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19 Amazing Barbecue Side Dishes for the Best BBQ Ever

ByJenny deRemer Posted on Updated On

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Take your cookout to the next level with this collection of side dishes that will complement your grilled main dishes. From classic crowd-pleasers like dill potato salad and creamy coleslaw, to fun spins on traditional dishes like carrot fries or a Mexican style street corn, these 19 amazing barbecue side dishes will impress your guests. This collection of fantastic barbecue sides dishes features a satisfying blend of flavors and textures, so you can find something for everyone.

Plant Based Tzatziki Sauce

White dip with cucumbers and dill in a bowl.
Image Credit: Erika Piper for The Veggie Yaya.

This cool and refreshing vegan take on the classic Greek tzatziki dip swaps in dairy-free yogurt for the traditional yogurt base, combining it with shredded cucumber, lemon, olive oil, garlic, salt, and dill. This Plant Based Tzatziki Sauce is perfect on grilled burgers, gyros, lemon potatoes, pita and veggies.

GET THE RECIPE: PLANT BASED TZATZIKI SAUCE

Air Fryer Jalapeños

Halved roasted jalapenos.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for Pipercooks.

Roasting jalapeño peppers transforms their fiery heat into a delightfully charred, smoky, and almost sweet flavor. Toss these Air Fryer Jalapeños on grain bowls, potato bowls, salads, nachos, burgers, and more.

GET THE RECIPE: AIR FRYER JALAPENOS

Cabbage Crunch Salad

Closeup of cabbage salad with sliced green onions and chopped peanuts.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for Pipercooks.

This Cabbage Crunch Salad is ready in just 20 minutes, combining crispy, crunchy veggies with a creamy peanut butter dressing and topped with sliced green onions, cilantro, and chopped peanuts for a deliciously fresh and flavorful dish.

GET THE RECIPE: CABBAGE CRUNCH SALAD

Southwest Chopped Salad

Two bowls filled with chopped salad.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for Pipercooks.

Grilled sweet corn on the cob shines in this Southwest Chopped Salad, featuring a delicious blend of charred corn, tomatoes, jalapeños, lime, bell pepper, and diced avocado tossed with crisp romaine lettuce.

GET THE RECIPE: SOUTHWEST CHOPPED SALAD

Greek Style Potatoes

Potato wedges in a baking dish with lemon wedges and a bowl of dip.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for Pipercooks.

These easy roasted Greek Style Potatoes are bursting with bright, zingy flavors from fresh lemon juice, savory oregano and garlic cloves for a vibrant side dish inspired by Greek cuisine. Serve them beside grilled chicken or burgers with a cool, creamy homemade Tzatziki Sauce for the ultimate Mediterranean pairing.

GET THE RECIPE: GREEK STYLE POTATOES

Zucchini Tomato Mozzarella Bake

A square slice of zucchini and tomato casserole on a plate garnished with basil leaves.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for Pipercooks.

This Zucchini Tomato Mozzarella Bake is a delicious and easy-to-make dish perfect as a backyard barbecue side dish. Made from scratch with fresh zucchini, juicy tomatoes, and melty mozzarella cheese, it’s a great way to use up extra produce you have on hand while enjoying a flavorful homemade meal.

GET THE RECIPE: ZUCCHINI TOMATO MOZZARELLA BAKE

Pickle Macaroni Salad

A closeup of macaroni salad.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average.

This Pickle Macaroni Salad is not only delicious but designed to please both kids and picky adults alike, making it a standout side for any barbecue. Macaroni is one of the top barbecue side dishes and this recipe brings a fun twist to a classic.

GET THE RECIPE: PICKLE MACARONI SALAD

Air Fryer Carrot Fries

Baked carrot sticks in a bowl with a bowl of dip.
Image Credit: Erika Piper for The Veggie Yaya.

These crispy and flavorful Air Fryer Carrot Fries make the perfect easy and delicious snack or side dish. Carrots get tossed in oil, cornstarch and spices before getting air fried to addictive perfection in only 20 minutes with just a few simple ingredients.

GET THE RECIPE: AIR FRYER CARROT FRIES

Korean Spicy Cucumber Salad

Cucumber salad in a bowl, topped with green onion and sesame seeds.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for Pipercooks.

Crispy, smashed cucumbers get drizzled with a sweet, spicy and tangy sauce, then topped with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds for a delightfully crunchy texture. This refreshing Korean Inspired Spicy Cucumber Salad packs huge flavor in every bite, making it the perfect accompaniment to any meal and a great addition to savory grilled dishes.

