Grilled burgers and hot dogs might get all the glory, but let’s be honest: no one remembers a cookout just for the meat. At least not my cookouts. We just had a huge family BBQ, and what people talk about later are the unexpected hits: all the sides.
If your BBQ spread is starting to feel a little brown, it’s time to shake things up. Toss the store-bought coleslaw and tired potato salad back in the fridge. Your grill (and your guests) deserve better.
This is your sign to give your BBQ the vegetables it deserves. These 24 veggie-forward sides are bold, colorful, and packed with flavor.
Garlicky & Spicy Sichuan Cucumber Salad
Image Credit: The Passport Kitchen.
This Sichuan cucumber salad is the perfect side dish for a hot summer BBQ! This chinese-inspired dish is a nice twist on a regular cucumber salad.
Get The Recipe: Garlicky & Spicy Sichuan Cucumber Salad
Parmesan Zucchini Chips
Image Credit: Dutch Oven Daddy.
Crispy yet tender with the right amount of crunch, these Parmesan Zucchini Chips are an easy and versatile vegetable side dish that is perfect for a BBQ.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Zucchini Chips
Sautéd Summer Squash With Rosemary and Lemon Recipe
Image Credit: Mommy Rose.
This summer dish celebrates the simplicity and freshness of summer squash. The addition of rosemary and lemon makes this delicious vegetable really stand out.
Get the Recipe: Sautéd Summer Squash With Rosemary and Lemon Recipe
Easy Grilled Veggie Skewers
Image Credit: The Forked Spoon.
These Veggie Skewers, made with zucchini, red onion, and bell peppers, are grilled to perfection and drizzled with tangy balsamic vinegar, then brushed with a fresh garlic herb sauce.
Get the Recipe: Easy Grilled Veggie Skewers
Classic Creamy Coleslaw Recipe
Image Credit: Marathons and Motivation.
This Classic Creamy Coleslaw Recipe is a vintage dish that’s perfect for serving at any occasion. It is made with 10 simple ingredients, including: cabbage, carrots, mayonnaise, sour cream, sugar, salt, black pepper, dry mustard, lemon juice, and coriander seeds.
Get the Recipe: Classic Creamy Coleslaw Recipe
French Fries
Image Credit: The Cooking Foodie.
Skip the restaurant and store-bought options, and learn how to make French fries from scratch in just 30 minutes using four simple ingredients!
Get the Recipe: French Fries From Scratch
Italian Sweet & Sour Baked Peppers
Image Credit: Cucchiarella.
These Italian Sweet and Sour Baked Peppers are the perfect side dish to add a splash of color to your table! They are the perfect side dish to enrich your tables with taste, authenticity, and color.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sweet & Sour Baked Peppers
Loaded Potato Salad
Image Credit: Living Chirpy.
This Loaded Potato Salad recipe loads up traditional potato salad with the classic flavors of a loaded baked potato. This takes regular potato salad with fork-tender Yukon golds and adds sharp cheddar cheese, bacon, green onions, and more.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Potato Salad
Grits on the Grill
Image Credit: Platter Talk.
This recipe for grilled grits is a tasty example of American fusion cuisine. It’s a traditional Southern breakfast side dish that’s been transformed into a grilled side dish.
Get the Recipe: Grits on the Grill
Grilled Vegetable Salad With Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette and Feta
Image Credit: Buttered Veg.
This delicious grilled vegetable salad has grilled asparagus and other vegetables, feta cheese, tomatoes, roasted garlic vinaigrette, and reduced balsamic glaze. It’s the perfect addition to any BBQ.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Vegetable Salad With Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette and Feta
Cucumber and Apple Salad
Image Credit: Nuts and Twigs.
This Cucumber and Apple Salad is Crisp, light, and refreshing. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and tangy. Juicy apples and crunchy cucumbers combine with a light, zesty dressing to create a simple yet vibrant dish in just about 10 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber and Apple Salad
Mexican-Style Elote (Corn) Salad Recipe
Image Credit: A Latin Flair.
