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    Home » MSN Slideshows

    The Best Side Dishes for Summer BBQ Season — 21 Must-Tries

    Published: Jun 10, 2025 by Barbara Curry

    Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.

    Warm weather, smoky grills, and good company—it’s officially BBQ season. And let’s be real, as much as we love the main course, the best side dishes for summer BBQ gatherings are what really steal the show. From crunchy slaws to zesty pasta salads, the right sides can take any cookout from solid to unforgettable. Ready to load up your plate?

    Classic Southern Squash Casserole

    A scoop of a squash casserole.
    Classic Southern Squash Casserole. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.


     

    This creamy squash casserole is the nostalgic bake your family didn’t know they needed at the BBQ.
    Get the Recipe: Classic Southern Squash Casserole

    Southern Style Baked Mac And Cheese With Pimentos

    Two plates of pimento mac and cheese.
    Southern Style Baked Mac And Cheese With Pimentos. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

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    Pimento mac and cheese is an easy, baked pasta dish made with zesty pimentos in a creamy cheese sauce, topped with even more golden cheddar.
    Get the Recipe: Southern Style Baked Mac And Cheese With Pimentos

    Savory Green Beans With Bacon

    A close-up of cooked green beans mixed with pieces of bacon and sliced onions, served on a decorative blue and white plate—perfect for adding to your holiday side dishes spread.
    Savory Green Beans With Bacon. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Green Beans with Bacon and Onions will transform a simple side dish into a FABULOUS one. Great for when you want to jazz up your vegetables.
    Get the Recipe: Savory Green Beans With Bacon

    Creamy Pea Salad With Cheddar Cheese

    A pea salad with cheddar cheese in a serving bowl.
    Creamy Pea Salad With Cheddar Cheese. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This green pea salad is a Southern favorite that comes together in one bowl. Easy to make ahead, it’s flavorful with a touch of a spicy kick.
    Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Salad With Cheddar Cheese

    Crispy Oven Roasted Potatoes

    oven roasted potatoes in a baking dish.
    Crispy Oven Roasted Potatoes. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.

    Golden brown and perfectly seasoned, these roasted potatoes are a must for anyone looking for easy BBQ side dish ideas.
    Get the Recipe: Crispy Oven Roasted Potatoes

    Corn And Cucumber Salad With Greek Yogurt

    A creamy cucumber salad with corn in a glass bowl with a serving spoon
    Corn And Cucumber Salad With Greek Yogurt. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Jazz up your salad menu with a Corn and Cucumber Salad. The mixture of veggies in a creamy yogurt, mayo and dill dressing make it a favorite.
    Get the Recipe: Corn And Cucumber Salad With Greek Yogurt

    No Mayo Roasted Potato Salad With Bacon

    Parsley being sprinkled over warm potato salad
    No Mayo Roasted Potato Salad With Bacon. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This warm Roasted Potato Salad is not only great for your next potluck or cook out, but it’s perfect for a simple dinner.
    Get the Recipe: No Mayo Roasted Potato Salad With Bacon

    Greek Cucumber Salad With Lemon Dressing

    A bowl of Greek salad with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, Kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese on a white surface—perfect for spring recipes. Small bowls of olives and feta are nearby.
    Greek Cucumber Salad With Lemon Dressing. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Looking for a quick and flavorful salad recipe? Try our Greek Salad with refreshing cucumbers and zesty lemon dressing. Perfect for a light and satisfying meal.
    Get the Recipe: Greek Cucumber Salad With Lemon

    Tex-Mex Squash Casserole

    A serving of cheesy casserole topped with sour cream and chopped green onions sits on a dark plate next to a fork. The dish, ideal for Cinco de Mayo recipes, features melted cheddar cheese and visible slices of jalapeño.
    Tex-Mex Squash Casserole. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.

    Bring a little spice to your table with this cheesy squash casserole that puts a Tex-Mex twist on a Southern favorite.
    Get the Recipe: Tex-Mex Squash Casserole

    Crushed and Roasted New Potatoes

    A smashed new potato being removed form a pan.
    Crushed and Roasted New Potatoes. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.

