30 Simple BBQ Side Dishes to Complete Your Summer Cookout

No BBQ is complete without tasty sides to complement the main event. These 30 simple BBQ side dishes bring fresh, flavorful options that pair perfectly with grilled favorites. From salads to veggies and beyond, these sides are sure to round out your summer meal.

Smoked Baked Beans Recipe

Baked beans are perfect for any occasion, whether it’s an impromptu cookout, a backyard party or a casual family dinner. This Smoked Baked Beans Recipe will add a whole new level of flavor and complexity to your meal that you can’t achieve with traditional baking methods. Get the recipe

Irresistible Grilled Volcano Potatoes

If you’re ready to take your grilled sides to the next level, you have to try these Irresistible Grilled Volcano Potatoes. Picture tender baked potatoes wrapped in smoky bacon, stuffed with a cheesy pulled pork filling, and finished off with a bubbling, golden glaze from the grill. Get the recipe

Smoked Cauliflower

This Smoked Cauliflower head is rubbed with a flavorful blend of seasonings and placed on the smoker or BBQ to get soft and tender while soaking up the smoky goodness. Get the recipe

Smoked Shotgun Shells

Smoked Shotgun Shells are the perfect BBQ treat, featuring manicotti tubes stuffed with a savory mixture of ground beef and cheese, wrapped in crispy bacon, and glazed with BBQ sauce. Get the recipe

Classic Potato Salad

This Classic Potato Salad is made with tender potatoes, eggs, celery, and pickles, with a creamy mayonnaise dressing and one simple secret ingredient that really elevates the flavor. Get the recipe

Grilled Chili Crunch Eggplant

Eggplant takes center stage in this Grilled Chili Crunch Eggplant recipe, offering a smoky, tender bite with a spicy kick. Perfectly grilled eggplant slices are elevated with a drizzle of chili crunch, creating a dish that’s rich in flavor and texture. Get the recipe

Easy Grilled Asparagus

These Grilled Asparagus spears feature subtle hints of garlic, Parmesan, and lemon zest, making for a vibrant and perfectly tender-crisp side dish. Get the recipe

Best Broccoli Salad Recipe

This Broccoli Salad combines fresh broccoli, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and bacon bits in a creamy homemade dressing. Get the recipe

Iced Strawberry Green Tea Lemonade

This strawberry green tea lemonade is the perfect mix of sweet and sour, with a fresh green tea base – a combination that’s perfect for spring and summer drinks. Putting a pitcher of this on the table at a summer BBQ would make you the most popular person there! Get the recipe

Creamy & Spicy Chipotle Coleslaw

This Chipotle Coleslaw incorporates chipotles peppers and adobo sauce to add smoky heat to a summer side dish favorite. Kick your coleslaw up a notch with this creamy, spicy dressing. Get the recipe

BBQ Chicken Macaroni Salad

This BBQ Chicken Macaroni Salad is a great twist on a classic that combines tender macaroni with a medley of vegetables, tender chicken, and a tangy BBQ sauce and mayonnaise-based dressing. Get the recipe

Easy Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches

Combine two of your favorite desserts into one delicious treat with these Homemade Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches, made with boxed or homemade brownies and your favorite ice cream. Get the recipe

Instant Pot Baked Beans Recipe

There’s no need to pre-soak the beans in this recipe. Combine Instant Pot cooked beans with bacon, onion and spices to make irresistible sweet and smokey beans. Get the recipe

Churros Rice Krispies Treats

If you love the crispy, gooey goodness of traditional Rice Krispies treats and the sweet, cinnamon-sugar flavor of churros, then you’re in for a real treat! Churros Rice Krispies Treats combine the best of both worlds: crispy cereal squares coated in a buttery marshmallow mixture, then dusted with cinnamon sugar for that iconic churro taste. Get the recipe

Salt & Pepper Chicken Wings

Salt and pepper chicken wings keep it simple—but don’t mistake that for boring. These wings are all about crispy texture and clean, bold flavor. With just a handful of ingredients, they deliver that classic crunch and a savory, peppery finish that makes them totally addictive. Get the recipe

