If you’re looking for delicious & easy BBQ sides to make this summer, you’re in the right place!

These 7 simple side dish recipes will help you make the most of summer produce & pair perfectly with anything grilled.

cabbage slaw, potato salad, bean dip, and pasta salad dishes surrounding pink background with navy text

Hey, feel good fam! Things are heating up here in Portland & backyard barbeque season is officially here.

In the summer, I love spending as much time enjoying the sunshine as possible. For me that means leaning into recipes that have minimal steps, simple ingredients, and quick clean up. Less stress, more joy! I have a hunch that you might feel the same way.

these simple recipes are made for busy weeks

I’ve gathered a few of my all-time favorite recipes for you to help you make the most of summer produce. Including my favorite vegetable side dish recipes plus some easy potato salads, pasta salads, dips, refreshing slaws and more.

You can consider this your capsule collection of recipes that you can lean on when you don’t know what to make or bring to a potluck.

Many of these recipes can be made-ahead of time. Perfect for bringing along to a picnic, day at the beach or anytime you need to feed a crowd!

these recipes are all…

Creating vegetarian & vegan friendly dishes doesn’t have to be complicated to be delicious.

These recipes all have simple, quick prep steps. And use simple, real food ingredients that are easy to find in the store or online.

I’ve added easy adaptations and tips to each recipe, like ingredient swaps and ideas for how to make them kid-friendly.

I hope you’ll make these soon. If you do, be sure to share it on Instagram and tag me at @realfoodwholelife so I can see. Now let’s start making some of the best easiest bbq sides for summer!

steel chefs knife with black handle on white background

Here’s the chef’s knife (affiliate) I use for all my recipes. A good quality, sharp knife makes quick work of ingredient prep for my recipes. I love how versatile and durable it is!

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7 Best Easiest BBQ Sides for Summer

5 stars (3 ratings)

20-Minute Rainbow Veggie Pasta Salad

Bright, colorful, and super tasty, 20-Minute Rainbow Veggie Pasta Salad is just the thing for picnics, potlucks, or as a side any night of the week.

Craving another vibrant summer pasta recipe? You'll love this grilled corn loaded guacamole pasta!

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5 stars (2 ratings)

Real Food 7-Layer Dip (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

Simple, delicious, and naturally gluten-free & dairy-free, Real Food 7-Layer Dip will be the hit of your next party or gathering!

Need another easy dip that can feed a crowd? Look no further than this slow cooker spinach artichoke dip recipe (it's a family favorite)!

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Image of Red, White and Blue Potato Salad (No-Mayo)
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Red, White and Blue Potato Salad (No-Mayo)

Red, White & Blue Potato Salad (No-Mayo) is the perfect make-ahead side. Made with a tangy-sweet dressing and tons of dill, it’s fantastic for barbecues, potlucks, or as a side for anything grilled.

Looking for more festive make-ahead dishes? You've gotta try these naturally red white and blue popsicles. They're refined sugar free and dye free too!

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Thinly sliced purple cabbage slaw with carrots in a bowl with a striped blue napkin on the side.
5 stars (6 ratings)

Purple Cabbage Slaw

This creamy purple cabbage slaw is made with thinly sliced red and green cabbage, carrots, and with a creamy and healthy dressing. It comes together in 15 minutes, making it the perfect quick and easy side dish for any meal!

Ingredients: red and green cabbage, carrots, mayonnaise (traditional, vegan mayo or Greek yogurt), honey (optional), lime juice, and salt.

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Image of Tomato, Avocado and Basil Salad
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Tomato, Avocado and Basil Salad

Bursting with gorgeous ripe tomatoes and creamy avocado, this Tomato, Avocado & Basil Salad makes the perfect stunning side dish for any meal.

Obsessed with all-things avocado? You won't wanna miss my recipe for the easiest 4-ingredient guacamole! Delicious on tacos or just straight out of the bowl.

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Image of Honey-Mustard Green Bean Potato Salad
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Honey-Mustard Green Bean Potato Salad

Drizzled with a tangy and sweet dressing, this Honey-Mustard Green Bean Potato Salad is super flavorful with no mayo in sight! Perfect as a side or to bring along to your next BBQ or potluck.

Looking for a hot dish instead? Try this warm german potato salad recipe. It's paleo, dairy-free, gluten-free, and mayo-free – making it the perfect thing to bring to a potluck.

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A big white bowl filled with healthy macaroni salad with two serving spoons on top, and fresh vegetables in the background.
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Healthy Macaroni Salad

This healthy vegan macaroni salad is made without mayo and uses elbow pasta, carrots, celery, and a homemade Italian dressing for a perfect pasta salad for any occasion. I love that I can make this one ahead of time too!

Ingredients: cooked pasta (whole wheat or gluten-free), carrots, cherry tomatoes, celery, parsley, red onion, Italian seasoning, red wine vinegar, garlic powder, olive oil, and salt.

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Thinly sliced purple cabbage slaw with carrots in a bowl with a striped blue napkin on the side.
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7 Best Easiest BBQ Sides for Summer, Plus Creamy Cabbage Slaw

Yield: 6 cups
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 15 mins
This crunchy cabbage slaw recipe mixes green and purple cabbage, grated carrots, together with a creamy and healthy dressing. It comes together in just 15 minutes. Plus 6 more easy, healthy bbq sides for summer that I know you'll love!
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Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon raw honey
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
  • 6 cups very thinly sliced cabbage, green, purple, or a combination
  • 2 large carrots, grated (optional)

Equipment

Instructions 

  • In a large bowl, combine the lime juice, honey, salt and mayonnaise or yogurt, stirring until well combined.
  • Add the cabbage and carrots if using, stirring until the cabbage is well coated.
  • Let sit at least 5 minutes for the flavors to combine. Toss again and serve.

Notes

Use white balsamic or white wine vinegar in place of the lime juice.
Skip the honey if you’re watching your sugar intake or want to make this recipe vegan or Whole30 compliant.
Use vegan mayo if you want to make this recipe egg-free.
Author: Robyn Downs
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

Nutrition Information:

Nutrition disclaimer
Did you make this recipe?If you do, be sure to share it on Instagram and tag me at @realfoodwholelife so I can see!

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