Burgers. Ribs. Steak. Hot dogs. These are the stars of the show at a barbecue. But if you ask me, it’s the side dishes for barbecue that really make me look forward to these outdoor parties. There are so many options to choose from, but I’m going to share 21+ of my favorites – and they’re easy to make.
1. Gluten-Free Street Corn
Corn dishes are a natural addition to any barbecue, and this recipe adds a little spiciness to the equation.
While the recipe calls for frozen corn kernels, you can also use fresh corn from the cob.
The dressing is a tasty combination of jalapeno, paprika, Parmesan cheese, feta cheese, cilantro, mayo, red onion, cumin, garlic and lime juice.
Want to add more flavor to this salad? Try adding diced red bell peppers to the mix.
2. Grilled Cheesy Garlic Potatoes
Here’s an easy BBQ side dish that everyone will love, even the kids. It’s cheesy, crispy and so full of flavor.
This recipe blends Yukon Gold potatoes with garlic, butter, shredded cheddar, salt and pepper. You can grill your potatoes, or you can use an air fryer if you want to speed things up.
3. Easy Cucumber Caprese Salad
This is one of the easiest side dishes for barbecue parties, but it’s also one that will disappear fast.
You only need a few ingredients to make the salad base: cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, cucumber, red onion and fresh basil.
The homemade dressing is a simple but tasty blend of olive oil, basil, oregano, balsamic vinegar and salt and pepper.
Let the salad sit for 10 minutes before serving so that the flavors have time to merge.
4. Tennessee Onions
Sweet and tender onions mixed with gooey cheese, seasonings and crispy breadcrumbs. What’s not to like?
This side dish pairs so well with just about any classic barbecue food, and it’s easy enough to prepare.
While this recipe calls for baking the onions, you could just as easily use an air fryer if you want that little extra crunch.
5. Crack Corn Salad
Sweet, savory and delicious. This corn salad is the quintessential barbecue side dish. Fresh corn mixed with sour cream, mayonnaise, ranch dressing mix, spices, cheddar cheese, bacon and green onions.
The combination of flavors is unbeatable, and it doesn’t get much easier than this recipe.
Plus, you can use any ingredients you want. Try adding roasted red peppers or sundried tomatoes into the mix.
6. Honey Butter Skillet Corn
Here’s a different way to prepare this classic summer vegetable – which also happens to be the perfect complement to any barbecue.
You’ll need fresh corn as well as butter, honey, salt, pepper and chopped chives.
Start by cooking the corn in butter in a skillet. Then, drizzle on the honey and season with salt and pepper. Add chopped chives just before serving.
Related: 25+ Best Side Dishes for Chicken That Are So Easy to Make
7. Wedge Salad Skewers
These salad skewers are light and refreshing, which makes them the perfect side dish for a summer party.
Each skewer features wedges of iceberg lettuce, red onion, cherry tomatoes, avocados and bacon.
Drizzle ranch dressing and some fresh black pepper on top.
8. The Best Cowboy Caviar
An easy, fresh dip that takes just over 10 minutes to prepare and pairs well with any barbecue fare.
The base is a blend of black beans, black-eyed peas and corn. For an extra kick of flavor, you’ll add red and green bell peppers, red onion, Roma tomatoes, fresh cilantro, green onions and tons of spices.
Be sure to follow the recipe for the homemade dressing – it’s so tasty. It blends olive oil with red wine vinegar, spices, lime juice, sugar and salt.
9. Paula Deen Loaded Potato Salad
Potato salad is one of the most classic side dishes for barbecue, and this recipe from Paula Deen puts a flavorful twist on the traditional dish.
Along with red potatoes, mayo and sour cream, you’ll add shredded cheddar cheese, bacon, green onions, yellow mustard and spices.
I recommend letting the salad sit for a good 1-2 hours before serving so that all of the flavors have time to meld together.
10. Frito Corn Salad
I love the fun twist on this salad recipe. The Fritos add unexpected crunch and flavor to the mix. You’ll also add sweet corn, bell peppers, red onion, jalapeno, shredded cheddar, sour cream, mayo and taco seasoning.
Make sure you wait until the salad is thoroughly mixed before adding the Fritos. Otherwise, they’ll get soggy.
11. Cowboy Coleslaw
Change up your usual coleslaw recipe and make this spicy one instead. Start with a high-quality coleslaw mix (this saves you from having to cut everything from scratch). Then, add black beans, corn, red bell peppers, jalapenos, green onions, dressing and spices.
The dressing is a mix of mayo, sour cream, lime juice and canned adobo sauce.
Mix all of the base ingredients together, and then add the dressing. Cover with plastic, and allow it to marinate until you’re ready to serve it.
12. Fresh & Creamy Ranch BLT Pasta Salad
Who doesn’t love a good pasta salad? And this one adds all of the flavors of a good BLT sandwich into the mix.
For the salad itself, you’ll need some avocado, bacon, romaine lettuce, tomato, red onion, cheddar cheese, parsley and rotini pasta.
The dressing mixes ranch dressing with mayo and some bacon fat.
