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25+ Healthy Barbecue Sides

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Posted by:

Erin Lynch

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Updated:

March 19, 2025

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Looking for some healthy BBQ side dishes? Wondering what some good sides to bring to a cookout are? I’ve got you covered with this handy guide.

Collage of healthy bbq side dishes with text overlay.

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Healthy Barbecue Side Dishes

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Red Cabbage Coleslaw (No Mayo)
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German Potato Salad
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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Upgrade your summer dinners with Buttery 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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Instant Pot Pinto Beans
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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Traeger Grilled Asparagus
Learn how to smoke asparagus on a Traeger or pellet grill/smoker! This Traeger Asparagus recipe is foolproof and yields tender-crisp, delightfully smoky asparagus every time.
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Grilled Bell Peppers
Learn how to make perfectly tender and blistered Grilled Bell Peppers at home! It’s one of the best and easiest side dishes you can add to burrito bowls, fajitas, or pair with grilled meats.
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Apple Celery Root Slaw
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Pepperonata
Pepperonata is a classic Italian sauce made from bell peppers, tomatoes, and aromatics. It’s easy to make in one skillet and has mouthwatering flavors, making it a wonderful pairing for sandwiches, pizzas, omelets, pasta, grilled meats, and more!
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Thai Cucumber Salad with Peanuts
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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 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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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 Israeli Couscous Tabbouleh Salad recipe combines pearl couscous with tomatoes, cucumber, fresh herbs and a light citrus dressing. It's a perfect make-ahead salad recipe! | platingsandpairings.com
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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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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 Healthy BBQ Side Dishes?

Please leave a comment and rating below, if you loved this round up of healthy BBQ Sides. 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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Full Recipe

25+ Healthy Sides for BBQ

Looking for some healthy BBQ side dishes? Wondering what some good sides to bring to a cookout are? I've got you covered with this handy guide. Try this Apple Celery Root Slaw. It's an exciting twist on your basic coleslaw.
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Serves 6 servings
Created by Platings and Pairings
Prep Time: 30 minutes mins
Cook Time: 0 minutes mins
Total Time: 30 minutes mins

Ingredients

Pickled Onions

  • 1 medium red onion (cut in half and thinly sliced)
  • 3 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 Tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup canola oil

Apple Slaw

  • 2 apples (granny smith or other apple of your choosing, julienned )
  • 1 large celery root (about 1 lb., peeled and grated or julienned )
  • 1 jalapeno (seeded and minced)
  • 1/2 cup cilantro leaves (chopped)
  • 1/4 cup lime juice
  • 2 teaspoons poppy seeds

Instructions

  • Place the vinegar, sugar and 1 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl and add thinly sliced red onion. Massage the onions until well coated with the vinegar mixture. Add oil and set aside for at least 30 minutes.
  • Place the apples and celery root in a large bowl and coat with lime juice to prevent browning. Add the onions and their marinade, minced jalapeno, and cilantro. Toss to combine and top with poppy seeds.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 245kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 5mg | Potassium: 235mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 380IU | Vitamin C: 18.1mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 0.4mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!
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Hi, I’m Erin!

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