Planning a cookout is fun—until it’s time to figure out what to serve with the burgers and ribs. That’s where easy side dishes for any summer cookout come in to save the day. From crisp salads to crowd-pleasing casseroles, these recipes make it simple to round out the meal without breaking a sweat. Trust me, these sides will disappear faster than the grilled corn.
Creamy Pea Salad With Cheddar Cheese
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
Tangy Cucumber Salad With Apple Cider Vinegar
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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
Mint Watermelon Fruit Salad With Blueberries
This quick and easy mint watermelon fruit salad combines crisp and juicy watermelon with sweet blueberries coated in a minty simple syrup.
Get the Recipe: Mint Watermelon Fruit Salad With Blueberries
Wild Rice with Roasted Grapes
This unexpected combo of nutty wild rice and sweet roasted grapes creates a show-stopping dish that’s packed with flavor and texture.
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Crushed and Roasted New Potatoes
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
Southern Tomato Pie
Cheesy, savory, and brimming with ripe tomatoes, this Southern Tomato Pie is a summer classic you’ll crave all season.
Get the Recipe: Southern Tomato Pie
Burrata With Oranges
Creamy Burrata with Oranges instead of tomatoes is a great, light salad when the tomatoes are no longer fresh. A perfect salad for any cookout.
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Cheesy Corn Casserole With Cream Cheese And Ham
This ultra cheesy corn casserole with cream cheese and ham will be your new favorite side dish! Creamy, cheesy, and so much flavor!
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Corn Casserole With Cream Cheese And Ham
Savory Green Beans With Bacon
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
Zucchini Pasta Salad with Balsamic Vinegar
With cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and zoodles, it’s a twist on a classic caprese salad. Just a few ingredients and you’ll have a healthy delicious salad to add to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Pasta Salad with Balsamic Vinegar
Blueberry Salad With Tequila Dressing
Blueberries, mango and kiwi marinated in a slightly sweet tequila lime syrup may be the tastiest fruit summer salad you’ll find. Easy and so refreshing, a must for any summertime meal.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Salad With Tequila Dressing
Spicy Peach Coleslaw Without Mayonnaise
Spicy Peach Coleslaw without Mayonnaise is a classic summer salad with peach dressing that delivers a fresh variation you’re going to love.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Peach Coleslaw Without Mayonnaise
Crispy Oven Roasted Potatoes
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
Tex-Mex Squash Casserole
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
Candied Yams with a Caramel Glaze
Sticky-sweet and irresistibly rich, these candied yams will win over everyone at your summer cookout.
Get the Recipe: Candied Yams with a Caramel Glaze
Southern Hot Water Cornbread
Old-school Southern charm meets crispy edges in this quick-fried cornbread, ideal for a soulful side.
Get the Recipe: Southern Hot Water Cornbread
Classic Southern Squash Casserole
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
Creamy Southern Spoon Bread
Soft, custardy, and ultra-comforting, this spoon bread is like cornbread’s gentler, fluffier cousin.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Southern Spoon Bread
Creamy Macaroni Salad With Cheese
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
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
Tomato Salad With Peaches
Fresh Peach and Tomato Salad can’t be beat when summer produce is at its best. Try combining fresh peaches with juicy tomatoes, then sprinkle with salty feta for a light and refreshing summer salad
Get the Recipe: Tomato Salad With Peaches
Spicy Fruit Salad With Star Anise
You can never go wrong with a bowl of fresh fruit. Spicy Fruit Salad adds just a hint of spice and seasoning to improve even the best fruit at the market.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Fruit Salad With Star Anise
Parsley Pesto Pasta Salad
This bright and herbaceous pasta salad is one of the best unique cookout recipes for hot summer days.
Get the Recipe: Parsley Pesto Pasta Salad
Mexican Cornbread
Loaded with cheese, jalapeños, and corn, this hearty Mexican cornbread brings bold flavor to any spread.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Cornbread
Southern Corn Pudding
This creamy and sweet corn pudding is comfort food at its finest and a must-have for your summer potluck recipes.
Get the Recipe: Southern Corn Pudding
Green Beans And New Potato Salad With Honey Vinaigrette
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
Seafood Pasta Salad
Seafood Pasta Salad is always such a hit at any summer cookout. It’s a perfect combination of creamy, crunchy, onion-y & sweet from the imitation crab.
Get the Recipe: Seafood Pasta Salad
Avocado Corn Salad
This fresh corn and avocado salad recipe is perfect for summer. A delightful lime dressing adds zip and the avocado a lovely creaminess.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Corn Salad
Greek Wedge Salad Recipe
This Greek Wedge Salad Recipe creates a fresh easy to make wedge salad that is drizzled with flavorful homemade greek dressing.
Get the Recipe: Greek Wedge Salad Recipe
Easy Italian Pasta Salad
Our easy Italian Pasta Salad features a quick blend of rotini, salami, veggies, and mozzarella. The perfect side dish for gatherings and summer potluck food.
Get the Recipe: Easy Italian Pasta Salad
Grilled Corn and Blueberry Salad
Sweet blueberries and smoky corn combine for a refreshing, colorful salad that’s anything but ordinary. Get the Recipe: Grilled Corn and Blueberry Salad
Noodle Kugel
This sweet and creamy noodle kugel is a surprising twist that pairs beautifully with smoky grilled meats.
Get the Recipe: Noodle Kugel
Pineapple Casserole
Sweet, salty, and cheesy, this Southern classic is the quirky side dish your BBQ didn’t know it needed.
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Casserole
Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Pears
Caramelized and spiced, these sweet potatoes with pears add a sophisticated touch to any barbecue table.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Pears
Colorful Carrot Salad
Bright and zippy with a citrusy kick, this carrot salad brings crunch and color to your cookout spread.
Get the Recipe: Colorful Carrot Salad
Broccoli Salad With Cranberries And A Honey Yogurt Dressing
You’re going to love this healthy broccoli salad served with a yogurt dressing that’s sweetened with honey. An old fashioned salad you’ll love.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Salad With Cranberries And A Honey Yogurt Dressing
No Mayo Roasted Potato Salad With Bacon
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
Chipotle Black Beans
These smoky, slow-cooked black beans are a hearty, flavorful side that complements grilled favorites perfectly.
Get the Recipe: Chipotle Black Beans
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