Cookouts are all about what’s on the grill, whether it’s lobster tails or hot dogs. But we all know that a great side dish can make even a simple hamburger shine. From corn salad to baked beans, the experts at Action Appliance Repair collected BBQ side dish ideas to upgrade any cookout cuisine.
The Secret to a Great Cookout? BBQ Side Dish Ideas
Summer means farm-fresh produce, simple flavors, and easy-to-assemble ingredients that won’t leave you stuck in the kitchen. Our BBQ side dish ideas are all that and more, enhancing any summer cookout.
Peach and Prosciutto Skewers
Looking for easy BBQ side dishes that don’t involve any cooking? These peach and prosciutto skewers combine summer sweet peaches with prosciutto’s salty bite and the creaminess of fresh mozzarella cheese. Creating bite-size ingredients makes for easy eating and assembling, while a fresh herb marinade gives the mild mozzarella extra flavor.
Bacon Baked Beans
Tried and true BBQ side dishes for a crowd, like baked beans, are cookout staples for a reason. They complement almost anything on the grill and feed the masses with little effort but tons of flavor. The rich brown sauce of this recipe is stirred together in minutes before combined with navy beans and baked. Top with bacon while cooking for extra richness or leave it out to have a flavorful vegetarian side dish.
Watermelon Feta Salad
Cookout fare can have bold and spicy flavors, calling for BBQ side dish ideas that are cool and refreshing to cleanse the palate. This watermelon and feta salad answers the call with sweet, cold watermelon chunks and refreshing cucumber and mint. Feta cheese complements the sweetness with saltiness, while still keeping the salad fresh and light.
Corn Salad
You might as well clean your refrigerator after assembling this corn salad, as it uses up a variety of ingredients in your crisper drawers. While using frozen kernels eliminates the need for cooking, fresh summer corn can add extra flavor. Combine with cherry tomatoes, basil, red onion, and lime juice and you’ve got one of the easiest side dishes for cookout.
Green Beans and Crushed Salt and Vinegar Chips
This is one of those kid-friendly BBQ side dishes that makes it all too easy to eat your vegetables. While the green beans blanch, crush up salt-and-vinegar chips with lemon zest and parsley. After tossing the beans with lemon juice and olive oil, sprinkle the chip mixture on top and discover a whole new way to enjoy both chips and green beans.
Parisian Potato Salad
A list of the best BBQ side dish ideas has to include potato salad. This recipe adds an elegant twist to this ubiquitous cookout necessity by substituting Greek yogurt and grainy mustard for mayo. Adding chopped eggs, red onion, and cornichon pickles amps up familiar potato salad flavors with extra texture and bite.
We hope these BBQ side dishes are a hit at your next summer cookout!
