Barbecue is a celebration of bold flavors, but the sides often bring the true magic to the table. While the smoky, tender ribs might be the main event, these sides have a way of stealing the spotlight—creamy, tangy, and just the right amount of crunch.
Some even manage to outshine the grill marks themselves, leaving everyone coming back for seconds. It’s time to elevate your BBQ game with these unforgettable side dishes.
1. Creamy Coleslaw
Nothing screams “BARBECUE!” quite like a bowl of cool, crisp coleslaw nestled beside a pile of smoky meat. The magic happens when crunchy cabbage meets tangy dressing – creating that perfect balance of creamy and refreshing.
Traditional versions blend green cabbage with carrots, but why stop there? Toss in some purple cabbage for eye-popping color, or spice things up with jalapeños for guests who live dangerously.
2. Grilled Corn On The Cob
Forget boiling water! The grill transforms ordinary corn into charred, smoky flavor bombs that practically scream summer. Those caramelized kernels develop a sweetness that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance.
Husks on or off? That’s the eternal debate. Leave them on for a steamed-then-grilled approach (just soak first), or strip them bare for maximum char marks.
3. Loaded Potato Salad
Ordinary potato salad? Not on my watch! This bad boy takes the humble spud and transforms it into a flavor explosion worthy of center stage. Imagine all your loaded baked potato dreams – bacon, cheese, green onions, sour cream – partying together in one magnificent bowl.
The secret weapon? Roasting the potatoes instead of boiling them. This simple switch creates a deeper flavor and prevents that mushy texture nobody wants.
4. Mac and Cheese With Crispy Topping
Holy cheese heaven! This isn’t your box-mix disappointment – we’re talking about rich, gooey, soul-warming mac that makes people temporarily forget about the ribs. The secret? Multiple cheeses, my friend.
Baking it in a cast-iron skillet right on the grill infuses subtle smokiness while creating the ultimate textural contrast: velvety pasta beneath and golden-brown crunchiness on top. Panko breadcrumbs mixed with butter, herbs, and a touch of parmesan form a crust that should be illegal it’s so good.
5. Watermelon Feta Salad
Sweet meets savory in this mind-blowing combo that screams summer louder than kids cannonballing into a pool! Juicy watermelon chunks provide cool refreshment while crumbled feta delivers salty punch – creating flavor magic that makes taste buds do backflips.
The best part? It takes five minutes to throw together but looks like you spent hours crafting it. Keep it chilled until serving time for maximum refreshment factor on sweltering barbecue days.
6. Smoky Baked Beans
Forget those sad canned beans! These smoky, sweet-and-savory beans simmer until they develop a sauce so rich it should apply for a loan. The transformation begins with bacon (because, duh) rendering its magical fat before onions and garlic join the flavor party.
Multiple bean varieties create textural interest while a complex sauce – featuring molasses, brown sugar, mustard, and a splash of bourbon if you’re feeling fancy – builds layers of flavor that make store-bought versions hide in shame.
7. Grilled Vegetable Platter
Vegetable skeptics become believers when these beauties hit the grill! The intense heat caramelizes natural sugars, transforming ordinary produce into charred, smoky flavor bombs.
Zucchini, bell peppers, asparagus, mushrooms, eggplant – the grill doesn’t discriminate against any veggie willing to take the heat. The marinade makes all the difference: olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, and herbs create a flavor foundation before the flames work their magic.
8. Jalapeño Cornbread
BOOM! One bite of this cornbread and your guests will wonder if they’ve died and gone to carb heaven. Forget that dry, crumbly nonsense – we’re talking moist, buttery cornbread studded with spicy jalapeño bits and pockets of melted cheese that’ll make your eyes roll back.
The cast iron skillet isn’t just for show, folks. Preheating it with butter creates that legendary crispy crust that contrasts perfectly with the tender interior.
9. Tangy Cucumber Salad
When the barbecue heat is on, this cool cucumber salad swoops in like a refreshing superhero! Paper-thin cucumber slices swim in a bright vinegar dressing that cuts through rich, fatty barbecue like a chef’s knife through butter.
The magic lies in the contrast – crisp vegetables against tender meat, cool temperature against hot barbecue, and tangy flavor against smoky goodness. Red onions add sharp bite while fresh dill brings aromatic interest that makes this simple side surprisingly complex.
10. Garlic Parmesan Grilled Mushrooms
Mushroom haters, prepare to convert! These umami bombs develop an almost meaty texture on the grill, absorbing garlic butter like little flavor sponges. Portobellos work beautifully, but even humble button mushrooms transform into something magical with this treatment.
