7 Best Easiest BBQ Sides for Summer
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.

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…
Dairy FreeGluten FreeVeganVegetarian
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!
The Chef’s Knife I Use
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!
7 Best Easiest BBQ Sides for Summer
20-Minute Rainbow Veggie Pasta Salad
Real Food 7-Layer Dip (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
Red, White and Blue Potato Salad (No-Mayo)
Purple Cabbage Slaw
Tomato, Avocado and Basil Salad
Honey-Mustard Green Bean Potato Salad
Healthy Macaroni Salad

7 Best Easiest BBQ Sides for Summer, Plus Creamy Cabbage Slaw
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
Nutrition Information:
Nutrition disclaimerThis post contains affiliate links