The Best Summer BBQ Side Dishes

No barbecue feast is complete without a spread of side dishes. Here’s a round-up of our favorite BBQ side dish recipes from mac and cheese and coleslaw to salad and vegetables.

This collection of make-ahead, traditional summer side dish dishes for BBQ includes all of the old standbys. While it’s great to flaunt your delightfully imaginative culinary inventions, sometimes it’s wise to stick to the classics that you know everyone will enjoy.

When you think of barbecue you probably think of Pulled Pork, Smoked Brisket, or other meat. But what really elevates a cookout from good to great is the sides. Some sweet Kansas City ribs pair perfectly with a crisp and tangy coleslaw. Your perfectly cooked beef will taste even better alongside creamy macaroni and cheese. We’ve even got a healthy assortment of veggies and greens to make mom happy.

I’ll be serving these BBQ side dishes at my dining table for the summer, and I hope you will as well. Dig in!

Coleslaw Recipes

Easy No Mayo Coleslaw

A super simple mayo free coleslaw made with shredded cabbage, sliced carrots and onions, salt and pepper, cumin and apple cider vinegar. Easy and delicious, with no mayo.

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Grilled Pineapple Coleslaw with Citrus Vinaigrette

Grilled Pineapple Coleslaw is an easy and delicious summer side dish and also a fantastic topping for pulled pork or chicken sliders.

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Smoked Pickled Onion Coleslaw Recipe

This no mayo coleslaw is made with smoked pickled onions and is fantastic loaded onto pulled pork or chicken sandwiches or as a great side dish for your next backyard BBQ. Fresh and completely mayo free!

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Salad Recipes

Watermelon Salad with Basil and White Balsamic Vinegar

A simple, delicious, and savory watermelon salad tossed with basil and white balsamic vinegar.

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Cucumber Salad Recipe with Creamy Dill Dressing

White wine vinegar, dill, and Greek yogurt sauce balanced by fresh English cucumbers, red onions and peppers.

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Black Bean Salad Recipe With Lime and Pepper Dressing

The perfect BBQ side dish that can double as a relish and topping for a variety of dishes.

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Grilled Romaine Caesar Salad Recipe

A simple and delicious grilled romaine Caesar salad elevated with some smoky crispy pancetta (or bacon), grilled lemon, and grilled baguette slices to sub for croutons, and instructions on how to grill romaine lettuce.

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Cold Sausage Lentil Salad

A delicious and refreshing cold lentil salad with smoked sausage that can be served cold or hot. 

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Grilled Beet Salad with Rosé Infused Cranberries and Bacon

Beets are incredible cooked on the grill, and even better topped with rosé wine infused cranberries and smoked bacon. This will be your favorite salad all summer long! 

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Grilled Romaine Lettuce with Tomatoes and Basil

How to grill romaine lettuce, along with an easy tomato basil and balsamic topping.

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Macaroni + Cheese Recipes

Smoked Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese Recipe

Creamy smoked butternut squash puree mixed with smoked chicken, bacon, and cheese for a creamy and flavorful mac and cheese.

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Smoked Tri Tip Mac and Cheese

Smoked Tri Tip Mac and Cheese is made with perfectly smoked and tender tri tip, mixed with an ultra creamy cheese sauce and cooked on the grill.

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Grilled Mac and Cheese with Bacon and Chicken

Creamy cheese, crispy bacon, grilled chicken, and classic macaroni cooked on the grill.

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Vegetable Side Dishes

Grilled Vegetables

A medley of grilled vegetables perfect for a grilled vegetable grazing platter.

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Grilled Corn on the Cob Recipe with Compound Butter

This easy recipe is a great option and a summer staple as a side dish. Grilling the corn in the husk is a great way to get moist corn and a blackened husk for the perfect summer corn recipe.

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Grilled Brussels Sprouts Recipe With Bacon and Balsamic

Grilled Brussels Sprouts are the ultimate vegetable side dish! When you add bacon and balsamic to your Brussels this grilled side dish is over-the-top. 

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Grilled and Glazed Carrots Recipe

Grilled Carrots with a Honey Brown Sugar Glaze are a fantastic side dish to any holiday or casual meal. Perfect side dish for Easter or Christmas dinner or summer grilling season.  

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Grilled Shishito Peppers with Yogurt Dipping Sauce

Grilled or blistered shishito peppers with a cooling dipping sauce perfect for an appetizer bite.

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Grilled Green Beans with Grilled Lemon

Grilling green beans makes for an easy side to make on the grill. Add grilled lemon for an added twist of flavor.

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Smoked BBQ Baked Beans

Easy barbecued baked beans that are comforting, slightly sweet, mildly smoky, rich, meaty, and totally indulgent.

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Grilled Broccolini with Grilled Lemon and Parmesan

Grilled Broccolini is tender and delicious and grills fast and easy. Broccolini is so much better than broccoli on the grill and may just become your new go-to side dish for summer cookouts or holiday dinners!

Full Recipe

Thank you for being part of our community. If you make any of our dishes we’d love to see them on social media using the hashtag #vindulge and give it a 5 star review.

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