Fire Up the Grill: 52 Sides to Complete Your BBQ

Your next barbecue is about to get a whole lot tastier with our lineup of 52 fantastic side dishes. Whether you're craving the familiar flavors of potato salad and deviled eggs or looking to try something new with vibrant salads and vegetarian delights, we've got you covered. These sides are the perfect way to round out your BBQ menu and make sure everyone comes back for seconds.

Loaded Grilled Veggie Skewers

Loaded veggie skewers on a white plate. — Image Credit: The Forked Spoon.

Veggie Skewers made with zucchini, red onion, and bell peppers are grilled to perfection and drizzled with tangy balsamic vinegar and brushed with a fresh garlic herb sauce. Get the recipe: Link text

Old-Fashioned Baked Beans Recipe

Baked beans on a white plate. — Image Credit: Beyond The Chicken Coop.

Old fashioned baked beans are a classic, hearty, and comforting dish made from slow-cooked navy beans, bacon, onions, and molasses. It's a timeless favorite enjoyed as a side dish or main course. Get the recipe: Link text

Mediterranean Eggplant Chickpea Salad

Mediterranean chickpea salad in a white bowl. — Image Credit: Veggies Save the Day.

Mediterranean Eggplant Chickpea Salad features tomatoes, pine nuts, and fresh basil in a simple vinaigrette. It's made with thin, quick-cooking Japanese eggplant that are grilled to bring out their sweet flavor. Easy to prepare in under half an hour, this hearty summer salad is perfect for picnics, barbecues, and delicious meals any day of the week. Get the recipe: Link text

Tomato Cucumber Corn Salad

Vegan corn salad in a blue bowl. — Image Credit: Veggies Save the Day.

Tomato Cucumber Corn Salad is a celebration of summer produce. It's easy to make this vegan Mediterranean-inspired recipe in under 30 minutes. Prepared with either grilled fresh or defrosted frozen corn, sweet onions, aromatic basil, and a splash of balsamic elevate the taste of this seasonal vegetable salad. Get the recipe: Link text

Loaded Baked Potato Salad Recipe

Baked Potato salad in a blue bowl. — Image Credit: Making Homemade Easy.

Loaded Baked Potato Salad takes everything you love about potato salad, and everything you love about loaded baked potatoes, and marries them all in a creamy, delicious, and hearty side dish! Get the recipe: Link text

Cajun Deviled Eggs

Cajun-style deviled eggs on a brown plate. — Image Credit: Living Chirpy.

Cajun Deviled Eggs, a twist on the classic recipe that contains smoked andouille sausage & sauerkraut. They make the perfect side dish for any summer gathering. Get the recipe: Link text

Baked Bean Casserole—Cowboy Beans

Baked bean casserole in a white bowl. — Image Credit: Homemade Made Easy.

Baked Bean Casserole (aka Calico Beans or Cowboy Beans) is the crowd-pleasing star of the table at any backyard BBQ, potluck or family gathering. My baked beans with hamburger and bacon recipe is a simple and delicious meal or side dish. Get the recipe: Link text

Loaded Potato Salad Recipe

Loaded potato salad on a white plate. — Image Credit: Modern Honey.

The Best Loaded Potato Salad Recipe is made with creamy gold potatoes, crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, green onions, sour cream, mayonnaise, seasoned salt, and pepper. The perfect baked potato salad recipe is perfect for your next party, potluck, or as a BBQ side dish. Get the recipe: Link text

Easy Pasta Salad Recipe

Pasta salad in a brown bowl. — Image Credit: Modern Honey.

This Quick and Easy Pasta Salad Recipe is made with pasta, fresh vegetables, cheese, salami, all tossed with a secret ingredient and Olive Garden Italian dressing. It is the best pasta salad recipe and the most flavorful side dish. Get the recipe: Link text

Peach Corn Salsa Recipe

Peach corn salsa in a white bowl. — Image Credit: Through The Fibro Fog.

It's so easy to make this delicious peach corn salsa as a light and refreshing appetizer or to enjoy spooned over meat, fish or plant-based dishes! With sweet juicy peaches, veggies and herbs, this fun homemade peach salsa recipe takes just 10 minutes to prepare. Get the recipe: Link text

Radish Slaw Recipe

Radish slaw in a white bowl. — Image Credit: Through The Fibro Fog.

Fresh and bright, this fun crisp radish slaw is so colorful and packed with tasty veggies! Super simple to make as a BBQ side dish or as summer picnic food, it comes together fast in less than 15 minutes. Get the recipe: Link text

Mexican-Style Sweet Potato Fries

These cumin-infused sweet potato fries are a delicious twist on classic french fries. They are perfect for your summer barbeques, no matter what you are grilling. Get the recipe: Link text

Romanian Potato Salad Recipe

Romanian potato salad in a grey dish. — Image Credit: The Romanian Cookbook.

