This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
I have gathered my favorite and most delicious BBQ side dishes to wow your guests!
More Collections: BBQ Appetizers, Grilled Dinner Ideas, Summer Dinner Ideas
We Love a Good Variety!
One of my favorite ways to do a backyard BBQ is potluck style! We take on the main dish or grilled meat and ask others to bring a side dish to share.
It takes the pressure off the host and gives way for some variety in the meal spread. The different BBQ side dishes are often my favorite part!
Why we love these sides:
- Flavorful produce. Incorporating the flavors of seasonal fruits and vegetables creates fresh and tasty side dishes for your grilled dinners.
- Warm and cold dishes. You’ll find both warm and cold appetizers to accompany your main dish.
- Variety. From best-loved items to easy appetizers and healthy appetizers, I have something for everyone.
- Simple, but tasty. It doesn’t have to be difficult to be delicious. Enjoy these tasty outdoor-party-ready sides!!
Barbecue Tips
Whether hosting a backyard barbeque or having a cookout at the park, you are going to need to keep your dishes at the right temperature.
- Transporting food. An insulated cooler can transport hot or cold food. Use warm rice bags or hot water bottles to keep the food warm. Use ice or frozen water bottles to keep food cold (bonus, drink when thawed).
- Serving warm food. A crock pot will help keep food warm. Chafing dishes are another great tool. Of course, since the grill will be fired up you can also use the grill to heat up/keep food warm.
- Serving cold food. Don’t set out cold food until right before eating. Fill a pan or bowl with ice cubes and place the tray/bowl of food on top of the ice.
Condiments and Toppings
Hamburgers and hot dogs are popular main dishes at a BBQ. Condiments and toppings are musts and can enhance so many other dishes.
- Popular condiments to have on hand include mustard, BBQ Sauce, mayo, ketchup, yellow or dijon mustard, relish, sour cream, hot sauce, Ranch Dressing, Fry Sauce, or Honey Mustard.
- Toppings can be used in all sorts of dishes including many types of sandwiches and burgers. I always like to have a tray of pickles, red onion, lettuce, sliced tomatoes, and slices of cheese.
Best BBQ Side Dishes
Find your perfect side dish among our best-loved choices! You can’t go wrong with any of these best BBQ sides.
Be sure to also check out our best summer side dishes!
Corn on the Cob on the Grill
Corn on the cob on the grill has become our new favorite summer side dish, and we can't get enough of that smoky char!
View Recipe
Pasta Salad Recipe
This easy pasta salad recipe takes minutes to make. It's a classic side dish, perfect for BBQs, picnics, or any night of the week!
View Recipe
Fruit Salad Recipe
This fruit salad recipe includes an array of colorful and healthy fruits, making it a delicious side dish for any meal.
View Recipe
Broccoli Salad
Simple broccoli salad recipe delivers a hearty and satisfying crunch with a vibrant mix of fresh ingredients smothered in a creamy dressing.
View Recipe
Corn Salad
This vibrant corn salad is veggie-packed, lightly dressed for a fresh taste, and ready to brighten your plate in under 15 minutes!
View Recipe
Potato Salad Recipe
This perfect Potato Salad is a famous family recipe. It's simple, packed with flavor, and our most requested side for parties!
View Recipe
Baked Beans Recipe
Easy Homemade Baked Beans is a must-have at all of our BBQ's. Everyone who tries it agrees it's the best baked beans recipe!
View Recipe
Macaroni Salad With Ham
A favorite for generations, our kid-approved macaroni salad with ham is a potluck winner made in only 20 minutes!
View Recipe
Easy Coleslaw Recipe
This quick and Easy Coleslaw makes the perfect side dish for any picnic or BBQ. It takes just minutes to put this classic coleslaw recipe together, and it can easily be customized with the spices and flavors you love most.
View Recipe
Grilled Asparagus
Sprinkled with salt, pepper, and a little parmesan cheese, grilled asparagus is a simply flavorful side for any dinner recipe!
View Recipe
Easy Side Dishes for BBQ
A quick watermelon salad or Cucumber Tomato Salad is a welcome side at our gatherings, but we have so many more tasty choices.
Keep it simple with our easy dishes, many of which can be made ahead of time or can be whipped up in minutes. All are delicious!
How to Boil Corn on the Cob Recipe
Boiling corn on the cob is a cinch! You will love this juicy corn on the cob to put on the side of any summer meal.
View Recipe
Crock Pot Mac and Cheese
Everyone loves a good slow cooker recipe, and this crock pot mac and cheese is so simple, cheesy, and delicious!
View Recipe
Easy Tortellini Salad Recipe
Fresh and filling Tortellini Salad whips up in minutes for a delicious summer salad topped with creamy ranch dressing.
