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As the weather warms up and BBQ season kicks into full swing, it’s time to start thinking about the perfect side dishes to accompany your grilled favorites.
Whether you’re hosting a family picnic, attending a backyard BBQ, or simply enjoying a meal outdoors, the right side dish can elevate your entire spread.
From refreshing salads to savory casseroles, these BBQ side dishes are designed to complement your grilled meats, burgers, and veggie skewers.
I’ve rounded up a variety of delicious options that will impress your guests and leave everyone coming back for seconds.
Get ready to make your next BBQ or picnic even more memorable with these mouthwatering side dishes!
For more delicious inspiration, be sure to check out my other posts on salads, grilled foods, summer potluck ideas, and vegetable side dishes to complete your perfect BBQ spread!
Table of Contents
Ultimate Side Dishes
Classic Southern Style Potato Salad
Classic Southern-style potato salad is a creamy, tangy dish that’s a BBQ staple, made with tender potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, mayonnaise, mustard, and a hint of pickle relish. Its rich flavors and comforting texture make it the perfect side dish for any summer gathering.
Red Skin Potato Salad
This creamy, tangy salad features tender red skin potatoes, making it a perfect side for any BBQ or picnic. With a balance of mayonnaise, mustard, and seasoning, it’s a flavorful and refreshing dish that will complement a variety of main courses.
German Potato Salad
This savory German-style potato salad is made with tender potatoes, crispy bacon, and a tangy vinegar-based dressing. It’s a warm and hearty side dish that’s perfect for BBQs, picnics, or family gatherings, offering a delicious twist on the classic potato salad.
Lebanese Potato Salad
Lebanese potato salad is a light and refreshing dish featuring tender potatoes tossed in a zesty lemon and olive oil dressing, complemented by fresh parsley and garlic. This vibrant salad offers a unique blend of flavors, making it a great addition to any summer meal or gathering.
Roasted Potato Salad
Roasted potatoes add a delightful crunch and depth of flavor to this hearty salad. Combined with a tangy dressing and fresh herbs, it’s a perfect side dish to complement any barbecue or picnic spread.
French Potato Salad
This salad features tender potatoes tossed in a light mustard-based dressing with fresh herbs, offering a tangy yet refreshing twist. It’s a great alternative to traditional potato salads, making it an ideal side for warm-weather gatherings.
Best Potato Salad
This potato salad combines creamy potatoes with a savory dressing, creating the perfect balance of flavors. It’s a crowd-pleasing side dish that pairs wonderfully with any BBQ or picnic spread, offering a comforting yet refreshing taste.
Watermelon Basil Salad
This watermelon basil salad is a refreshing and light dish, perfect for hot summer days. The sweet juiciness of watermelon pairs beautifully with the aromatic freshness of basil, making it an ideal side for picnics, BBQs, or a light dinner.
Tomato And Mozzerela Caprese Salad
A tomato and mozzarella caprese salad is a simple, yet flavorful dish that combines the sweetness of ripe tomatoes with the creamy richness of fresh mozzarella. Drizzled with balsamic glaze and topped with fresh basil, it makes for a light, refreshing side or appetizer perfect for any occasion.
Macaroni Salad
Macaroni salad is a classic dish that brings together tender pasta, creamy mayonnaise, and a medley of crisp vegetables like celery and onions. It’s the perfect side dish for barbecues, picnics, or casual dinners, offering a satisfying balance of flavors and textures.
Grilled Corn Salad
This vibrant salad combines the smoky sweetness of grilled corn with a mix of fresh veggies, making it a perfect side for any summer meal. The dressing ties everything together with a light and zesty flavor, enhancing the natural sweetness of the corn and vegetables.
Mixed Cabbage Coleslaw Salad
This crunchy and tangy coleslaw is made with a blend of colorful cabbage, offering a satisfying bite and a refreshing contrast to richer BBQ dishes. The creamy dressing adds a smooth, flavorful finish, making it a must-have side for picnics and summer gatherings.
Cheese Rangoons
Cheese rangoons are crispy, golden-brown dumplings filled with a creamy blend of cream cheese and seasonings, creating a perfect balance of savory and smooth flavors. They’re a popular appetizer, offering a delightful crunch on the outside and a rich, cheesy filling on the inside, ideal for dipping in sweet and sour sauce.
Super Fresh Tomato And Cucumber Salad
This refreshing salad combines ripe, juicy tomatoes with crisp cucumbers, creating a light and healthy dish perfect for summer meals. Tossed with a zesty vinaigrette and a sprinkle of herbs, it’s a great side for grilled meats or a simple snack on its own.
Baked Sweet Potato Wedges
These crispy baked wedges are the perfect combination of sweet and savory, offering a healthy alternative to traditional fries. Simply seasoned and roasted to perfection, they make a delicious side dish or a satisfying snack that pairs well with a variety of dips.
Greek Pasta Salad
This vibrant salad is packed with fresh ingredients like cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese, all tossed in a light and tangy dressing. It’s the perfect side dish for summer gatherings, offering a burst of Mediterranean flavors in every bite.
Thai Beef Rolls
These Thai beef rolls are a delightful appetizer, featuring tender strips of beef wrapped around fresh vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, and herbs. The rolls are served with a tangy dipping sauce that adds the perfect balance of sweetness, saltiness, and spice.
Pigs In A Blanket
Pigs in a blanket are a classic, easy-to-make snack that combines cocktail sausages wrapped in flaky pastry dough. These bite-sized treats are perfect for parties, game nights, or as a quick appetizer, and they can be served with a variety of dipping sauces for extra flavor.