If you are looking for a new variation on classic potato salad, you have got to give this Romanian Potato Salad a try. This "Salata Orientala" is the perfect side dish for any of your upcoming BBQs. Get the recipe: Link text

Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Beans

Slow cooker baked beans in a small white bowl. — Image Credit: Cooking with Carlee.

These loaded baked beans are slow cooked to perfection. They have slices of bacon, bits of sausage, a tasty sweet and spicy sauce and even a secret ingredient you would never guess. Get the recipe: Link text

Calabrese Potato Salad Recipe

Calabrese potato salad in a glass bowl. — Image Credit: Image credit goes to.

This simple mayo-free Italian potato salad recipe includes fresh & dried oregano, olive oil, & red wine vinegar. A Calabrian family favorite! Get the recipe: Link text

Amish Macaroni Salad Recipe

Macaroni salad in a white bowl. — Image Credit: Homemade In The Kitchen.

No BBQ is complete without this sweet and creamy Amish Macaroni Salad! This Pennsylvanian Dutch recipe is better than Walmart’s Amish Macaroni Salad with a tangy dressing made of mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, and smoked paprika. Get the recipe: Link text

Fingerling Potato Salad Recipe

Fingerling potato salad on a brown platter, — Image Credit: The Dizzy Cook.

This Fingerling Potato Salad is a quick and easy potato salad with few ingredients! Using smaller potatoes cuts the chopping and boiling time in half, plus elevates the whole look of a traditional potato salad. Combined with mayonnaise, dill, and shallot, it's the perfect BBQ side dish. Get the recipe: Link text

Crunchy Lemon Roasted Broccoli Crack

Lemon roasted broccoli on a white plate. — Image Credit: Beet of the Wild.

This addictively delicious Crunchy Lemon Roasted Crack Broccoli is full of tangy, cheesy flavor yet is dairy-free, vegan and keto-friendly! Perfect for your upcoming BBQ. Get the recipe: Link text

Caprese Salad With Cherry Tomatoes

Caprese salad in a square white bowl. — Image Credit: Grits and Gouda.

When it comes to great tasting, easy side salads, this 5 minute recipe for Caprese Salad with Cherry Tomatoes and store-bought balsamic vinaigrette dressing is my go- to recipe. Fresh summer ingredients, bursting with flavor and texture, that everyone is sure to enjoy. Get the recipe: Link text

Slow Cooker Collard Greens Recipe

slow cooker collared greens on a white plate. — Image Credit: The Short Order Cook.

Tender slow cooker collard greens are perfectly seasoned for a delicious southern side dish. This comfort food classic is easy to make & satisfies the soul. This Southern recipe is loaded with bacon for a meaty punch that makes it irresistible. Get the recipe: Link text

Apple Cabbage Slaw with White Beans

This apple cabbage slaw is a refreshing, bright, and filling twist on traditional slaw! It comes together quickly and makes the best side dish for BBQs. Get the recipe: Link text

Crispy Corn Fritters Recipe

Stack of corn fritters on a grey plate. — Image Credit: Healthy Kids Recipe.

Crispy, tender, and full of delicious cheesy corn flavor, this healthy corn fritters recipe is a real crowd-pleaser! These crispy fritters make the perfect side dish for picky eaters and can be eaten in so many ways! Get the recipe: Link text

Simple Fruit Salad Recipe

Fruit salad in a white and blue bowl. — Image Credit: The Forked Spoon.

This Easy Fruit Salad Recipe is made with fresh, ripe fruit and drizzled with a light orange juice dressing. Ready in under 20 minutes and made with no added sugars, learn all my tips and tricks for making the very best fruit salad and enjoy all summer long for breakfast, dinner, or dessert! Get the recipe: Link text

Southern Baked Mac N Cheese

Southern mac and cheese in a glass dish. — Image Credit: Chenee Today.

Creamy southern baked mac and cheese with a secret ingredient is always one of my most popular recipes! The best southern mac and cheese is the best baked mac and cheese recipe! It's the ultimate comfort food for Sunday dinner or a holiday celebration! Get the recipe: Link text

Potato Salad with Bacon (no mayo)

Potato salad with bacon in a white dish. — Image Credit: Vintage Kitchen.

If you're not a fan of mayo or want an alternative, you're about to discover a fantastic way to enjoy your potato salad. It has bacon and a tangy mustard dressing, so you won't miss the mayonnaise. It can be made ahead and served warm, at room temperature, or cold. The perfect side dish for barbecues and potlucks. Get the recipe: Link text

Raw Carrot Salad with Honey Lime Vinaigrette

Raw carrot salad in a small brown bowl. — Image Credit: The Ugly Duckling Bakery.

