18 Amazing Sides to Elevate Your Next BBQ

When it comes to hosting or attending a BBQ, the main dishes might steal the spotlight, but it's truly the sides that elevate the entire meal to a whole new level. Those grilled proteins and vegetables need the perfect pairing to create a winner's menu.

From refreshing salads that cut through the smokiness of grilled foods to hearty dips and innovative takes on classic sides, each recipe brings a new flavor to your table. Let's turn those ordinary barbecues into extraordinary culinary experiences with these incredible sides!

Three vibrant dishes: stuffed avocados on the left, colorful vegetable skewers in the middle, and a fresh green bean and pea salad on the right. — Photo Credit: In The Kitchn, the Forked Spoon & Spabetti

Pineapple Pico de Gallo

A colorful bowl of diced tomato, pineapple, and red onion salsa garnished with chopped cilantro, served with a side of multicolored tortilla chips. — Photo Credit: Six Hungry Feet

Fresh salsas are a must-have for your BBQ menu. They add a refreshing element to your grilled foods, and you can prepare them beforehand. This pineapple pico de gallo is definitely a favorite for all our BBQ gatherings!

Get the recipe: Pineapple Pico de Gallo

Sweet Potato Wedges with Lime

These Sweet Potato Wedges sprinkled with lime zest are a simple side dish for your upcoming BBQ. Serve them with some chipotle mayonnaise, and add a fantastic side to your menu.

Get the recipe: Sweet Potato Wedges with Lime

Veggie Skewers

Colorful grilled vegetable skewers including bell peppers, zucchini, onions, and mushrooms, arranged neatly on a white surface. — Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon

These flavorful Mediterranean-inspired Skewers are a beautiful addition to your BBQ. Made with simple, healthy ingredients, they’re perfect to add to your grill while you're cooking the rest of your lunch or dinner!

Get the recipe: Veggie Skewers

Edamame Cucumber Salad

A vibrant bowl of mixed vegetables including snap peas, edamame, cherry tomatoes, and cucumbers, sprinkled with sesame seeds, suggesting a fresh and healthy meal. — Photo Credit: Spabettie

This Edamame Cucumber Salad is a veggie-forward version of everyone's favorite Asian cucumber salad. Adding this item to your BBQ menu will bring umami flavors and freshness to the table.

Get the recipe: Edamame Cucumber Salad

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

Red Pepper Hummus served with pita — © Photo credit: Six Hungry Feet

Hummus is that dish that I always expect when I go to a BBQ. You can prepare it the day before, make your favorite version of it, and simply serve it with some bread on the side, or crudités. While the rest of the meal is grilling, you can start filling up your tummy with this delicious dip.

Get the recipe: Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

Tropical Mango Coleslaw

A bowl of colorful mixed salad containing shredded carrots, red cabbage, green onions, and chunks of apple, garnished with seeds and fresh herbs. — Photo Credit: Through The Fibro Fog

This Tropical Mango Coleslaw is a fun and fruity dish perfect for your next BBQ and even potlucks. It's a mango slaw without mayo, using an oil-based dressing, and comes together in just ten minutes, making it a nutritious and quick meal option.

Get the recipe: Tropical Mango Coleslaw

Green Summer Rolls with Peanut Sauce

What about bringing some Fresh Rolls to a BBQ? These are great finger foods to snack on while the rest of the meal is cooking. Serve them with a delicious peanut dip, and surprise the rest of the people!

Get the recipe: Green Summer Rolls with Peanut Sauce

Mexican Street Corn

Grilled corn on the cob topped with creamy sauce, cotija cheese, cilantro, and red onion, served on a white plate. — Photo Credit: Kathy's Vegan Kitchen

This Vegan Mexican Street Corn is a savory sensation! Use that hot grill to prepare some delicious Mexican-style corn. Served with a mouthwatering cashew cream, and topped with fresh cilantro and red onion, you'll love this side dish!