The Best Smoked Mac and Cheese

This Smoked Mac and Cheese is loaded with cheese and incredibly creamy, but with a signature smoked flavor that makes it absolutely irresistible. Get the Recipe

Grilled Mexican Street Corn (Elote)

A classic Grilled Mexican Street Corn or Elote is charred on the grill, then slathered in mayo, and topped with tangy Cotija cheese, chili powder and cilantro. It’s like corn on the cob packed with joy and happiness. Get the recipe

Sugar Cookie Fruit Cups

If you’re looking for a dessert that feels summery, looks impressive, and doesn’t require a ton of work, sugar cookie fruit cups check all the boxes. They’re bright, sweet, and bite-sized, with a buttery cookie base, a creamy filling, and fresh fruit on top. Get the recipe

BBQ Grilled Cauliflower Skewers

Make something different for dinner with these fun BBQ Grilled Cauliflower Skewers (aka cauliflower kebabs) that can be served as an appetizer or vegetarian main dish. It’s a quick and easy recipe that is done in under 30-minutes. Get the recipe

Easy Smores Bars Recipe

This delicious Smores Bars Recipe is a perfect way to enjoy the classic campfire treat. The gooey and sweet dessert features a crunchy graham cracker base and a rich chocolate topping made from melted chocolate chips and marshmallows. Get the recipe

Instant Pot Peach Iced Tea

You can make a batch of this Instant Pot Peach Iced Tea in just 15 minutes and it won’t heat up your kitchen like it does on the stovetop or have to sit outside for hours in the sun.  For Labor Day a glass of chilled peach iced tea is the perfect beverage to cool you down. Get the recipe

Grilled Chili Crunch Zucchini

Grilled Chili Crunch Zucchini are sliced and grilled to perfection, giving them a smoky char, and then topped with a spicy chili crunch that adds a satisfying kick. This dish is an ideal balance of texture and taste, making it a standout addition to any meal. Get the recipe

Fruit Pizza Summer Appetizer with Rice Krispie Crust

Bring a burst of color and sweetness to your next summer gathering with this Fruit Pizza Summer Appetizer! Instead of a traditional cookie crust, this recipe uses a chewy, buttery Rice Krispies Treat base that’s topped with whipped cream cheese frosting and fresh, vibrant fruit.  Get the recipe

Smoked Armadillo Eggs

These Smoked Armadillo Eggs are jalapeno poppers with a creamy, cheesy center, encased in sausage meat, then rolled in bacon and smoked to soak up all that classic wood flavor. Get the recipe

Grilled Steak Skewers

Bite‑sized cubes of steak threaded with peppers and onions grill up fast for a no‑fuss, charred snack or entrée. Ideal for feeding a hungry crowd—quick to grill and easy to serve. Get the recipe

Delicious Scotcheroos Bars

These easy No-Bake Scotcheroos are rich and decadent, with a thick chocolate topping and peanut butter and butterscotch flavor. Looking for something with chocolate, peanut butter, and butterscotch? These truly are the perfect trifecta of all your favorite things. Get the recipe

Simple Banana Split Dessert Skewers

These Banana Split Dessert Skewers bring all the flavors of the beloved ice cream sundae into a fun, portable, and easy-to-make snack that’s perfect for parties, summer gatherings, or anytime you want a sweet treat without the mess. Get the recipe

Classic Macaroni Salad

This Classic Macaroni Salad combines tender macaroni with a medley of vegetables, eggs, and a tangy mayonnaise-based dressing to make the perfect side dish for your outdoor cookout or picnic. Get the recipe

Easy No-Bake Oreo Cheesecake

Who could resist this decadent, rich, silky No-Bake Oreo cheesecake, with none of the bake time? It’s a no-brainer, especially for summertime when no-bake is a must. Any Oreo lover and fans of cookies and cream will love this dessert. It has a decadent Oreo-cookie crust with a rich and creamy cheesecake base with crumbled cookies mixed in. Get the recipe