17 Easy BBQ Side Dishes for Your Next Cookout

Summer is here, and you know what that means: time to fire up the grill and gather with friends and family for some delicious BBQ! This collection of the best BBQ side dishes is your one-stop shop for sides that are guaranteed to impress. From creamy, cheesy casseroles to refreshing salads and smoky baked beans, we’ve got something for everyone. Whether you’re a seasoned BBQ pro or a last-minute potluck hero, there’s a perfect side dish here waiting to be discovered.

Creamy Pesto BLT Pasta Salad

This Creamy Pesto BLT Pasta Salad is a total game-changer for BBQ season! It’s so easy to throw together – just cook some gluten-free pasta, toss in crispy bacon, sweet cherry tomatoes, and fresh greens. The result is super creamy pesto magic with a mayo twist. It’s light and refreshing for hot days, and everyone loves the BLT combo.  Get Creamy Pesto BLT Pasta Salad recipe.

Roasted Butternut Squash with Bacon and Pecans

This Roasted Butternut Squash with Bacon and Pecans is a total winner for BBQs! It’s sweet and smoky in the best way possible. Bacon + squash = amazing, but the cinnamon and chili powder kick it up a notch. Plus, the pecans add a nice crunch that goes perfectly with the tender squash. Get Roasted Butternut Squash with Bacon and Pecans recipe.

Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Gotta bring a crowd-pleaser to the next BBQ, and this Twice Baked Potato Casserole feels just right. It’s basically creamy mashed potatoes turned casserole magic, loaded with melty cheddar and crispy bacon bits. Made with Idaho potatoes and a touch of cream cheese, it’s both decadent and familiar, the perfect side to balance out all the grilled goodies. Get Twice Baked Potato Casserole recipe.

Easy Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

These Easy Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes are a game-changer for BBQs! They’re the perfect side dish to bring – creamy, cheesy, and totally crave-worthy. Yukon gold potatoes get layered with a sauce made from heavy cream, chicken stock, and melty cheddar, all kicked up with onions, garlic, and a hint of smoky paprika. Just pop them in the oven and in a bit, you’ll have a golden brown, bubbly, and ridiculously delicious dish ready to share with friends and family at your next cookout. Get Easy Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes recipe

Pimento Mac and Cheese

You gotta make this Pimento Mac and Cheese for your next BBQ! It’s like the perfect match for grilled stuff – creamy and cheesy, with a little kick from the pimentos. Plus, that crispy panko topping on top? So good. It’s easy to throw together too, just some cheddar, cream cheese, and spices mixed with the pasta, then baked until bubbly. Everyone will be raving about this side dish! Get Pimento Mac and Cheese recipe.

Loaded Smashed Potatoes

Gotta ditch the boring potato salad this BBQ season! These Loaded Smashed Potatoes are a total game-changer. Ranch seasoning gives the potatoes a delicious kick, while the cheddar cheese and bacon take things over the top. A dollop of sour cream and some chives finish it all off for a perfect balance of creamy, salty, and savory. Plus, they’re crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside – basically everything you want in a side dish. They’ll be gone in a flash, so make sure to make a double batch! Get Loaded Smashed Potatoes recipe.

Classic Coleslaw

Nothing says summer BBQ like a classic coleslaw! It’s the perfect match for grilled burgers, hot dogs, and anything else you throw on the grill. The creamy, tangy dressing with a hint of sweetness cuts through all that richness, and the crunchy cabbage keeps things interesting. This recipe uses both green and purple cabbage for a colorful touch, and the celery seeds and onion powder add a subtle depth of flavor that makes it way better than store-bought coleslaw. Get Classic Coleslaw recipe.

Three Bean Baked Beans

Gotta have these Three Bean Baked Beans at your next BBQ! They simmer in the Dutch oven all afternoon, filling the air with the most amazing smoky smell. Packed with three different beans, ground pork for some extra richness, and all the classic BBQ flavors – ketchup, brown sugar, you name it – they’re the perfect side dish to any grilled meat. Plus, they’re super hearty and comforting, just what you want for a backyard get-together. Get Three Bean Baked Beans recipe.

Cheesy Broccoli Rice

This Cheesy Broccoli Rice and BBQs are a match made in heaven! It’s way easier to throw together than potato salad, but still feels special with the creamy cheddar and fresh broccoli. Everyone loves a cheesy rice casserole, and this one always disappears at potlucks. Plus, it only takes a few minutes to whip up. Get Cheesy Broccoli Rice recipe.

