Summertime means BBQs, and we have gathered our favorite and most delicious BBQ side dishes to wow your guests!
We Love a Good Variety!
One of our 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 sides are often my favorite part!
Incorporating the flavors of seasonal fruits and vegetables creates fresh and tasty side dishes for your grilled dinners . You’ll find both warm and cold appetizers to accompany your main dish. It doesn’t have to be difficult to be delicious. Enjoy these tasty outdoor-party-ready sides!!
From best-loved items like Sweet Coleslaw and Broccoli Slaw to Ramen Noodle Salad or Fruit Kabobs , we have something for everyone.
Our Top 10 BBQ Side Dishes
1 How to Grill Corn on the Cob
How to Grill Corn on the Cob
Total Time: 17 minutes minutes
Unlock the secret to unbelievably delicious grilled corn with our super simple guide on how to grill corn on the cob!
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2 Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing
Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing
Total Time: 2 hours hours 27 minutes minutes
Easy pasta salad with Italian dressing takes minutes to make. It's a classic side dish, perfect for BBQs, picnics, or any night of the week!
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3 Fruit Salad Recipe
Fruit Salad Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes
This fruit salad recipe includes an array of colorful and healthy fruits, making it a delicious side dish for any meal.
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4 Broccoli Salad
Broccoli Salad
Total Time: 2 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
Simple broccoli salad recipe delivers a hearty and satisfying crunch with a vibrant mix of fresh ingredients smothered in a creamy dressing.
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5 Corn Salad
Corn Salad
Total Time: 12 minutes minutes
This vibrant corn salad is veggie-packed, lightly dressed for a fresh taste, and ready to brighten your plate in under 15 minutes!
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6 Homemade Potato Salad
Homemade Potato Salad
Total Time: 55 minutes minutes
Our family's famous best potato salad recipe is a simple, flavor-packed, and highly requested side dish, perfect for any party!
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7 Baked Beans Recipe
Baked Beans Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours hours 5 minutes minutes
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!
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8 Macaroni Salad With Ham Recipe
Macaroni Salad With Ham Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
A favorite for generations, our kid-approved macaroni salad with ham is a potluck winner made in only 20 minutes!
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9 Easy Coleslaw Recipe
Easy Coleslaw Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
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.
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10 Grilled Asparagus Recipe
Grilled Asparagus Recipe
Total Time: 8 minutes minutes
Seasoned simply with salt, pepper, and a touch of parmesan cheese, grilled asparagus brings a touch of freshness to any dinner.
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More BBQ Sides
11 How to Boil Corn on the Cob Recipe
How to Boil Corn on the Cob Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
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.
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12 Crock Pot Mac and Cheese
Crock Pot Mac and Cheese
Total Time: 2 hours hours 15 minutes minutes
Everyone loves a good slow cooker recipe, and this crock pot mac and cheese is so simple, cheesy, and delicious!
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13 Easy Tortellini Salad Recipe
Easy Tortellini Salad Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
Fresh and filling Tortellini Salad whips up in minutes for a delicious summer salad topped with creamy ranch dressing.
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14 Instant Pot Potato Salad
Instant Pot Potato Salad
Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
It may be quicker, but this creamy instant pot potato salad has all of the flavor and texture of the original.
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15 Greek Pasta Salad Recipe
Greek Pasta Salad Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
Greek pasta salad is packed with traditional Greek flavors and covered in a tasty dressing! It's perfectly light and refreshing.
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16 Chicken Pasta Salad
Chicken Pasta Salad
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
Creamy chicken pasta salad is quick, easy, and packed with hearty ingredients for a filling side or main dish!
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17 Fruit Kabobs
Fruit Kabobs
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Our quick and colorful fruit kabobs are easy to customize, creating a healthy and delicious appetizer or side – perfect for every occasion!
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18 Cheesecake Fruit Salad
Cheesecake Fruit Salad
Total Time: 1 hour hour 7 minutes minutes
Cheesecake fruit salad is the perfect combination of creamy, fluffy, light, and fresh! It's the perfect side or crepe filling!
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19 Broccoli Cauliflower Salad Recipe
Broccoli Cauliflower Salad Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
Our broccoli cauliflower salad is simple, tasty and tossed in a creamy homemade dressing that’s perfect for any potluck or dinner table!
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20 Mozzarella Pasta Salad Recipe
Mozzarella Pasta Salad Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Easy & Fresh Mozzarella Pasta Salad is light, delicious, and flavorful. This simply dressed salad is a favorite!!
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21 Ambrosia Salad Recipe
Ambrosia Salad Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes
Ambrosia Salad will take you straight back to your childhood. This Southern creamy fruit salad is filled with mini marshmallows!
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22 Sweet Coleslaw Recipe
Sweet Coleslaw Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
Sweet and Tangy Coleslaw is a copycat of a tasty dish from Disneyland's Big Thunder ranch. It is a perfect side dish to any meal or BBQ.
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23 Microwave Corn
Microwave Corn
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
Did you know you can microwave corn on the cob? It's the quickest and easiest way to cook juicy, crispy corn on the cob.
