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    Home » Side Dishes

    27 Easy Side Dishes For A Barbecue

    Published: May 5, 2022 · Modified: Nov 18, 2022 by Heather · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 737 words. · About 4 minutes to read this article.

    Side dishe recipes for a summer barbecue.
    Side dishe recipes for a summer barbecue.

    Today I'm sharing with you my favorite easy side dishes for a barbecue. Easy, homemade side dishes that can be taken to your next barbecue, picnic, summer party, or cookout.

    Collage of side dishes for a summer barbecue.

    Who doesn't love a good summer picnic side dish? Often, the side dishes are the true stars of the show - from pasta salad and coleslaw, to corn on the cob, there's a ton of variety and something for everyone.

    You're sure to find a new favorite on this list. We've got easy and portable cold sides, and oven roasted hot sides to add to your backyard barbecue at home.

    Summer parties

    Where can you take these easy summer side dishes? Here's a few ideas:

    • Barbecues
    • Pool parties
    • Work potlucks
    • Picnics
    • Fourth of July
    • Backyard cookout
    • Summer birthdays

    Cold side dishes

    Cold picnic side dishes are perfect for hauling to a barbecue across town, or toting to work for a potluck party. Plus, they're easy to make ahead and store until it's time to go.

    Classic Pasta Salad

    Classic pasta salad is made with a tri-color rotini, filled with vegetables and cheeses, and coated in a homemade vinaigrette. The perfect recipe to feed a crowd!
    View Recipe
    And overhead look at a bowl of classic pasta salad in an aqua bowl.

    Sweet and Tangy No Mayo Coleslaw

    by Bowl of Delicious
    This sweet and tangy no mayo coleslaw is made with an oil and vinegar dressing. Vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free - perfect for pleasing a crowd!
    View Recipe
    Coleslaw in a white bowl with a blue towel.

    Tortellini Pasta Salad

    Make a batch of tortellini pasta salad for your next barbecue or summer get-together. This easy side dish is filled with cheese tortellini, fresh vegetables, and a homemade vinaigrette salad dressing.
    View Recipe
    Glass bowl filled with tortellini pasta salad.

    Southern Macaroni Salad

    Southern Macaroni Salad is a classic side dish that's perfect for your next picnic. This cold side dish is filled with macaroni, diced vegetables, and eggs, coated in a creamy and flavorful dressing. 
    View Recipe
    Glass bowl of macaroni salad.

    Easy Southern Coleslaw

    by Recipes from a Pantry
    A classic coleslaw recipe that's tangy and crunchy, with just a hint of sweetness. A staple for all your summer barbecues and parties!
    View Recipe

    Blueberry Corn Feta Salad

    by Recipe Runner
    Filled with sweet corn, fresh blueberries, feta cheese, and basil, tossed in a honey lime dressing. This summer salad is the perfect side dish for your next barbecue.
    View Recipe

    Southern Potato Salad

    Served cold, this classic potato salad is filled with potatoes, eggs, celery, red onion, and relish, then coated in a creamy seasoned dressing.
    View Recipe
    Potato salad scooped by a wooden spoon.

    Broccoli Salad

    by Sugar Spun Run
    Filled with chopped broccoli, cranberries, cheddar cheese, bacon, and sunflower seeds, tossed in a creamy homemade dressing. Refreshing and crowd-pleasing, this salad comes together with only 15 minutes of prep work!
    View Recipe

    Dill Potato Salad

    Dill potato salad makes a fantastic and easy to make side dish for your next barbecue. Red potatoes, celery, and onions are coated in a creamy and flavorful dill dressing.
    View Recipe
    Potatoes, celery, and onion with a creamy sauce.

    Easy Italian Caprese Salad

    by Little Sunny Kitchen
    A simple classic, this caprese salad is easy to whip up in minutes for your next summer party. Slices of juicy tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil leaves are layered and drizzled with olive oil and balsamic glaze.
    View Recipe
    Mozzarella and tomato slices with basil leaves, drizzled in balsamic glaze.

    Pineapple Kiwi Salad

    Make a bowl of pineapple kiwi salad for your next summer picnic. Fresh juicy pineapple and kiwi are coated in a sweet honey lime dressing and topped with crunchy toasted coconut.
    View Recipe
    Blue bowl filled with fruit salad.

    Summer Chopped Veggie Salad

    by Maple & Mango
    This eye catching veggie salad is filled with fresh chopped cucumber, tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, and feta cheese, tossed in a quick homemade dressing. So refreshing on the hottest summer days!
    View Recipe
    Chopped veggies in a bowl with two gold spoons.

    Cowboy Caviar

    Cowboy caviar is a flavor packed mix between a salad and a salsa. Filled with black beans, black eyed peas, avocado, corn, tomatoes, jalapenos, and more - this cold salad is the perfect party appetizer.
    View Recipe
    A tortilla chip taking a scoop of salsa.

    Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing

    by Joyous Apron
    A refreshing bowl of summer fruits, like strawberries, kiwi, blueberries, and peaches, drizzled with a simple honey lime dressing. Perfect for those summer parties by the pool.
    View Recipe

    Cucumber Blueberry Salad

    Cucumber blueberry salad is a refreshing summer side dish that's filled with fresh ingredients. Sliced cucumber, blueberries, almonds, and fresh mint are tossed in a homemade lemon-honey vinaigrette dressing.
    View Recipe
    Pouring salad dressing over salad ingredients in a bowl.

    Bacon Deviled Eggs

    Bacon Deviled Eggs are a crowd-favorite appetizer and finger food for your next party. These deviled eggs have just a pinch of cayenne pepper for flavor, and are topped with plenty of crumbled bacon.
    View Recipe
    Deviled egg topped with crumbled bacon on a white plate.

    Kale Apple Slaw with Poppy Seed Vinaigrette

    Kale apple slaw with poppy seed vinaigrette is a light vegan side dish recipe that's prepared in minutes. Chopped kale is tossed with sliced apple and red onion, then coated in a tangy poppy seed dressing.
    View Recipe
    A white scalloped edge bowl filled with salad.

    Watermelon Feta Salad with Blueberries

    by Cooking For My Soul
    What's more summer than fresh, juicy watermelon? This salad is made with fresh cubed watermelon, blueberries, feta cheese and mint, tossed in a honey lime dressing.
    View Recipe
    Cubed watermelon, blueberries, and feta in a white bowl.

    Hot side dishes

    Hot picnic side dishes are perfect for pairing with hot off the grill ribs and burgers in the backyard, or your next neighborhood Fourth of July bash.

    Boston Baked Beans

    by Crayons & Cravings
    Sweet and savory Boston baked beans are the perfect comfort food side dish for your next barbecue or potluck.
    View Recipe
    Serving spoon full of boston baked beans.

    Oven Roasted Corn on the Cob with Seasoned Butter

    Oven Roasted Corn on the Cob with Seasoned Butter is a fresh and flavorful side dish you can make for your next summer barbecue. Corn cobs are roasted in their husks, then coated in a lightly seasoned butter.
    View Recipe
    Spreading butter on an ear of corn.

    Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese

    This creamy baked mac and cheese is a crowd pleasing side dish to serve at your next holiday meal. Macaroni is coated in a rich, creamy cheese sauce and topped with a crunchy panko crust.
    View Recipe
    A scoop of macaroni and cheese sitting in a casserole dish.

    Easy Grilled Veggie Skewers

    by The Forked Spoon
    These easy grilled veggie skewers are made with bell peppers, onion, and zucchini, brushed in balsamic vinegar and drizzled with a homemade garlic herb sauce.
    View Recipe
    Grilled veggies on skewers.

    Creamy Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole

    by Razzle Dazzle Life
    Creamy, cheesy mashed potatoes are topped with cheese, bacon, and green onions. A hearty, crowd pleasing side dish for your next family meal!
    View Recipe
    Glass casserole dish filled with mashed potatoes, cheese, and bacon.

    Elote (Mexican Grilled Corn)

    by All Ways Delicious
    Sweet corn is topped with lime juice and mayonnaise, seasoned with chili powder, and sprinkled with cotija cheese. A total crowd pleaser!
    View Recipe
    Grilled corn in a baking pan with grilled limes.

    Cajun Sweet Potato Wedges

    Cajun sweet potato wedges make an easy and flavorful side dish for your next backyard barbecue. Sweet potatoes are drizzled in olive oil, sprinkled in spicy seasoning, then roasted in the oven.
    View Recipe
    Sweet potato wedges on a white plate.

    Dr. Pepper Baked Beans

    by Foxes Love Lemons
    Dr. Pepper baked beans are made with canned beans that are doctored up with flavorful ingredients to make the perfect salty & sweet side dish for your next barbecue.
    View Recipe
    Baked beans in a cast iron skillet next to several cans of Dr. Pepper soda.

    Hash Brown Potato Casserole

    Hash brown potato casserole is made with cheesy potatoes and a crunchy panko bread crumb topping. The cheese sauce is made entirely from scratch - no canned soups needed! Perfect for serving at your next holiday gathering like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.
    View Recipe
    A wooden serving spoon scooping hash brown potato casserole from a white casserole dish.

    See more side dish recipes →

    More Side Dish Recipes

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    • Sweet Noodle Kugel

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    Heather of The Toasty Kitchen

    Hi, I'm Heather of The Toasty Kitchen. I love cooking with real, unfussy ingredients, and I want to help you make homemade meals with ease.

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