Best BBQ Side Dishes for the Ultimate Cookout
Recipes - September 11, 2026

There’s something about a backyard BBQ that just feels like summer. Burgers on the grill, kids running around, drinks getting warm way too fast, and a table slowly filling up with food as everyone arrives.

And while burgers and hot dogs usually get all the attention, I’m honestly there for the BBQ side dishes.

Give me potato salad, baked beans, pasta salad, corn on the cob, coleslaw and something sweet and fruity and I’m happy. Half the time, I think the sides are better than whatever is coming off the grill.

Whether you’re planning a Fourth of July cookout, Memorial Day BBQ, Labor Day party, family get-together or just grilling in the backyard on a random Saturday, there are so many easy sides you can serve.

I’ve rounded up a ton of BBQ side dish recipes, including the classics along with some different ideas for when you just cannot bring another bowl of regular potato salad.

What Are the Best Side Dishes for a BBQ?

The best cookout sides are usually the ones that are easy to make, easy to put on the table and easy for everyone to grab.

Some of the classics are classics for a reason:

  • Potato salad
  • Pasta salad
  • Macaroni salad
  • Coleslaw
  • Baked beans
  • Cornbread
  • Corn on the cob
  • Fruit salad
  • Cucumber salad
  • Mac and cheese
  • Grilled vegetables

But you definitely don’t have to stick to the usual stuff.

Mexican street corn, fresh salsa, smashed potatoes, broccoli salad, couscous, cucumber salads and grilled vegetables are all really good with burgers, chicken, ribs, pulled pork and steak.

Easy BBQ Side Dishes for a Crowd

If I’m having people over, I don’t want to spend the whole BBQ in the kitchen.

And if someone else is hosting, I don’t want to show up with a recipe that needs six bowls, three sauces and 20 minutes of assembly once I get there.

Simple wins.

Pasta salad is always a good choice because it’s inexpensive, easy to double and there are about a million ways to make it. You can go with a traditional creamy pasta salad or make something a little different like dill pickle pasta salad, elote pasta salad, ranch pasta salad or a Mediterranean version.

Potato salad, baked beans, coleslaw and cornbread are also great when you’re feeding a lot of people without spending a fortune.

BBQ Side Dish Recipes

Now for the recipes.

I’ve collected everything from creamy pasta salads and potato salads to baked beans, fresh vegetables, corn recipes, fruit salads and plenty of things you can throw on the grill.

So instead of scrolling Pinterest for an hour trying to figure out what to make, start here.

BBQ Side Dishes

Make-Ahead BBQ Sides

Anything I can make before everyone shows up gets bonus points.

Pasta salad, potato salad, coleslaw, cucumber salad and a lot of fruit salads can be made ahead and kept cold until it’s time to eat.

Baked beans and casseroles can usually be prepped earlier too and warmed up right before serving.

One thing I have learned with summer parties is not to put every single thing out at once. If something has mayonnaise, dairy, meat or another ingredient that needs to stay cold, I’ll put out a smaller bowl and keep the rest in the refrigerator.

Then you can refill it as needed instead of letting a giant bowl sit outside baking in the Arizona sun.

👉For dessert, I’m also a huge fan of no-bake Fourth of July desserts because nobody wants to turn the oven on when it’s 110 degrees outside

BBQ Sides That Aren’t Potato Salad

I love potato salad. I really do.

But sometimes enough is enough.

If you want something different, try grilled zucchini, green beans, Mexican street corn, corn salad, salsa, broccoli salad, couscous salad, cucumber salad, smashed potatoes or a big crunchy chopped salad.

I especially like adding something fresh when everything else on the table is heavy.

If you’ve already got ribs, mac and cheese, baked beans and rolls, a fresh cucumber salad or corn salsa helps balance things out.

👉These sides would also be great with some of my favorite thick pork chop recipes, especially the grilled ones

What to Serve With Burgers and Hot Dogs

You really don’t need twelve side dishes for burgers and hot dogs.

Pick two or three and call it a day.

You could do pasta salad, baked beans and watermelon. Or potato salad, corn on the cob and coleslaw.

Add chips, pickles, sliced watermelon and burger toppings and you’ve got plenty of food without making yourself crazy.

What to Serve With BBQ Chicken

BBQ chicken is one of the easiest things to build a menu around because almost everything tastes good with it.

Cornbread, baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw, grilled corn, mac and cheese and fresh fruit are all easy choices.

If you want something lighter, add cucumber salad, grilled vegetables, corn salad or a simple green salad.

What to Serve With Ribs

With ribs, I usually want the classic cookout sides.

Think baked beans, mac and cheese, cornbread, potato salad, corn on the cob and pasta salad.

But ribs are rich and messy and saucy, so I also like having something cold and fresh on the table.

A crunchy slaw, fruit salad, cucumber salad or fresh corn salsa works really well.

How Many Side Dishes Do You Need for a BBQ?

For a small family BBQ, two or three sides are usually enough.

If you’re having a bigger cookout or potluck, you can add a few more because people tend to take a little of everything.

I like having some variety: something creamy, something fresh, something warm and maybe fruit.

And if someone asks, “What can I bring?”

Give them a side dish.

Seriously. Let people help.

Frequently Asked Questions About BBQ Side Dishes

What is the most popular BBQ side dish?

Potato salad, coleslaw, baked beans, pasta salad, corn on the cob, mac and cheese and cornbread are some of the most popular traditional BBQ sides.

What are good cold side dishes for a BBQ?

Pasta salad, potato salad, cucumber salad, coleslaw, fruit salad, broccoli salad, corn salad and fresh salsa are all easy cold sides for a cookout.

What are inexpensive BBQ sides for a crowd?

Pasta salad, baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw, cornbread, corn and watermelon are all good options when you’re feeding a crowd without spending a ton.

What BBQ sides can I make the day before?

A lot of pasta salads, potato salads, coleslaws, bean salads, dips and cold vegetable salads can be made the day before.

Some are actually better after sitting in the refrigerator for a few hours because the flavors have time to come together.

What should I bring to a BBQ potluck?

Bring something that’s easy to transport and doesn’t need a lot of attention when you get there.

Pasta salad, baked beans, cornbread, coleslaw, fruit salad, potato salad or a dip are all easy choices.

More Easy Summer Recipes

Summer food doesn’t need to be complicated.

Fire up the grill, pick a couple of BBQ side dishes, grab something cold to drink and you’re pretty much done.

And please don’t feel like you need to make every single thing yourself.

If someone offers to bring dessert, even better. I have plenty of easy summer desserts and Fourth of July desserts that are perfect for a cookout.

Make one or two dishes you really want, let everyone else bring something and enjoy the party.

Because nobody wants to spend the entire cookout cooking—and I definitely don’t want to spend the rest of the night washing 14 serving bowls.

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