Get the recipe: Mexican Street Corn

Fresh Broccoli Salad with Pickled Onion

Forget about those boring salads for your next BBQ. This broccoli and mozzarella salad comes packed with flavors, textures, and colors. A healthy side dish to balance your BBQ feast, sounds good?

Get the recipe: Fresh Broccoli Salad with Pickled Onion

Middle Eastern Chickpea Salad

This dish stands between a hearty side or a light main. We love bringing it to our BBQ parties, as people following a plant-based diet can have it as a main, while people eating meat enjoy it as a side. It's packed with zesty flavor, combining preserved lemons, za'atar, and a variety of fresh vegetables.

Get the recipe: Middle Eastern Chickpea Salad

Simple Italian Chickpea Salad

A bowl of chickpea salad with chopped tomatoes, red onions, and fresh parsley, served with a slice of toasted bread on the side. — Photo Credit: Keeping It Simple Italian

Another delicious chickpea salad. This one features fresh tomatoes, onions, olive oil, and Italian parsley. Perfect to serve on the side of grilled vegetables or protein.

Get the recipe: Simple Italian Chickpea Salad

Grilled Avocado

For this recipe, avocados are grilled and stuffed with a fresh, homemade pico de gallo. It's such an easy, quick, and fun way to offer your guests a new BBQ side dish!

Get the recipe: Grilled Avocado

Vegan Couscous Salad

This Vegan Couscous Salad is light yet satisfying, blending fresh veggies and nutty couscous with a zesty, herby dressing that's all about spring vibes.

Get the recipe: Vegan Couscous Salad

Italian Potatoes with Salsa Verde

A bowl of roasted red potatoes coated in a vibrant green chimichurri sauce, garnished with fresh cilantro leaves. — Photo Credit: Keeping It Simple

The Italian salsa verde that goes with these roasted potatoes is absolutely delicious and perfect on so many other dishes, so make enough to add on top of your grilled foods.

Get the recipe: Italian Potatoes with Salsa Verde

Healthy Oven Roasted Rutabaga Fries

A close-up of crispy sweet potato fries garnished with fresh green herbs, served in a paper-lined basket. — Photo Credit: Style and Grace

Ready in 45 minutes, these French Fry alternatives are a delicious and healthy side dish for your next gathering.

Get the recipe: Healthy Oven Roasted Rutabaga Fries

Texas Caviar

A vibrant and colorful bowl of mixed bean salad with corn, cherry tomatoes, avocados, and lime, garnished with cilantro, served with tortilla chips on the side. — Photo Credit: Raepublic

A classic salad that brings color and freshness to any outdoor gathering! Delicious paired with tortilla chips or on top of your grilled veggies and protein.

Get the recipe: Texas Caviar

Marinated Tomatoes

A plate of freshly sliced tomatoes, garnished with chopped herbs, viewed from above on a light-colored textured surface. — Photo Credit: Budget Delicious

Marinated tomatoes are a simple and delicious BBQ side. Marinated tomato salad is so simple to prepare, goes perfectly with grilled foods, and tastes great on its own.

Get the recipe: Marinated Tomatoes

The Best Baba Ganoush

Smoke some eggplants and prepare this delicious dip. Smoky Baba Ganoush is a delicious side dish to prepare while you're grilling the rest of the food.

Get the recipe: The Best Baba Ganoush

23 Stunning Fruit Salads For Every Occasion

Three images of vibrant fruit salads: left with sliced peaches and berries, middle with mixed berries and kiwi slices, right with diced mango, pineapple, and kiwi.

Looking for the perfect dish that's both eye-catching and delicious for every single one of your gatherings? Well, look no further! These 23 Stunning Fruit Salads are sure to impress your friends and family.

Whether you're hosting a fancy brunch, attending a picnic, or just in need of a fruity fix, we've got a salad for that. So grab your favorite bowl, and let's dive into a world of fresh, vibrant, and absolutely scrumptious fruit salad masterpieces!

See Them Here: 23 Stunning Fruit Salads For Every Occasion

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