Classic Southern Potato Salad

This Classic Southern Potato Salad always disappears in a flash at BBQs! It hits all the right notes – creamy, tangy, and with that perfect hint of smokiness. I love using Yukon gold potatoes for their melt-in-your-mouth texture, and the dressing with the mayo, mustard, and relish is killer. A sprinkle of paprika and vinegar just finishes it all off, making it a delicious and comforting side dish that feels like a taste of home. Get Classic Southern Potato Salad recipe.

The Best Gluten-Free Cornbread

This Gluten-Free Cornbread mixes cornmeal with gluten-free flour and creamed corn to make the most amazing cornbread – seriously, so moist and tender. And it gets even better! The outside gets this perfect golden brown crust, and the inside is fluffy like a cloud. It’s the perfect match for smoky grilled meats, and because it’s dairy-free, everyone at the BBQ can enjoy a piece without any worries. This recipe is definitely going in my regular rotation! Get The Best Gluten-Free Cornbread recipe.

Grilled Chicken Greek Pasta Salad

This Grilled Chicken Greek Pasta Salad is a lifesaver for summer BBQs! It’s so easy to throw together – 20 minutes prep and less than 20 minutes on the grill. Plus, it’s packed with flavor and perfect for a crowd. The best part? It’s not your average pasta salad. This one has chunks of juicy grilled chicken, briny black and green olives, and pops of sweetness from the banana peppers. Combined with the protein boost from the chickpeas and a light, tangy vinaigrette, it’s a side dish everyone will love! Get Grilled Chicken Greek Pasta Salad recipe.

BBQ Baked Beans

These Smoky Sweet Baked Beans are seriously easy to make, but turn out sooo good. Like, smoky, sweet, savory – all the delicious flavors in one pot. They’re the perfect BBQ side dish because the slow cooker does most of the work, leaving you free to focus on grilling or prepping other dishes. And the best part? Just a few ingredients and a couple hours in the oven, and you’ve got a crowd-pleasing side dish that’ll blow canned beans out of the water. Get BBQ Baked Beans recipe.

Easy Tropical Fruit Salad

Anyone else craving something refreshing for their next BBQ? This Easy Tropical Fruit Salad is my go-to for a potluck or backyard gathering. It’s seriously so easy to throw together (think like 10 minutes!), and everyone loves the sweet and tangy mix of fruit. Plus, it’s packed with vitamins and goodness, so you can feel good about indulging. Win-win! Just chop up your favorite tropical fruits, toss them in a bowl, and let it chill. Boom! Instant crowd-pleaser.  Get Easy Tropical Fruit Salad recipe.

Watermelon Feta Salad with Basil

Grilling takes forever in this heat, and nobody wants a heavy meal when the sun is beating down. That’s why this Watermelon Feta Salad with Basil is my go-to BBQ side dish! It’s cool and refreshing, with sweet watermelon chunks,salty feta cheese, and peppery basil. The dressing adds a little brightness with citrus and a surprising kick of spice from Ancho Chili Powder. It’s so easy to throw together and always a crowd-pleaser! Get Watermelon Feta Salad with Basil recipe.

Corn and Avocado Salad with Bacon

I love throwing this salad together for BBQs! It’s got everything you want in a side dish – sweet, savory, creamy, and crunchy. Plus, the smoky hint from the BBQ rub in the dressing perfectly complements all the grilled goodness going on.And the best part? It comes together in just a few minutes, so I can spend more time catching up with friends and family instead of slaving away in the kitchen. Get Corn and Avocado Salad with Bacon recipe.

Creamy Mac and Cheese

This ultra-creamy mac and cheese is a nostalgic nod to childhood, made with Velveeta and sharp cheddar for the perfect balance of melt and flavor. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a no-fuss, kid-approved comfort dish you’ll want to make again and again. Get Creamy Mac and Cheese recipe here.

Sweet BBQ Sauce

This Sweet BBQ Sauce is a smoky, tangy, and perfectly sweet upgrade to anything store-bought—made with simple, real ingredients in just minutes. Slather it on burgers, chicken, or veggies, and customize it to your taste for the ultimate grill companion. Get the Sweet BBQ Sauce here.

So, fire up the grill, grab a recipe (or two!), and get ready to transform your next BBQ into a legendary summer feast. After all, it’s all about creating delicious memories with friends and family, and these sides are guaranteed to be a hit.