When planning your cookout menu, the main course is the easy part—grab your grill accessories and throw some hamburgers, hot dogs, barbecue chicken, and maybe some ribs on the grates, and you're done. The tricky part (besides deciding on what summer cocktails to whip up) is choosing what side dishes to make.
With so many choices—macaroni and cheese, broccoli salad, pasta salad, potato salad, corn, coleslaw, green beans, oh my!—it's tough to hone in on just the right thing to serve at your BBQ or bring to a potluck. Here's a suggestion to keep you from getting overwhelmed: Choose one or two classics, like Southern baked beans and biscuits or tomato pie and a healthy vegetarian salad. Then, sprinkle in one or two more creative options to delight any adventurous eaters in the group—think street corn and mac and cheese balls or loaded baked potatoes and easy grilled avocado.
And if you're prepping for a special holiday, like your annual Fourth of July party, you could even put small twists on recipes like fruit salad by cutting melon into star shapes.
Here, a sampling of some true cookout side dish winners, so no matter what you choose—a quick last-minute salad or a more complicated baked casserole—it's sure to be a crowd-pleaser that'll have all of your friends and family asking you where you got the recipe.
1
Simple Tomato Salad
Jessica Merchant
It doesn't get much easier than slicing tomatoes. Still, you won't believe how satisfying this easy g0-with-anything summer salad is.
For the salad:
2 homegrown tomatoes, sliced ¼ inch thick
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
¼ cup crumbled Gorgonzola
Balsamic Vinaigrette (recipe below)
Fresh herbs or microgreens, for garnish
1.Place the tomatoes on a platter and sprinkle them with the salt and pepper.
2. Crumble on the Gorgonzola and then drizzle with the vinaigrette.
3. Garnish with fresh herbs or microgreens. Serve immediately.
For the balsamic vinaigrette:
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon brown sugar
½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
Pinch of kosher salt and black pepper
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, garlic, brown sugar, mustard, salt, and pepper.
- Stream in the olive oil while whisking until the dressing is emulsified.
- Store in a sealed container in the fridge and
shake or whisk before using.
Recipe excerpted from Everyday Dinners by Jessica Merchant.
2
Southern Macaroni Salad
Toasty Kitchen
A classic Southern side that combines macaroni, diced vegetables, eggs, and a creamy, zesty dressing.
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Broccoli Apple Salad
Natasha's Kitchen
Crunchy broccoli, crisp apples, chewy craisins, and toasted pecans all get tossed with a bright, yet creamy dressing that's the perfect complement to any barbecue fare.
4
Orzo Salad
Love and Lemons
This grain-based salad is studded with tons of fresh flavor, thanks to summer garden staples like cucumbers, tomatoes, and basil.
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Boiled Corn on the Cob
Natasha's Kitchen
It doesn't get any easier than boiling corn. And here's a cool trick: Insert skewers into the cooked corn on the cob to make it easier to eat.
6
Creamy Vermont Macaroni and Cheese
Averie Cooks
This ultra-creamy and cheesy version of the perennial favorite is easy and satisfying—a real win-win.
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Healthy No Mayo Coleslaw
Two Healthy Kitchens
This recipe is proof that you don't have to slather summer salads—even classics like coleslaw—in mayo for them to be totally irresistible.
8
Southern Potato Salad
Toasty Kitchen
A mayo-based potato salad that's chock-full of delicious extras, like eggs, celery, red onion, and relish—all coated in a creamy seasoned dressing.
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Strawberry Spinach Salad With Strawberry Dressing
Two Peas and Their Pod
If a salad recipe is what you're after, there's no contesting the fact that spinach leaves topped with berries and a poppyseed dressing screams summer.
10
Peach and Thyme Focaccia Bread
Love and Olive Oil
This bread, topped with thin slices of peaches, a sprinkling of herbs, and chunky sea salt, looks like something you'd find at a five-star restaurant, but is surprisingly easy to make.
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Pinto Beans
Love and Lemons
This tasty alternative to baked beans slowly simmers on the stove to ensure the end result is ultra creamy and flavorful.
12
Mojito Fruit Salad
Home Cooking Memories
For a simple and fresh vegan side, toss together this fruit salad. It may look like your standard recipe, but don't be fooled: This one stands out, thanks to a rum-based mint dressing that tastes a lot like a true mojito.
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Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
Wholesome Yum
If you're looking for a keto-friendly alternative to something as decadent as mac and cheese, this cheesy cauliflower is it.
14
Summer Fruit Salad With Herbed Pistachio Crumble
Snixy Kitchen
Proof that you don't need lettuce to create a delicious and relatively healthy vegetarian side dish.
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Southern Baked Beans
Five Heart Home
Take white beans to a whole new level of deliciousness with a tangy barbecue sauce and big chunks of crisp bacon.
16
Avocado Corn Salad
Natasha's Kitchen
Not all barbecue sides are coated in heavy dressings. For a lighter take, try this combo of corn, tomatoes, red onion, and avocado.
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Buttermilk Drop Biscuits
Two Peas and Their Pod
Though biscuits have decidedly Southern roots, no cookout should be complete without this decadent, go-with-anything side.
18
Grilled Watermelon
Love and Lemons
For an unexpected vegetarian side, consider grilled watermelon topped with a zesty mix of fresh corn, feta, avocado, and basil.
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Grape Salad With Cream Cheese-Vanilla Dressing
Two Healthy Kitchens
This classic summertime salad is loaded with refreshing grapes coated in sweet and creamy sauce. To the uninitiated, it may look a bit strange, but we can pretty much guarantee you'll find yourself going back for seconds.
20
Greek Chickpea Salad With Green Goddess Dressing
The Beach House Kitchen
For a vegetarian side that will leave plant-loving cookout guests satisfied, whip up this protein-packed salad, then top with a bright green goddess dressing.
Contributing Writer
Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.
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