25 BBQ Side Dishes Everyone Will Rave About This Summer

Add variety to your summer spread with these delicious BBQ side dishes. They are easy to prepare and packed with fresh ingredients.

Here’s a great idea—combine fresh veggies and fruits to come up with innovative creations that can impress everyone.

These are some of the best summer side dishes you can prepare for your upcoming BBQ.

Baked Brie with Garlic

Enjoy this delicious side dish, where creamy brie meets the savory delight of roasted garlic.

It’s smooth and gooey in texture, perfect for spreading on crackers or fresh bread. Pair it with a chilled white wine for a refreshing contrast.

Get The Recipe: Baked Brie with Garlic

Copycat Chipotle Corn Salsa

This salsa combines sweet corn, lime, and a hint of heat from jalapeños.

You can prepare this in less than 30 minutes. Then, pair it with grilled meats or tortilla chips for a fun and zesty side.

Get The Recipe: Copycat Chipotle Corn Salsa

Bacon Wrapped Smokies

This side dish only requires four simple ingredients: smokies, bacon, butter, and brown sugar.

To prepare, wrap each smoky with a strip of bacon, coat with brown sugar, and bake until the bacon is crispy.

Get The Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Smokies

Cracker Barrel Squash Casserole

Casseroles are easy, shareable, and simple to make.

Try this one with squash, cheddar cheese, mayo, sour cream, and Ritz crackers. Then, pair it with grilled chicken or ribs for a more satisfying BBQ meal.

Get The Recipe: Cracker Barrel Squash Casserole

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Gluten Free Stuffed Mushrooms

This dish combines earthy mushrooms with a savory, cheesy filling.

You only need a few simple ingredients, like dried tomatoes, olive oil, red wine vinegar, and walnuts. Serve them on a platter, garnished with fresh parsley.

Get The Recipe: Gluten Free Stuffed Mushrooms

Air Fryer Corn Ribs

Spice up your BBQ with these corn ribs. They have a slightly charred flavor and a sweet, juicy bite.

Serve them piled high on a platter, sprinkled with fresh cilantro or lime wedges.

Get The Recipe: Air Fryer Corn Ribs

Hot Girl Summer Salad

This salad is packed with fresh vegetables and a tangy dressing that brings all the flavors together.

It provides a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy flavors, with a crisp texture. Feel free to add your favorite fruits and veggies.

Get The Recipe: Hot Girl Summer Salad

Asian Cucumber Salad

This light and crisp creation features the hydrating crunch of cucumbers complemented by a tangy sesame dressing.

Just slice the cucumbers thinly and toss with a dressing made of rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

Get The Recipe: Asian Cucumber Salad

Jerusalem Salad

You’ll never go wrong with colorful salads.

This one is a staple in Middle Eastern cuisine, featuring cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and parsley, all tossed in a lemon and olive oil dressing.

Get The Recipe: Jerusalem Salad

Vesuvio Potatoes

Prepare the easiest potato dishes to make summer cooking more exciting.

This recipe is pretty straightforward, with a few simple ingredients like white wine, vegetable stock, and butter.

Get The Recipe: Vesuvio Potatoes

Baked Zucchini and Squash

You’ll never run out of zucchini recipes to explore this summer.

This one comes with squash, tomato sauce, and fresh herbs. It’s one of the easiest and most shareable dishes that you can prepare for spontaneous gatherings.

Get The Recipe: Baked Zucchini and Squash

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Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

This 30-minute salad features pasta, chicken, lettuce, and a creamy Caesar dressing, all topped with crunchy croutons and parmesan cheese.

It’s something you can enjoy not only this summer but all year round.

Get The Recipe: Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Charred Cherry Tomato and Pepper Salad

Tomatoes add vibrant color, a burst of freshness, and a slightly sweet and tangy taste to salads.

This one combines the sweetness of cherry tomatoes with the smoky, slightly charred flavor of roasted peppers.

