If you what to throw a great cookout, BBQ, or outdoor meal or party, making the best BBQ side dishes can make or break the meal. All of these recipes go well with whatever you are grilling, smoking, or barbecuing. This list is exactly what you are looking for.
Whether you want a salad, vegetables, or potato, we have you covered with so many choices on what to enjoy with BBQ. All of these sides pair well with grilled meats, like seasoned chicken thighs, seafood, vegetables, smoked meats such as pulled pork, or whatever your BBQ main course may be. I have even included a few of the best cocktails and dessert recipes to serve at your next cookout or BBQ.
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What to Serve with BBQ
This is a tasty list of what to serve with any cut of meat or vegan options like tempeh or vegetables. To help you decide what to offer, I have broken down the list into some subcategories. So based on your mood, preference, or diet, there is something for everyone.
There are comfort food classics, healthy salads, casseroles, low-carb, keto, gluten-free, and keto sides. Bonus - cocktail and dessert recipes too. Because yeah you need those for a good time too. Make your next cookout a fantastic meal everyone will rave about.
Comfort Food Classic Side Dishes
For a comforting side dish to serve with BBQ, try any of these side dish recipes. All are quick, easy, & wonderful with saucy or smoked meats.
Old-Fashioned Baked Macaroni & Cheese with Bacon
Creamy macaroni & cheese with caramelized onions & bacon is a classic old-fashioned recipe. The best homemade baked mac and cheese begins with a traditional roux, 3 kinds of cheese & al dente elbow pasta. This family-favorite casserole recipe is creamy, comforting, & simple to make.
Baked Mac & Cheese
Summer Pesto Pasta Salad
This simple yet flavorful pesto pasta salad is a summer favorite. The cold tri-color rotini salad with a pesto dressing, tomatoes, & olives is great for a light lunch or a side dish. Using mostly inexpensive pantry staples, this budget-friendly recipe is the best. With Italian & American flavors, serve with BBQ, roasts, grilled chicken, seafood, sandwiches, & soup to complete your meal.
Easy Pesto Pasta Salad
Easy Homemade Soft Dinner Rolls
The best soft homemade dinner rolls baked using yeast are easy to make. These rolls are delicious and enjoyed best when warm straight out of the oven.
Homemade Soft Dinner Rolls
Jiffy Cornbread Pudding Casserole
This silky smooth corn pudding casserole satisfies the summer craving for sweet corn on the cob. This spicy green chili casserole made with Jiffy corn muffin mix is an easy savory recipe. It's a new version of the southern classic corn pudding that my grandma used to make.
Jiffy Cornbread Casserole
Slow Cooker No-Bean Chili
Slow cooker no-bean chili simmers in rich tomatoes and spices. Ground beef and crispy bacon plus fun delicious toppings is the ideal low-carb keto chili. Set your CrockPot for a spicy chili that hearty & comforting.
No-Bean Chili
Deep-Fried Beer-Battered Onion Rings
Onion rings are a classic fried treat that is so easy to make homemade. This beer-battered recipe for onion rings is deep-fried until crispy & crunchy. It's the perfect side dish, snack, or appetizer.
Beer-Battered Onion Rings
Potato Side Dishes
A classic side dish for meat at a BBQ is often some sort of potato. These side & soup recipes for any kind of potato are a perfect match with grilled meats for lunch or dinner. Complete your plate with one of these ideas. A kid's favorite is fries. You can never go wrong with serving french fries when barbecuing. So grab your favorite kind of potato - russet, sweet, baby, etc- and get cooking.
Roasted Potatoes & Broccoli
Two yummy side dishes in one sheet pan recipe - oven roasted potatoes & broccoli florets are the ultimate pairing. The spice mix add a ton of flavor & it pairs with anything from fish to chicken or beef. This easy vegetable side takes little prep & the small pieces cook fast in the oven. This simple yet fancy recipe is vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, & dairy-free.
