The aroma of the grilled meat is already making your mouth water, but what about the side dishes to go with it?
Side dishes are just as important as the main course when it comes to BBQ parties. They add color, texture, and variety to your meal.
Plus, they make sure that your guests leave satisfied and happy.
If you are struggling to find new and exciting side dishes to go with your grilled meat, then you have come to the right place. Here are 41 BBQ side dishes that are bound to impress your guests.
41 BBQ Side Dishes
1. Classic Coleslaw
Crispy cabbage and carrots tossed in a tangy mayo dressing, perfect for adding a refreshing crunch to your barbecue feast.
2. Loaded Baked Potato Salad
Creamy mashed potatoes loaded with bacon, cheddar cheese, and green onions, giving a delightful twist to a traditional side dish.
3. Grilled Corn on the Cob
Juicy ears of corn, charred on the grill and brushed with butter and a sprinkle of salt, providing a smoky sweetness that’s hard to resist.
4. Caprese Skewers
Skewered cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil leaves drizzled with balsamic glaze, creating a burst of flavors that scream summertime.
5. Watermelon Feta Salad
A refreshing combination of juicy watermelon chunks, salty feta cheese, and mint leaves, creating a unique blend of sweetness and tanginess.
6. Garlic Parmesan Grilled Asparagus
Tender asparagus spears grilled to perfection and tossed with a generous sprinkle of garlic and Parmesan cheese, making it an irresistible side.
7. BBQ Baked Beans
Slow-cooked beans infused with smoky barbecue sauce, bacon, and spices, resulting in a rich and hearty side dish that complements any grilled meat.
8. Macaroni and Cheese
Creamy macaroni enveloped in a cheesy sauce and baked until golden and bubbling, providing the ultimate comfort food for barbecue gatherings.
9. Hawaiian Pasta Salad
A tropical twist on the classic pasta salad, featuring ham, pineapple, bell peppers, and a tangy dressing, transporting you straight to the islands.
10. Grilled Vegetable Skewers
Colorful skewers loaded with marinated vegetables, like zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms, offering a delicious and healthy option for veggie lovers.
11. Sweet Potato Fries
Crispy, oven-baked sweet potato fries seasoned with a blend of spices, offering a delightful balance of sweetness and savory flavors.
12. Caprese Pasta Salad
Tender pasta tossed with cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil leaves, and a zesty dressing, making it a light and refreshing side dish.
13. Creamy Cucumber Salad
Sliced cucumbers drenched in a creamy dressing with dill and a hint of garlic, providing a cool and refreshing contrast to the smoky flavors of barbecue.
14. Grilled Caesar Salad
Romaine lettuce grilled to perfection, drizzled with a tangy Caesar dressing, and topped with crunchy croutons, adding a smoky twist to a classic salad.
15. Smoky Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
Spicy jalapenos stuffed with cream cheese, wrapped in crispy bacon, and grilled until the cheese is melted and the bacon is crispy—a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
16. Tangy Vinegar Slaw
A tangy alternative to the classic coleslaw, made with shredded cabbage and dressed with a vinegar-based sauce that adds a zingy punch to any barbecue.
17. Quinoa Salad
A nutritious blend of cooked quinoa, colorful vegetables, and a zesty dressing, offering a protein-packed and gluten-free option for health-conscious guests.
18. Grilled Garlic Bread
Slices of crusty bread slathered with garlic butter, grilled until golden and infused with smoky flavors, making it a delectable accompaniment to any barbecue.
19. Greek Salad
A refreshing medley of crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, olives, and feta cheese, tossed in a lemon-herb dressing, transporting your taste buds to Greece.
20. BBQ Chicken Sliders
Mini sandwiches filled with tender pulled chicken smothered in tangy barbecue sauce, making them a scrumptious and convenient option for barbecue gatherings.
21. Three Bean Salad
A colorful mix of kidney beans, green beans, and chickpeas tossed in a zesty vinaigrette, providing a protein-packed and fiber-rich side dish.
