40+ Best of the Best BBQ Side Dish Recipes

I've assembled my best summertime BBQ side dishes all in one place to make your family meals and summertime entertaining needs easier and more delicious. Enjoy!

From cold pasta salads to the hot side dishes that everyone craves, I've got something for everyone in this amazing collection of BBQ sides.

So, fire up the grill and gather your people, because we've got some serious eating to do!!

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How important are side dishes at a party or BBQ?

VERY!

I don't know about you, but I'm all about the sides when it comes to filling my plate at a BBQ.

Sure, I love a good BBQ protein too, but without the sides, it wouldn't be a party (IMO).

What are some of the best proteins for pairing with these BBQ side dishes?

Where to begin? I'm sure I'll wind up missing out on many of them, but here are the first few that come to mind.

1. Ribs
2. Chicken
3.  Brisket
4. Pulled Pork
5. Steak
6. Hamburgers
7. Hot Dogs
8. Ham
9. Seafood
10. Lamb

Need some meat inspiration? Check out Girl Carnivore and be amazed at all of her utterly delicious recipes!

How many BBQ side dishes should I serve at a party or gathering?

I like to serve at least 3.

Usually one decadent, creamy side, and at least 2 healthier salad-type sides.

Of course, if you're serving a large crowd, it's always a good idea to pull out all the stops and line the table with even more.

After all, everyone loves a good side dish, and if you're serving vegetarians, the sides will be the thing that will fill them all up!

What type of occasions are these sides good for?

1. Graduations
2. Patriotic Parties
3. Birthday Parties
4. Casual Weddings
5. Showers
6. Family Dinner
7. Pool Parties
8. Family Reunions
9. Work Functions
10. Block Parties
11. The list is endless...

What is a standard serving size for a typical side dish?

I guess that answer will vary from person to person, but a good rule of thumb would probably be between a ¼ - a ½ cup of each side per person.

Of course, that is dependent on many variables, but in my mind, it's always better to err on the side of caution and have too much food than not enough.

Can the following BBQ side dishes be made in advance?

In most cases, YES! 

Should any of these recipes I've listed in the following roundup not yet have that information within the post, please don't hesitate to reach out to me with your questions. I'm always happy to get back to you ASAP with an answer.

Everyone loves a BBQ! Whether you're hosting a party, feeding your family, or bringing a BBQ side dish to a pot-luck, these recipes are sure to please everyone.

And now, without further ado, here are some of my favorite Kudos Kitchen BBQ side dishes:

1

Copycat Sunflower Crunch Kale Cabbage Salad

The first things you'll notice about this Copycat Sunflower Crunch Kale and Cabbage Salad is that it is colorful, healthy, and addictive! This chilled salad has it ALL going on!! Dig in! You're going to love this colorful salad!

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2

Fresh Fennel, Orange, and Blueberry Salad

Fresh Fennel, Orange, and Blueberry Salad is the perfect winter salad. It has bright, refreshing flavors and colors and wonderfully contrasting textures. It's a winter salad that every-body craves.

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3

Old-Fashioned Red (Kidney Bean) Salad

This fast and easy no-cook and economical recipe for kidney bean salad calls for only a handful of ingredients. It's the perfect chilled side dish to serve for any and every occasion!

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4

Roasted Potatoes with Onion and Parmesan

Delicious roasted potatoes are upgraded with the use of flavorful dry onion soup mix, and grated Parmesan cheese. This will soon become your new favorite potato recipe!

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5

No Mayo Sweet Sour Coleslaw

If you're looking for a coleslaw recipe you can make in advance that tastes amazing and can remain outdoors without running for cover during summer's hottest weather, look no further. This No-Mayo Sweet Sour Coleslaw will be your backyard BBQ's best friend!!

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6

French Onion Mac and Cheese

French Onion Mac and Cheese has got your name written ALL over it, and I’m happily handing it to you so you can become the BBQ side dish star at your local block party! You’re welcome! 🙂

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7

Creamy Golden Dijon Potato Salad

This Creamy Golden Dijon Potato Salad will be the first thing to disappear from the picnic table this summer. It's cool, creamy and refreshing with just the right amount of tang from the dijon, and the right amount of crunch to balance all that creaminess. It's got it all!