Roasted Potatoes & Broccoli
Toaster Oven Baked Potato
Making baked potatoes in the toaster oven is an easy and delicious way to cook this classic side dish. The skin turns out crispy and the inside is soft and fluffy. If your toaster oven has a convection setting, this baked potato recipe is super quick
Toaster Oven Baked Potato
Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
For the best air fryer baked potatoes, try this quick & easy recipe. In half the time get yummy crispy skin & fluffy hot insides for topping. This simple side dish is an American classic due to its simplicity & versatility. All the steps for time and temperature for air frying plus topping, storing, & reheating.
Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
Air Fryer Loaded Potato Skins
The best crunchy air fryer loaded potato skins is this quick & easy recipe. This 30-minute appetizer or side is great for game day, parties, or dinner. Use baked potatoes & stuff with crispy bacon & melted cheddar cheese. Don't forget all the best toppings like sour cream & chives, dips, & more. Including how to bake, scoop, & cook potato skins with time & temperature steps to cook these TGI Friday's copycat recipe to perfection.
Air Fryer Loaded Potato Skins
French Potato Salad
Tender warm herbed potatoes in a Champagne dijon vinaigrette with fresh herbs are bright, tangy, and crowd-pleasing. This is the best potato salad recipe without mayo. It is great for parties, picnics, & BBQs to feed a crowd. A fun summer side dish that's gluten-free, vegan, & dairy-free.
Warm Herbed French Potato Salad
Pan Fried Potatoes & Onions
Fire up your skillet and pan-fry some potatoes and onions for a hearty side dish. This easy recipe is ready in 30 minutes & takes only a few ingredients. This southern recipe for seasoned russet potato cubes is a classic American dish great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The potatoes are crispy & fork-tender - plus gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, & dairy-free.
Pan Fried Potatoes & Onions
Instant Pot Ranch Salt Potatoes
Tender bite-sized potatoes are tossed with butter and ranch seasoning for a family favorite. These salt-crusted electric pressure cooker potatoes are easy and the best side dish recipe.
Instant Pot Salt Potatoes
Deep-Fried Sweet Potato Fries
Homemade deep-fried sweet potato fries are a quick and easy family favorite recipe. This fantastic method to deep fry & season them makes the best appetizer or side dish.
Sweet Potato Fries
Air Fryer Frozen Crinkle French Fries
For an easy foolproof method for cooking frozen crinkle-cut french fries in the air fryer, try this recipe. They will be hot, crispy, and yummy with just the right amount of time to cook in the air fryer. Plus delicious dips and seasonings to add for the best air fryer french fries.
Air Fryer Crinkle Fries
Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potatoes
For the best baked sweet potatoes in the air fryer, try this easy recipe. They come out crispy & tender in less time than from the oven.
Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potatoes
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Slices
Quick & easy Air fryer sweet potato rounds are crispy, sweet, & spicy. The simple recipe takes less than 30 minutes & is only 6 ingredients. A great snack, side, or appetizer. A healthy way to eat them - also gluten-free, paleo, Whole30, vegan, dairy-free, & low-fat.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Slices
Whipped Sweet Potatoes
For a comforting side dish, these whipped sweet potatoes really hit the spot. They are fluffy and sweet with a hint of nutmeg. Perfect to serve with Thanksgiving turkey, Christmas roast, Easter Ham, or any family dinner or holiday.
Whipped Sweet Potatoes
Candied Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows
The classic candied yams recipe is this easy sweet potato casserole with mini marshmallows. A sweet side dish perfect for holidays, especially Thanksgiving or Christmas. It has been a tradition since I was a kid to enjoy this every year with our Thanksgiving turkey. The apples, pecans, and dash of cinnamon make this the best sweet potato marshmallow casserole.