Orzo Pesto Salad
Orzo pesto salad is a light and refreshing dish that’s perfect for a summer picnic or as a side for any meal. The tender orzo pasta is tossed with vibrant pesto sauce, fresh veggies, and sometimes a sprinkle of Parmesan, creating a flavorful, herbaceous dish that’s both satisfying and easy to prepare.
Grilled Asparagus With Parmesan And Lemon
Grilled asparagus with Parmesan and lemon is a simple yet elegant side dish that brings out the natural flavors of the asparagus. The smoky char from the grill, combined with the sharpness of Parmesan and the brightness of lemon, makes this dish a perfect complement to any meal, especially during the warmer months.
Bruschetta
Bruschetta is a delightful appetizer featuring toasted bread topped with a mixture of fresh tomatoes, basil, garlic, and olive oil. Its vibrant flavors make it a crowd-pleasing dish, perfect for gatherings or as a light snack.
Pesto Marinated Olives
These marinated olives are infused with the rich flavors of pesto, offering a delightful combination of fresh herbs, garlic, and olive oil. Perfect as an appetizer or snack, they add a burst of savory goodness to any meal.
Bacon Wrapped Brussel Sprouts
Bacon-wrapped Brussels sprouts are a savory treat, with crispy bacon adding a smoky crunch to tender roasted sprouts. This simple yet flavorful dish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser at any gathering or family meal.
Southern Coleslaw
This creamy coleslaw combines crisp cabbage with a tangy dressing, offering the perfect balance of flavor and texture. It’s a classic side dish that pairs wonderfully with BBQ, fried chicken, or any casual meal.
Baked Beans With Bacon
These savory baked beans are infused with smoky bacon, creating a rich and hearty side dish. Perfect for BBQs, picnics, or family gatherings, they add a comforting and flavorful touch to any meal.
Quinoa Greek Salad
This refreshing quinoa Greek salad is a vibrant and healthy dish packed with crisp vegetables, tangy feta, and a zesty lemon dressing. It’s perfect as a side or a light main course for a satisfying, nutrient-rich meal.
Tortellini Salad
Tortellini salad is a delicious, easy-to-make dish that combines tender pasta with fresh vegetables, creamy cheese, and a tangy vinaigrette. It’s a great choice for a light meal or a crowd-pleasing side at any gathering.
Classic Three Bean Salad
This three-bean salad is a perfect blend of crunchy, colorful beans tossed in a zesty dressing. It’s a light and refreshing side dish that pairs well with barbecued meats or can be served as a stand-alone meal.
Proscuitto Wrapped Asparagus With Raspberry Sauce
This dish combines the salty, savory flavor of prosciutto with the crisp freshness of asparagus, all elevated by a sweet and tangy raspberry sauce. It’s a delightful and elegant appetizer or side dish perfect for any occasion.
Savory Cucumber Sandwiches
These savory cucumber sandwiches are a refreshing and light snack, perfect for afternoon tea or as an appetizer. With creamy spread, delicate slices of cucumber, and soft bread, they offer a simple yet flavorful bite.
Marinated Mozzarella Balls
Marinated mozzarella balls are a delicious and easy appetizer, bursting with flavor from a blend of olive oil, herbs, and spices. These bite-sized treats are perfect for serving at parties or enjoying as a snack with fresh bread or crackers.
Loaded Baked Potato Salad
Loaded baked potato salad combines the creamy texture of traditional potato salad with the savory flavors of a loaded baked potato. It’s packed with bacon, cheddar cheese, sour cream, and green onions, making it the perfect indulgent side dish for any BBQ or family gathering.
Mini Sun-Dried Pesto Bites
Mini sun-dried pesto bites are a delicious, bite-sized appetizer that blends the rich flavors of sun-dried tomatoes, basil pesto, and savory cheese. These little treats are perfect for serving at parties, as a snack, or as an elegant addition to any appetizer spread.
Mexican Street Corn
Mexican street corn is a flavorful and vibrant dish that combines charred corn with creamy mayo, zesty lime, and a sprinkle of chili powder. Topped with crumbled cheese, it’s a perfect side dish for summer barbecues or as a tasty snack on its own.
Mint Summer Salad
A refreshing blend of crisp vegetables and fragrant mint leaves makes this dish a perfect accompaniment for warm weather meals. The coolness of the mint pairs wonderfully with a tangy dressing, making it a delightful choice for picnics or barbecues.
Bacon Jalepeno Cheese Poppers
These savory bites combine crispy bacon, creamy cheese, and a hint of heat from fresh jalapeños, creating a flavor-packed appetizer. Perfect for parties or casual gatherings, these poppers are sure to be a crowd favorite.
Burrata And Steak Crostini
These bite-sized crostinis pair creamy burrata with tender steak, offering a perfect balance of rich and savory flavors. Topped with fresh herbs and a drizzle of balsamic glaze, they make an elegant appetizer or party snack.
Fried Goat Cheese Balls With Tarragon And Honey
Crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, these fried goat cheese balls are infused with the earthy flavor of tarragon and finished with a touch of sweetness from honey. They make a perfect appetizer or a unique addition to any gathering.
Wrapping Up The Best Side Dishes For BBQs and Picnics
Crafting the perfect BBQ spread is as much about the sides as it is about the main event.
Whether you’re grilling up burgers, ribs, or veggies, the right side dishes can take your outdoor feast to the next level.
From traditional favorites like coleslaw and potato salad to inventive twists like grilled corn salad and avocado cucumber salsa, there’s a side dish out there to suit every taste and preference.
So the next time you fire up the grill, don’t forget to pair it with one (or several!) of these irresistible BBQ side dishes. Happy grilling!