That’s why you’ll find traditional cooking methods alongside Instant Pot and air fryer versions throughout The Soul Food Pot.
The appliance is the shortcut. The flavor isn’t.
Shaunda’s Labor Day mix-and-match plan
Want me to make the decision for you? Here’s one way I’d divide the work:
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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.
Discover the best soul food dinner ideas, including traditional Sunday plates, easy weeknight meals, and authentic Black Southern dinner recipes with flavorful sides and menu inspiration built to feed both family and legacy.
📌 Save it for your Labor Day cookout Pin the image below to your Pinterest “Soul Food Recipes” board so you can come back whenever you need to decide: grill, Instant Pot, air fryer, stovetop, oven—or no-cook!
Founder of The Soul Food Pot®.
Shaunda Necole is a trusted authority on soul food and African American culinary traditions, preserving heritage while translating it for the modern kitchen.