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24 How to Cut a Watermelon
How to Cut a Watermelon
Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
Is there anything better than a ripe juicy watermelon? Learn How to Cut a Watermelon into cubes, sticks, and triangles with our top tips!
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25 Veggie Cups Appetizer
Veggie Cups Appetizer
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Quick and Easy Veggie Cup Appetizers – filled with dressing and veggies, this mess-free snack is great for so many occasions.
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26 Arugula Salad Recipe
Arugula Salad Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
Fresh Arugula salad is loaded with healthy greens, juicy tomatoes, and parmesan shavings with pine nuts and creamy avocado on top!
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27 Cucumber Tomato Salad Recipe
Cucumber Tomato Salad Recipe
Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
Fresh, vibrant Cucumber Tomato Salad is a simple salad perfect for summer and your bounteous harvest. It's a quick side for any meal!
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28 Asparagus Salad Recipe
Asparagus Salad Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
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!
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29 Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad Recipe
Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
Tomato Cucumber Avocado Salad – a simple, delicious and quick salad perfect for dinner or for BBQs and get togethers. So many great flavors!
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30 Caprese Kabobs Recipe
Caprese Kabobs Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
Simple, quick and delicious Caprese Kabobs take minutes to throw together and are perfect for any party or get together.
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31 Oven Roasted Vegetables Recipe
Oven Roasted Vegetables Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
Simple, flavorful, and healthy Oven roasted vegetables take less than 10 minutes of prep work! Nothing beats yummy veggies roasted in the oven!
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32 Green Bean Salad Recipe
Green Bean Salad Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Crisp and flavorful green bean salad is seasoned with garlic, feta, and lemon for a tasty side, perfect to accompany any dinner!
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33 Chicken Macaroni Salad Recipe
Chicken Macaroni Salad Recipe
Total Time: 18 minutes minutes
A simple, creamy Chicken Macaroni Salad is loaded with pasta, peas and chicken. It's perfect for parties, family dinners, and potlucks!
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34 Homemade Cornbread
Homemade Cornbread
Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
This melt-in-your-mouth homemade cornbread has a hint of sweetness and is perfect to serve with your favorite soup and chili recipes.
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35 Sweet Cornbread Recipe
Sweet Cornbread Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
Moist and fluffy Sweet Cornbread is perfect to enjoy all year long, but especially with soups in the fall.
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36 Mexican Street Corn Recipe
Mexican Street Corn Recipe
Total Time: 13 minutes minutes
Made in under 20 minutes, this deliciously cheesy Mexican street corn recipe is a perfectly spiced complement to any Mexican dinner.
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37 Esquites Recipe
Esquites Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
This Esquites recipe is creamy, flavorful, and perfect for any fiesta – plus, it's made in just 20 minutes!
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38 Best Homemade Mac and Cheese
Best Homemade Mac and Cheese
Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
This is the cheesiest, creamiest, altogether best homemade mac and cheese you'll ever make! The whole family will definitely approve!
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39 Broccoli Slaw Recipe
Broccoli Slaw Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
Broccoli slaw is layered with green onions, oriental ramen noodles, peanuts, and sunflower seeds in a delicious dressing!
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40 Spinach Tortellini Salad Recipe
Spinach Tortellini Salad Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
Cold spinach tortellini salad is the ultimate side dish for BBQ and potlucks. It's packed with all the best flavors!
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41 Ramen Noodle Salad Recipe
Ramen Noodle Salad Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Sweet + savory Ramen Noodle Salad is topped with a simple homemade dressing. It's easy, delicious, and whips up in only 15 minutes!
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42 Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Recipe
Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Recipe
Total Time: 22 minutes minutes
Bacon Wrapped Asparagus is a smoky and savory side dish. It is crispy, delicious, and takes about 20 minutes to prepare!
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43 Jello Pretzel Salad
Jello Pretzel Salad
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
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!
44 Mexican Corn Salad Recipe
Mexican Corn Salad Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
Grilled Mexican corn salad is a quick, easy twist on Elote. It's a perfect side for pairing with your Mexican favorites!
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45 Frito Corn Salad Recipe
Frito Corn Salad Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
Fresh and tasty frito corn salad is bursting with sweet corn and covered in a perfectly spicy creamy sauce. It is perfectly refreshing.
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46 Mexican Corn on the Cob
Mexican Corn on the Cob
Total Time: 14 minutes minutes
Our Mexican corn on the cob recipe is loaded with mayo, cheese, chili powder, and lime for a deliciously easy street corn favorite!
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47 Mexican Bean Salad
Mexican Bean Salad
Total Time: 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes
This veggie-packed Mexican bean salad is seasoned to perfection and prepped in minutes for a tasty, filling side!
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48 Broccoli Strawberry Salad Recipe
Broccoli Strawberry Salad Recipe
Total Time: 7 minutes minutes
Strawberry broccoli salad is creamy and refreshing with pops of juicy fruit. It can easily be made ahead and enjoyed later!
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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!