17 Labor Day Salads You’ll Still Be Eating as Summer Signs Off

Labor Day signals the close of summer, but salads like these keep the season alive a little longer. They’re fresh, easy to make, and built for sharing outdoors. From creamy potato classics to crisp cucumber mixes, each one is worth a spot on your holiday table. Simple, flavorful, and reliable, they prove that summer isn’t over yet.

A plate of mixed green salad with avocado, grapefruit segments, and chopped nuts, served with a wooden spoon—an easy addition to healthy snacks for kids. — Refreshing Avocado Grapefruit Salad. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Zucchini Noodle Salad

Zucchini Noodle Salad is ready in about 15 minutes with zucchini, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. The noodles stay crisp and light, soaking up a simple dressing. The flavor is fresh, slightly sweet, and tangy with creamy notes from the cheese. It’s the kind of salad that feels right at the end of summer.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Noodle Salad

Rubbed Kale Salad with Parmesan

A white dish filled with kale leaves topped with slices of cheese. A glass of water, a fork, and a napkin are in the background on a dark wooden table. — Rubbed Kale Salad with Parmesan. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Rubbed Kale Salad with Parmesan takes 15 minutes with kale, olive oil, lemon juice, and parmesan cheese. Rubbing the leaves softens them, making the texture tender but still hearty. The flavor is earthy, nutty, and bright with citrus. It’s a salad that keeps its freshness even when made ahead for Labor Day gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Rubbed Kale Salad with Parmesan

Veggie Couscous Salad

Veggie Couscous Salad comes together in 25 minutes with couscous, cucumbers, peppers, and fresh herbs. The grains stay fluffy while absorbing the dressing. The taste is zesty, light, and slightly sweet from the vegetables. It’s a colorful dish that works well on picnic tables or backyard spreads.
Get the Recipe: Veggie Couscous Salad

Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad takes 20 minutes with Brussels sprouts, lemon juice, olive oil, and parmesan. The sprouts are sliced thin for a crisp but tender bite. The flavor is nutty, tangy, and slightly bitter, balanced with savory cheese. It’s a salad that makes Brussels sprouts shine for late-summer meals.
Get the Recipe: Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

Tomato Burrata Salad

Tomato Burrata Salad takes 15 minutes with ripe tomatoes, burrata, basil, and olive oil. The tomatoes bring brightness while the burrata adds creaminess. The flavor is fresh, tangy, and smooth with a rich finish. This salad delivers peak summer flavor just in time for Labor Day.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Burrata Salad

Summer Orzo Salad

Summer orzo pasta salad in a while serving bowl on a whitewashed background next to a bowl of green beans. — Summer Orzo Salad. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Summer Orzo Salad is ready in 25 minutes with orzo pasta, cucumbers, tomatoes, and herbs. The pasta gives it body while the vegetables keep it light. The flavor is savory, refreshing, and slightly tangy from the vinaigrette. It’s a dish that carries summer flavor straight into September.
Get the Recipe: Summer Orzo Salad

Big Mac Salad

Big Mac Salad takes 20 minutes with ground beef, lettuce, cheese, pickles, and a creamy sauce. The ingredients mimic the flavor of a burger without the bun. The taste is savory, tangy, and crunchy with a satisfying richness. It’s a salad that feels hearty enough for holiday cookouts.
Get the Recipe: Big Mac Salad

Shirazi Salad

Shirazi Salad takes just 10 minutes with cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and herbs. The vegetables are finely diced for a crisp texture. The flavor is refreshing, tangy, and herby in every bite. It’s a salad that cools down warm afternoons and pairs with almost anything on the grill.
Get the Recipe: Shirazi Salad

Mexican Street Corn Salad

Mexican Street Corn Salad takes about 20 minutes with corn, mayonnaise, lime juice, chili powder, and cotija cheese. The kernels are tossed until coated in smoky, creamy flavor. The taste is tangy, savory, and slightly spicy with bursts of sweetness. It’s a summer staple that feels festive on a Labor Day table.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Salad

Cucumber Crispy Rice Salad

A close-up of a dish featuring rice, sliced cucumbers, herbs, and pieces of a pink ingredient, possibly grapefruit. A spoon is lifting a portion from the plate. The background shows a small bowl with a yellow interior. — Cucumber Crispy Rice Salad. Photo credit: At The Immigrants Table.

Cucumber Crispy Rice Salad takes 25 minutes with cucumbers, crispy rice, sesame oil, and fresh herbs. The rice brings crunch while the cucumbers keep it cool and light. The flavor is nutty, savory, and slightly tangy. It’s a unique salad that stands out at any gathering.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Crispy Rice Salad

Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)

Overhead view of olivier salad with two egg halves. — Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad). Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Russian Potato Salad, also known as Olivier Salad, takes about 35 minutes with potatoes, carrots, peas, eggs, and mayonnaise. The ingredients are diced small for easy mixing. The taste is creamy, hearty, and tangy, making it a filling option. It’s a salad that feels traditional yet works perfectly for end-of-summer meals.
Get the Recipe: Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)

Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad

Slices of cucumber tossed in spicy Korean dressing. — Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad takes 10 minutes with cucumbers, chili flakes, garlic, and sesame seeds. The cucumbers stay crisp under the bold seasoning. The flavor is spicy, tangy, and salty in balance. It’s a quick side that brings bold flavor to a Labor Day cookout.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad

Mango Salad

Mango Salad is ready in 15 minutes with fresh mango, peppers, onions, and lime juice. The fruit adds sweetness balanced by citrusy tang. The taste is bright, juicy, and refreshing with a slight kick. It’s a salad that brings tropical flavor to late-summer nights.
Get the Recipe: Mango Salad

Green Jacket Salad Recipe

A fresh green jacket salad with a variety of vegetables and a light dressing. — Green Jacket Salad Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Green Jacket Salad takes about 20 minutes with lettuce, bacon, parmesan, and a tangy dressing. The greens are coated evenly for full flavor. The taste is savory, smoky, and tangy with a crisp bite. It’s a salad that has long been a Southern favorite for gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Green Jacket Salad Recipe

Green Bean Tomato Salad

Green beans and tomatoes on a white plate. — Green Bean Tomato Salad. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Green Bean Tomato Salad takes 20 minutes with green beans, cherry tomatoes, and vinaigrette. The beans stay tender-crisp while the tomatoes add juiciness. The flavor is savory, fresh, and tangy. It’s a simple side that pairs easily with grilled meat or fish.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Tomato Salad

Thai Chicken Salad

Thai Chicken Salad takes 25 minutes with chicken, vegetables, peanuts, and peanut dressing. The ingredients add crunch while the dressing brings depth. The taste is savory, sweet, and slightly spicy with a nutty finish. It’s a salad that’s filling enough to serve as a main dish.
Get the Recipe: Thai Chicken Salad

Refreshing Avocado Grapefruit Salad

Avocado Grapefruit Salad is ready in 15 minutes with avocado, grapefruit, onions, and herbs. The avocado adds creaminess against the tart citrus. The flavor is smooth, tangy, and slightly sweet with a bright finish. It’s a salad that feels light and cooling at the close of summer.
Get the Recipe: Refreshing Avocado Grapefruit Salad