Candied Sweet Potato Casserole
Instant Pot Cubed Sweet Potatoes
For a quick and simple way to cook sweet potatoes, this Instant Pot recipe is the best. Cubed sweet potatoes steam perfectly in the pressure cooker in no time for a wonderful healthy side dish.
Instant Pot Cubed Sweet Potatoes
Salad & Vegetable Side Dishes
Here are some tasty healthy sides to make and eat when you have your next cookout. There are healthy salads, slaw, fruits & vegetables, and comforting vegetable casseroles. All of them are yummy and complete your meal.
Air Fryer Green Beans
In just 10 minutes, this recipe for crispy air fryer green beans is the best. This simple side dish with few ingredients is quick & easy.
Air Fryer Green Beans
Oven- Roasted Green Beans
These delicious oven-roasted green beans will be a family favorite. The nutty sesame seasoning that includes garlic and onion adds so much flavor. This quick & easy recipe is the best thanks to everything but the bagel seasoning that elevates this simple vegetable side dish.
Everything Bagel Seasoning Oven-Roasted Green Beans
Bacon Fried Corn
This easy recipe for bacon fried corn is a Southern classic. Fresh corn off the cob is cooked in the skillet & seasoned for a sweet, salty, & tasty side dish no one can resist. The kernels are cooked in bacon drippings with onion until tender & crisp. It only takes 20 minutes & 4 ingredients to pan-fry this vegetable into your new favorite summer comfort food.
Bacon Fried Corn
Caramelized Brussel sprouts with Brown Sugar, Bacon, & Blue Cheese
Caramelized Brussel sprouts with brown sugar are a wonderful simple side dish. To make Brussel sprouts even more wonderful add bacon and blue cheese for a sweet, salty, creamy, and nutty delight.
Caramelized Brussels Sprouts
Asian-Inspired Teriyaki Brussels Sprouts
This easy recipe for Brussels sprouts is an Asian-inspired twist on the classic vegetable. It has sweet, spicy, savory, & salty flavors you won't want to miss. The homemade teriyaki sauce is gluten-free plus has brown sugar that caramelizes the Brussels sprouts as they roast in the oven. The crispy edges & delicious sauce makes this quick & simple recipe irresistible.
Teriyaki Brussels Sprouts
Asian Avocado Peanut Coleslaw
If you want an easy peanutty coleslaw recipe, this Asian avocado peanut coleslaw is the best. This chopped slaw recipe is bursting with fresh vegetables that are dressed in a homemade Asian-inspired dressing that is salty, sweet, and spicy. This slaw is vegan and gluten-free and sure to be one that everyone loves.
Asian Coleslaw
Simple Spinach Salad
Toss together this quick & easy simple spinach salad in just minutes. The crunchy croutons are made from scratch & with a homemade dijon vinaigrette this is the best recipe hands down. It's a fresh & healthy side dish that goes with any meal or enjoy for lunch. Pile on some protein for an entree dinner.
Simple Spinach Salad
Grilled Peach & Goat Cheese Salad
Sweet grilled peaches, creamy avocado, tangy goat cheese, and spicy arugula are a summer salad sensation. This recipe for Grilled Peach, Avocado, and Goat Cheese Arugula Salad is fresh, sweet, crisp, & juicy. This simple summer salad is easy & perfect for bbq, cookouts, & parties.
Grilled Peach & Goat Cheese Salad
Strawberry Arugula Salad
For a fresh & fun summer salad, this strawberry arugula salad is a seasonal favorite. This easy arugula salad with fresh strawberries, salty macadamia nuts, & ribbons of parmesan cheese is sweet, crunchy, nutty, peppery, & savory. Drizzle with a homemade honey balsamic dressing & there's no turning back. Gluten-free, healthy, & great for lunch or served with grilled or smoked meats for dinner.
Strawberry Arugula Salad
Spinach Blueberry Salad
A colorful salad of fresh spinach, ripe blueberries, sharp parmesan, & crunchy pecans is a lovely spring recipe. It's fresh, nutty, sweet, & savory in every delicious bite.
