Ready to take your BBQ to the next level? Explore these delicious summer BBQ sides that will impress your guests and complement your outdoor dining experience!
Summer BBQs are a big part of the season – think grilled burgers, hot dogs, and veggies shared with friends and family.
But hey, while we’re all excited about firing up the grill, let’s not forget about those yummy side dishes!
If you’re looking to make your summer BBQs extra special, this post offers some amazing BBQ side dishes.
From classic favorites like potato salad to creative twists on coleslaw, there’s a world of tasty options to explore.
Why You’ll Love These Summer BBQ Sides
These BBQ sides are essential for a perfect summer gathering for a few reasons:
- Refreshing: Filled with fresh, seasonal veggies, fruits, and herbs, these sides add a burst of flavor that pairs perfectly with the grilled meat.
- Versatile: Whether you prefer classics like potato salad, tangy coleslaw, or grilled veggies, there’s a side dish to suit everyone’s taste.
- Easy-to-make: Simple recipes and little prep time mean you can spend more time enjoying the party and less time in the kitchen.
Tips to Make Your Summer BBQ Sides Even Better
Here are some tips to help you take your BBQ sides to the next level:
- Use fresh, seasonal ingredients: Choosing the best-quality produce will make your dishes taste even better.
- Mix up the flavors and textures: Combine crunchy, creamy, tangy, and sweet elements to create a delicious meal.
- Plan ahead and prep early: Many BBQ sides can be made ahead of time, so you can relax and enjoy the party without stress.
Best Summer BBQ Sides
Planning a BBQ? Don't forget about the sides! Discover a range of simple yet delicious summer BBQ sides that will complete your outdoor feast and leave your guests wanting more.
Herby and lemony Dill Potato salad is a perfect summer side dish for BBQ. It is light and refreshing, made with tangy olive oil and lemon dressing.
Add this fun and delicious Caprese Toast to your summer BBQ dinner. The simple flavors complement any meal.
These BBQ bacon baked beans are super fast and easy to make… And they’re the best side dish for summer BBQ! Loaded with flavor and bacon, these beans are the ultimate BBQ side dish.
This Grilled Peach Salad is the perfect summer BBQ side dish. Packed with grilled peaches, blueberries, goat cheese, and almonds, plus homemade blueberry dressing for a bright and fresh combination.
These Ultimate Deviled Eggs with Bacon feature perfectly cooked eggs stuffed with a creamy filling, topped with savory bacon. They’re the perfect BBQ side dish, and they always disappear fast!
A marinated cucumber, tomato, and onion salad is a great prep-ahead side dish for warm-weather get-togethers. Simple tips help you achieve a bold, tangy flavor with the right texture.
Use this Corn Salsa recipe on tacos, salads, or any type of animal protein for a delicious condiment. The sweet, savory, fresh flavors of this simple salsa recipe take any meal to the next level.
Mustard Grilled Onions are the perfect side to steak, burgers, hot dogs, and more!
This bright and summery quinoa salad is bursting with delicious veggies and flavor from fresh ingredients, like cucumbers, grape tomatoes, mangoes, bell peppers, red onions, and a homemade dressing.
This simple fruit salad is tossed in a sweet citrus dressing for a delicious summer side dish.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts are the best way to eat this vegetable. But add bacon and garlic to them, and you've got a side dish worth diving into!
This simple mediterranean white bean salad is a combination of cannellini beans, feta cheese, bell peppers and fresh parsley in a simple lemony vinaigrette.
Corn on the Cob in the Instant Pot is so easy to make and it's delicious. Add spices for extra flavoring.
This Summer Pesto Pasta Salad is the perfect BBQ side dish! It's made with pasta that's tossed in a creamy pesto dressing, fresh tomatoes, toasted walnuts, and Parmesan cheese.
This Charred Corn Avocado Salad with Roasted Red Onions combines all the fresh flavors of summer in a salad bowl. Sweet, smoky, charred corn mixed with avocado, cherry tomatoes, roasted red onions, and a lemon Dijon dressing makes it a perfect side salad for any barbecue or potluck gathering.salad for any barbecue or potluck gathering.
This Watermelon Salad is the perfect refreshing summer salad! Whether you're looking for a light lunch or a side dish for your BBQ party, you'll love this salad!
Spicy BBQ rice with vegetables is a healthy rice side dish for your next barbecue or a BBQ-flavored rice main meal.
Berry cheesecake salad is a refreshing dessert salad packed with fresh berries. It’s the perfect addition to your summer BBQ sides!
If you're throwing wings on the pellet grill, why not add these Smoked Potatoes on with them? They make the perfect barbecue side!
This fresh and easy tomato corn salad is a perfect summer side dish! Simply toss together roasted corn, tomatoes, avocado, herbs, and an easy vinaigrette.
Indulge in our comforting creamy pesto gnocchi, requiring just five ingredients and less than 10 minutes to prepare. What more could you ask for when it comes to quick and delicious cooking?
This Sicilian fennel and orange salad is the perfect combination of a sweet and juicy orange and a crunchy bite of fennel. Add a splash of fruity olive oil, salt and pepper – and the salad is done!
See all of my favorite kids side dishes:
- The best side dishes to serve with pizza for kids
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- What to serve with chicken nuggets for adults
- The best side dishes to serve with cheeseburgers for kids
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- The best side dishes to serve with tacos for kids
- The best side dishes to serve with hot dogs for kids
- The best side dishes to serve with fish sticks for kids
- The best side dishes to serve with chicken wings for kids
- The best side dishes to serve with chicken burgers for kids
- The best side dishes to serve with pasta for kids
- The best side dishes to serve with spaghetti for kids
- The best breakfast side dishes for kids
Free printable side dish planner!
Make sure to download our free printable side dish planner! This checklist gives you ideas for side dishes for your kids every day of the week!
Thanks for reading!
Hey there, I’m Morgan, the creative mind behind CelebratingWithKids.com! As a parent of two lively little ones, I’ve made it my mission to turn ordinary days into extraordinary adventures, sharing playful activities, thoughtful toy reviews, and delightful printables to help families celebrate every moment together. 🎉👨👩👧👦🎈