The Best BBQ Side Dishes
Easy and simple recipes that will have your guests going back for seconds
Burgers, ribs, hot dogs: The main course at the BBQ always gets the glory. But everyone knows where it's really at: the sides. Whether it's the traditional coleslaw that's been showing up at the family party for years or an unexpected grilled vegetable that has the crowd fighting for seconds, side dishes complete any barbecue. They're the wind beneath the burger's wings, and today, we're giving them the spotlight.
After you've mastered your burger technique, make some room for our favorite side dishes. They're the real life of the party.
This article was originally published on 6/27/16 and was updated on 7/4/18.
Grilled Sweet Potato Salad
We're reinventing a classic BBQ side, this time starring grilled sweet potatoes tossed in a creamy dressing of yogurt, Thai basil and turmeric.
Grilled Mexican Street Corn (Elotes)
For the ultimate Mexican street food, brush grilled corn with a mixture of cotija cheese, mayo, sour cream, chile powder and lime before topping it with more cheese.
Grilled Halloumi-and-Tomato Skewers
Halloumi, the salty sheep's-milk cheese from Greece, is skewered with cherry tomatoes before being grilled and topped with chile oil, torn mint and lime zest.
Grilled Asparagus with Apricot and Pine Nut Romesco
Roast dried apricots with peppers before making a rich romesco sauce to top grilled asparagus.
Warm German Potato Salad
For our warm potato salad, we sauté blanched fingerling potatoes with shallots, garlic and green beans before tossing them in a Dijon-and-red wine vinaigrette.
Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad
Grill the chicken, lettuce and croutons in this perfect-for-summer Caesar salad.
Grilled Cabbage and Mango Slaw
This is not your average coleslaw recipe: We bump up the flavor by grilling the cabbage and mango, and then tossing them in a jalapeño vinaigrette.
Pasta Salad, 5 Ways
Master the perfect pasta salad by making one of these colorful side dishes bursting with height-of-the-season produce and dressed in a bright vinaigrette.
Fried Pickle Chips
Replace those fries with these tangy and crispy fried pickles, and serve alongside your favorite sandwich and grilled meats.
Grilled Corn and Summer Squash Salad
Make a delicious summer salad that pairs charred corn and raw shaved summer squash, tossed with salty feta and smoky nigella seeds.