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34 Southern BBQ Sides Recipes

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Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.

While pulled pork or brisket might be the focus of your next bbq or cookout, there’s nothing like Southern BBQ sides to transform your party. Read on for 34 great ideas!

A casserole dish of Mac & Cheese from Pooles' diner.

The Best BBQ Sides

With Memorial Day just around the corner, there’s nothing like bbq to celebrate the summer season. Depending on what area of the country you’re from, you might be serving pulled pork, brisket, chicken or burgers and hot dogs.

Whatever the main course or type of barbecue sauce, I’ve gathered together 34 of some delicious Southern BBQ sides so you can choose the perfect side dish for your next barbecue. There are a few classics but also some with a twist. All easy recipes so you can have some great options.

What type of meat should you serve for a bbq?

A traditional bbq, in North Carolina, is going to include pulled pork. It serves a crowd and you can serve it by itself or on slightly sweet Hawaiian roll.

Cooked pork being shredded with two forks.

If pork’s not your thing, everyone loves grilled chicken especially with an apricot glaze glaze bbq sauce. Or you can go simple with burgers and hot dogs.

A white platter full of grilled chicken drumsticks and thighs.

Of course if you want to smoke a brisket or cook one in the slow cooker, it’s another great choice for a cook out.

A platter of grilled spiral hot dogs.
Two burgers on a platter with chips

BBQ Sides FAQs

How much meat per person do you need for a bbq?

The general rule is a half a pound per person but that will depend on the type of meat and how many sides you are serving. I’ve got everything you need to know to calculate in my planning guide.

How many sides should you have for a BBQ?

While they all look amazing, you’re going to have to choose. Start with an appetizer and add one starchier side, like mac and cheese or potato salad, and one more veggie based side dish. If you’re not serving your bbq on a bun, then there’s always room for rolls or biscuits or cornbread.

What type of dessert should you serve at a bbq?

No bbq is complete without dessert. I like one that can be made ahead of time. It can be a simple as brownies or wow your friends with a strawberry poke cake.

What are some good sides for a BBQ?

Traditionally you’ll find cole slaw, baked beans, classic potato salad, hush puppies and banana pudding. I’ve given you lots more to choose from.

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    Southern BBQ Sides Recipes

    Regardless of what type of meat you want to serve, delicious sides can really shine at a bbq. While I love meat, sides are my favorite whether it’s a bbq or Thanksgiving dinner. I’ve included some family favorites that I make over and over again and also some truly Southern staples from some of my favorite bloggers.

    Old Fashioned Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (Southern)

    A round baking dish of mac and cheese with a serving spoon.
    Old Fashioned Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (Southern)
    This Old Fashioned Macaroni and Cheese recipe from Poole's Diner is a Southern classic with a creamy base and crusty cheese topping.  No bells and whistles, just pasta, cream and cheese. Comfort food at its BEST.
    Get the Recipe

    Pineapple Baked Beans

    A skillet of pineapple baked beans.
    Pineapple Baked Beans
    A baked beans recipe (from South Your Mouth) with a Hawaiian twist made with sweet pineapple and smoky bacon or ham!
    Get the Recipe

    Southern-Style Green Beans

    Southern Green Beans in a skillet.
    Southern-Style Green Beans
    The trick to making perfectly cooked Southern-style green beans with canned beans (from South Your Mouth) the beans don't fall apart but taste like they've cooked all day.
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    Fried Apples

    Fried apples in an iron skillet.
    Fried Apples
    Slowly cooked in browned butter and sugar, fried apples are an incredible Southern side that’s easy enough to make on a weeknight. This Cracker Barrel copycat recipe for caramelized apples will melt in your mouth.
    Get the Recipe

