Summer Cookout Sides

Summer cookouts are the highlight of the season, bringing together family, friends, and, of course, mouthwatering food. And having the best summer cookout sides? Well that’s just a requirement.

Choosing the right summer side dishes is essential for any gathering, big or small. They help complement the main dishes and add variety to the meal. From fresh salads to delightful dessert dips, these easy summer sides will make your BBQ unforgettable.

old fashioned macaroni salad recipe ready to serve up to a crowd party platter for holiday season

Here are the Best Classic Summer Sides

Let’s start the list with classic cookout food sides. These are the yummy summer side dish recipes that everyone expects to be ready for scooping on the plate. They go with everything from chicken sandwiches to hot dogs to burgers.

Baked Beans: Baked beans are a classic side dish for summer cookouts. They pair well with grilled meats and add a tasty flavor. The combination of tender beans, smoky bacon, and sweet molasses creates a depth of flavor everyone loves.

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Make it your own: To make classic baked beans, start by sautéing diced onions and bacon until the onions are soft and the bacon is crispy. Then, mix in canned beans, ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, mustard, and a splash of apple cider vinegar. Bake in the oven until the sauce thickens and the flavors meld together beautifully.

You can make this dish ahead of time and reheat it, making it a convenient option for busy hosts. Whether served as a side or scooped onto a burger, baked beans are a hearty, comforting addition to your summer cookout menu.

Coleslaw: Coleslaw is a must-have at any summer cookout. It brings a cool, crunchy contrast to the smoky flavors of grilled meats. This classic side dish is made with shredded cabbage and carrots mixed with a creamy dressing.

Try our recipes:

Classic homemade coleslaw
Salsa Coleslaw
Hawaiian Coleslaw with crushed pineapple

The dressing can be unique but usually includes mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, and a little Dijon mustard for extra flavor.

To elevate your coleslaw, add some fresh herbs like chopped parsley or dill for a burst of flavor. You can also mix in a bit of red cabbage for a pop of color or sliced apples for a hint of sweetness. For a lighter choice, use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise. It still has a creamy texture but fewer calories.

Corn on the Cob: Nothing says side items for a cookout like fresh corn. Grilled corn on the cob is a must-have for any summer cookout. The smoky char from the grill enhances the corn’s natural sweetness, making it a mouthwatering side dish.

But the cobbs do not have to be made on the grill if that is busy. It’s so easy to make instant pot corn on the cob or simply microwave corn on the cob!

Make your own: You can also spread a creamy mix of mayonnaise, cotija cheese, and lime, which will give it a tasty Mexican-style flavor, often called Mexican Street Corn. You can serve this side plain or dressed up, depending on your guests’ preferences.

Classic Potato Salad: No summer cookout is complete without a hearty classic potato salad. This side dish is a staple at BBQs, offering a creamy and satisfying contrast to the smoky flavors of grilled meats.

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Make it yourself: Boil potatoes until tender and mix with mayonnaise, mustard, chopped pickles, and hard-boiled eggs. Season with salt, pepper, and a dash of paprika for a kick. This salad has a comforting, nostalgic taste that pairs well with almost any grilled dish, making it a great addition to your summer cookout.

Fresh summer side salads—When the temperatures rise, vibrant summer vegetable salads are ideal for cooling off. Incorporating light summer flavors is a good plan, and they go well with heavy meats and hot dogs. Our favorite side dish recipes featuring salads that make the best cookout sides.

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Pasta Salads

Try our recipes:

Hidden Valley Ranch Pasta Salad
Pea Pasta Salad
Tri Color Pasta Salad
Ham and Corn Pasta Salad
Pesto Bow Tie Pasta Salad

Italian Pasta Salad is a favorite: Italian pasta salad is a colorful and zesty option with a Mediterranean flair to your cookout. Start with cooked rotini or penne pasta, then add cherry tomatoes, black olives, bell peppers, and red onions.

Make it yourself: Toss with Italian dressing and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Add artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, or even a handful of fresh basil for extra flavor. This salad is delicious and visually appealing, adding a vibrant touch to your summer table.

Creamy Macaroni Salad: Creamy macaroni salad is one of those summer side dishes for a crowd! This classic recipe never disappoints. Its smooth, rich texture makes it a comforting side that pairs well with everything from burgers to ribs.

Try our recipes:

Old Fashioned Macaroni Salad
Grandma’s Macaroni Salad
Vegetable Macaroni Salad

Make it yourself: Cook elbow macaroni until firm but tender. Then mix it with mayonnaise, sour cream, and a little vinegar for a tangy flavor. This is one of the best summer side dishes because you can get creative without too much direction.

Customize your salad by adding diced celery, onions, and shredded carrots. For a unique twist, mix in some crumbled bacon or chopped pickles. This crowd-pleaser salad adds a creamy balance to the bold flavors of your BBQ mains.

Summertime Side Dishes Featuring Fruit

Undoubtedly, one of the favorite summer fresh side dishes that always steal the show starts with fruit. Typically, everyone brings cookout dishes with veggies as the main character, but your bowl will be empty if you deliver the fruit.

Now, I know that fruit can be pricy, and that is why, while it’s definitely one of the best cookout side dishes, it’s not always the most common. Some fruits, like watermelon, are pretty easy to prepare and purchase in large quantities, and others, like anything in the berry family, take more prep.

Try our fruit salad recipes

Try our fluff salad recipes

These recipes incorporate fruit and fluff, and often have a marshmallow or whipped cream base, making them more of a dessert side.

One way to really personalize the portions so everyone gets a taste is to use charcuterie cups. But fresh fruit salads and fruit salad fluffs are extremely popular because they are just so good.

BBQ Appetizers and Sides

Of course there are many more easy side dish dishes to be found that do not go under a specific category, so here are the rest that we suggest for the best, most delicious, most perfect BBQ you can think of. Remember – a get together is nothing without the sides. They are in charge of the leftovers we all eat!

Now that the list is done, I hope you have found something perfect!

Make sure to head over and scroll through all our side dish, dip, and appetizer recipes to find more great cookout sides for your next party. Thank you for visiting and please follow Lipom on Pinterest for great recipes in your feed.