This Raw Carrot Salad with Honey Lime Vinaigrette will transform the humble carrot into your favorite side dish. Made from paper-thin but still crunchy slices of carrots coated in a light dressing, this side salad works with grilled favorites or with a light lunch. Get the recipe: Link text

Healthy Baked Beans Recipe

Baked beans in a white bowl with a spoon. — Image Credit: Mary's Whole Life.

These healthy baked beans are a better-for-you spin on a beloved classic recipe! Gluten free & delicious with 3 cooking methods & smoked baked beans option. Get the recipe: Link text

Beautiful Grilled Vegetable Napoleon

Vegetable Napoleon on a white plate. — Image Credit: My Pure Plants.

This grilled vegetable Napoleon is a showstopper with vibrant, char-grilled layers of veggies like eggplant, zucchini, bell pepper, portobello mushroom, and more. If you want a visually stunning and flavorful side dish, look no further. Served with aromatic basil pesto, it is stunning and flavorful. Get the recipe: Link text

Easy Macaroni Salad with Cheese, Spam, & Dill Pickles

Macaroni salad in a black bowl. — Image Credit: Muy Bueno.

This salad is a perfect balance of al dente pasta, creamy dressing, crunchy veggies, tangy pickles, and salty meat, you shouldn’t be surprised when everyone asks for this easy macaroni salad recipe. Get the recipe: Link text

Mexican Street Corn Salad

Mexican street corn on a white plate. — Image Credit: I Heart Eating.

Mexican street corn salad is an easy Mexican corn salad made from fresh grilled corn and topped with a creamy chipotle dressing. Perfect for your upcoming BBQ. Get the recipe: Link text

Edamame Cucumber Salad

Edamame Cucumber Salad is our veggie forward version of everyone's favorite Asian cucumber salad. Edamame makes this a protein rich salad. Get the recipe: Link text

Easy Cabbage and Carrot Salad- No Mayo

Cabbage and carrot salad in a white bowl. — Image Credit: Toshi's Table.

Cabbage and carrot salad is a simple and easy slaw that transforms humble ingredients to a vibrant, delightful side dish. You won't believe how tasty this Asian-inspired cabbage salad is! Get the recipe: Link text

Layered Bacon Cornbread Salad

Cornbread salad in a glass dish. — Image Credit: The Savvy Mama Lifestyle.

This is a beautiful layered salad that’s served in a trifle dish and it’s hearty enough to be a meal itself or makes a stunning side dish. With layers of cornbread, cheese, salad dressing, tomato, beans & bacon – it’s a zesty flavor combination that only the South can come up with! Get the recipe: Link text

Ramen Noodle Salad Recipe

Ramen noodle salad on a white plate with a fork. — Image Credit: An Edible Mosaic.

With toasted ramen noodles, crunchy nuts, two kinds of cabbage, and a sweet and savory dressing, this Ramen Noodle Salad recipe is easy to make, pairs well with anything you can grill up, and is perfect for potlucks! Get the recipe: Link text

Simple Black Bean and Corn Salad

Corn and black bean salad in a brown bowl. — Image Credit: The Art of Food and Wine.

This salad is a go-to for summer BBQs. It’s loaded with corn, black beans, avocado, red bell peppers, and red onion and topped with a zesty lemon vinaigrette dressing! Get the recipe: Link text

Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits

Buttermilk biscuits on a plate topped with jelly. — Image Credit: A Farmgirl's Kitchen.

These are the BEST homemade biscuits! Homemade buttermilk biscuits are the perfect addition to any breakfast or main meal. This biscuit recipe uses 6-ingredients and yields soft, flaky, layers of goodness that are ready in less than 30 minutes! Get the recipe: Link text

Crispy Smashed Potato Salad with Tzatziki

Smashed potato salad on a light brown plate. — Image Credit: Dished.

Swapping regular boiled potatoes for crispy smashed potatoes in this salad is a serious game-changer. Tossed with refreshing tzatziki sauce, crispy bacon and zingy herbs, this easy salad is one you’ll reach for again and again. Get the recipe: Link text

Tepary Bean and Black Eyed Pea Salad

Summer is the perfect time to gather with friends and family for outdoor activities, and what better way to bring everyone together than with a colorful salad? This recipe for Tepary Bean and Black-Eyed Pea Salad with cumin vinaigrette is refreshing and tasty, making it the perfect addition to any summer gathering! Get the recipe: Link text

Sautéed Summer Squash with Rosemary and Lemon Recipe

Sautéed summer squash in a glass bowl. — Image Credit: Mommy Rose.

