If you’re looking for the best & easiest BBQ sides to make this summer, you’re in the right place! These fresh, flavorful and simple side dish recipes will help you make the most of summer produce, are fantastic for a cookout, and pair perfectly with ribs, pulled pork, and anything grilled.
Things are heating and backyard BBQ and cookout season is officially here. I love leaning into recipes that have minimal steps, simple ingredients, and quick clean up, year round, but summer is definitely the time for less stress and more joy when it comes to cooking!
I’ve gathered a few of my all-time favorite healthy summer side dishes, classic BBQ sides and more and easy BBQ side dishes for a crowd to help you make the most of summer produce. Consider this your capsule collection of recipes of light bbq sides that you can lean on when you don’t know what to make or bring to a potluck.
Make Ahead BBQ Sides
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!
This Easy 4-Ingredient Guacamole is so simple and tastes amazing. It's the perfect party appetizer or everyday condiment; use it as a dip, a topping, or just straight out of the bowl. Everything is better with guacamole!
Ingredients: avocado, lime juice, garlic, and salt.
Rich, creamy, and totally dippable, this yogurt tahini sauce is perfect for serving with lamb, falafel, chicken, pita, or as the center of a vibrant vegetable platter. It’s like the fluffy, protein-packed cousin of your favorite hummus dip (trust me, you’ve got to try this one asap!).
Ingredients: Greek yogurt (traditional or plant-based), tahini, lemon juice, garlic and salt.
This easy crockpot taco dip recipe is made with a short list of pantry ingredients, and is perfect for parties, holiday gatherings, gameday, or anytime you need to feed a crowd.
Ingredients: lean ground beef, diced tomatoes with green chilis, cream cheese (traditional or dairy-free), shredded Mexican cheese blend (traditional or dairy-free), chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, lime juice, hot sauce and salt.
Inspired by Chipotle, this fresh tomato salsa recipe combines just a few simple ingredients for a quick appetizer or sauce that’s perfect for dipping or topping tacos or burrito bowls. It comes together in a matter of minutes in just one bowl, so it’s easy enough for a weeknight!
Ingredients: tomatoes, red onion, cilanto, jalapeno, lime juice, lemon juice and salt.
Learn how 6 basic pantry ingredients transform into an easy sauce that elevates any dish with this easy pesto rosso. This back-pocket recipe is packed with flavor from sun dried tomatoes, is incredibly versatile, super easy to make, and deliciously addictive!
This Black Bean Salad with Corn recipe combines cherry tomatoes, chopped bell peppers, red onion and cilantro with an easy, healthy cumin lime dressing. Perfect for a light vegetarian dinner, colorful side dish or make-ahead lunch!
Elevate everyday carrots with slow cooker carrots, an incredibly easy recipe that’s packed with flavor! Makes an elegantly simple side for every day dinners, brunch, and special holiday spreads.
Ingredients: carrots, butter, lemon zest, maple syrup and salt.
These slow cooker potatoes are the definition of simple and delicious. All you need are a handful of pantry ingredients and a crockpot. Easy prep for weeknight dinners, but this classic, cozy recipe makes a great addition to the holiday table too!
Ingredients: small potatoes, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and salt.
These Easy Shrimp Salad Stuffed Avocados combine bell peppers, celery & shallots with a simple dressing of lemon juice, dill and mayonnaise. Use precooked shrimp for the perfect no-cook quick lunch or weeknight dinner!
With just five simple ingredients and 20 minutes, you can whip up this tasty and crowd-pleasing 5-Ingredient Mediterranean Pasta Salad recipe. Serve it as a side or bulk it up for a super-fast dinner!
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.
These super easy slow cooker roasted potatoes are made with russet potatoes and are flavored with garlic, parmesan, and fresh herbs. A simple side dish you’ll want to make on repeat!
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.
All the taste of the traditional, but with a healthy upgrade, Warm German Potato Salad is perfect for your next barbecue or potluck and is so simple to make. Paleo, dairy-free, gluten-free, and mayo-free.
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.
This quick and easy vegan tahini pasta sauce comes together in under 30 minutes, creating a satisfying, healthy, and comforting dairy-free sauce that’s perfect for pasta and more!
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.
Incredibly simple to make, 3-ingredient hummus dressing uses premade hummus, lemon juice and olive oil for an easy dressing that will liven up any dish!
Ingredients: premade hummus, lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil and salt
Incredibly simple to make, this healthy miso tahini dressing uses white miso paste, tahini, lemon juice, coconut aminos and maple syrup (or honey) for an easy dressing that will liven up any dish. Includes simple swaps to for a soy-free option, too!
Ingredients: tahini, white miso paste (or soy-free chickpea miso paste), coconut aminos, garlic, maple syrup, water, fresh lemon juice and salt
Incredibly simple to make, 3-ingredient pesto vinaigrette uses pre-made pesto, lemon juice and olive oil for an easy dressing that will liven up any dish!
Ingredients: prepared pesto (traditional or vegan), lemon juice, olive oil and salt
This easy 5-minute chipotle honey vinaigrette combines chipotles, honey, lime juice, and oil for a flavorful dressing perfect for salads, burrito bowls, and more. Includes simple modifications to make this vegan & whole30 friendly!
Ingredients: lime juice, chipotle peppers in adobo, garlic, oil, pepper, salt and honey (use maple syrup if vegan or omit for whole30)
Create the ultimate baked potato bar for your next dinner party with this simple guide! PLUS, I include over 30 unique and flavor-packed topping ideas.
Yes, you can make perfect baked potatoes in the slow cooker! The easiest hands-off way to feed a crowd, create an effortless baked potato bar, or an easy side dish for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Silky, savory, and packed with flavor, these super easy Crock Pot green beans are a simple side dish that are perfect for weeknight dinners and festive holiday spreads.
This easy slow cooker collard greens recipe combines humble collard greens with simple spices for a lusciously tender and delicious side dish you’ll want to make on repeat.
Key ingredients: collard greens, chicken stock, ham hock, apple cider vinegar.
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.
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.
30+ Best Easy BBQ Sides for Summer, Plus Creamy Cabbage Slaw
Servings: 6cups
Prep: 15 minutesmins
Cook: 0 minutesmins
Total: 15 minutesmins
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 30+ more easy bbq sides for summer that I know you'll love!
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.