    Smash, roast, and crisp — these buttery new potatoes deliver bold flavor and satisfying crunch for your next gathering.
    Get the Recipe: Crushed and Roasted New Potatoes

    Grilled Corn Salad With Blueberries

    A clear glass bowl of corn salad with blueberries.
    Grilled Corn Salad With Blueberries. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    You’ll love this Grilled Corn Salad with Blueberries with a little cumin, onions and cilantro to give this a savory twist.
    Get the Recipe: Grilled Corn Salad With Blueberries

    Creamy Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pasta Salad

    Ranch pasta salad in a bowl with a wooden spoon.
    Creamy Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    With all the classic flavors of creamy ranch dressing, salty bacon, and cheddar cheese, this ranch pasta salad is a refreshing crowd pleaser.
    Get the Recipe: Creamy Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pasta Salad

    Green Beans And New Potato Salad With Honey Vinaigrette

    A platter of green bean and potato salad.
    Green Beans And New Potato Salad With Honey Vinaigrette. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Full of fresh summer flavors, this cold green bean salad recipe adds in tender new potatoes for a refreshing take on a classic summer meal.
    Get the Recipe: Green Beans And New Potato Salad With Honey Vinaigrette

    Creamy Macaroni Salad With Cheese

    Creamy macaroni salad with a wooden spoon.
    Creamy Macaroni Salad With Cheese. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    A Southern-style macaroni salad made with a creamy mayo, sour cream and dijon mustard dressing. Mix with cheddar cheese to finish, and served chilled.
    Get the Recipe: Creamy Macaroni Salad With Cheese

    Southern Baked Beans With Hamburger Meat

    A spoon full of baked beans with hamburger.
    Southern Baked Beans With Hamburger Meat. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    These easy baked beans with ground beef are a perfect side dish for cookouts. Smoky with a sticky sweet sauce, they’re a classic.
    Get the Recipe: Southern Baked Beans With Hamburger Meat

    Mexican Cornbread

    A stack of Mexican cornbread on a rack.
    Mexican Cornbread. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.

    Loaded with cheese, jalapeños, and corn, this hearty Mexican cornbread brings bold flavor to any spread.
    Get the Recipe: Mexican Cornbread

    Super Creamy Skillet Creamed Corn

    A close-up image shows a skillet filled with creamy corn. A silver spoon holds a portion of the creamed corn, revealing kernels cooked in a luscious sauce and garnished with fresh herbs. The corn looks well-seasoned and ready to serve.
    Super Creamy Skillet Creamed Corn. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Rich, buttery Creamed Corn gets a homemade makeover with just four simple ingredients and 10 minutes on the stove.
    Get the Recipe: Super Creamy Skillet Creamed Corn

    Bacon Ranch Potato Salad

    A clear bowl of ranch potato salad.
    Bacon Ranch Potato Salad. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Ranch potato salad loaded with bacon, cheese and a sour cream ranch dressing is just what you need for your next potluck.
    Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Potato Salad

    Tangy Cucumber Salad With Apple Cider Vinegar

    A bowl of cucumber salad with onions and two serving spoons
    Tangy Cucumber Salad With Apple Cider Vinegar. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This tangy Cucumber Salad is light, refreshing, and since it has no mayo, it’s perfect for warm summer days.
    Get the Recipe: Tangy Cucumber Salad With Apple Cider Vinegar

    Grilled Corn In Husk

    Two grilled corn on the cob, classic easy grilled foods, sprinkled with chopped cilantro and pepper. The corn boasts visible grill marks and a slightly charred appearance, resting on a dark surface.
    Grilled Corn In Husk. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

    Nothing says summer like grilling and corn on the cob, so this Grilled Corn In Husk recipe is the essence of summer flavors.
    Get the Recipe: Grilled Corn In Husk

    Colorful Carrot Salad

    A pile of sliced carrots and onions in a bowl.
    Colorful Carrot Salad. Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest.

    Bright and zippy with a citrusy kick, this carrot salad brings crunch and color to your cookout spread.
    Get the Recipe: Colorful Carrot Salad

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    Barbara Curry is the culinary adventurer of Butter & Baggage. With a dedicated enthusiasm for real butter made from happy cows she is in constant pursuit of delicious recipes and tasty dishes. She shares her experiences, ventures, and occasional misadventures because let’s face it things can get messy in any kitchen.

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