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.
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 (for a crowd)
This classic pasta salad is made with a tri-color rotini, filled with vegetables and cheeses, and coated in a scratch-made vinaigrette. The perfect recipe to feed a crowd.
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Sweet and Tangy No Mayo Coleslaw
by Bowl of DeliciousThis 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!
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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.
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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.
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Easy Southern Coleslaw
by Recipes from a PantryA classic coleslaw recipe that's tangy and crunchy, with just a hint of sweetness. A staple for all your summer barbecues and parties!
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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.
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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.
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Broccoli Salad
by Sugar Spun RunFilled 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!
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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.
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Easy Italian Caprese Salad
by Little Sunny KitchenA 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.
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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.
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Summer Chopped Veggie Salad
by Maple & MangoThis 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!
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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.
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Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing
by Joyous ApronA 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Watermelon Feta Salad with Blueberries
by Cooking For My SoulWhat'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.
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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 & CravingsSweet and savory Boston baked beans are the perfect comfort food side dish for your next barbecue or potluck.
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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.
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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.
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Easy Grilled Veggie Skewers
by The Forked SpoonThese easy grilled veggie skewers are made with bell peppers, onion, and zucchini, brushed in balsamic vinegar and drizzled with a homemade garlic herb sauce.
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Creamy Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole
by Razzle Dazzle LifeCreamy, cheesy mashed potatoes are topped with cheese, bacon, and green onions. A hearty, crowd pleasing side dish for your next family meal!
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Elote (Mexican Grilled Corn)
by All Ways DeliciousSweet corn is topped with lime juice and mayonnaise, seasoned with chili powder, and sprinkled with cotija cheese. A total crowd pleaser!
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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.
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Dr. Pepper Baked Beans
by Foxes Love LemonsDr. 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.
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Cheesy Hash Brown Potato Casserole
Cheesy Hash Brown Potato Casserole is a classic side dish that is popular for family gatherings. My version is made entirely from scratch - no canned soups needed. This dish is filled with shredded potatoes, cheddar cheese, and a creamy, flavorful sauce.
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More recipes
Looking for more ideas? Check out my side dish recipe index here:
See more side dish recipes →
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