8

Zucchini Corn Gratin

Zucchini Corn Gratin is one of the cheesiest and easiest vegetable side dishes you'll ever have. It's the perfect accompaniment to almost anything, and it only takes about 30 minutes from start to finish!

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9

Orzo Pasta Salad with Sweet Corn and Blueberries

Chilled Orzo Pasta Salad with Sweet Corn and Blueberries may be a little unexpected, but after your first bite, you'll keep coming back for more!

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10

Calico Baked Beans with Beef and Bacon

Calico Beans are a delicious side dish for any meal or BBQ, or they can be eaten as an entire meal all on their own. Calico baked beans are protein-packed with ground beef, bacon, and a wide variety of beans, making this a standout dish for any occasion!

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11

Roasted Garlic Cheese Bread with Rosemary

This savory cheese bread works equally well as a delicious appetizer, side dish, or even a meatless entrée. 

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12

ITALIAN PANZANELLA SALAD

This easy-to-make Panzanella Salad features plenty of garden-fresh summer tomatoes, crusty Italian bread, and fragrant basil. It's a simple salad that pleases just about everyone.

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13

BLT Layered Salad

Everything you love about a BLT sandwich is in this BLT Layered Salad, including the toasted bread!

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14

Superfood Spinach Salad with Blue Cheese and Purple Potatoes

This salad may surprise you with its unexpected ingredients. But after your first bite of this incredible Spinach Salad with Blue Cheese and Purple Potatoes, you'll agree that it blows all other spinach salads out of the water!

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15

Caprese Salad with Zucchini, Prosciutto and Burrata

This Caprese Salad with Zucchini, Prosciutto, and Burrata isn't your typical (or traditional) Caprese salad; it's WAY better, thanks to the grilled zucchini, onions, and all the extra special touches!

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16

Chilled Broccoli Apple Salad

After your first bite, you'll wonder where this chilled broccoli apple salad has been all your life! It's a refreshing and healthy salad you'll want to have on hand year-round.

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17

Chilled Avocado and Kidney Bean Salad

This cool and refreshing Chilled Avocado and Kidney Bean Salad is the best bean salad with avocado and is the perfect BBQ side dish or vegetarian main course. It has healthy, delicious ingredients and is a no-cook dish that takes only minutes to prepare.

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18

Roasted Plum Tomatoes with Italian Breadcrumbs

Roasted Plum Tomatoes are sweet, soft, crunchy, and deliciously seasoned. They’ll make a perfect BBQ side dish for just about anything you can imagine, and they’ll even be as tasty as heck for breakfast or brunch.

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19

Italian Shell Pasta Salad

Italian Shell Pasta Salad comes together quickly with the help of store-bought bottled Italian dressing. It's wonderful as a chilled side dish or vegetarian main course.

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20

Farro and Pea Salad

Farro and Pea Salad with mint and feta is flavorful and delicious! The vibrant green color speaks to the freshness of this springtime side dis, or vegetarian main course.

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21

Chilled French Lentil Salad

French lentil salad is served chilled. It's a flavorful, protein-packed, side dish, or it can serve as a vegetarian main course with one minor adjustment.

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22

Chilled Macaroni and Pea Salad

You won't find a better macaroni salad than this chilled Macaroni and Pea Salad. It may sound like a bold statement, but it's the truth. This pasta salad has a perfectly balanced flavor that's light and refreshing.

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23

Cast Iron Skillet Grilled Cornbread

Making this Cast Iron Grilled Skillet Cornbread will help you keep your cool this summer and keep the heat out of the house. It's perfect for outdoor entertaining and will please even the pickiest eater.

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24

ASPARAGUS AND PEA RISOTTO

Asparagus and Pea Risotto combine all the flavors of spring with very little fuss and just a little bit of stirring.

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25

Fried Corn with Bacon and Peppers

Fried Corn with Bacon and sweet bell peppers is a delicious and colorful side dish that can be made indoors, or outside on the grill. It's a delicious dish that will please just about everyone!

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26

Mexican Street Corn Risotto

If you love Mexican street corn (and who doesn't), it's time to think outside the husk with this Mexican Sweet Corn Risotto.

