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!
1 Grilled Corn on the Cob
2 Pasta Salad Recipe
3 Fruit Salad Recipe
4 Broccoli Salad Recipe
5 Summer Corn Salad Recipe
6 Potato Salad Recipe
7 Baked Beans Recipe
8 Macaroni Salad Recipe
9 Easy Coleslaw Recipe
10 Grilled Asparagus
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!
11 How to Boil Corn on the Cob Recipe
12 Crock Pot Mac and Cheese Recipe
Recipe Video
Get the recipe13 Easy Tortellini Salad Recipe
14 Corn Casserole Recipe
15 Summer Corn Salad Recipe
16 Greek Pasta Salad Recipe
17 Chicken Pasta Salad
18 Fruit Kabobs
19 Layered Pasta Salad Recipe
20 Cheesecake Fruit Salad Recipe
21 Broccoli Cauliflower Salad Recipe
Recipe Video
Get the recipe22 Tomato Mozzarella Salad Recipe
23 Mozzarella Pasta Salad Recipe
24 Ambrosia Salad Recipe
25 7 Layer Salad 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.
26 How to Cut a Watermelon
27 Veggie Cups Appetizer
28 Arugula Salad Recipe
29 Cucumber Tomato Salad Recipe
30 Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe
31 Asparagus Salad Recipe
32 Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad Recipe
33 Caprese Kabobs Recipe
34 Oven Roasted Vegetables Recipe
35 Green Bean Salad 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!
36 Crescent Rolls
37 Cornbread Recipe
38 Sweet Cornbread Recipe
39 Twice Baked Potatoes Recipe
40 Parmesan Crusted Potatoes Recipe
41 Mexican Street Corn Recipe
42 Esquites
43 Steak and Tortellini Salad Recipe
44 Broccoli Slaw Recipe
45 Spinach Tortellini Salad Recipe
46 Ramen Noodle Salad Recipe
47 Potatoes and Asparagus Recipe
48 Jello Pretzel Salad
49 Perfect Baked Potato 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
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
Nutrition
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!