Spinach Blueberry Salad
Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad
This cool, crispy, and spicy asian cucumber salad is delicious. The flavor-packed side dish recipe is a summer favorite. The fresh & healthy salad is low-calorie, gluten-free, & vegan.
Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad
Mexican Watermelon Cucumber Salad
A refreshing summer salad with the zing of Tajin added to watermelon, cucumber, and toasted pepitas. This simple recipe is a great side dish with all your Mexican favorites - tacos, enchiladas, & tortas.
Mexican Watermelon Cucumber Salad
Italian Chopped Salad
The best Italian chopped salad is packed with garbanzo beans for protein and a bunch of fresh vegetables. It has juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and delicious Italian classic ingredients like olives, artichoke hearts, & spicy pepperoncini. Vegan Italian dressing recipe included for a great combination for lunch, dinner, side, or appetizer. It is gluten-free, healthy, & tasty for everyone to enjoy.
Italian Chopped Salad
Fruit Salad with Cool Whip
This fresh fruit salad with Cool Whip is light, sweet, & creamy. The easy dessert recipe is healthy, refreshing, & a summer favorite. It is perfect to serve at BBQ, cookouts, potlucks, parties, & easy to make a lot to feed a crowd. A holiday favorite at Easter, Mother's Day, 4th of July, Memorial Day, & Labor Day. It is gluten-free, vegetarian, & better for you than classic ambrosia - made without coconut or marshmallows.
Fruit Salad with Cool Whip
Broccoli Salad with Apples & Cheese
This healthy broccoli salad with carrots, raisins, apples, and cheese is amazing. The creamy greek yogurt dressing is low-fat and made without mayo. It is tangy, crisp, fresh, and sweet in every bite. It holds up great for potlucks and barbecues. It is even great as a leftover, unlike other salads.
Broccoli Salad with Apples & Cheddar
Keto, Low Carb, or Gluten-Free Side Dishes
Stay on track with your diet or healthy lifestyle with one of these BBQ sides. This category of ideas includes keto, low-carb, paleo, Whole30, or gluten-free recipes. Try a new creamed vegetable or a gluten-free twist on a classic recipe.
Low-Carb Keto Creamed Spinach Casserole
Creamed spinach is a tasty low-carb steakhouse restaurant favorite. This easy keto recipe is the best spinach casserole side dish.
Cheesy Creamed Spinach Casserole
Crispy Air Fryer Keto Radishes
Crispy air fryer keto radishes are the low-carb answer to those that love roasted potatoes. These seasoned radishes are an easy recipe & done in 15 minutes.
Air Fryer Radishes
Keto Cornbread Chaffles
Cornbread chaffles made with almond flour are the best Mini Dash keto waffle recipe. A savory low-carb & gluten-free side for chili, soup, or salad.
Cornbread Chaffles
Keto Fat Head Rolls
Homemade soft keto rolls using almond flour are not just low carb (4 net carbs each!) but will please any appetite. They are sturdy enough for use as bread for sandwiches, buns for hamburgers, and great plain.
Fathead Rolls
Cocktails
Start off your cookout with something cold to drink. These cocktails are great alcoholic recipes to share with your friends and family the next time you host a BBQ. They are cool, refreshing, and tasty for sipping in the heat of summer or while tailgating in Fall waiting for the big football game. So grab your vodka, rum, tequila, or other spirits, and Cheers!
Classic Mojitos by the Pitcher
Making mojitos by the pitcher with limes and mint is the perfect easy recipe for a crowd.
Classic Mojitos by the Pitcher
Texas Ranch Water
Texas ranch water is a refreshing 3-ingredient cocktail recipe. Ranch water is simply the easiest tequila cocktail you can make at home.
