Summer Soul Food Menu Of Traditional Labor Day Food
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Labor Day has evolved to embody the culmination of summer with festivities that honor and celebrate the contributions of American labor movements. Central to these celebrations is the array of traditional Labor Day food that not only tantalizes the taste buds but also unites us.
Whether it’s the smoky aroma of grilling meats, the vibrant array of summer salads, or the nostalgic sweetness of corn on the cob, these dishes are a homage to American cuisine. This celebration of American culinary culture includes African American soul food cuisine, combining traditional BBQ recipes, cookout and potluck sides, and refreshing drinks.
The best Labor Day soul food menu
From Black Southern potato salad to soul food burgers, baked beans, fried fish, Southern soul food fried chicken, cobbler, and sweet tea, I’m sharing the best foods to put on your Labor Day menu of traditional Labor Day foods!
The best menu for a delicious Labor Day gathering starts right here!
Main dishes for a Labor Day cookout
The backbone of any memorable Labor Day party lies in its variety of main dishes. This holiday is summer’s unofficial farewell, so it’s a day that urges us to fire up the grill for barbecue meats while not forgetting about oven-baked, favorite fried food recipes and vegan options, too! This ensures everyone at your gathering feels included.
Soul food sides for Labor Day
Side dishes and salads often become the unsung heroes of Labor Day feasts! The sides are usually colorful, nutritious veggie centerpieces. From summer salads brimming with ripe tomatoes and crisp cucumbers to hearty dishes that complement the smoky flavors of barbecue meats, these accompaniments ensure a menu that celebrates classic cookout recipes and traditional Labor Day food!
Best drinks for Labor Day
Beverages play a pivotal role, completing the array of holiday delights and traditional Labor Day food. These choices promise refreshing and cool relief from the summer’s swelter.
Best Labor Day desserts
The anticipation of the dessert table tops off any Labor Day feast. These choices promise favorite classic sweet treats, from no-bake wonders to decadent concoctions.
How do you celebrate Labor Day with soul food where you live?
If you’re celebrating Labor Day in the city, remember these iconic soul food restaurants where you can eat!
- St Louis, MO – Sweetie Pie’s restaurant
- Los Angeles, CA – Roscoe’s Chicken And Waffles
- Las Vegas, NV – Marcus Samuelsson’s Streetbird
- Harlem, New York – Sylvia’s
Or, if you’re celebrating in your hometown, include an iconic African American recipe based on where you live!
Here’s a starting list:Here’s a starting list:
- Alabama fried catfish
- Mississippi pot roast
- Harlem chicken and waffles
- Tidewater Virginia yock
- Texas BBQ
- South Carolina low country boil
- Carolina collard greens
- Georgia peach cobbler
- North Carolina sweet tea
- Louisiana shrimp and grits
🤖❤️ 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.
Equipment
- Smash burger press (optional)
- Instant Pot electric pressure cooker, stovetop, or grill
- Aluminum foil (I've also heard of parchment paper used in the Instant Pot instead of foil, but I've never tried it to know if it affects the cooking time.)
Ingredients
- 1-1 ½ pounds ground beef 80/20
- 1 ½ cups water
- ½ cup green bell pepper diced
- ½ cup yellow onion diced
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon seasoning salt Your favorite all-purpose seasoning salt (I used Famous Dave’s Steak & Burger Seasoning.)
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 hamburger buns
Instructions
- You can cook these soul food burgers in the Instant Pot (directions below) on the stovetop or the grill!
- Mix the ground beef, green pepper, onion, Worcestershire sauce, seasoning salt, paprika, and pepper in a medium-size mixing bowl.
- Divide the burger meat into four and then smash the meat mixture to form 4 hamburger patties.
- Wrap each patty in foil.
- Pour the water into the Instant Pot stainless steel inner pot.
- Place the Instant Pot trivet inner rack inside the inner pot.
- Place the foil-wrapped burgers on the rack.
- Close the Instant Pot lid (make sure the valve is in the sealing position – up) and pressure cook on high for 14 minutes.
- When the cooking time finishes, allow a natural pressure release for at least 7 minutes.
- To open the Instant Pot lid, move the valve to ‘venting’ and manually release any remaining pressure, if applicable.
- Remove the burgers from the inner pot and unwrap the foil.
- Place each cooked patty on a toasted burger bun, then serve this Southern soul food homemade burger recipe with your favorite condiments, and enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
❤️ Why trust this recipe?
Created + tested by Shaunda Necole, creator of The Soul Food Pot® (real cook, real kitchen). Rooted in African American culinary traditions, with modern shortcuts that don’t sacrifice flavor or legacy. No AI-generated instructions — measurements, timing, and techniques are written, cooked, and verified by Shaunda. Make-it-your-way guidance included, so you can cook confidently with the tools you have.
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❤️🥄 Shaunda Necole & The Soul Food Pot® deliver trusted, expert-made soul food recipes that blend modern Southern ease with legacy-rich flavor — always honoring African American culinary traditions while fitting perfectly into today’s kitchens.