22. Deviled Eggs
Hard-boiled eggs filled with a creamy, tangy yolk mixture, topped with paprika or bacon bits, offering a classic and satisfying appetizer for barbecue parties.
23. Mexican Street Corn Salad
Grilled corn kernels tossed with a tangy and creamy dressing, crumbled cheese, cilantro, and a hint of chili powder, capturing the irresistible flavors of Mexican street.
24. Grilled Pineapple Salsa
A refreshing salsa made with grilled pineapple, tomatoes, red onion, jalapeno, and lime juice, adding a tropical twist to your barbecue spread.
25. Mediterranean Couscous Salad
A light and flavorful salad featuring couscous, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, feta cheese, and a lemon-herb dressing, transporting you to the shores of the Mediterranean.
26. Smoky BBQ Sweet Potato Wedges
Oven-baked sweet potato wedges seasoned with smoky BBQ spices, offering a delicious and healthier alternative to regular fries.
27. Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
A creamy pasta salad loaded with crispy bacon, cherry tomatoes, peas, and a tangy ranch dressing, making it a crowd-pleasing side dish.
28. Grilled Vegetable Pasta Salad
A colorful pasta salad featuring grilled vegetables, such as zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant, tossed in a light vinaigrette, offering a medley of flavors and textures.
29. Garlic Herb Butter Grilled Corn
Grilled corn on the cob slathered with garlic herb butter, sprinkled with Parmesan cheese, and finished with a squeeze of lime, adding a burst of flavor to your barbecue meal.
30. Southwestern Black Bean Salad
A vibrant salad featuring black beans, corn, bell peppers, avocado, and a zesty lime dressing, offering a delicious blend of Southwest flavors.
31. Tangy German Potato Salad
A tangy and hearty salad made with boiled potatoes, bacon, red onions, and a vinegar-based dressing, providing a delightful contrast to grilled meats.
32. Grilled Eggplant with Yogurt Sauce
Sliced eggplant grilled to perfection and served with a creamy yogurt sauce, garnished with fresh herbs, creating a tasty and vegetarian-friendly side dish.
33. Spicy Mexican Rice
Flavorful rice cooked with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and spices, offering a zesty and spicy accompaniment to your barbecue meal.
34. Caprese Couscous Salad
A Mediterranean-inspired salad featuring couscous, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, basil leaves, and a balsamic glaze, providing a burst of fresh flavors.
35. Tangy Coleslaw with Apple
A tangy and crunchy coleslaw made with cabbage, carrots, and apple, dressed in a light and refreshing vinaigrette, adding a hint of sweetness.
36. Grilled Brussel Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze
Tender and charred Brussels sprouts drizzled with a sweet and tangy balsamic glaze, creating a flavorful and healthy side dish.
37. Loaded Mexican Street Corn Dip
A creamy and cheesy dip inspired by Mexican street corn, featuring grilled corn kernels, cotija cheese, mayo, and spices, perfect for scooping with tortilla chips.
38. BBQ Ranch Coleslaw
A unique twist on traditional coleslaw, combining the flavors of tangy BBQ sauce and creamy ranch dressing, resulting in a delicious and versatile side dish.
39. Herb Grilled Potatoes
Baby potatoes marinated in a blend of herbs, garlic, and olive oil, then grilled until tender and lightly charred, providing a flavorful and easy-to-make side dish.
40. Mediterranean Hummus Platter
A delightful platter featuring a variety of hummus flavors, accompanied by pita bread, olives, roasted red peppers, and cucumbers, offering a Mediterranean-inspired snack.
41. Charred Vegetable Quinoa Salad
A nutritious salad combining charred vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and red onions, with quinoa, fresh herbs, and a tangy vinaigrette, providing a satisfying and healthy side dish.
Final Thoughts,
BBQ parties are all about the food, and side dishes are an essential part of them. They can make or break your party.
With this list of 41 side dishes, you won’t ever have to worry about finding the right dish for your BBQ party. Whether you prefer classic salads or something more exotic, there is something for everyone here.
These side dishes are easy to prepare and are guaranteed to impress your guests. So, fire up the grill and get ready to make one of the best BBQ parties ever!