Texas Ranch Water
Pina Colada on the Rocks
This tropical cocktail is a shaken, not blended, pina colada on the rocks. With creamy coconut and pineapple that classic pina colada taste over ice is just the recipe for a taste of summer.
Pina Colada on the Rocks
Spicy Jalapeno Basil Moscow Mule
A refreshing and spicy twist on a Moscow Mule that includes jalapenos and basil. A wonderful vodka cocktail that is an easy recipe and a crowd-pleaser.
Spicy Moscow Mule
Watermelon Mint Martini
Refreshing and easy vodka cocktail with fresh watermelon, mint, and lemon juice. This delicious recipe is the ultimate summer martini.
Watermelon Martini
Desserts
Finish the meal with a sweet treat. Make ice cream, something no-bake, or home-baked for your next BBQ. There are summer fruit recipes & plenty of ideas for something cool & creamy. All these dessert recipes will ensure the evening ends with something delish, even for those on a keto or gluten-free diet! A favorite here is the Best Ever Mango Ice Cream - plan ahead to make this so it is frozen & set.
Strawberry Peach Cobbler
Homemade peach and strawberry cobbler made in a cast-iron skillet is a classic American recipe. Fresh fruit and a biscuit topping make this the best old-fashioned dessert. It is easy to make all in one pan from stovetop to oven. Top with ice cream for cobbler ala mode - the best summer dessert ever!
Strawberry Peach Cobbler
Easy 4-Ingredient Key Lime Pie
This easy 4-ingredient key lime pie recipe is a slice of heaven. The creamy filling is tart, sweet, tangy, & the perfect summer dessert.
4-Ingredient Key Lime Pie
North Carolina Lemon Pie
The sweet-tart combo of North Carolina lemon pie has a saltine cracker crust with a creamy lemon curd filling all topped with fresh whipped cream. Enjoy a big cold slice of this chilled pie all summer. This Southern classic dessert is a copycat of the famous Atlantic Beach pie from Crooks' Corner in Chapel Hill. This easy pie bakes in just 30 minutes and is a great make-ahead recipe.
North Caroline Lemon Pie
Graham Cracker Crust Sweet Potato Pie
This fun version of a Southern classic dessert has a modern twist. Instead of an old-fashioned pie crust, made this recipe for sweet potato pie with a graham cracker crust. The crispy texture & cinnamon honey flavor paired with a creamy rich pie filling is heavenly. A wonderful fall or autumn holiday recipe for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Graham Cracker Sweet Potato Pie
Frozen Oreo Peanut Butter Cup Pie
Easy peanut butter and chocolate pie heaven that doesn't require turning on the oven - perfect for summer.
Frozen Oreo Peanut Butter Pie
Keto No-Bake Cheesecake
This easy no-bake keto cheesecake is creamy, sweet, and yummy. It is gluten-free, low-carb, and diabetic-friendly with only a few ingredients.
Keto No-Bake Cheesecake
S’mores Icebox Cake
The best no-bake dessert is this creamy, chocolatey, & toasty S'mores Icebox Cake. The layers of graham crackers, pudding, & marshmallows scream summer. This cool summer recipe is great for feeding a crowd or party. Make it for 4th of July, BBQs, potlucks, parties, & birthdays. Only 6 -ingredients and 20 minutes to assemble.
S'Mores Icebox Cake
Patriotic Red, White, & Blue Poke Cake
For a Patriotic dessert to show your red, white, & blue pride, this poke cake is perfect. The moist white cake with red & blue jello streams of color is so pretty. This cool refrigerator cake with a light Cool-Whip frosting and sprinkles is the best dessert for Independence Day, Memorial Day, Veteran's Day, or any other American holiday.
Patriotic Poke Cake
Peaches and Cream Ice Cream
The ultimate summer fruit dessert is this homemade peaches and cream ice cream recipe. Swirls of fresh peach puree in vanilla ice cream are creamy & sweet. Make this ice cream from scratch in your Cuisinart or other brand machine for a freshly churned smooth & cold treat.
