While whatever comes off the grill is bound to be the star of the show at your backyard BBQ, even the biggest stars need a solid supporting cast. Along with the smoke show that is really tasty BBQ, you'll need something crunchy, something savory, something acidic, and a little something sweet to hit all the flavor and texture high notes that make a meal memorable. From crisp summer corn to tangy slaw, these side dishes will make your meal fire.
Elote (Mexican Street Corn)
Summer crisp sweet corn is BBQ's best friend, and it's so easy to toss on the grill and slather with butter. But if you want to take your summer BBQ to the next level, you can't go wrong with elote, a.k.a. Mexican street corn. This stuff is so good, and it's not hard at all to make. The sweet corn is tender crisp and a little spicy, and the cotija cheese adds some bite while the crema makes it a little creamy. Try Love & Lemon's easy Elote recipe the next time you grill flank steak for fajitas.
Related: Corn Recipes That'll Have You Grinning From Ear to Ear
Sweet & Spicy Slaw
This slaw is my favorite thing to make to go alongside smoked ribs or brisket. It hits all the high notes you're looking for in a BBQ side dish: it's crunchy, it has a little bit of heat and a little bit of sweet, and it has a super refreshing texture that's a great contrast to the hot smoked meat. If you're not a cilantro fan, you can eliminate it.
Ingredients
- 2 packages (14 ounces each) 3-color cole slaw cabbage mix
- 1 bunch radishes, greens removed, cleaned, and julienned
- 1 tart apple, peeled, cored, and julienned
- 1 bunch green onions, thinly sliced (white and green parts)
- ½ cup chopped, fresh cilantro (optional)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 tablespoon sriracha
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger root
- 1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup
- ½ teaspoon Chinese hot mustard
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ¾ cup avocado oil
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the cole slaw mix, radish, apple, green onions, and cilantro.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the garlic, lime, sriracha, ginger, honey, mustard, apple cider vinegar, salt, and avocado oil.
- Toss the dressing with the salad.
Refrigerator Dill Pickles
The acidity of dill pickles is always a welcome addition to cut the richness of grilled meat. Think of it as a palate refresher. And while you can open a jar of pickles (it's Vlasic Zesty Dill Spears all the way for me!), they're pretty easy to make and store in your fridge. Try our zesty refrigerator dill pickles for a classic BBQ side you'll turn to again and again.
Related: 9 Homemade Freezer Treats That Are Sizzling Summer Sensations
Potato Salad
Is it even a BBQ if there's no potato salad? This perennial fave is a creamy counterpoint to smoky BBQ, making it the perfect summer side. Try one of our three potato salad recipes and find your favorite, or add a little green with our potato salad with peas recipe.
Related: Cool Foods for Hot Summer Nights: 9 No-Cook Dinners to Beat the Heat
Baked Beans
Sure, you could open a few cans of BBQ baked beans or pork and beans and call it good. Or, you could kick them up several notches by adding your own special touches. I've made these beans for BBQs for years, and they always get raves. Some people call them cowboy beans, but we call them Etta's beans, because a dear family friend taught me to make them when I was a kid. The best part is you can customize them the way YOU want them, but this is my version of Etta's beans.
Ingredients
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 jalapeños, seeds and ribs removed and minced (optional)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound ground beef, crumbled and browned
- 2 (28-ounce) cans Bush's homestyle baked beans
- 1 (14-ounce) can kidney beans, drained
- 1 (14-ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- ¼ cup dark brown sugar
- 1 (18-ounce) bottle BBQ sauce
Instructions
- In a large skillet, brown the bacon until it's crisp. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon from the fat and put the bacon in a 6-quart slow cooker.
- Add the onion and jalapeños to the bacon fat in the skillet and brown it on medium-high heat until it's soft, about five minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until it's fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the vegetables to the slow cooker.
- Add the remaining ingredients to the slow cooker and stir well. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for four. Turn down to keep warm until it's time to serve.
Pasta Salad
Pasta salad is another cool classic side that offers a refreshing counterpoint to smoky BBQ. You can add in fresh herbs and veggies straight from your garden or whip up one of our four pasta salad recipes that everyone will want to gobble up.
Related: Vibrant Greek Pasta Salad Recipe to Spice Up Your Next Potluck
Watermelon Salad
If there's a perfect summer fruit, it has to be watermelon. It's so juicy, sweet, and refreshing! And this sweet and savory watermelon salad is the perfect fresh and sweet counterpoint to your grilled main.
Ingredients
- 1 small, seedless watermelon, cubed
- 1 medium cucumber, sliced
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup crumbled feta
- ¼ cup chopped, fresh mint leaves
Instructions
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and toss to mix.
Helpful Hack
You can substitute fresh basil leaves for the mint for a refreshing, peppery twist on this salad.
Cucumber Salad
Cucumbers really come into their own during the summer. Their crisp texture and refreshing flavor make them the perfect side for all types of BBQ. Try our tasty cucumber salad recipe for the perfect taste of summer.
Jicama & Mango Salad
I love the combo of sweet and savory in the summer, and the contrasting textures in this salad are so yummy with BBQ. Try All Recipes' version of mango, lime, and jicama salad for a BBQ side that people will rave about.
Grilled Veggie Skewers
No recipe needed here — just some skewers and some chopped, fresh veggies. Toss them on the grill as you cook your main, and you'll have a smoky side that tastes amazing.
A Great Summer BBQ Starts With the Perfect Side
Sure, the BBQ may be the star of the show, but the sides are what give your meal variety and texture. Try one or more of these sizzling summer sides, and your next BBQ to wow all your guests.