13. Juicy Watermelon Cucumber Salad
Refreshing and flavorful, this salad has all of the flavors of summer. The salad base mixes English cucumbers with green onions, watermelon and fresh mint.
The dressing is a simple blend of olive oil, salt, pepper and balsamic vinegar.
The balsamic flavor complements the other ingredients so well.
You could easily prep this a day ahead. The chill time will allow the flavors to blend together nicely.
14. Cheddar Bacon Ranch Tortellini Salad
This tortellini salad is always a hit at barbecues, and it couldn’t be easier to make. You only need four ingredients for the salad base:
- Four cheese tortellini
- Cheddar cheese
- Crispy bacon strips
- Fresh herbs for garnish
For the dressing, you can use premade ranch, or you can follow the recipe to make your own with:
- Sour cream
- Mayo
- Buttermilk
- Ranch seasoning mix
15. Chopped Broccoli Salad
Salads like this make great side dishes for barbecue parties. They’re easy to make and versatile. You can easily add or remove any ingredients you want.
The recipe here calls for broccoli florets, red onion, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, mayo, Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt and pepper.
Mix all of the ingredients together and allow them to blend together for at least 30 minutes.
Related: 15+ Side Dishes for Salmon You’ll Want to Make Every Time
16. Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
A pasta salad that’s savory and easy to make. Elbow noodles mix with peas, bacon, cubed cheddar cheese, mayo, sour cream and ranch dip seasoning.
You’ll mix the mayo, sour cream and seasoning to make the dressing.
The rest is as simple as mixing the ingredients together.
17. Crispy Smashed Potato Salad
Here’s a modern twist on the classic potato salad. This one features crispy smashed potatoes and a tangy dressing that strikes the perfect balance of textures and flavors.
It pairs so well with grilled meats and other sides.
You can even customize the flavors even more by adding pickles, fresh herbs and any other ingredients you want.
18. Weeknight Dinner Fries
A perfect addition to your barbecue. These fries are so easy to make. Start by peeling the potatoes and slicing them into fry shapes.
Then, parboil them and either bake them or fry them in an air fryer.
Before serving, add more salt, Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs.
19. Cheddar Bacon Ranch Tortellini Salad
Tortellini salad can stand alone as a main dish or be a side. You’ll use frozen or refrigerated cheese tortellini, which you’ll cook and then add in your:
- Mayo
- Buttermilk
- Sour cream
- Dry buttermilk ranch salad dressing mix
- Garlic and onion powder
- Lemon pepper
- Dried dill
- Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Green onion
- Cooked and crumbled bacon
You can also add chopped rotisserie chicken, if you want to make your salad even more filling.
20. Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
Ready in just 25 minutes and hearty, this salad requires dry shell pasta, dill pickle juice, dill pickles, cheddar cheese, onion, mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic powder, salt, pepper and fresh dill.
Cook your pasta al dente, drain and place into a large bowl.
Add your pickle juice and coat the pasta with it. Allow to cool before adding cheese, onions and pickle. Stir the following ingredients in a small bowl until blended: garlic powder, dill, salt, pepper, sour cream and mayonnaise.
Pour the dressing into the pasta bowl and toss to coat.
21. Classic Canned Baked Beans
Canned baked beans are an amazing side dish on their own, but you can “dress them up” even further by adding:
- Crispy bacon
- Brown sugar
- Ketchup
- Mustard
It’s as easy as cooking the bacon and then baking the rest of the ingredients in a baking dish.
22. Corn Casserole with Cheese and Bacon
Delish and simple to make? That’s for me. You’ll want to buy frozen corn, creamed corn, bacon, medium onion, eggs, flour, sugar, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper, cheddar cheese and chopped chives.
Preheat your oven, cut the bacon, and add diced onions into the hot skillet with the bacon.
In a mixing bowl, stir the following ingredients together and season to taste with salt and pepper:
- Eggs
- Flour
- Sugar
- Cayenne
- Cooked onions
- Creamed corn
Add in your thawed corn, cheese, bacon and chives. Stir well. Pour into a baking dish and sprinkle on the remaining cheese before baking at 350F for 30-35 minutes.
Related: Easy High-Protein Sides: 16 Dishes to Pair with Your Favorites
23. Bow Tie Pasta Salad
Bow tie pasta salad is filled with flavor and adds a refreshing twist to every barbecue. You’ll cook your bow tie pasta in a pot and then add the following ingredients to transform it into a salad: cherry tomatoes, cucumber, black olives, red onion, feta cheese, olive oil, dried oregano, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, pepper and red wine vinegar.
24. Jalapeno Corn Coleslaw
Coleslaw is one of the perfect side dishes for barbecue weekends. And with this recipe, the kick of spice from the jalapeno is a welcome addition. Your slaw will require you to mix the following ingredients in a large mixing bowl:
- Cilantro
- Corn kernels
- Green onions
- Shredded cabbage
- Jalapeno
In a separate bowl, whisk the following ingredients together: Dijon mustard, lime juice, celery seeds, salt, mayo and sugar.