Peaches & Cream Ice Cream
Banana Ice Cream
Creamy & rich homemade banana ice cream is so easy to make in the ice cream maker. This fresh fruit recipe uses just 5 simple & all-natural ingredients. This eggless recipe has a classic vanilla base & mashed bananas to make the best ice cream.
Banana Ice Cream
Chocolate Marshmallow Ice Cream
This homemade chocolate ice cream has double the marshmallow fun. The ice cream is loaded with swirls of gooey marshmallow fluff and tons of soft mini marshmallows too. It's rich, sweet, chewy, creamy, & over-the-top amazing. It's like rocky road without the nuts & no one can resist it.
Chocolate Marshmallow Ice Cream
Easy Mango Popsicles
Sweet, cold, fun, & fruity mango popsicles are best when made homemade. This easy recipe for the summer treat kids and adults love. A refreshing snack or dessert for kids and adults. Homemade popsicles with real fruit are healthy, low-sugar, low-calorie, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, & dairy-free.
Mango Popsicles
Great Grilled & Smoked Meat Recipes
Looking for something new to BBQ, here are my favorite recipes from the blog:
Smoked Beef Short Ribs
The best way to make short ribs in my mind is in the smoker. The low and slow method of smoking meat breaks down the meat and renders the fat for the most delicate fall-off-the-bone short ribs you will have ever had.
Smoked Beef Short Ribs
Smoked Pulled Pork Shoulder (pork butt)
The best smoked pulled pork is done low & slow. This tender & juicy pork shoulder is an easy recipe. This is a great pulled pork recipe for beginners thanks to its simplicity and foolproof method.
Smoked Pork Shoulder/Butt for Pulled Pork
How Long to Smoke Ribs at 250°
For the best way to cook ribs on the smoker, maintain the heat around 250°. Find out how long it takes to make seasoned & sauced baby back ribs or other beef & pork cuts. Tips to smoke ribs plus how to prep ribs, prep a smoker, & how to tell when the ribs are fall-off-the-bone ready.
Smoked Baby Back Ribs at 250°F
How Long to Smoke a Chicken at 225°F
Everything you need to know to cook a whole chicken in the smoker at 225° (107C). Follow this easy recipe for the best smoked chicken. The seasoned skin gets crispy & brown while the inside meat remains tender and juicy. Ideal for any beginner, this quick prep recipe is great for parties, Father's Day, game day, Super Bowl, weekends in summer, & spring cookouts.
Smoked Whole Chicken
Grilled BBQ Chicken Breasts
For juicy, sauced, & seasoned grilled bbq chicken breasts, this summer easy recipe is the best. The crispy crust & tender meat is ready in 30 minutes. Only 3 ingredients for a sweet, spicy, & bold cookout chicken recipe.
Grilled BBQ Chicken Breasts
Grilled Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
The best grilled boneless skinless chicken thighs are easy to make for summer cookout perfection. They have a sweet and spicy dry rub that adds so much flavor. These yummy chicken thighs come out juicy and cook in less than 15 minutes for a quick meal. Chicken thighs are great for meal planning to add to salads, soups, sandwiches, and wraps for lunch or dinner.
Grilled Chicken Thighs
Grilled Tri-Tip
Perfectly grilled tri-tip is so easy with this recipe. The seasoned beef roast is tender, juicy, & a steak lover's dream. Everything you need to know to sear, grill, rest, slice, & serve the best tri-tip you have ever had. Recipe for how to cook tri-tip over indirect heat slowly on a gas or propane grill. Plus info on charcoal, pellet, or a smoker.
Grilled Tri-Tip Roast
Final Notes
These classic sides are American favorites whether you want something southern, Texan, or internationally inspired. The best side dishes for BBQ are quick and easy. All these sides are great for BBQing at home, camping, at the beach, lake, or park, or when tailgating in a parking lot.
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