    Southern Collard Greens

    Collard Greens in white bowls.
    Southern Collard Greens
    These authentic Southern Collard Greens (from Grandbaby Cakes) are braised in a savory meat flavored and perfectly spiced pot liquor resulting in an amazing tender silky texture!!! Serve with this cornbread or corn muffins and hot sauce for a true down home meal. Looking for the real deal? This is a true Southerner’s dream! 
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    Creamed Corn Casserole

    Creamed Corn Casserole with Jiffy Mix.
    Creamed Corn Casserole
    This stupid easy Creamed Corn Casserole recipe (from The Food Charlatan) is made with a store bought Jiffy cornbread mix, and that’s not an apology. It is SO good! If you grew up with this Thanksgiving side dish you know what I’m talking about. It is creamy, corny, custardy, and sweet.
    Get the Recipe

    Lobster mac and cheese

    A skillet of mac & cheese with lobster.
    Lobster mac and cheese
    Lobster Mac and Cheese is one of the most comforting dishes loaded with cheesy goodness, chunks of lobster meat, and al dente pasta. This dish is baked to perfection to achieve that cheesy goodness top. An absolute decadent meal, perfect for a fancy date night or simply as a treat to make an ordinary day feel extra special!
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    Southern Creamed Corn

    Creamed corn in a bowl.
    Southern Creamed Corn
    Made with fresh corn, this Southern Creamed Corn (from Dude That Cookz) strikes the perfect balance of sweetness. It’s ideal for dinner and family gatherings and will surely impress. Plus, it’s made entirely on the stovetop making this an easy dish that is ready in less than 30 minutes.
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    Fried Okra

    Fried Okra stacked on a plate.
    Fried Okra
    No summer is complete without a few batches of homemade fried okra (from Spicy Southern Kitchen), dredged in flour and fried until golden. These fried nuggets with hints of green peeping through are so delicious, there’s no need to add anything to them except a light dusting of salt.
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    Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole

    Loaded mashed potatoes in a casserole dish.
    Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole
    If you’re on the hunt for a casserole that blows all other casseroles out of the water, you’ve come to the right place. Sure, mashed potatoes are fine on their own, but they couldn’t hold a candle to this Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole. 
    Get the Recipe

    Fried Green Tomatoes

    A plate of fried green tomatoes.
    Fried Green Tomatoes
    Fried Green Tomatoes (from Melissa's Southern Style Kitchen) are a time-honored Summer tradition in the South. Unripened tomatoes are coated with a perfectly seasoned cornmeal breading and fried until crispy and golden. They're like slices of gold.
    Get the Recipe

    Southern Sides for a BBQ: Salads

    Corn and Cucumber Salad

    A glass bowl of corn and cucumber sald
    Corn and Cucumber Salad
    Corn and Cucumber salad is a light and fresh addition to any cook-out or meal. A Creamy dressing with yogurt, mayonnaise and fresh dill coat this delicious Summer salad. 
    Get the Recipe

    Loaded Ranch Potato Salad with Bacon

    Southern style Ranch potato salad in a glass bowl next to green onions.
    Loaded Ranch Potato Salad with Bacon
    This Ranch potato salad with bacon, cheese and a sour cream ranch dressing is just what you need for a potluck or cook out. All the flavors of a loaded baked potato plus a flavorful dressing to coat tender new potatoes.
    Get the Recipe

    Fluffy Sweet Pink Salad

    A bowl of pink salad with cherries on top.
    Fluffy Sweet Pink Salad
    If you want to make a nice fluffy sweet pink salad (from Southern Eats & Goodies), this will do it. It has fruit and just the right amount of fluff to make it super tasty.
    Get the Recipe

    Black-Eyed Peas

    A bowl of black eyed pea salad.
    Black-Eyed Peas
    Black-Eyed Peas (from The Anthony Kitchen) are bursting out of their comfort food tradition in a gorgeous, healthy salad loaded with light and refreshing ingredients.
    Get the Recipe

