35+ EASY BBQ Sides: The BEST Barbecue Side Dishes

Wondering what the best BBQ sides are? What sides to bring to a cookout? I’ve got you covered with this handy guide.

Cookout Essentials

When hosting a BBQ, there are 4 essentials:

1. An amazing homemade BBQ sauce.
2. Napkins. Lots of napkins. Especially if ribs are involved.
3. Wine. Here are 7 bottles that pair perfectly with barbecue.
4. And, of course, some really stellar side dishes.

But, what are some good sides for a BBQ?

From classics such as mac & cheese and potato salad to healthier options such as vinegar coleslaw (my personal favorite) and zucchini fries, there are so many options.

Sides for BBQ

Whether you’re serving BBQ chicken, brisket, burgers, hot dogs, or brats, you’re going to need to add a couple side dishes.

So, let’s dig in!

Here are 35+ AMAZING side dishes to serve with barbecue.

BEST Barbecue Sides

Red Cabbage Slaw is a super simple side dish recipe made without mayo. It’s tangy, delicious and crunchy. 

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This delicious warm German Potato Salad combines tender potatoes with a warm bacon-mustard vinaigrette dressing. It’s tangy, creamy and the perfect side dish for the summer grilling season. 

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Learn how to make the BEST Instant Pot Corn on the Cob. This pressure cooker corn on the cob recipe uses a simple, secret ingredient to guarantee that your corn is sweet, tender and delicious! 

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Instant Pot pinto beans are easy to make and taste so much better than the canned version! Perfect for meal prep or as a side dish to your favorite tacos, salads, or protein bowls, these beans can be ready in under an hour with no soaking required.

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This Couscous Corn Salad puts a salad twist on Mexican Street Corn. Smoky grilled corn, a creamy cumin-lime dressing, and pearl couscous combine to create this delicious salad.

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These Blistered Shishito Peppers are the perfect finger food. They’re so easy to make too. Lightly seasoned and slightly smoky, you’ll find that most are mild… one out of every ten might surprise you. 

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This is the BEST Instant Pot Mac and Cheese! Made extra creamy with a secret ingredient plus delicious cheddar & parmesan cheese. It can be made in just 4 minutes with your electric pressure cooker.

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Air Fryer Zucchini Fries with Lemon Tarragon Aioli are perfect for snacking. Strips of zucchini, coated in panko cook up perfectly crispy in the air fryer. Dip them in an easy-to-prepare creamy aioli flavored with tarragon and lemon. 

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This Thai Cucumber Salad with Peanuts is crunchy, sweet & tangy. It's a refreshing salad that can be made ahead of time and is perfect for the warm summer months.

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Hawaiian Coleslaw with pineapple, cabbage, carrots, sesame seeds and a ginger-soy lime vinaigrette brings a tropical taste to traditional slaw.

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This Tomato Cucumber Salad features fresh cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and crisp red onion. Dressed in a tangy homemade red wine vinaigrette, every bite is bursting with refreshing Mediterranean flavors!

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This Arugula Salad recipe with red wine vinaigrette is my go-to green salad. The arugula has a peppery bite to it which pairs wonderfully with the acid in the vinaigrette. It’s the perfect salad for pairing with rich dishes.

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How to cook perfect asparagus sous vide. Bright green, perfectly cooked spears. With three options for flavoring – garlic, parmesan or lemon.

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This Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad with Mustard and Parmesan is tossed in a light red wine vinaigrette and makes a delicious, crunchy side dish.

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Roasted Sweet Potatoes are a salty, crispy, savory, and slightly sweet side dish you can pair with almost anything! Lightly spiced and so simple, this easy recipe is a total crowd pleaser and a must-have for weeknight dinners.

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This fresh and tangy Peach Caprese Salad features sweet peaches, creamy burrata cheese, and juicy tomatoes. A perfect blend of summery flavors, this simple yet delicious salad is the ideal late summer side dish!

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This Zucchini Pasta Salad recipe may be the best I've tried to date! Packed with sauteed zucchini, loads of parmesan cheese, fresh dill and crunchy walnuts.

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Upgrade your summer dinners with Sous Vide Corn on the Cob! Slowly cooking corn and butter in a vacuum-sealed bag in a water bath results in tender, extra-juicy, and super-sweet kernels. It’s the best side dish for weeknights, barbecues, and Southern seafood boils!

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This Cherry Tomato Salad with Roasted Lemons is the perfect side dish. Sweet tomatoes combine with a tangy vinaigrette and delicious roasted lemons. 

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Crispy parmesan Green Bean Fries are baked in the oven for a healthy, delicious treat. Served up with three dipping sauces – green goddess, honey mustard & creamy sriracha. A secret ingredient makes them extra delicious! Air Fryer directions included. 

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Baked Potato Bar

This Baked Potato Bar is perfect for any occasion, including parties, potlucks, and tailgating events! The topping ideas are endless, and each guest will love customizing their own potato.