You’ll love the sweetness of the corn, combined with a tangy flavor and a hint of spice, in this delicious Mexican-style Elote (Corn) Salad Recipe. It’s a perfect mix of fresh corn kernels, creamy yogurt and mayo, lime, and smoky spices.
Get the Recipe: Mexican-Style Elote (Corn) Salad Recipe
Elote
Image Credit: Cheerful Cook.
Grilled corn is slathered with a creamy blend of mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, cotija cheese, cilantro, and spices, then finished with a final squeeze of lime and a sprinkle of chili-lime seasoning.
Get the Recipe: Elote
Kimchi Slaw
Image Credit: Next Level Baker.
This Kimchi slaw is a fusion of traditional coleslaw with Korean kimchi flavors. It’s a bold, tangy, and spicy twist on a classic coleslaw. You get all the amazing flavor of kimchi, along with the crunch of coleslaw.
Get the Recipe: Kimchi Slaw
Butter Bath Corn (Milk Boiled Corn on the Cob)
Image Credit: Sweet Tea and Thyme.
This Milk-boiled corn on the cob is the ultimate way to have the most tender and buttery corn. Once you try simmering fresh summer corn in a buttery milk bath, you’ll see exactly why this is truly the best way to cook corn!
Get the Recipe: Butter Bath Corn (Milk Boiled Corn on the Cob)
Cheesy Funeral Potatoes
Image Credit: The Cooking Duo.
Don’t let the name scare you off! Gooey, delicious, cheesy potatoes are perfect always but especially at a BBQ.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Funeral Potatoes
Keto Coleslaw Recipe
Image Credit: Like Hot Keto.
This keto coleslaw recipe has a delicious, sweet, and tangy dressing with zero sugar; it’s delicately spicy and ultra creamy.
Get the Recipe: Keto Coleslaw Recipe
Grilled Pierogies
Image Credit: In the Kitch.
These grilled pierogies are made with dumpling wrappers to keep it simple and a cheesy, smooth potato filling. It’s a great summer side dish that can also be enjoyed as a snack, paired with protein, or served with other sides.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pierogies
Baked Ranch Mushrooms
Image Credit: Pumpkin’N Spice.
These Baked Ranch Mushrooms are a simple, five-ingredient side dish that’s packed with flavor. Fresh mushrooms are tossed in a combination of olive oil, butter, and zesty ranch seasoning and baked until golden and tender.
Get the Recipe: Baked Ranch Mushrooms
Homemade Batter Fried Broccoli With Creamy Sauce
Image Credit: The Buttery Fairytale.
This homemade batter-fried broccoli with creamy sauce recipe is so good. It has crispy fried broccoli coated in a thick, cheesy garlic sauce that is just so good.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Batter Fried Broccoli With Creamy Sauce
Grilled Broccolini With Lemon Herb Yogurt Sauce
Image Credit: Parsley and Parm.
Grilled broccolini is one of those deceptively simple dishes that’s easy to make. Charred and tender with crispy tips, it’s a fast and flavorful side that brings major Mediterranean vibes to your table.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Broccolini With Lemon Herb Yogurt Sauce
Grilled Asparagus Salad
Image Credit: Sweet and Savory Meals.
You’ll love making and eating this 15-minute Grilled Asparagus Salad. It’s seasoned with Italian herbs and onion powder, then grilled until it’s tender and lightly charred. It’s finished with fresh lemon and crumbled feta for a flavorful and healthy salad that’s perfect as a side for grilled meats.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Asparagus Salad
Grilled Summer Squash and Zucchini With Lemon Basil Drizzle
Image Credit: Maplevine Kitchen.
This is such a vibrant and easy side dish! You simply grill summer squash and zucchini, drizzled with a zesty lemon basil sauce, and topped with creamy feta. It’s simple, fresh, and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Summer Squash and Zucchini With Lemon Basil Drizzle
Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Image Credit: Garlic All Day.
These Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes are the easiest side dish to make. They are perfectly garlicky, buttery, and fluffy. All the cooking and mashing is done right in the Instant Pot; you don’t even need to drain the potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes
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