View Recipe
Corn Casserole Recipe
Moist and tender corn casserole requires only a handful of ingredients for an easy side that is packed with flavor!
View Recipe
Corn Salad
This vibrant corn salad is veggie-packed, lightly dressed for a fresh taste, and ready to brighten your plate in under 15 minutes!
View Recipe
Greek Pasta Salad Recipe
Greek pasta salad is packed with traditional Greek flavors and covered in a tasty dressing! It's perfectly light and refreshing.
View Recipe
Chicken Pasta Salad
Creamy chicken pasta salad is quick, easy, and packed with hearty ingredients for a filling side or main dish!
View Recipe
Fruit Kabobs
Colorful fruit kabobs are the best appetizer or side for any occasion! Load up your favorite fruits and get snacking.
View Recipe
Layered Pasta Salad Recipe
A dish that is appealing to both your tastebuds and your eyes! This beautiful Layered Pasta Salad is filled with your favorite ingredients including pasta, chicken, peas, lettuce, celery, and more.
View Recipe
Cheesecake Fruit Salad Recipe
Cheesecake Fruit Salad is the perfect combination of creamy, fluffy, light, and fresh! It's the perfect side or crepe filling!
View Recipe
Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
Simple broccoli cauliflower salad is packed with veggies and ready in 20 minutes for a creamy crunch that is sure to be a hit!
View Recipe
Tomato Mozzarella Salad
Our favorite fresh tomato mozzarella salad delivers big flavors with just 4 simple ingredients in under 10 minutes!
View Recipe
Mozzarella Pasta Salad Recipe
Easy & Fresh Mozzarella Pasta Salad is light, delicious, and flavorful. This simply dressed salad is a favorite!!
View Recipe
Ambrosia Salad Recipe
Ambrosia Salad will take you straight back to your childhood. This Southern creamy fruit salad is filled with mini marshmallows!
View Recipe
7 Layer Salad Recipe
Deliciously customizable 7 Layer Salad is filled with just the right amount of goodness. It's perfect to make ahead!
View Recipe
Healthy BBQ Sides
Keep it on the lighter side with our fresh and healthy appetizer options. These include lots of fruits and veggies and pair well with anything!
We also love to include fresh herbs and citrus (lemons and limes) to brighten dishes and add flavor.
How to Cut a Watermelon
Is there anything better than a ripe juicy watermelon? Learn How to Cut a Watermelon into cubes, sticks, and triangles with our top tips!
View Recipe
Veggie Cups Appetizer
Quick and Easy Veggie Cup Appetizers – filled with dressing and veggies, this mess-free snack is great for so many occasions.
View Recipe
Arugula Salad Recipe
Fresh Arugula salad is loaded with healthy greens, juicy tomatoes, and parmesan shavings with pine nuts and creamy avocado on top!
View Recipe
Cucumber Tomato Salad Recipe
Fresh, vibrant Cucumber Tomato Salad is a simple salad perfect for summer and your bounteous harvest. It's a quick side for any meal!
View Recipe
Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe
Strawberry Spinach Salad is fresh, naturally sweet, colorful, and absolutely delicious. Serve it as a quick lunch or a dinner side!
View Recipe
Asparagus Salad Recipe
Filled with mozzarella cheese, and cherry tomatoes, seasoned with basil, and covered in a light balsamic vinaigrette, this asparagus salad is bursting with flavor! Best of all, it comes together in less than 10 minutes!
View Recipe
Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad Recipe
Tomato Cucumber Avocado Salad – a simple, delicious and quick salad perfect for dinner or for BBQs and get togethers. So many great flavors!
View Recipe
Caprese Kabobs Recipe
Simple, quick and delicious Caprese Kabobs take minutes to throw together and are perfect for any party or get together.
View Recipe
Oven Roasted Vegetables Recipe
Simple, flavorful, and healthy Oven roasted vegetables take less than 10 minutes of prep work! Nothing beats yummy veggies roasted in the oven!
View Recipe
Green Bean Salad Recipe
Crisp and flavorful green bean salad is seasoned with garlic, feta, and lemon for a tasty side, perfect to accompany any dinner!
View Recipe
More Sides for BBQ
Can’t get enough? Neither can we, so we’ve rounded up even more sides to whet your appetites and tantalize your tastebuds. Good luck narrowing down your list!
Crescent Rolls
Flaky homemade crescent rolls are soft and tender. They are perfect for Sunday dinner or a holiday gathering!
View Recipe
Homemade Cornbread
This melt-in-your-mouth homemade cornbread has a hint of sweetness and is perfect to serve with your favorite soup and chili recipes.
View Recipe
Sweet Cornbread Recipe
Moist and fluffy Sweet Cornbread is perfect to enjoy all year long, but especially with soups in the fall.
View Recipe
Twice Baked Potatoes
Easy twice baked potatoes are loaded with sour cream, cheese, bacon, and seasonings for the perfect savory side or main dish!