    Strawberry Asparagus Salad

    A bowl of strawberry asparagus salad.
    Strawberry Asparagus Salad
    Capture everything delicious about spring with this fresh and vibrant Strawberry Asparagus Salad recipe (from Southern Discourse) with an easy balsamic vinaigrette! Ideal for Easter, Mother’s Day, cookouts or as a light meal, this gorgeous seasonal salad is as pretty as it is tasty!
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    Classic 7 Layer Pea Salad

    A glass bowl of pea salad.
    Classic 7 Layer Pea Salad
    Bright & crisp, Classic 7 Layer Pea Salad (from Southern Discourse) wows with pops of green peas, salty bacon, cubed cheddar, lettuce, tomato and green onions all topped with a creamy dressing! Perfect for cookouts, potlucks, holidays and even family meals, this easy salad is as pretty as it is tasty!
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    Classic Southern Coleslaw

    A bowl of Southern coleslaw.
    Classic Southern Coleslaw
    Classic Southern Coleslaw (from House of Yumm). This quick and easy recipe comes together in minutes using only a handful ingredients. The cold, tangy flavors are perfect for pairing with some smokey BBQ meats.
    Get the Recipe

    Best BBQ Sides: Southern Bread

    Any cookout or bbq needs some bread to go with the saucy flavors from your main course. You don’t want cold bread so see how you can keep rolls warm using a slow cooker.

    Buttermilk Biscuits

    A tall and fluffy biscuit on a baking sheet.
    Buttermilk Biscuits
    It’s hard to beat a warm, tender buttermilk biscuit straight from the oven. Learn how to make homemade biscuits from scratch that will become a family favorite you’ll turn to again and again.
    Get the Recipe

    Hawaiian Rolls

    A baking dish of buttery Hawaiian Rolls.
    Hawaiian Rolls
    Hawaiian Rolls have just a hint of sweetness and are so so fluffy.  EASY to make and perfect every time. The BEST yeast rolls you’ll ever make. 
    Get the Recipe

    Brown Butter Cornbread

    An iron skillet with cornbread with corn
    Brown Butter Cornbread
    Southern cooking at its best with Brown Butter Cornbread baked in a skillet using fresh corn and sour cream. Make it sweet with something unexpected.  A guaranteed crowd pleaser and great for summer cookouts or winter chili.
    Get the Recipe

    Hush Puppies

    A platter of homemade hush puppies.
    Hush Puppies
    If you have never tried Homemade Hush Puppies, now is the time. They are not hard to make from scratch, and trust me, you'll love this recipe!
    Get the Recipe

    Southern BBQ Side Dishes: Starters and Drinks

    While everyone is gathering, start out with some amazing appetizers and some refreshing drinks.

    Deviled Eggs

    Deviled eggs on a white platter.
    Deviled Eggs
    This recipe details the best deviled eggs ever (from Pip and Ebby). An American classic known for their appearances at summer potlucks and Easter dinner!
    Get the Recipe

    Bread and Butter Pickles

    Bread and Butter Pickles in a jar.
    Bread and Butter Pickles
    This recipe for homemade bread and butter pickles (from Sugar and Soul) is easy, delicious, and doesn’t require canning. Just 20 minutes of prep and let your refrigerator do the rest of the work!
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    Fried Oyster Crackers

    Fried oyster crackers on a paper towel.
    Fried Oyster Crackers
    Whether you love to snack on oyster crackers straight from the bag or use them as a topping for your favorite soups, bisques and chowders, these easy (and delicious) fried seasoned oyster crackers are for you. They’re super crunchy, golden and lightly seasoned. Use pantry staples for the simple spice blend and bring these bite-sized beauties a whole new level.
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    Cajun Boiled Peanuts

    A bowl of cajun boiled peanuts.
    Cajun Boiled Peanuts
    Spicy and salty, cajun boiled peanuts (from Basil & Bubbly) are the perfect summertime snack. Making them in the Instant Pot is MUCH faster than traditional methods, and they turn out perfectly tender each time.
    Get the Recipe

