Forget About the Hot Dogs—We’ve Got Something Better
Meat mains often get all the credit, but BBQs just aren’t complete without those incredible side dishes. Whether it’s cool and creamy gazpacho or savory sweet potato fries, here are 20 sides that’ll steal the show this season.
1. Elote (Mexican Street Corn)
If you have a hankering for mouth-watering side dishes (and at least 30 minutes), Mexican street corn is the answer. All you need is a few cobs of grilled corn, lime, sour cream, and cotija cheese. You can also add whichever spices your mouth can handle—though most people prefer a little fire.
Daniel Lloyd Blunk-Fernández on Unsplash
2. Buttermilk Hushpuppies
It’s easy to think a bit of cornmeal and buttermilk won’t bring much, but hushpuppies are a classic Southern side dish. You’ll need your typical suspects like salt, baking soda, flour, and sugar, but the simple ingredients keep things nice and fluffy without being too much to handle.
Infrogmation of New Orleans on Wikimedia
3. Classic Potato Salad
We’re not talking about grocery store fare—we’re talking about the delicious homemade stuff packed with potatoes, pickles, mayo, and mustard. Scallions and fresh herbs take this to a whole new level, and no BBQ guest will go hungry.
4. Grilled Broccoli
Uh oh, not broccoli. Yes, broccoli! Forget the microwaved stuff in bags; toss a couple florets in olive oil, salt, and red pepper flakes before grilling them to perfection on the BBQ. That charred taste adds something special and makes this side worthy of traditional barbecue dishes.
5. Slow Cooker Baked Beans
Where would cookouts be without baked beans? It’s hard to tell what’s better about this recipe: how easy it is to make or how versatile it is. Aside from pinto and kidney beans, you can grab anything from molasses, spices, minced garlic, or Worcestershire sauce to make it all your own.
6. Deviled Eggs
There’s nothing a little Dijon mustard can’t fix! That BBQ is just begging for hard-boiled eggs, mayo, and a pinch of cayenne pepper, so don’t count out this go-to staple. You can also doll them up a little with fresh parsley, pancetta bits, or even bagel seasoning.
7. Cheese Coleslaw
Traditional coleslaw is red onion, cabbage, and carrot—and while there’s nothing wrong with that, why not kick it up a notch with a little cheese? You can toss in some Swiss cheese or even a bit of scallion to make it something new.
8. Watermelon and Feta Salad
It’s summertime, and that means refreshing side dishes! Nothing quenches our thirst and our hunger like watermelon salad. Aside from crumbled feta, all you need is lime juice and fresh mint. You can always toss in avocado and red onion, too.
9. Three Cheese Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese is nice, but do you know what’s nicer? A classic side dish brimming with cheddar, gruyere, and Monterey Jack cheese. You can never have too much of a good thing, and mac and cheese is the best way to bring more of what people love. Just don’t forget the black pepper.
10. Gazpacho
Everyday soup is best reserved for cooler months—but delicious cold soups are still on the table! With a little tomato, cucumber, and cilantro, you can bring this tasty summertime dish to life. You’ll need a few hours to get the job done, but it’s more than worth it for a bowl of creamy refreshment.
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11. Stuffed Peppers
Stuffed peppers are basically a meal on their own, but that’s no excuse to leave them off the table. If you want to keep things nice and simple, you can always stick with smaller bell peppers or choose a healthier stuffing, like ground turkey. On the other hand, if you want to go big, you can opt for ground beef, shredded cheese, or even brown rice.
12. Caprese Salad
Tomato, mozzarella slices, and fresh basil? What more could you ask for at a summer BBQ? It doesn’t take more than 10 minutes and a few ingredients to bring this beloved side dish to the backyard—and everyone will love you for it!
13. Parmesan Sweet Potato Fries
An afternoon packed with hamburgers and sausages can do a number on your stomach. Enter sweet potato fries, the healthier alternative that goes down smooth and tastes just as great as its popular potato cousin. You can always sprinkle a pinch of parmesan on them for added flavor, but they're just as tasty without.
14. Grilled Vegetable Skewers
Grilled broccoli is more than enough for most guests, but veggie skewers are another easy crowd-pleaser. The grill is your oyster, though we prefer bell peppers, zucchini, or tomatoes for this recipe. You don’t need more than salt, pepper, and fresh basil for seasoning either.
15. Strawberry Spinach Salad
Hey, we all have to get our greens somehow! What better way than paired with everyone’s favorite summertime berry? You can douse the whole thing in poppyseed dressing, or make your own with just a few ingredients too. Either way, you’re looking at a refreshing bowl people will flock to.
16. Creamed Corn
Not everyone likes corn on the cob, and that’s okay. You can still excite guests with traditional creamed corn, an easy dish made with just corn, cream, butter, and sugar (among other things). Season it to perfection with freshly ground pepper, and don’t forget the cheese.
Bubba73 (Jud McCranie) on Wikimedia
17. Italian Pasta Salad
Noodle salad comes with dozens of recipes, making it one of the best side dishes—but nothing quite tops the Italian version! Grape tomatoes, rotini pasta, bell peppers, and fresh parsley make this a salad like no other.
18. Bacon Shrimp Skewers
Bacon, jumbo shrimp, and a bit of pineapple? Don’t be surprised if people reach for these over the hamburgers! It’ll take a little while to make properly, but it’s more than worth it for that grill master title.
19. Cheese-Stuffed Pretzels
Why bring pretzels when you can crank it up a notch instead? With a little yeast, mozzarella cheese, and brown sugar, you’ll have a fluffy side people can’t get enough of. Top it with melted butter and rosemary to really give it that special touch.
20. Heirloom Tomato Salad
Do you have five minutes and a few tomatoes in your kitchen? Great news: you’re halfway to an easy-peasy side dish! Fresh basil, thinly sliced red onion, and burrata cheese make this the kind of recipe that might just be a family heirloom of its own.
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