Get The Recipe: Charred Cherry Tomato and Pepper Salad

Roasted Potatoes and Broccolli

This recipe includes mini potatoes, broccoli, olive oil, parmesan, and some seasonings.

Just toss the potatoes and broccoli with olive oil and herbs, then roast until crispy and tender. It’s easy and quick but nothing short of delicious.

Get The Recipe: Roasted Potatoes and Broccoli

Grilled Green Beans

Even simple side dishes like these grilled beans can make your BBQ more memorable.

They are lightly charred on the grill, bringing out their natural sweetness and adding a touch of smokiness. Don’t forget to garnish them with a squeeze of lemon juice.

Get The Recipe: Grilled Green Beans

Miso Glazed Zucchini on the Grill

Here’s another zucchini creation that is sure to impress everyone at your party.

It features tender zucchini slices coated in a savory-sweet miso glaze. The texture, meanwhile, is soft and slightly caramelized, making it a delicious addition to any meal.

Get The Recipe: Miso Glazed Zucchini on the Grill

Vinegar Coleslaw

This vinegar coleslaw is a tangy and refreshing BBQ side dish that cuts through the richness of grilled meats.

It features shredded cabbage and carrots tossed in a light vinegar dressing. Its crunchy texture is perfect for hot summer days.

Get The Recipe: Vinegar Coleslaw

Traditional Boston Baked Beans

Baked beans are a great addition to every summer spread.

These beans are slow-cooked with molasses, bacon, and onions, creating a deep, savory flavor with a hint of sweetness.

Get The Recipe: Traditional Boston Baked Beans

Burrata Caprese Salad With Balsamic Glaze

This salad features creamy burrata cheese, juicy tomatoes, and fresh basil, all drizzled with a rich balsamic glaze.

It’s creamy, tangy, and sweet, with a tender texture.

Get The Recipe: Burrata Caprese Salad With Balsamic Glaze

Mini Cornbread Muffins

These muffins are sweet and savory and have a tender, crumbly texture that pairs well with several summer dishes.

Try this easy recipe, with cornmeal, sugar, buttermilk, vegetable oil and baking soda.

Get The Recipe: Mini Cornbread Muffins

Cinnamon Fried Pineapple

Pineapples and cinnamon make a fun summer combo.

This dish is warm, sweet, and slightly spicy, featuring pineapple slices, butter, brown sugar, and a sprinkle of cinnamon. It’s simple yet so refreshing.

Get The Recipe: Cinnamon Fried Pineapple

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Vegan Greek Pasta Salad

This dish showcases a mix of colorful vegetables like cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and red onions, all tossed in a tangy lemon-oregano vinaigrette.

Pair it with grilled tofu or falafel for a satisfying and healthy side.

Get The Recipe: Vegan Greek Pasta Salad

Crunchy Cucumber Slaw

This slaw includes thinly sliced cucumbers and red onions, tossed in a tangy vinegar dressing.

To prepare, thinly slice the cucumbers and onions, then toss them with the dressing. This dish pairs well with almost everything.

Get The Recipe: Crunchy Cucumber Slaw

Spicy Watermelon Jalapeño Salad

Watermelon’s sweet and refreshing flavor pairs well with many savory ingredients.

This recipe combines watermelon with jalapeño, kosher salt, feta, and cilantro. You can make eight servings in ten minutes.

Get The Recipe: Spicy Watermelon Jalapeño Salad

Peach Mango Salsa

Brighten up your summer with the sweet and tangy flavors of this salsa.

It includes ripe peaches and mangoes mixed with red bell peppers, red onions, and cilantro. It’s a vibrant side dish you can pair with your favorite grilled dishes.

Get The Recipe: Peach Mango Salsa

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Starting with no-cook recipes like fresh salads or salsas is a great idea—they are easy to assemble and often just need some chopping and mixing.

For side dishes that do require cooking, most are still quite simple and involve basic techniques like grilling, roasting, or boiling.

Don’t worry; these recipes are designed to be straightforward.