13 Mouthwatering Barbecue Sides for Summer Parties

Here in Austin, “barbecue season” is a definite thing. However, as a vegetarian, I’m usually left to fend for myself at poolside gatherings, either bringing my own veggie burgers or subsisting on coleslaw, fruit salad, and other bbq side dishes. I’m here to tell you that having some variety on the table will take your barbecue game to the next level, making all your guests extremely happy (not just us vegetarians, promise!)

Having a solid selection of barbeque sides available at your next gathering is an absolute game-changer. They might even steal the show. It’s also refreshing to break up the monotony that can come from making your usual bbq side dishes. If you’re a long-standing baked beans kind of person, why not switch it up to a fresh new salad? Options abound and each one is more delicious than the next.

We’ve got everything from a charred broccoli salad, to grilled avocados, and few elevated classics. Your burgers are about to get a major run for their money as “most talked about food” at the party. Read on for all the bbq side dishes we can’t wait to whip up this summer.

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Sriracha Street Corn from Camille Styles

Always a strong choice for any barbeque, this spicy take on street corn puts a little spin on your everyday corn on the cob.

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Creamy Cucumber and Potato Salad from Food & Wine

The key to this delicious potato salad is in the Italian marinade, making it creamy while still staying flavorful, light, and refreshing.

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Broccoli Tahini Pasta Salad from Love and Lemons

Pasta salad—an iconic bbq side dish! Elevate the game with this healthy and flavorful dish from Love and Lemons.

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Gouda Mac & Cheese With Peaches and Prosciutto from My Name is Yeh

Jazz up your next macaroni and cheese with this absolutely decadent and delicious recipe. It’s rich, creamy, and full of flavor.

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Yakitori-Style Grilled Sweet Potatoes from Camille Styles

We can’t get enough of the deep umami flavor in this tasty sweet potato recipe. And don’t you love a skewer for a bbq side dish?

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Grilled Avocado With Black Bean Salad from Food52

You’re gonna fall head over heels for this creamy take on a quinoa salad.

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Jicama Slaw With Tequila Lime Dressing from Camille Styles

Keep it fresh and light with this bright, tasty jicama slaw. It couldn’t be easier to throw together and is a surefire crowd-pleaser.

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Grilled Caprese Skewers from Heather Christo

You can’t go wrong with a Caprese salad. Put it on some skewers and you’ve got a real barbeque side dish winner.

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Ultimate Guacamole and Mango-Chipotle Guacamole from Camille Styles

Kick your guacamole up a notch with one of these two delicious recipes. There’s nothing better than chips and guac on a hot day while you fire up the grill.

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Southwest Quinoa and Grilled Corn Salad from Foodie Crush

Looking for a new quinoa recipe? Look no further than this Southwest-inspired salad from Foodie Crush.

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Greek Pasta Salad from Joy the Baker

You’ll feel like you’re relaxing next to the Aegean with this tasty pasta salad. It’s got all the flavors you love from a Greek salad.

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Charred Broccoli and Red Onion Salad from Dolly & Oatmeal

Get your veggies in with this lovely healthy salad. It’s as easy to whip up as it is a truly tasty treat.

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Tequila Infused Watermelon Pops from Camille Styles

Okay, we may be treading into dessert territory here, but how could we not include these incredibly indulgent watermelon pops?

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Melon Basil Burrata Salad With Crispy Prosciutto from Half Baked Harvest

This salad is the epitome of summer. The freshness of the melons, basil, and tomatoes pair brilliantly with the creaminess of the burrata and salty crunch of prosciutto. Yum!

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Avocado Citrus Salad with Pistachios and Feta from The Delicious Life

When was the last time you saw such beautiful colors in a single side dish? It’s simply not to be missed.

This post was originally published on June 26, 2020, and has since been updated.