    Chick-fil-a Lemonade

    A glass of lemonade with a slice of lemon.
    Chick-fil-a Lemonade
    Copy Cat Chick-fil-a Lemonade recipe (from Eating On A Dime) is so refreshing and incredibly simple to make. Enjoy your favorite lemonade at home for a fraction of the price in just minutes!
    Get the Recipe

    Homemade Pink Lemonade

    Pink lemonade being poured into a glass of ice.
    Homemade Pink Lemonade
    With just a few simple ingredients, this Homemade Pink Lemonade (from The Country Cook) is the perfect, sweet and refreshing drink to cool you down this summer!
    Get the Recipe

    Southern Sweet Tea

    Two glasses of sweet tea.
    Southern Sweet Tea
    This Southern Sweet Tea recipe (from Add A Pinch) is smooth, sweet, and delicious! It includes tried-and-true tips for how to make sweet tea that everyone loves! Includes Sweet Tea Concentrate!
    Get the Recipe

    Southern Sides for BBQ: Desserts

    The best part about any bbq or cookout is ending with a delicious dessert, and no Southern cook would let her guests leave without something sweet. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, you could make something as simple as a brownie. For a pulled pork bbq the classic Southern dessert will be a Peach Cobbler or Banana Pudding.

    However, I prefer a sheet pan cake like a chocolate poke cake or a strawberry poke cake. Both are so moist and will feed a crowd, great if you have unexpected guests drop in. Here are a few more ideas to finish off your meal.

    Best Blueberry Cobbler Recipe

    Blueberry Cobbler in a white baking dish with whipped cream.
    Best Blueberry Cobbler Recipe
    This easy Southern blueberry cobbler recipe is topped with buttery, golden biscuits. A little lime transforms the sweet juicy blueberries and brings out their flavor. Flaky, melt-in-your-mouth biscuits create the perfect Southern dessert. Fresh or frozen blueberries will work so you can enjoy it all year long.
    Get the Recipe

    Peppermint White Chocolate Ice Cream

    An ice cream cone with a scoop of peppermint white chocolate ice cream.
    Peppermint White Chocolate Ice Cream
    Peppermint + creamy white chocolate = ice cream heaven! These two flavors combine to create a divinely refreshing, smooth frozen treat perfect for the winter holidays.
    Get the Recipe

    Banana Pudding

    A clear bowl of banana pudding with vanilla wafers on top.
    Banana Pudding
    This Banana Pudding is a no-cook recipe made with sweetened condensed milk, cream cheese, pudding, fresh bananas and Nilla wafers!
    Get the Recipe

    Cherry Pie Bar

    A stack of cherry pie bars.
    Cherry Pie Bar
    This is cherry pie made into an easy recipe that's sure to become a family favorite! With a golden brown crust and loads of cherry flavor, this Cherry Pie Bar recipe (from Kickass Baker) is one delicious dessert.
    Get the Recipe

    Strawberry Poke Cake

    A slice of strawberry jam cake on a plate with a strawberry on top.
    Strawberry Poke Cake
    Loaded with fresh strawberry sauce and a cream cheese frosting, this easy Strawberry Jam Cake will be your new go-to dessert for potlucks and gatherings. It’s so much better than a traditional strawberry poke cake, you’ll never go back to Jello again!
    Get the Recipe

    Now comes the hard part, trying to choose what to make! I try to choose as many make ahead things as I can, then you can just focus on the meat and enjoy yourself the day of the get together.

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    Comments

    1. best ny bbq says

      Barbecue is the most American food. There are numerous regional variations including the Memphis sticky ribs and Central Texas smoked brisket, along with Kansas City’s burnt ends and the Carolinas vinegar and mustard-sauced meats. But there’s more to the iconic cuisine than meets the eye.

      Reply

      • Barbara Curry says

        I love to try all them all when I travel to those regions of the country.

        Reply

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