37 Barbecue Sides Because We Can’t Live Off Burgers Alone
Main dishes tend to get all the attention when it comes to backyard barbecues, but we all know this summertime rite of passage isn’t a meal without a few glorious BBQ sides. So since the hot dogs and burgers are taken care of, and you don’t have to make the ketchup or sauce (unless you want to), we’ve gathered some of our favorite summer recipes for the side of your plate. We have crunchy, fresh side dishes that make the most of seasonal produce. Tangy, cooling side dish recipes to cut through the richness of the meat. Carby, bready side dishes recipes to sop up all those juices. You want more? We’ve got more. Scroll on.
Alex Lau1/37Watermelon and Jicama Salad With Jalapeño and Lime
First on our BBQ sides roundup: This easy recipe for the ultimate summer salad. Just toss cut watermelon, jicama, jalapeño, scallion, cilantro, and lime juice in a large bowl and season with salt.
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Amy Wilson2/37Charred Bean and Pea Salad
Laura Murray3/37BA’s Best Caprese Salad
The gang’s all here: heirloom and cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, extra-virgin olive oil, flaky salt, and black pepper. Just please, resist the urge to add overpowering balsamic vinegar to the equation.
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Amy Wilson4/37Spicy Kimchi Slaw
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Ines Anguiano5/37Cornbread Cheddar Biscuits
Buttermilk biscuits meet cornbread in this crossover your summer barbecue didn’t know it needed. A generous addition of sharp cheddar keeps things, well, cheesy. (The good kind of cheesy.)
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne, Prop Styling by Graylen Gatewood6/37Ratatouille
Photographs by Laura Murray, food styling by Rose Daniels and Yia Vang8/37Potluck Chopped Salad
This may be called chopped salad, but when it comes to the fresh herbs, retract your knife. You want the whole leaves of Thai basil, cilantro, dill, and mint to do their things.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Graylen Gatewood9/37Fried Green Tomatoes
Photo by Laura Murray, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Sophie Strangio10/37Crunchy Pickle Salad
We realize there are a lot of salads on this list, but nothing accompanies fatty meats like a crunchy, vinegary mixture of fresh greens and vegetables.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Paola Andrea11/37Cheesy Broccoli Casserole With Butter Cracker Crunchies
Casserole is a comfort food. Broccoli-cheddar soup is a comfort food. Barbecue is a comfort food. Ergo, broccoli-cheddar casserole served as a side at a barbecue is the ultimate comfort food.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne, Prop Styling by Carla Gonzalez-Hart12/37Classic Pigs in a Blanket
Photo by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Anne Eastman13/37Marinated Peppers With Basil and Garlic
Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Caroline Hwang, prop styling by Elizabeth Jaime.14/37Grilled Corn With Chaat Masala
The grilled corn on the cob at your summer cookout is likely missing one simple flavor booster: chaat masala, a bright, lemony, earthy blend of spices, the most notable of which are sharp black salt and amchur (dried green mango powder).
