14 BBQ Sides Everyone Will Ask the Recipe For

Crafting the perfect barbecue involves more than just grilling the meat. Exceptional side dishes enhance the main course, providing balance and flavor. Here are 14 BBQ sides that will draw compliments and recipe requests, ensuring your gathering is memorable.

Vegetable Kabobs: A Colorful Delight

Vegetable kabobs offer vibrant colors and flavors. Use a mix of bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, and red onions. Cut the vegetables into uniform pieces for even grilling. Skewering them creates a charming presentation. A drizzle of olive oil, a sprinkle of salt, and a twist of black pepper underscore the vegetables' natural sweetness. Grill over medium heat, turning occasionally, until tender and slightly charred. Serve warm for a fresh, appealing complement to your BBQ.

Coleslaw with a Zesty Twist

Revitalizing traditional coleslaw involves balancing crunch with a hint of spice. Combine finely shredded cabbage and carrots. For the dressing, mix mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and a dash of Dijon mustard. Add a touch of honey to offset the vinegar’s sharpness. For extra zest, include chopped green onions and a sprinkle of celery seed. Chill before serving to meld the flavors, offering a cool, creamy counterpoint to smoky grilled meats.

Watermelon Mint Salad Refresh

This salad capitalizes on fresh, crisp flavors. Cube seedless watermelon and combine with crumbled feta cheese. Add thinly sliced red onions and fresh mint leaves for aromatic depth. A light dressing of lime juice and a splash of olive oil ties the elements together. Serve chilled for a refreshing contrast to rich barbecue dishes, delivering a burst of sweetness and tang in every bite.

7 Layer Dip: An Epic Party Starter

Begin with a foundation of refried beans, spreading them evenly in a dish. Layer on guacamole, followed by a smooth blend of sour cream and taco seasoning. Add freshly diced tomatoes, black olives, chopped green onions, and shredded cheddar cheese. Each layer brings a unique texture and flavor, offering a vibrant and irresistible party appetizer. Serve with thick tortilla chips to withstand this hearty, crowd-pleasing delight.

Get the recipe: 7 Layer Dip

Zesty Avocado Salad

Enhance your BBQ spread with a vibrant zesty avocado salad. Start by selecting avocados that yield slightly to pressure, indicating ripeness. Dice them into bite-sized pieces, maintaining their creamy texture. Combine with cherry tomatoes and red onion for a pop of color and crunch. Add lime juice for acidity and chopped cilantro for an aromatic lift. Season with coarse sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Toss gently to preserve the avocados' integrity, ensuring each forkful delivers a refreshing, well-balanced flavor.

Bursting Cherry Tomato Salad

Bring freshness to your table with a cherry tomato salad. Select a mix of colorful cherry tomatoes for a visual and flavor variety. Halve them to release their sweet juices, then add thinly sliced red onion for sharpness. Fresh basil leaves, torn by hand, add an aromatic depth. Dress with extra-virgin olive oil and a splash of aged balsamic vinegar for a rich, tangy balance. Finish with a sprinkle of sea salt to heighten the natural sweetness of the tomatoes. This salad is a testament to simplicity and taste.

Creamy Dreamy Mac and Cheese

Achieve mac and cheese perfection with a creamy, dreamy approach. Use a combination of sharp cheddar and Gruyère for a robust, melty base. Cook your pasta until just shy of al dente, then incorporate the cheese sauce. A béchamel sauce, creamy and smooth, is your starting point—combine flour and butter, whisking in warm milk gradually to prevent lumps. Stir in the cheeses, allowing them to melt completely. Combine with pasta, and bake until golden and bubbly, for a comforting, velvety result that complements any BBQ selection.

Sour Cream Cucumbers: Crisp & Cool

Keep things light with sour cream cucumbers, ideal for cutting through rich BBQ flavors. Thinly slice firm cucumbers for maximum crispness. Combine with a dressing of sour cream, fresh dill, and a splash of white vinegar for tanginess. Add scallions for a gentle onion note and a pinch of sugar to balance. The cucumbers should be well-coated yet not swimming in the dressing. Serve chilled, allowing the flavors to meld, providing a refreshing contrast that pairs beautifully with barbecued meats.

Delectable Corn Pudding

Corn pudding adds delightful sweetness to your BBQ ensemble. Begin with fresh corn, cutting the kernels off the cob to capture their natural sweetness and subtle crunch. Whisk together eggs, cream, melted butter, and a touch of sugar to create a custard-like mixture. Combine with the corn, adding a pinch of nutmeg for warmth. Pour into a greased baking dish and bake until set, the surface a golden hue. The result is a creamy, slightly sweet pudding that perfectly balances the savory notes of grilled fare.

Fresh & Flavorful Tabbouleh

Focus on crisp parsley, fresh mint, and plump tomatoes. Begin by soaking fine bulgur in hot water until fluffy. Finely chop the herbs, ensuring their freshness takes center stage. Use ripe, firm tomatoes and crunchy cucumbers, dicing them to uniform sizes for even texture. Combine all ingredients with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and high-quality olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste; the balance here is key. Serve chilled for a refreshing contrast to heavier BBQ dishes.

Tri-Color Pasta Perfection

Select spiral tri-color pasta, which holds onto the dressing beautifully with its ridged texture. Once cooked al dente, immediately rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and maintain firmness. Incorporate vibrant vegetables like bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and olives. Toss with a tangy balsamic vinaigrette, allowing flavors to meld. Add mozzarella pearls for creaminess and fresh basil for aromatic depth. Let it sit for a few hours to enhance the fusion of flavors.

Hearty Pinto Beans

Start with dried pinto beans for superior texture and flavor, soaking them overnight to ensure tenderness. Cook gently in a simmering broth with onions, garlic, and bay leaves. As they cook, the beans should become creamy, absorbing the aromatic broth completely. Stir occasionally, adding salt towards the end to avoid toughening the skins. Enhance with cumin and coriander for an earthy warmth. Serve warm, topped with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime for brightness.

Ultimate Guacamole Crowd-Pleaser

Opt for ripe Hass avocados—yielding slightly to pressure but not mushy. Mash them with a fork, ensuring a chunky consistency. Finely chop red onion and fresh cilantro, adding a sharp and aromatic depth. Diced ripe tomatoes and a hint of jalapeño provide heat, balanced by the lime juice's acidity. Season with salt, adjusting to taste, and serve immediately to preserve vibrancy. This guacamole stands out with its perfect balance of creamy, spicy, and fresh flavors.

Spicy Jalapeño Poppers

Use fresh jalapeños, slicing them lengthwise with precision and removing seeds to control heat. Blend cream cheese with shredded cheddar for a rich, tangy filling. Spoon the mixture into the jalapeño halves, ensuring an even fill. Wrap each pepper with a strip of bacon, securing with toothpicks. Bake in a hot oven until the bacon is crispy and the cheese is bubbling. The result is a symphony of textures—crunchy, creamy, and smoky—perfect for BBQ gatherings.