Take your summer grilling to a whole new level with these 30 incredible BBQ sides! You’ll be the hit of the party, whether you’re hosting or just bringing a BBQ side dish to a backyard gathering.

From light and easy salad recipes, to decadent cheesy potato dishes and so much more, there’s a side dish to serve with all your favorite grilled entrees!

Four images of BBQ sides: a pasta salad, a mixed greens salad, corn on the cob with cheese and spices, and fruit skewers with blueberries and strawberries. Text in the center reads "30+ easy BBQ SIDES." Perfect accompaniments for your next outdoor gathering!
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While most people worry about the grill when it comes to a summertime BBQ, I tend to focus more on the side dishes. BBQ sides are actually my favorite – in fact, I could always make a meal out of the sides and skip the entrée entirely!

If sides are your jam, you’re in the right place! We’ve got you covered with an incredible array of BBQ side dishes that are perfect for serving your crew.

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Tips

  • Check with guests about restrictions and allergies so you can accommodate.
  • Serve a few vegetarian options to cover a variety of lifestyles, no matter the entrees!
  • Choose several side dishes for a fabulous array of options – a couple healthier options, and a couple indulgent ones. This makes for a great mix to please everyone!
A white bowl full of veggie pasta salad.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most popular BBQ sides?

Corn, coleslaw and baked beans are the most popular options in the Midwest. It varies both culturally and regionally!

Does pasta salad go with BBQ?

Yes, pasta salad is an excellent side dish for barbecue! It’s wonderful because it’s quite inexpensive to make, but feeds a crowd.

A fresh spinach salad topped with sliced strawberries, whole blueberries, and white cheese balls, served in a red dish.
Red, White and Blue salad, the perfect BBQ side!

BBQ Side Dish Recipes

Green Salads

First up, green salads. Fresh, flavorful and packed full of nutrients, these are beautiful to serve and a great way to balance a more decadent meal.

Pasta Salads

The ultimate summertime dish, pasta salad always serves a crowd and is pretty affordable to make.

Bow Tie Pasta Salad

This is my most popular and refreshing pasta salad recipe, perfect for summer picnics and outings. This bow tie pasta salad is tossed with an amazing, light and zesty dressing.

Pasta

Bow Tie Pasta Salad

This is a light and refreshing pasta salad recipe, perfect for summer picnics and outings. This bow tie pasta salad… Read More

15 mins

Potatoes

Potatoes, whether served warm and cheesy or cold in potato salad, make an excellent BBQ side dish!

Corn Sides

Veggie Sides

Roasted Mushrooms

Side Dishes

Roasted Mushrooms

Easy roasted mushrooms make a wholesome, delicious appetizer or side dish. These garlic mushrooms take just five minutes hands on time!  Read More

25 mins

Handheld Sides

Fruit Skewers

Such a perfect side dish for summertime barbecues!

Appetizers

Fresh Fruit Skewers

These darling fruit skewers are the ultimate way to serve festive fruit for every occasion! Perfectly bite-sized and oh-so-charming, you’ll have your guests oohing and aahing over your clever display.  Read More

10 mins

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2 Comments

  1. Hi Julie..was wondering about a great side sauce for Teriyaki, marinated chicken. Any suggestions? Thanks!

    Reply

    1. Hi Nancy,
      Are you looking for a side dish or a sauce? I don’t have any teriyaki sauce recipes, but I think my cabbage salad would be delicious with that kind of chicken!
      Enjoy,
      Julie

      Reply