Summer is here and that means it’s time to fire up the grill and get cooking!
While the star of any BBQ is usually the main course, let’s not forget about the delicious and flavorful side dishes that can truly elevate the meal.
Forget about boring potato salads and canned beans, because we have compiled a list of 41 BBQ side dishes that you can throw on the grill for a smoky and mouthwatering twist.
From grilled vegetables to creative takes on classic dishes, these sides will have your guests coming back for seconds.
So get ready to impress your family and friends with these tasty and easy-to-make BBQ side dishes that will take your summer cookouts to the next level.
41 BBQ Side Dishes
1. Classic Coleslaw
Enjoy the refreshing crunch of shredded cabbage mixed with creamy dressing, perfect to balance out the richness of BBQ meats.
2. Loaded Baked Potato Salad
Combine all the flavors of a loaded baked potato into a salad with bacon, cheese, sour cream, and chives for a hearty side dish.
3. Grilled Corn on the Cob
Savor the sweetness of corn on the cob, grilled to perfection and slathered with butter and seasoning for a classic BBQ side.
4. Caprese Skewers
Create bite-sized delights with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and fresh basil drizzled with balsamic glaze, perfect for a light and flavorful side.
5. Watermelon Feta Salad
Enjoy the sweet and savory combination of juicy watermelon chunks, tangy feta cheese, and fresh mint, dressed lightly with vinaigrette.
6. Garlic Parmesan Grilled Asparagus
Elevate asparagus spears with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and garlic before grilling, resulting in a flavorful and elegant side dish.
7. BBQ Baked Beans
Simmer beans with barbecue sauce, bacon, and brown sugar for a sweet and smoky side that complements any BBQ spread.
8. Macaroni and Cheese
Indulge in creamy macaroni and cheese, a comforting side that pairs perfectly with grilled meats for a satisfying meal.
9. Hawaiian Pasta Salad
Combine pasta with pineapple, ham, and bell peppers in a tangy dressing for a tropical twist on the classic pasta salad.
10. Grilled Vegetable Skewers
Thread colorful veggies onto skewers and grill them to perfection for a vibrant and healthy BBQ side dish.
11. Sweet Potato Fries
Enjoy crispy sweet potato fries, seasoned with herbs and spices and baked until golden brown for a healthier alternative to regular fries.
12. Caprese Pasta Salad
Combine pasta with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, fresh basil, and balsamic dressing for a refreshing and flavorful side dish.
13. Creamy Cucumber Salad
Toss together sliced cucumbers, red onions, and a creamy dressing for a cool and refreshing salad that pairs perfectly with BBQ.
14. Grilled Caesar Salad
Take your Caesar salad to the next level by grilling romaine lettuce hearts and topping them with Caesar dressing and croutons for a smoky twist.
15. Smoky Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
Indulge in spicy jalapeno peppers stuffed with cream cheese, wrapped in bacon, and grilled to perfection for a savory and smoky appetizer.
16. Tangy Vinegar Slaw
Toss shredded cabbage with a tangy vinegar-based dressing for a refreshing and zesty coleslaw alternative.
17. Quinoa Salad
Combine cooked quinoa with colorful veggies and a zesty dressing for a nutritious and flavorful side dish.
18. Grilled Garlic Bread
Toast slices of bread on the grill and rub them with garlic and butter for a crispy and flavorful accompaniment to any BBQ meal.
19. Greek Salad
Enjoy a refreshing Greek salad with crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, feta cheese, and a tangy vinaigrette dressing.
20. BBQ Chicken Sliders
Serve mini BBQ chicken sandwiches on slider buns with coleslaw for a delicious and portable BBQ side dish.
21. Three Bean Salad
Combine kidney beans, black beans, and garbanzo beans with bell peppers, onions, and a tangy vinaigrette for a protein-packed side dish.
22. Deviled Eggs
Prepare classic deviled eggs seasoned with mustard, mayo, and paprika for a creamy and savory BBQ side dish.
23. Mexican Street Corn Salad
Enjoy the flavors of elote in a salad with grilled corn kernels, cotija cheese, lime juice, and chili powder for a spicy and tangy side dish.
24. Grilled Pineapple Salsa
Combine diced grilled pineapple with red onion, jalapeno, cilantro, and lime juice for a sweet and tangy salsa that pairs perfectly with grilled meats.
25. Mediterranean Couscous Salad
Mix couscous with cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, feta cheese, and a lemon vinaigrette for a refreshing and flavorful side dish.
26. Smoky BBQ Sweet Potato Wedges
Season sweet potato wedges with BBQ seasoning and grill them until crispy and caramelized for a flavorful and satisfying side dish.
27. Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Combine cooked pasta with crispy bacon, cherry tomatoes, cheddar cheese, and ranch dressing for a creamy and indulgent BBQ side dish.
28. Grilled Vegetable Pasta Salad
Toss grilled vegetables with cooked pasta and a balsamic vinaigrette for a hearty and flavorful BBQ side dish.
29. Garlic Herb Butter Grilled Corn
Slather grilled corn on the cob with garlic herb butter for a flavorful and aromatic BBQ side dish.
30. Southwestern Black Bean Salad
Combine black beans with corn, bell peppers, avocado, and a lime-cilantro dressing for a fresh and colorful side dish with a Southwestern twist.
31. Tangy German Potato Salad
Toss warm potatoes with bacon, onions, and a tangy vinegar dressing for a hearty and flavorful BBQ side dish.
32. Grilled Eggplant with Yogurt Sauce
Grill thick slices of eggplant until tender and serve them with a tangy yogurt sauce for a flavorful and healthy BBQ side dish.
33. Spicy Mexican Rice
Prepare fluffy rice seasoned with tomatoes, onions, and chili peppers for a spicy and flavorful BBQ side dish.
34. Caprese Couscous Salad
Combine cooked couscous with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, fresh basil, and balsamic vinaigrette for a light and refreshing BBQ side dish.
35. Tangy Coleslaw with Apple
Add crunchy apple slices to traditional coleslaw for a sweet and tangy twist on this classic BBQ side dish.
36. Grilled Brussel Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze
Grill Brussels sprouts until caramelized and drizzle them with balsamic glaze for a flavorful and elegant BBQ side dish.
37. Loaded Mexican Street Corn Dip
Combine grilled corn kernels with mayo, sour cream, cotija cheese, and chili powder for a creamy and flavorful dip inspired by Mexican street corn.
38. BBQ Ranch Coleslaw
Toss shredded cabbage with a combination of BBQ sauce and ranch dressing for a sweet and tangy coleslaw with a creamy twist.
39. Herb Grilled Potatoes
Grill baby potatoes until crispy and golden brown, then toss them with fresh herbs and garlic butter for a flavorful BBQ side dish.
40. Mediterranean Hummus Platter
Serve a variety of hummus flavors alongside fresh veggies, olives, and pita bread for a Mediterranean-inspired BBQ side dish.
41. Charred Vegetable Quinoa Salad
Combine grilled vegetables with cooked quinoa and a lemon vinaigrette for a nutritious and flavorful BBQ side dish.
Final Thoughts,
The possibilities for delicious BBQ side dishes that can be cooked on the grill are endless!
With a wide variety of options ranging from grilled vegetables and fruits to flavorful skewers and cheesy stuffed mushrooms, there is something to satisfy every palate.
The smoky char and unique flavors imparted by the grill elevate these dishes to a whole new level, making them the perfect accompaniment to any BBQ feast.
So, next time you fire up the grill, don’t forget to experiment with these 41 BBQ side dishes and impress your guests with a mouthwatering spread that will leave them wanting more!
