11 Labor Day Side Dishes That Won’t Fall Apart on the Way to the Party

If you're reading the words "Labor Day" and already feeling that hint of sadness that the end of summer is approaching, don't worry. Remember that while school might go back in session and summer Fridays might end at work, summer weather—for better or for worse—will last well into September. And so will summer produce. Your days of eating peak-season corn and tomatoes are far from over.

Another great thing about Labor Day? It's yet another excuse to get together with friends over a long weekend and cook and eat outdoors. If you're traveling to a Labor Day party this year or taking a picnic to the beach, lake, or park, you'll find plenty of good side dish ideas below—all of which travel well.

01 of 11

Loaded Mexican Potato Salad

Potato salad gets a Mexican twist when it's dressed in a smoky, garlicky salsa roja along with mayo and tangy crema. Using two types of chiles—puya and chiles de árbol—lends a nuanced mix of fruity and sharp heat. Cabbage, onion, serrano chiles, and cilantro lend a fresh element and varied texture to the salad—plus, along with cotija, they offer flavor reminiscent of flauta toppings.

Get Recipe: Loaded Mexican Potato Salad

02 of 11

Dense Bean Salad With Charred Jalapeño-Lime Dressing

This salad is packed with hearty and convenient canned beans, crisp vegetables, and a smoky charred jalapeño-lime dressing. It holds up beautifully in the refrigerator, so it's an excellent make-ahead lunch, picnic dish, or potluck contribution.

Get Recipe: Dense Bean Salad With Charred Jalapeño-Lime Dressing

03 of 11

Chickpea and Carrot Salad With Raisins and Almonds

Meeting the center of the refreshing and filling salad ven diagram is always tricky—but this carrot salad should absolutely be a go-to when that's what you're looking for. Pantry-friendly ingredients like chickpeas, raisins, and olive oil get dressed in fresh herbs (whichever ones you have) and scallions. Throw it in a giant piece of kitchen storage container and watch it disappear at your next picnic.

Get Recipe: Chickpea and Carrot Salad With Raisins and Almonds

04 of 11

Blistered-Tomato Pasta Salad With Basil

Blistering cherry tomatoes in garlic-laced olive oil releases their juices and concentrates their sweetness, creating a flavorful base for this fresh pasta salad. Keep the rest of the ingredients simple to really let the peak summer flavors shine: Just toss with basil and pasta that's cooked just past al dente.

Get Recipe: Blistered-Tomato Pasta Salad With Basil

05 of 11

Midwestern Cream Slaw (Coleslaw)

This Kansas-style coleslaw delivers classic comfort—but the creaminess comes from mixing vinegar and heavy cream, rather than mayo. The result is a balanced dressing that coats shredded cabbage without overwhelming it.

Get Recipe: Midwestern Cream Slaw (Coleslaw)

06 of 11

Potato Salad With Tarragon Pesto and Pickled Onions

Tarragon is an underrepresented herb, but you can fix that by whirring it into a pesto-like sauce. Use that sauce to coat creamy potatoes for a lighter and fresher take on potato salad. Tangy pickled onions add welcome contrast.

Get Recipe: Potato Salad With Tarragon Pesto and Pickled Onions

07 of 11

Midwestern Potato Lefse (Norwegian-American Potato Flatbread)

This traditional Norwegian-American flatbread popular throughout the Midwest, where Norweigan populations settled, is made of mashed potatoes and flour. It takes some finesse to master, but when you do, the flatbread is soft, tender, and wonderfully versatile. Luckily, we walk you carefully through the whole process in this recipe. Serve lefse warm with butter and sugar for a classic treat, serve it as a side bread for dinner, or use it to wrap savory fillings.

Get Recipe: Midwestern Potato Lefse (Norwegian-American Potato Flatbread)

08 of 11

Chili Crisp Noodle Salad

This salad takes loose inspiration from cold sesame noodles, but ramps up the amount of fresh produce for something that lands somewhere between noodle and cucumber salad. It's creamy and nutty thanks to tahini, while chile crisp lends texture and heat. If you're a regular here you'll know this tip: salt your cucumbers before adding them to the salad to ensure they remain crispy on the drive to your potluck.

Get Recipe: Chili Crisp Noodle Salad

09 of 11

Cowboy Caviar

Is it a dip? Is it a side? It doesn't matter, really. This delicious dish is loaded with some of summers best: corn, peppers, and tomatoes, with beans added for heartiness and everything dressed in a zesty vinaigrette. Bring a jar along with a bag of tortilla chips to your Labor Day cookout and watch as people find multiple ways to incorporate it into the meal.

Get Recipe: Cowboy Caviar

10 of 11

Mexican Street Corn Salad (Esquites)

The off-the-cob version of Mexican street corn offers all of the same appealing flavor combination: sweet corn balanced with creamy, tangy, and spicy flavors. Here's another one you can eat with potato chips, then pile on top of tacos or hot dogs later on.

Get Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Salad (Esquites)

11 of 11

Greek Pasta Salad

Briny olives, crisp vegetables, feta cheese, and a punchy vinaigrette bring classic Greek flavors to this satisfying pasta salad. Pro tip: partially toss your pasta with the vinaigrette while it's still warm. This allows it to better absorb the flavor, and then you can finish with a little more dressing when you're ready to serve. This dish doesn't mind a car ride to the Labor Day gathering—it only gets better with time to marinate.

Get Recipe: Greek Pasta Salad

Read the original article on Serious Eats