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27

Roasted Tomato Bacon Linguine

If you can turn on the oven and boil water, you'll be successful at making this easy and delicious family favorite pasta meal in under 30 minutes.

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28

Peach Basil Lemonade

This refreshing Peach Basil Lemonade is the perfect combination of lightly sweet and lightly tart, and the basil adds an extra herbaceous fragrant note you'll enjoy!

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29

Wedge Salad with Wasabi Peas

This retro-inspired Wedge Salad with Wasabi Peas is traditionally delicious, but with an updated twist. You're going to love the big, bold flavors with a touch of heat to offset the cool crunch of the lettuce and dressing!

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30

Chicken Cordon Bleu Salad

My Chicken Cordon Bleu Salad is a hearty romaine lettuce salad loaded with chicken, ham, and Swiss cheese. It's then topped with a lightly sweet and tangy homemade honey Dijon vinaigrette that balances this delicious salad perfectly!

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31

Chef's Salad with Capers and Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing

A chef's salad isn't something only to be eaten at restaurants. You can easily make this Chef's Salad with Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing at home with all the great add-ins and flavor you love!

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32

Hot Roasted Potato Salad for a Crowd

With only a few minutes of preparation, this Hot Roasted Potato Salad can feed a hungry crowd without much fuss. It can be made in advance, which makes it perfect for entertaining.

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33

Roasted Baby Potatoes with Garlic and Fresh Herbs

Roasted Baby Potatoes with Garlic & Fresh Herbs are creamy in the center, and brown and crispy on the outside. Pair all that deliciousness with a dipping sauce made of mustard, horseradish, and mayonnaise, and you have the perfect side dish or even a fun and unusual party appetizer!! 

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34

Deliciously Cheesy Baked Fennel Onion Gratin Recipe

Fennel Onion Gratin is a deliciously cheesy side dish that is wonderfully flavorful and simple to make. It's the perfect accompaniment to any main course, or it can become the main course all on its own.

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35

German Fried Potatatoes

Crispy on the outside and tender and fluffy on the inside. German Fried Potatoes are everything you want in a potato side dish...including the bacon!

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36

Layered German Spaetzle Casserole

Buttered German egg dumplings (spaetzle) are layered in a casserole dish along with shredded Gruyere cheese and crispy, crunchy onions to bring you this delicious recipe for German Spaetzle Casserole with Cheese and Crunchy Onions.

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37

Bacon Bourbon Green Beans Almondine

Green Beans Almondine is a delicious buttery bourbon update on a classic and will soon become your favorite way to eat green beans.

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38

Crispy Baked Eggplant Chips with Basil and Parmesan Cheese

Crispy Baked Eggplant Chips are packed with flavor thanks to a light brushing of homemade basil-infused olive oil and grated Parmesan cheese.

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39

Alfredo Mac and Cheese with White Wine

This Alfredo Mac and Cheese is one of the best macaroni and cheese recipes you'll ever have. It's a cheese and a wine lover's dream come true, and it's easy to make too!!

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40

Dill Pickle Potato Salad with Bacon

Boring old potato salad gets an upgrade with dill pickles, shallots, bacon, and smoked paprika in this recipe for Creamy Dill Pickle Potato Salad.

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41

Corned Beef and Cabbage Coleslaw

This recipe for Corned Beef and Cabbage Coleslaw may be unusual, but it's also unusually delicious! Inspired by traditional Irish fare, this recipe is decidedly untraditional!

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42

Rubbed Kale Salad with Berries

This kale salad with berries is a deliciously healthy side dish that takes only minutes to prepare. It's chock full of Mother Nature's healthiest ingredients and then topped with a homemade vinaigrette dressing which is just the right amount of tang to compliment the hearty kale.

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43

Oil and Vinegar Veggie Pasta Salad

Oil and Vinegar Veggie Pasta Salad is a fresh and healthy chilled pasta salad that you can serve as a side dish or a summertime meat-free main course.

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For additional BBQ side dish recipes please check out my Popular BBQ Recipe Roundup which features tons and tons of recipes from some of your favorite food bloggers.

I sincerely hope you've enjoyed today's recipe roundup with more than 40 fantastic BBQ side dishes as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!

Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!