This summer dish celebrates the simplicity and freshness of seasonal produce. This recipe encapsulates the essence of summer, harnessing the natural sweetness and tender crispness of these versatile squash vegetables. Infused with the aromatic fragrance of rosemary and the zesty brightness of lemon, each bite of this dish has dynamic flavors. Get the recipe: Link text

Broccoli and Beet Salad Recipe

Broccoli and beet salad on a white plate. — Image Credit: Toshi's Table.

This salad is super quick, easy to make and comes together under 30 minutes! This healthy broccoli salad is the best side dish to bring to your next get-together. It is great for potlucks, picnics or BBQs! Get the recipe: Link text

Creamy Pasta Salad Recipe

Creamy pasta salad in a white bowl. — Image Credit: Like Mother Like Daughter.

This creamy pasta salad is loaded with peas, crispy bacon, and noodles, all covered in a smooth and creamy dressing. It’s a perfect side dish for any dinner, potluck, or barbecue. Get the recipe: Link text

Cucumber and Cannellini Salad With Dill

Cucumber and cannellini bean salad in a white and blue dish. — Image Credit: Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen.

Mix together 6 ingredients in just minutes with this easy no-cook bean salad recipe. Perfect for summer evenings when you don't want to heat up the kitchen! Get the recipe: Link text

Creamed Spinach Recipe

Creamed spinach in a glass bowl with a spoon. — Image Credit: Simply Five Ingredients.

This creamy, flavorful vegetable side is super simple and super delicious! You can make this easy creamed spinach recipe in just 10 minutes! Get the recipe: Link text

Arugula Salad with Roasted Potatoes

Roasted arugula and potato salad on a grey plate. — Image Credit: Veggie Inspired.

Quick and easy with simple fresh ingredients, this Arugula Salad with Roasted Potatoes is light and herby and full of flavor! It makes the perfect side at dinnertime or a wonderful main dish for a light lunch. Especially delicious with fresh from the garden herbs! Get the recipe: Link text

Baked Curly Sweet Potato Fries With Cornstarch

Curly sweet potato fries on a white plate. — Image Credit: Haute and Healthy Living.

Ditch the store-bought frozen fries to make these delicious curly sweet potato fries completely from scratch! They’re perfectly crispy and crunchy and require just a handful of simple ingredients. Get the recipe: Link text

Fruity Mango Slaw Recipe

Mango slaw in a white bowl. — Image Credit: Dish 'n' The Kitchen.

This tropical Fruity Mango Slaw features juicy ripe mangoes, crunchy cabbage, and vibrant bell peppers in a fruity mango cilantro lime dressing. It’s a refreshing and flavorful twist on the classic coleslaw that brings a taste of the tropics to any meal. Get the recipe: Link text

Smoked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Smoked mac and cheese on a small white plate with a fork. — Image Credit: The Feathered Nester.

Smoked Mac and Cheese with bacon is cheesy comfort food with smoky flavors. Make this pellet grill macaroni and cheese recipe to serve at your next family gathering and BBQ. Get the recipe: Link text

Watermelon and Basil Salad

Watermelon basil salad on a white plate. — Image Credit: The Dizzy Cook.

Watermelon Basil Salad is the ultimate summer salad. With fresh watermelon, basil, cucumbers, and feta, it is a refreshing salad that is is full of flavor, best enjoyed with any grilled protein. Get the recipe: Link text

Grilled Avocado Stuffed With Pica De Gallo

Roasted avocados on a brown cutting board. — Image Credit: In The Kitch.

Avocadoes are grilled and stuffed with a fresh, homemade pico de gallo in this grilled avocado recipe. The green color of the avocado becomes more vibrant after grilling, contrasting well with the grill marks and red filling. Get the recipe: Link text

Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Cabbage steak on a baking sheet. — Image Credit: Rich and Delish.

These roasted cabbage steaks are a quick and delicious side dish made by slicing cabbage into slices, topping it with olive oil and spices, and baking it to a perfect golden brown. Get the recipe: Link text

Air Fryer Home Fries Recipe

Homemade fries in a lined basket. — Image Credit: Rich and Delish.

These air fryer home fries are ready in under 30 minutes from start to finish and are the perfect quick side dish, breakfast, or appetizer. Get the recipe: Link text

Smoked Brussel Sprouts (Sweet & Tangy)

Smoked brussel sprouts on a square white plate. — Image Credit: Jerkyholic.

Enjoy a smoky twist on a classic with these smoked Brussels sprouts, perfectly caramelized and infused with rich, savory flavors. Tossed with crispy bacon, this side dish adds a deliciously bold and hearty element to your BBQ spread. Get the recipe: Link text

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