This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
These BBQ side dishes are simple, fresh, and easy to make. Whether you’re hosting or bringing something to share, thes sides go with everything and require little effort. No mayo-heavy dishes, nothing complicated, just real food that tastes good and feeds a crowd.
Whenever we grill, I try to keep the sides easy but still good enough for everyone to actually eat them. I don’t like overcomplicating things, so I stick to a few fresh salads, something hearty, and a couple of quick options I can throw together without any hassle. It makes the whole meal feel complete without spending all day in the kitchen.
Every recipe in this roundup is one I have actually made and served at a real BBQ. Some of them my kids request by name. A few of them I have brought to parties and been asked for the recipe on the spot. These are the ones worth making.
How to Build the Perfect BBQ Spread
A good BBQ get-together doesn’t need a huge and complicated menu. Just mix a few different types of sides:
Go for something fresh like a salad or coleslaw
Something hearty like potatoes, pasta, or grains
Try something light and crunchy, like salsa and chips
A dip or something fun to snack on
From Fresh salads, creamy pasta dishes, and hearty potato sides; these are the BBQ sides that disappear first every single time.
I tried to keep this list varied so there is something for everyone. Whether you are feeding meat lovers, vegetarians, picky kids, or a mix of all three, you will find at least a few here that will work for your crowd.
The Salads
Fresh salads are the backbone of any good BBQ spread. They are light, easy to make ahead, and they balance out the richness of grilled meats perfectly. Here are my favorites.
5 from 16 votes
Cucumber and Tomato Salad
This is one of the most requested sides I make all summer. Crisp cucumbers, juicy cherry tomatoes, and a simple balsamic dressing that ties it all together in under 15 minutes. No cooking, no fuss, and it pairs well with literally everything coming off the grill.
The famous Jennifer Aniston Salad is a hearty, flavorful salad recipe made with a base of quinoa and chickpeas, and loaded with cucumber, red onion, fresh herbs, tangy feta, chopped pistachios, and tossed in a simple lemon vinaigrette.
Fresh corn, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, feta, and a lemon garlic vinaigrette that is so good you will want to put it on everything. This one is a total crowd pleaser and can be made a day ahead which is always a bonus when you are prepping for a big cookout.
Classic coleslaw but made with Greek yogurt instead of mayo. It is creamy, tangy, and so much lighter than the original. My kids love it and I love that it holds up well in the heat, which is everything when you are eating outside.
Thinly sliced English cucumbers and red onion in a homemade Italian dressing with white wine vinegar, olive oil, honey, and garlic. It is light, tangy, and a perfect palate cleanser between bites of rich grilled food. Takes about 10 minutes and can be made ahead.
This watermelon feta salad is something I bring to every summer cookout, and it’s always the first bowl to empty. Sweet watermelon, salty feta, fresh mint and basil, and a squeeze of lime. No cooking, no fuss, ready in 15 minutes.
If you love a Greek-style salad, this one is for you. Crisp cucumbers, ripe tomatoes, crumbled feta, and a simple lemon garlic dressing. Light, refreshing, and ready in 15 minutes.
Switch up your classic cucumber salad by making this Cucumber Avocado Salad with added feta cheese. It is a simple and delicious salad made with fresh ingredients and tossed in with an easy homemade dressing.
Cold pasta salads are perfect for BBQ. Make them ahead, keep them in the fridge, and pull them out when everyone is ready to eat. These are the ones I make mostly.
5 from 1 vote
Greek Pasta Salad
Whole wheat pasta, fresh veggies, kalamata olives, feta, and a homemade Greek vinaigrette. This one is so full of flavor and comes together in about 15 minutes. It doubles easily too, which is something you definitely want to keep in mind when you are feeding a big crowd.
This is my go-to macaroni salad and it is made with Greek yogurt instead of mayo so it is lighter but still perfectly creamy. Whole wheat pasta, crunchy veggies, and a tangy dressing that gets better as it chills. Make it a few hours ahead for the best results.
Pasta, arugula, olives, artichokes, tomatoes, and parmesan tossed in a lemon herb vinaigrette. This one feels a little more elevated than a standard pasta salad and is always a big hit at parties and potlucks.
If you want a pasta salad that works as a side AND a main, this is it. Marinated chicken, pasta, fresh veggies, olives, and feta in a simple balsamic dressing. Hearty enough to fill people up on its own, but still light enough to sit alongside everything else on the table.
No BBQ spread is complete without something vegetable-based. Here are the ones that always go down well.
5 from 3 votes
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Roasted Sweet Potatoes are a kitchen staple and a go-to side dish. In this recipe, slices of sweet potato are seasoned with honey and rosemary and oven-roasted until caramelized and tender.
Simple, colorful, and so good. Baby potatoes, carrots, zucchini, and bell pepper tossed in olive oil, garlic, and Italian seasoning, then roasted until golden. These work just as well at room temperature as they do hot, which makes them great for outdoor eating.
Butternut squash, parsnips, and Brussels sprouts roasted with a whole grain mustard sauce. This one is a little heartier and works really well alongside grilled chicken or steak. A great option if you want something beyond the usual potato salad.
Fun dips and salsas that should make it to your summer gathering
5 from 1 vote
Mango Salsa
Easy and delicious salsa made with ripe mangos and other simple ingredients. Perfect as an appetizer served with chips or great to serve over grilled meats.
Bright and refreshing Strawberry Salsa is perfect for dipping chips or adding to salads, tacos, fish, or chicken! It takes 15 minutes to make and is a great appetizer or topping!
This Avocado Salsa fresh and easy to make. Made with diced cherry tomatoes, red onion, and ripe avocados with zesty lime juice, cilantro, and a hint of jalapeño heat. This simple yet flavorful salsa is perfect to serve with tortilla chips, tacos, or grilled meats.
A few things I have learned from feeding a lot of people at a lot of cookouts:
Make ahead whenever you can. Most cold salads and pasta dishes taste even better after a few hours in the fridge. Get as much done the day before as possible so you are not super stressed the day of.
Offer a mix of textures. You want something creamy, something crunchy, and something fresh on the table. That balance makes the whole spread feel more complete.
Keep it cold. If you are eating outside in the heat, place salad bowls inside a larger bowl of ice to keep things cool. This is especially important for anything with yogurt or mayo in the dressing.
Double the recipes. When in doubt, make more. People always go back for seconds on the sides, especially the salads and pasta dishes.
I hope this list gives you plenty of ideas for your next cookout! Whether you are making one or two of these or building a whole spread, any of these sides will make your BBQ table look and taste amazing.
If you make any of these recipes, leave a comment below and let me know which one was the hit of the party! And tag me on Instagram so I can see your spread. ♡ Happy grilling!
About Rena Awada
Hi, I’m Rena! Welcome to my blog. I am here to help you prepare delicious, light, fresh meals that your whole family will love!
