20 Labor Day Sides So Good, You Might Just Skip The Mains Next Year

Labor Day spreads aren’t complete without a strong lineup of side dishes! This list of 20 recipes is packed with options that taste so good, the mains might start feeling unnecessary. Each one delivers big flavor with minimal effort, the kind that keeps guests going back for seconds. By the end of the holiday, you’ll remember the sides more than anything else on the table!

Goat Cheese Flatbread

Crispy edges and creamy toppings make this Goat Cheese Flatbread the kind of side people reach for before even touching the mains! It bakes quickly, slices clean, and brings just enough richness to balance heavier BBQ dishes. A small tray of this flatbread can feel bigger than any main on the table. This is the kind of side that disappears the second it’s served!
Get the Recipe: Goat Cheese Flatbread

Air Fryer Eggplant

Crunchy on the outside and tender in the middle, this Air Fryer Eggplant shows that veggies can be just as exciting as any grilled dish! It cooks fast without messy oil and delivers a roasted flavor that keeps plates full. This easy dish adds balance to a spread loaded with heavy mains. Guests always come back for more once they’ve had a bite!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Eggplant

Pickle de Gallo

Sharp crunch and bold freshness make this Pickle de Gallo a side that cuts through heavy food with ease! The mix of pickles and pico comes together quickly, bringing a spark that livens up the whole table. It’s the kind of dip that can steal attention away from bigger dishes. Everyone will be scooping until the bowl is gone!
Get the Recipe: Pickle de Gallo

Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

Big and bold, these Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms bring a hearty bite that almost feels like a main dish! They roast quickly, holding their shape while being packed with savory filling. This side proves that even the mains can lose attention when something this good is on the table. Guests won’t stop reaching for another one!
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

Mushroom Hummus

Creamy texture and earthy depth make this Mushroom Hummus a dip that stands out in any spread! It’s simple to prepare, pairs well with chips or veggies, and adds variety next to the grilled favorites. With this on the table, sides suddenly feel more exciting than the bigger dishes. Everyone will want a scoop the second they see it!
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Hummus

Puff Pastry Cheese Pockets

Golden pastry and gooey cheese turn these Puff Pastry Cheese Pockets into a comfort food that rivals anything on the grill! They bake fast and come out flaky, making them easy to serve and eat. A tray of these instantly makes the sides more memorable than the mains. Don’t expect a single one to be left behind!
Get the Recipe: Puff Pastry Cheese Pockets

Chicken Stuffed Crescent Rolls

Golden, flaky, and packed with creamy chicken, these Chicken Stuffed Crescent Rolls bring warmth to the table! They bake quickly and offer a hearty side that complements BBQ favorites. Each roll holds enough flavor to feel like more than just an extra dish. Guests will keep reaching for another without hesitation!
Get the Recipe: Chicken Stuffed Crescent Rolls

Loaded Smashed Potatoes

Crispy edges and melty toppings make these Loaded Smashed Potatoes impossible to ignore! They bake up golden in no time and hit the table with comfort that outshines heavier mains. With cheese, toppings, and crunch, they bring everything people love in a side dish. These potatoes will be gone before you even notice!
Get the Recipe: Loaded Smashed Potatoes

Lentil Quesadillas

Crispy outside and cheesy inside, these Lentil Quesadillas make a side that feels filling yet fun! They come together fast with simple ingredients and hold up well next to big BBQ flavors. When these are served, it’s easy to forget about the main dishes waiting nearby. The plate always clears out quickly with these on it!
Get the Recipe: Lentil Quesadillas

Air Fryer Steak Bites

Juicy and full of flavor, these Air Fryer Steak Bites cook up in minutes without ever touching the grill! They bring steakhouse flavor straight to the sides, proving they can compete with the mains. Easy prep and quick cooking make them a reliable win at any Labor Day gathering. Guests will come back again and again for these bites!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Steak Bites

Chicken Pot Hand Pies

Buttery crust and creamy chicken filling make these Chicken Pot Hand Pies a side that feels like comfort in every bite! They hold their shape well, making them perfect for serving at busy tables. With flavors this rich, the mains don’t always get as much attention. Expect these pies to vanish quickly once the first tray is set down!
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Hand Pies

Chipotle Copycat Corn Salsa

Bright crunch and tangy flavor give this Chipotle Copycat Corn Salsa the power to refresh an entire spread! It comes together in minutes and adds balance to heavier barbecue dishes. When this salsa is on the table, guests are just as excited about the sides as the mains. Bowls of it empty fast because it goes with everything!
Get the Recipe: Chipotle Copycat Corn Salsa

Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers

Cheese, bacon, and heat turn these Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers into a showstopper at any Labor Day table! They cook quickly without the mess of frying, making them easy to serve with grilled favorites. These little bites bring more excitement than most mains ever could. Trays of them never last long once the first person digs in!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers

Veggie Egg Bites

Warm and protein-packed, these Veggie Egg Bites give guests something light to balance out the heavier foods! They’re easy to prep ahead and quick to reheat, making them practical for a busy day. With flavor this good, they remind everyone that sides can be just as important as the mains. They disappear almost instantly once they’re served!
Get the Recipe: Veggie Egg Bites

Spicy Cauliflower Bites

Crispy texture and bold heat make these Spicy Cauliflower Bites an exciting option that stands tall next to BBQ mains! They roast quickly in the oven and bring a punch of flavor without slowing you down. Sides like this prove they can be more memorable than what’s on the grill. Watch these bites get grabbed until none are left!
Get the Recipe: Spicy Cauliflower Bites

Bacon, Cheese and Spinach Tartlets

Flaky pastry filled with smoky bacon and cheese makes these Bacon, Cheese and Spinach Tartlets bite-sized winners! They bake fast and bring a rich flavor that balances perfectly with the heavier dishes. With sides like these, the mains don’t always get all the glory. These tartlets vanish in minutes at any gathering!
Get the Recipe: Bacon, Cheese and Spinach Tartlets

Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

Sweet shrimp wrapped in smoky bacon make these Bacon Wrapped Shrimp one of the fastest sides to disappear! They take less than 20 minutes to cook and bring big flavor with little effort. Guests often get more excited about these than the mains themselves. Expect plates of them to clear out fast!
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

Turkey Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

Crisp asparagus wrapped in smoky turkey bacon makes these Turkey Bacon Wrapped Asparagus a side that adds color and balance! It roasts in just minutes, pairing freshness with rich flavor. When sides like this hit the table, the mains often fade into the background. These always get grabbed first!
Get the Recipe: Turkey Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

Pasta Salad without Mayo

Cool crunch and tangy dressing make this Pasta Salad without Mayo perfect for hot weather gatherings! It holds up all afternoon, giving a lighter option that balances out heavier foods. With fresh vegetables and sturdy pasta, it’s one of those sides that can feel more memorable than the mains. Bowls of this salad empty fast every time!
Get the Recipe: Pasta Salad without Mayo

Brie Cranberry Bites Appetizer

Crispy pastry, creamy brie, and tangy cranberry make these Brie Cranberry Bites a side that looks as good as it tastes! They bake quickly and can be made ahead, keeping prep stress-free. Small bites like these often stand out more than the bigger dishes. Expect them to be gone before you know it!
Get the Recipe: Brie Cranberry Bites Appetizer

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Read the Full List Here