Hosting a BBQ party or get-together means you need more than just the main grill items; the side dishes are what really round out the meal.
Here are 21 tasty side dishes that are sure to keep your guests satisfied!
21. Watermelon and Jicama Salad With Jalapeño, Scallion, Cilantro, and Lime Juice
Kick off your BBQ sides with this refreshing summer salad. Simply toss watermelon cubes, crunchy jicama, spicy jalapeño, fresh scallions, and cilantro in a large bowl.
Squeeze some lime juice over it and season with a bit of salt for a vibrant and refreshing side that’s perfect for any summer gathering.
20. Charred Green Bean and Pea Salad
This charred salad is a modern twist on the classic three-bean salad, featuring green beans, wax beans, and sugar snap peas.
It’s best served at room temperature, making it a great dish to prepare ahead of time. Let it sit while you focus on the rest of your BBQ preparations, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
19. Try Dill Pickle Deviled Eggs
For the pickle enthusiasts at your BBQ, these dill pickle deviled eggs are a must-try.
Infused with bold dill pickle flavor, these eggs are tangy and bright, adding a delightful twist to the classic deviled egg. They’re perfect for any get-together and are sure to be a hit with guests who love a good tangy bite.
18. BLT Pasta Salad – Perfect Side for a BBQ, Picnic and Potluck!
The anticipation for those peak-season summer tomatoes is always high, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the classic BLT flavors in other ways!
This BLT Pasta Salad is a fantastic alternative, giving you all the creamy, tomatoey, bacony goodness of a traditional BLT but in a cool, refreshing pasta salad form. It’s perfect for summer BBQs, picnics, and potlucks.
If you haven’t tried this classic summer pasta salad yet, definitely add it to your must-make list!
In case you’re not familiar, let’s break down the beloved BLT sandwich.
“BLT” stands for bacon, lettuce, and tomato. It’s a simple yet perfect combination of crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, and juicy sliced tomatoes, all sandwiched between two slices of bread and slathered with mayonnaise.
It’s a quintessential summer sandwich that celebrates simplicity and flavor.
17. Baked Beans in Tangy, Sweet, and Savory Sauce!
If you’ve only ever tasted canned baked beans, it’s time to elevate your bean game with this homemade version—they’re seriously delicious and make for amazing leftovers.
Starting with canned beans makes this recipe super easy, but what really takes it to the next level is the addition of bacon (because bacon improves everything, right?) and a simple homemade BBQ sauce.
These ingredients meld together as the beans slow bake into a rich, sweet, and smoky delight. You’re going to love them!
Baked beans are a hearty and flavorful dish, perfect for any gathering. The beans are slow-cooked to achieve a tender consistency, immersed in a tangy, sweet, and savory sauce that’s simply irresistible.
While many recipes include salt pork for added richness, our version sticks with bacon and incorporates finely diced onion and bell pepper for extra flavor depth.
The homemade BBQ sauce ensures that each bite is bursting with top-notch flavor, setting these baked beans apart from any store-bought variety.
16. Cucumber Salad for Summer Picnic
Cucumber salad is a classic choice for spring and summer picnics, and it’s easy to see why: it’s fresh, versatile, and can handle the heat at sunny outdoor gatherings without wilting.
While the classic version involves cucumbers thinly sliced into rounds and tossed with a simple mix of salt, sugar, and vinegar, there are many ways to elevate this staple dish beyond the basics.
When selecting cucumbers for your salad, Persian cucumbers are top-notch. They’re known for their sweet flavor and smaller size, which adds an extra crunch that’s truly unbeatable in a cucumber salad.
However, if Persian cucumbers aren’t available, English cucumbers are a great substitute. They offer a similar taste and texture, ensuring your salad still turns out delicious.
For slicing, consider cutting the cucumbers into thicker rounds, about ¼ inch each.
This thickness makes the salad more substantial if served as a standalone side and helps the cucumbers retain their texture longer, preventing them from becoming too limp if the salad sits out for a while.
With these tips, you can create a cucumber salad that’s a cut above the usual and sure to impress at your next BBQ or picnic.
15. Homemade Cornbread with Brown Sugar
What makes the perfect slice of cornbread can vary from person to person, but here at Delish, we strive for a cornbread that’s thick, tender, slightly sweet, and never dry.
We believe cornbread should be an uncomplicated side dish, one that you can easily whip up to complement hearty meals like chili or smoky beans, and it’s certainly quicker to prepare than homemade rolls.
Our go-to recipe ticks all these boxes, ensuring a reliably delicious outcome every time.
For an extra delightful experience, we highly recommend serving your cornbread with honey butter—though the possibilities for enjoying it are nearly endless. It pairs wonderfully with classic beef chili, collard greens, or can be crumbled as a tender topping for casseroles.
If honey isn’t your thing, simply enjoy it with butter and jam.
To keep your cornbread fresh, store it in an airtight container where it will last for up to 3 days. Alternatively, you can freeze it for up to 2 months.
When you’re ready to enjoy it again, simply wrap it in foil and reheat it in a 350° oven, or for a crunchy exterior, reheat slices in a buttered skillet.