Crispy Smashed Buffalo Potatoes are crazy good! Crispy smashed potatoes are topped with vinegary, spicy buffalo sauce and creamy blue cheese dressing.

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These Baked Tortilla Chips are made using store-bought corn tortillas. Just cut them into wedges, season them with Mexican spices, spray with oil and bake for a perfectly crispy, dippable chip!

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One bite of the viral Jennifer Aniston Quinoa Salad and you’ll be hooked! It was the actress’ top choice for lunch during her time on Friends for good reason – it’s easy to make, loaded with healthy grains and veggies, and perfect for meal prep.

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This Fennel and Chickpea Salad is tossed in a light citrus vinaigrette & topped with parmesan. It’s the perfect make-ahead salad for potlucks or lunches.

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This Chickpeas and Avocado Salad has all the traditional elements of a great guacamole and makes a healthy, protein and fiber-filled dish that’s perfect for lunch or dinner. Plus, it comes together easily in just 10 minutes!

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This Kale Caesar Salad is topped with crispy homemade croutons and parmesan cheese. Massaging the creamy garlic dressing into the kale makes it extra tender and delicious.

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This is the BEST Beer Chili recipe! A hearty one-pot chili with beans that’s rich, spicy and perfect for game day.

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These are the BEST Glazed Carrots – Lightly sweetened, delicately seasoned, and perfectly glazed. These carrots make an amazing side dish that both kids and adults can’t get enough of!

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Enjoy this cold Cucumber Soup as a refreshing summer appetizer or side dish. Made with garlic, jalapeno, yogurt, and olive oil, this easy recipe blends up in seconds and has playful and savory flavors.

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This copycat Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad is bursting with flavor. Beautifully marinated cucumbers drizzled in chili oil is an outstanding vegetarian appetizer you can enjoy for any special occasion!

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Baked Beans

These are the BEST Baked Beans! Brown sugar and bacon make this baked beans recipe extra delicious. 

This Fennel Celery Salad comes together quickly and has such a delicious light lemon-parmesan vinaigrette and wonderful crunch. It's the perfect side salad for rich and hearty dishes like pasta or braised short ribs.  

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This Israeli Couscous Tabbouleh Salad combines pearl couscous with tomatoes, cucumbers, fresh herbs and a light citrus dressing.

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Say bye bye to basic potato salad. This Grilled Potato Salad combines smoky grilled potatoes with a delicious tangy mustard dressing that’s loaded with fresh herbs and salty capers. It’s delicious! 

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What are the most popular BBQ sides?

5 most popular BBQ sides:

1. Vinegar Coleslaw
2. Tomato Cucumber Salad 
3. Potato Salad
4. Mac and Cheese
5. Baked Beans

What food goes well with hamburgers and hotdogs?

5 favorite sides to serve with burgers, hot dogs and brats are:

1. Instant Pot Pinto Beans
2. Hawaiian Coleslaw
3. Green Bean Fries
4. Summer Pasta Salad
5. Shishito Peppers

What Sides go with BBQ Ribs?

5 favorite side dishes to serve with BBQ ribs are:

1. Vinegar Coleslaw
2. Baked Beans
3. Grilled Potato Salad
4. Mac and Cheese
5. Corn on the Cob

What should I bring to a potluck BBQ?

For a potluck, you should choose dishes that don’t need to be refrigerated. Here are some favorites:

1. Vinegar Coleslaw – because there’s no mayo, it’s safe to set out
2. Baked Potato Bar – everyone can customize their own potato
3. German Potato Salad – vinegar based instead of mayo, so it doesn’t need refrigeration
4. Summer Pasta Salad – a total crowd pleaser

More Side Dish Recipes:

• Potato Side Dishes
• Sides for Philly Cheesesteaks
• Sides for Beef Brisket
• Healthy Sides for Burgers
• Sides for Burgers
• Sides for Ribs
• Sides for Pulled Pork

Did you Make Any of These BBQ Side Dishes?

Please leave a comment and rating below, if you loved this round up of sides for BBQ. Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

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35+ EASY BBQ Sides

Over 35+ EASY side dishes for barbecue – including vegetable side dishes, slaws, potatoes, salads, and more. One of my favorite recipes is this Tomato Cucumber Salad.

5 from 3 votes

Print Pin

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 people

Created by Platings and Pairings

1x2x3x

Ingredients

• 1 english cucumber
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 1/2 red onion (sliced in half-rounds)
• 1 Tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped)

Dressing:

• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic (finely grated or minced)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

• Halve the cucumber and scoop out the seeds with a spoon. Slice the cucumber into ¼ inch thick half moons.
• Place the cucumber, tomatoes, red onion and parsley in a large bowl.
• For the vinaigrette, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, garlic, oregano, mustard, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
• Pour the vinaigrette over the vegetables. Set aside for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend. Serve at room temperature.

35+ EASY Sides for BBQ

Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

Equipment

Knife

Large Bowl

Cutting Board

Nutrition

Calories: 135kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Sodium: 404mg | Potassium: 271mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 495IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1mg