Skewering smaller varieties prevents those precious fungi from slipping through grill grates into the fiery abyss below. The butter-garlic-herb marinade penetrates every crevice, while high heat concentrates mushrooms’ natural flavors into intense, savory bites.
11. Deviled Eggs With Bacon Crumbles
Grandma’s deviled eggs just got a scandalous makeover! These two-bite wonders disappear faster than you can say “save me one” at any barbecue. The velvety yolk mixture – spiked with mustard, mayo, and a dash of pickle juice for brightness – creates the perfect canvas for crispy bacon bits.
The texture contrast is what makes these irresistible: creamy filling against the firm white, topped with crunchy bacon that adds smoky depth. A sprinkle of paprika isn’t just for color – it adds subtle warmth that ties everything together.
12. Sweet Potato Fries With Spicy Dip
Move over regular fries – these orange beauties bring sweet, earthy flavor that regular potatoes can only dream about! Cutting them uniformly is the secret to even cooking, transforming these root vegetables into crispy-outside, tender-inside sticks of happiness.
The dipping sauce seals the deal: cool, creamy yogurt base with chipotle, lime, and honey creates a sweet-spicy-tangy trifecta that’s absolutely addictive. Even the kids who claim to hate vegetables will be caught sneaking these off the serving platter.
13. Mediterranean Pasta Salad
Pasta salad gets a sun-soaked makeover that’ll transport your taste buds straight to a Greek island! Forget those mayo-drenched versions – this vibrant beauty relies on good olive oil, lemon juice, and herbs for a lighter, brighter approach that won’t wilt in summer heat.
The longer it sits, the better it gets, making this the perfect make-ahead side that improves while you focus on grilling. Sprinkle with extra herbs just before serving for that fresh-made look that’ll have guests requesting your recipe.
14. Honey-Glazed Carrots
Candy masquerading as vegetables! These caramelized beauties transform the humble carrot into something so delicious, kids forget they’re eating something healthy. The honey-butter glaze creates a sweet-savory coating that bubbles into sticky perfection as it cooks.
Rainbow carrots aren’t just for show – each color actually brings slightly different flavor notes to the party. Leaving a bit of the green tops attached creates that farmer’s market look that elevates presentation from basic to bougie.
15. Avocado And Black Bean Salad
Guacamole’s sophisticated cousin has arrived at the party! This protein-packed powerhouse brings creamy avocado chunks, hearty black beans, and a fiesta of colorful vegetables together in one bowl of Tex-Mex perfection.
Lime juice does double duty – preventing avocados from browning while adding bright acidity that wakes up every ingredient. Serve this with a slotted spoon to leave excess liquid behind, and prepare for guests to abandon the chips entirely in favor of eating this straight from their plates. It’s that good.
16. Stuffed Jalapeño Poppers
Flavor bombs that bring just enough heat to make things interesting! These two-bite wonders feature jalapeños acting as spicy little boats, carrying a cargo of cream cheese filling that mellows their fire while adding rich, tangy contrast.
Wrapping them in bacon isn’t just showing off – it adds smoky flavor while the fat renders down, basting the peppers as they cook. Make extra because these vanish with alarming speed.
17. Garlic Butter Grilled Oyster Mushrooms
Meat-eaters won’t believe these are just mushrooms! Oyster mushrooms’ naturally meaty texture transforms on the grill into something so satisfying even dedicated carnivores will do a double-take.
The garlic butter bath isn’t just delicious – it protects these delicate fungi from drying out over high heat. Serve these straight from the grill with extra herb butter for dipping and watch jaws drop as guests realize vegetables can be the star of the barbecue show.
18. Pineapple Coleslaw
Tropical twist alert! This isn’t your deli counter coleslaw – juicy pineapple chunks bring unexpected sweetness that transforms an ordinary side into something people actually get excited about. The fruit’s natural acids tenderize cabbage while balancing the creamy dressing.
Make this at least two hours before serving to let flavors marry into harmony. The result? A refreshing side that provides cool crunch and tropical vibes alongside smoky grilled meats – like a beach vacation for your taste buds.
19. Crispy Smashed Potatoes
Potato identity crisis in the best possible way! These spuds can’t decide if they’re roasted, fried, or mashed – and that confusion creates pure magic. The technique is brilliantly simple: boil, smash, roast until the edges shatter into crispy shards while the centers remain fluffy potato clouds.
These can be boiled and smashed ahead, then roasted just before serving for fresh-from-the-oven perfection. The dramatic appearance of these craggy potato disks makes them as Instagram-worthy as they are delicious.