GET THE RECIPE: KOREAN SPICY CUCUMBER SALAD

Zesty Italian Pasta Salad

Pasta salad with chopped salami, cherry tomatoes, olives, balls of cheese, and basil leaves.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for Pipercooks.

This Zesty Italian Pasta Salad is perfect for an easy dinner or as a side dish for picnics and BBQs, featuring simple pantry staples like pasta, vinegar, oil and spices. It gets loaded up with flavor from jarred artichokes, roasted red peppers, briny olives and zesty pepperoncinis for a crowd-pleasing make-ahead salad.

GET THE RECIPE: ZESTY ITALIAN PASTA SALAD

Creamy Potato Salad With Dill

Potato salad in stacked bowls, topped with fresh dill.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for Pipercooks.

Made with only 7 simple ingredients, this Creamy Potato Salad With Dill is a breeze to whip up for any occasion. It’s the perfect addition to your summer BBQ spread, complementing everything from veggie burgers to juicy meat patties, or enjoy it as a hassle-free weekday lunch.

GET THE RECIPE: CREAMY POTATO SALAD WITH DILL

Corn And Tomato Salad

Closeup of tomato and corn salad on a white platter.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average.

This grilled Corn And Tomato Salad, made with fresh tomatoes and a zesty vinaigrette, uses just four ingredients to enhance any summer meal. Easily doubled or tripled, making it great for large groups.

GET THE RECIPE: CORN AND TOMATO SALAD

Spicy Mac And Cheese

Macaroni and cheese in a skillet and bowl drizzle with red sauce.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for Pipercooks.

Creamy, cheesy perfection awaits in this ultra comforting Spicy Mac And Cheese. With a luscious sauce made extra flavorful from two types of ooey-gooey melted cheese, fresh jalapeños for some kick, and a punch of savory-sweet heat from gochujang paste, this spicy twist on a classic cheesy macaroni is a barbecue must have!

GET THE RECIPE: SPICY MAC AND CHEESE

Creamy Southern Coleslaw Recipe

Coleslaw in a white dish.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average.

This Creamy Southern Coleslaw Recipe is a barbecue staple with a twist—an unexpected ingredient that boosts both flavor and creaminess! This southern coleslaw is slightly sweet and will have your guests coming back for more.

GET THE RECIPE: CREAMY SOUTHERN COLESLAW RECIPE

Mediterranean Couscous Salad

Couscous in a bowl with black olives, chopped yellow bell pepper and fresh herbs.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for Pipercooks.

This Mediterranean Couscous Salad is a breeze to whip up and perfect for summer when you want to avoid too much indoor cooking. It’s an ideal side dish for backyard barbecues or picnic outings.

GET THE RECIPE: MEDITERRANEAN COUSCOUS SALAD

Pesto Couscous Salad

Couscous in a bowl topped with basil leaves.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for Pipercooks.

This Pesto Couscous Salad is the simplest side dish you’ll make all week! Just a quick measure of the ingredients, a 5-minute wait, and you’ll have a flavorful pesto-infused side perfect for couscous bowls or meal prep.

GET THE RECIPE: PESTO COUSCOUS SALAD

Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread

A whole loaf of bread with a criss cross cut across the top and melty cheese stuffed into it.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for Pipercooks.

Make this Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread on a fresh sourdough or French loaf. With the unique cutting pattern, you can stuff the loaf with cheese, and bake until bubbly and hot—perfect as an appetizer or bbq side dish, ready in just 30 minutes.

GET THE RECIPE: CHEESY GARLIC PULL APART BREAD

Tuna Pesto Pasta

Pasta, tuna, and black olives in a bowl.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for Pipercooks.

This summer salad is made with just five ingredients: store-bought pesto, bowtie pasta, red onion, tuna, and black olives. This Tuna Pesto Pasta is a flavorful dish with minimal effort – easy to make for your next barbecue.

GET THE RECIPE: TUNA PESTO PASTA

Mexican Style Street Corn

Grilled corn coated in white sauce and crumbled white cheese.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for Pipercooks.

Try this Mexico-inspired grilled corn slathered in a zesty blend of lime juice, mayo, cilantro, chipotle chili powder and crumbly Queso Blanco or Cotija cheese. Mexican Style Street Corn is a deliciously different way to serve up fresh summer corn that makes an irresistible side dish for any BBQ or backyard party.

GET THE RECIPE: MEXICAN STYLE STREET CORN

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