Tried making this cornbread? We’d love to hear how it turned out for you! Drop us a comment below with your feedback or any tweaks you made to the recipe.
14. Bow Tie Pasta Salad for Potluck
Pasta salad is a quintessential summer dish, beloved at potlucks and picnics for its cool, refreshing taste and easy portability.
This bow tie pasta salad recipe ups the ante with a delightful mix of hearty ham and cheese, crunchy bell peppers, flavorful green onions, and refreshing peas.
The bow tie pasta, also known as farfalle (Italian for “butterfly”), adds a playful touch with its distinctive shape, which is excellent for holding onto the bright, creamy dressing.
Preparing this dish is a breeze—it comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy days. Additionally, it’s one of those wonderful recipes that tastes even better when made a day ahead, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
If you’re having trouble finding bow tie pasta in the store, look for “farfalle” on the label. Its frilled edges and pinched center not only make it visually appealing but also functional, catching and holding the dressing wonderfully.
A handy tip for using frozen peas in this salad: Instead of waiting for them to defrost, toss them into the boiling pasta water for a quick minute.
This not only thaws them rapidly but also revives their bright color and sweet flavor, adding a burst of freshness to your salad that everyone at the potluck is sure to enjoy!
13. Easy Macaroni Salad Recipe with Crunchy Vegetables
This classic macaroni salad combines creamy dressing, crunchy vegetables, and tender noodles to create an irresistible side dish. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for any picnic or barbecue.
12. Classic Southern Quinoa Salad Recipe For Two
This southern quinoa salad is the ideal healthy option, making a nutritious meal or side dish. It’s packed with delicious flavors and ingredients that make it both refreshing and satisfying.
11. Creamy No Mayo Coleslaw – Best BBQ Side!
Enjoy a classic coleslaw flavor with a twist – this version is creamy yet without mayo, making it a lighter option for those summer cookouts. It pairs perfectly with any barbecue favorites.
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This vibrant Mexican chopped salad is both vegan and gluten-free, dressed with a creamy avocado sauce. It’s full of fresh vegetables, providing fiber and plant-based protein, making it an ideal lunch salad or a complementary side for Mexican dishes.
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This unique Kohlrabi Slaw is tossed in a creamy cilantro lime dressing, offering a crunchy, refreshing taste. It’s an easy-to-make side that’s healthy and packed with flavor, great for any outdoor event or as a light meal on its own.
6. Tangy Black Bean Corn Salad
This black bean corn salad is the quintessential summer side dish, bringing together the sweetness of fresh corn with the heartiness of black beans and the creaminess of avocado.
Bursting with Southwest flavors, this salad is not only delicious but also incredibly easy to transport, making it perfect for cookouts, picnics, and any summer gathering.
5. Quick and Easy to Make Crispy Air Fryer Potato Wedges
Air fryer potato wedges are a breeze to make and require just a few pantry staples. Simply toss two russet potatoes with your favorite spices and a bit of oil, and you’ve got yourself a winning appetizer or side dish.
They come out crispy and delicious, making these air fryer potatoes downright irresistible!
4. Homemade Broccoli Slaw Dressing for Cookout
This homemade broccoli slaw dressing is a game-changer for cookouts, especially when drizzled over pulled pork or barbecue sandwiches. It adds a crunchy, refreshing contrast to the savory flavors of your main dishes.
3. Vegan Pasta Salad with Summer Vegetables
This quick and easy Vegan Pasta Salad can be whipped up in less than 20 minutes from start to finish. It features simple, healthy, and colorful ingredients.
The creamy dressing is the star of the show, adding a delightful richness that makes this pasta salad a crowd favorite.
2. Classic Coleslaw Recipe – Classic BBQ Side Dish!
No BBQ is complete without a creamy and crunchy coleslaw. This classic side dish is the perfect companion for grilled meats, offering a refreshing crunch that balances out the smoky flavors.
1. Baked Potatoes on The Grill for Barbecue
Grilling baked potatoes is one of the best methods to achieve perfect results. They turn out soft and tender on the inside with a deliciously crisp skin on the outside. Easy to prepare, these potatoes are a hit with everyone and can be loaded with all your favorite toppings, from cheese and sour cream to chives and bacon.
See also Vegetarian and Vegan Grilling Recipes.
These dishes not only enhance your barbecue experience but also cater to a variety of dietary preferences, ensuring there’s something for everyone at your next outdoor gathering.
You can try also mac and cheese, corn on the cob, vinaigrette and many other recipes.
20+ Tasty Side Dishes for BBQs - BBQ Party Recipes
Spice up your next cookout with 21 tasty BBQ side dishes. Discover delicious recipes perfect for next BBQ party.
Ingredients
- Easy Macaroni Salad Recipe
- Easy Southwestern Quinoa Salad Recipe
- Creamy No Mayo Coleslaw
- Vegan Mexican Chopped Salad with Avocado Dressing
Instructions
- Choose any Tasty Side Dishes for BBQs from the post that you like
- Click on the link below the photo to get the full recipes and instructions.
- Try the best Tasty Side Dishes for BBQs and share your photo under my pin on Pinterest!
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