BBQ Side Dishes
Fire up the grill and get the lawn chairs ready! Today we're sharing some of the best BBQ side dishes known to man!
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We all know the main event gets a lot of love, but let’s be honest—a backyard cookout is only as good as the sides lining the table. Whether you're smoking a masterpiece of a meatloaf, grilling up classic burgers, searing some sous vide pork chops, or hosting a massive neighborhood block party, you need side dishes that are easy to prep, packed with flavor, and guaranteed to clear out.
To help you plan your next menu without the stress, I’ve rounded up 25 of the absolute best BBQ side dishes. We're talking refreshing summer salads, homemade dips, roasted veggies, and savory cornbread. These crowd-pleasing recipes are about to steal the show. Grab a plate and let’s dive in!
1
Homemade Caramelized French Onion Dip
This Caramelized French Onion Dip is rich, creamy, and loaded with slow-cooked onions for tons of flavor. It’s made with Greek yogurt, cream cheese, and mayo for the perfect balance of tangy and indulgent. Serve it with potato chips, crostini, or veggie sticks—no matter what, this dip is always the first thing gone at the party.
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2
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad takes things up a notch with smoky bacon, juicy grape tomatoes and plenty of cheesy goodness.
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3
Sourdough Honey Cornbread [Tastes like Jiffy!]
Sourdough Honey Cornbread is cooked in a cast iron skillet for crispy edges and a moist center. It’s naturally sweetened with honey and has a slight tang.
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4
Burrata Caprese Salad Recipe with Figs
This easy burrata caprese salad recipe with figs combines creamy cheese, sweet fresh fruit, and crisp cucumbers. Make this simple summer dish in ten minutes.
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5
Sautéed Mushrooms With Garlic, Herbs & Balsamic
These sautéed mushrooms are a fast, easy side side dish flavored with garlic, herbs, and sweet balsamic vinegar.
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6
Mexican Street Corn Salad Recipe
This Mexican-inspired creamy corn salad recipe is the perfect summer side dish for gatherings of all kinds!
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7
Slow Cooker Baked Beans With Bacon
These Slow Cooker Baked Beans With Bacon are sweet, smoky, and packed with crispy bacon in every bite. Made with pantry staples and canned beans, this easy crockpot recipe is perfect for BBQs, potlucks, and summer gatherings. I love them with our grilled ribs. And, the slow cooker does all the work, creating rich, caramelized flavor without turning on the oven. Such a winner!
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8
Strawberry Spinach Salad With Feta Cheese
This Strawberry Spinach Salad With Feta Cheese and balsamic dressing is the perfect side dish for family dinner, a backyard barbecue, or a healthy lunch option. With just a handful of ingredients, this healthy and refreshing salad comes together in no time.
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9
Smoked Cream Cheese Recipe
If you’re looking for something different to serve as an appetizer or snack, smoked cream cheese is where it’s at. Prep work is almost non-existent and you only need to smoke it for about an hour. It’s seriously one of the easiest recipes you’ll ever make on your smoker.
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10
Mexican Caviar - Unique Cooks
Packed with flavors and textures, this Mexican Caviar is the perfect quick appetizer to make for your next potluck or BBQ.
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11
Easy Hawaiian Pasta Salad
Hawaiian Pasta Salad is quick, easy and inexpensive to make. it’s the perfect cold pasta salad to enjoy a taste of the tropics all year long!
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12
Grilled Watermelon Salad
Grilled Watermelon Salad with Feta and Blueberries is the perfect summer salad! Easy, affordable and can be served alongside everything.
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13
An Easy Spaghetti Squash Salad Even Squash Haters Love!
A tangy dressing coats this Spaghetti Squash Salad for a easy healthy side dish that’s allergy-friendly, low-carb, paleo, with AIP options.
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14
Avocado Shrimp Salad
This Avocado Shrimp Salad was loaded with juicy shrimp, avocado chunks, charred corn and jalapeño, and chili lime oil! Perfect for summer!
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15
Layered Bacon Cornbread Salad
This Southern Bacon Cornbread Salad is the perfect hearty meal, with layers of beans, cheese, cornbread, dressing, tomato & bacon!
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16
Kale Crunch Salad
This Kale Crunch Salad is an easy copycat recipe of the best side salads at Chick-Fil-A. Topped with apple dijon vinaigrette.
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17
Easy Honey Lime Fruit Salad
This easy to make honey lime fruit salad is perfect for summer! It features lime zest, honey, strawberries, blueberries and grapes.
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18
Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad with Bacon Recipe
This deviled egg macaroni salad is a creamy, tangy, meaty pasta salad with the most incredible deviled egg flavor. It’s a crowd pleaser for sure!
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19
Smoked Sweet Potatoes with Whipped Hot Honey Butter
These Smoked Sweet Potatoes with Hot Honey Butter are the perfect accompaniment to a pile of pulled pork, or a few fat slices of brisket.
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20
How to Make Southern-Style Collard Greens (So Much Flavor)
Slow-simmered collard greens with bacon, aromatics, and rich pot likker. Tender, smoky, and perfect with cornbread and hot sauce.
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21
Kimchi Slaw
Kimchi slaw is a fusion of traditional coleslaw with Korean kimchi flavors. You get all the amazing flavor of kimchi with the crunch of a coleslaw. It’s quick and easy too!
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22
Calabrian Chili Pasta Salad
Calabrian Chili Pasta Salad is creamy, spicy, and loaded with fresh herbs, rich cheese, pepperoncini, and Calabrian chili peppers in a flavor-packed dressing.
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23
Mexican Street Corn
Sweet corn topped with crumbly cotija cheese and sprinkled with just the right amount of spice. The best corn you’ve ever had guaranteed!
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24
Greek Salad
Easy Greek salad made with cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, bell peppers, olives and feta then tossed in a simple homemade dressing.
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25
15-Minute Buffalo Chickpea Salad
A quick, bold, and satisfying salad made with chickpeas, fresh veggies, and a spicy buffalo dressing. Perfect for easy lunches and meal prep!
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What's your favorite side dish to serve at a barbecue? Drop a comment below to let us know!
Oh these all look so yummy! I don't know which to try first!
You really can't go wrong, why not try them all?? 🙂
Great collection!
🙂
Thanks for featuring my recipe. Gosh so many delicious options here!! Not sure which one I want to try first!
Thanks! I will ABSOLUTELY be making that spaghetti squash salad!
What a great roundup! So many tasty ideas for summer BBQs. Thanks for including my recipe and for putting together such a helpful collection.
🙂
Amazing collections! bookmarking this 🙂
Glad you find it helpful!