View Recipe
Parmesan Crusted Potatoes Recipe
Crispy, cheesy parmesan crusted potatoes are baked to perfection and full of flavor. They are a finger-licking good side!
View Recipe
Mexican Street Corn Recipe
Made in under 20 minutes, this deliciously cheesy Mexican street corn recipe is a perfectly spiced complement to any Mexican dinner.
View Recipe
Esquites Recipe
This Esquites recipe is creamy, flavorful, and perfect for any fiesta – plus, it's made in just 20 minutes!
View Recipe
Steak and Tortellini Salad Recipe
Delish Steak and Tortellini Salad is hearty and refreshing. Tortellini, sirloin & romaine in a creamy pesto dressing is a must-have!
View Recipe
Broccoli Slaw Recipe
Broccoli slaw is layered with green onions, oriental ramen noodles, peanuts, and sunflower seeds in a delicious dressing!
View Recipe
Spinach Tortellini Salad Recipe
Cold spinach tortellini salad is the ultimate side dish for BBQ and potlucks. It's packed with all the best flavors!
View Recipe
Ramen Noodle Salad Recipe
Sweet + savory Ramen Noodle Salad is topped with a simple homemade dressing. It's easy, delicious, and whips up in only 15 minutes!
View Recipe
Potatoes and Asparagus Recipe
Delicious potatoes and asparagus mixed together with bacon, butter and more. This vegetable medley is a great side dish to any meal!
View Recipe
Jello Pretzel Salad
This classic treat is always a crowd pleaser with a pretzel crust, cream cheese layer and strawberry jello topping! Strawberry Jello Pretzel Salad is the ultimate combination of sweet and salty!
Perfect Baked Potato
With crispy, seasoned skin, a tender inside, and all the best toppings this recipe always results in the perfect baked potato!
View Recipe
A Tasty Way to Eat Your Veggies!
Simple Broccoli Salad is tasty and hearty topped with a delicious homemade dressing. It’s perfect for BBQs and get-togethers.
This flavorful salad can easily be made a couple of days in advance, making it a great choice when hosting or attending a potluck!
Here is the recipe:
45+ BBQ Side Dishes
I have gathered my favorite and most delicious BBQ side dishes to wow your guests!
Ingredients
- 1 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 7 cups chopped broccoli florets
- ½ cup Craisins
- ½ cup shelled sunflower seeds
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
Instructions
- Combine mayonnaise, sugar, and vinegar in a large bowl and mix well.
- Stir in broccoli and craisins and coat well.
- Cover the bowl and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Stir in sunflower seeds and bacon just before serving.
Notes
Make Ahead: Broccoli salad can be prepared a day ahead of time without losing its texture. Just be sure to leave out the bacon and sunflower seeds until you are ready to serve, or they might get a little soggy. If you need to prepare it 2–3 days in advance, combine all the salad ingredients except the dressing; wait to add the dressing until you are ready to serve. Once the dressing has been added to the salad, it will only last 1–2 more days in the refrigerator.
Variations: Swap out the sunflower seeds for pine nuts, chopped pecans, cashews or almonds. Use raisins or fresh red grapes instead of Craisins.
Additions: Add cubed cheddar cheese or other fruits and veggies, like cauliflower florets, chopped kale, shredded carrots, chopped celery or apple chunks.
CAULIFLOWER BROCCOLI SALAD: Make the same dressing above and substitute half the broccoli for cauliflower florets. Add 1 cup cubed cheese along with sunflower seeds and crumbled bacon.
Nutrition
Serving: 1g, Calories: 245kcal, Carbohydrates: 18g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 17g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 0.04g, Cholesterol: 17mg, Sodium: 360mg, Potassium: 323mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 11g, Vitamin A: 469IU, Vitamin C: 63mg, Calcium: 42mg, Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Time to Get Grilling!
We hope you enjoy this list of delicious sides to serve at your next BBQ or potluck. They are all tried and true recipes that are as tasty as they are easy to make!
More Collections: Summer Side Dishes, 4th of July Side Dishes, Easy Side Dishes
this post was super helpful! especially the section on how much to plan for, that gave me so much information that I didnt know that I needed! thank you so much for sharing
I love that you included a few veggie sides. It’s always nice to have a few options for vegetarians or when you just want a healthy option to balance everything!
I am such a fan of side dishes, I’d much rather had various side dishes over a main course! I can’t wait to try these!
Honestly the sides are usually my favorite part of BBQ’s. I have to give a shout out to your Baked Beans. They have become a must have item.
Mostly everything that I love about summertime is the food! These classics are the best for barbecues and any holiday. You will not be disappointed.
I am so excited for all the summer bbq’s! We love all your side dish recipes. We use your asparagus, corn, & zucchini recipes all the time!