Simple Sides For Your Summertime BBQ

Summertime is upon us and so is barbeque season! It’s time to break out the grill and invite family and friends over for some fun in the sun! Though traditional hamburgers and hot dogs are a delicious staple of many summertime cookouts, if you’re anything like me, you frequently overlook the staples and gravitate toward the plethora of yummy side dishes that really steal the show.

My plate on Thanksgiving always seems have a little turkey and a TON of sides and my plate at a summertime barbeque is the same. If you are a side dish lover as well, than I’ve got you covered today! Below you will find a roundup of some of  my favorite (mostly) healthy side dish recipes to serve at a summertime cookout. They’re a little different from the typical baked beans, macaroni and cheese, corn on the cob and potato salads you often see at a cookout, but I hope you love them and find something below to make for your next get-together! Also, like nearly every recipe you see on PBF, all of the summer side dish recipes below are simple and easy to throw together so if you’re stressing over hosting a group for a cookout, I hope they help make your life a little easier!

Simple Sides For Your Summertime BBQ

• Carrot and Apple Slaw

Looking for a side dish that pairs well with basically every single protein on the planet? That’s this carrot and apple slaw. I love it with grilled chicken, salmon, steak, shrimp… you name it! This carrot and apple slaw is a wonderful alternative to your average mayo-based cabbage slaw as it’s brighter and more nutrient dense. Perhaps the best part for me personally is how well this carrot and apple slaw holds up as leftovers. The carrots hold their crispness perfectly and the snappy, vinegary flavor makes the apple carrot slaw taste fresh and vibrant every time.

• Arugula and Beet Salad

This arugula and beet salad perfectly pairs the earthy, subtle sweetness of beets with the peppery bite of arugula, creamy goat cheese and the crunch of walnuts and pumpkin seeds for a fresh, flavorful salad that does not require a lot of time in the kitchen to prepare. It’s a versatile, nutrient-dense salad that’s sure to be a hit at any summertime cookout.

• Chicken and Chickpea Salad

This is the salad I’ve been making on repeat this summer! It can be a main dish or a side dish and is the perfect recipe to make if you’re in the mood for a produce-packed salad with a Mediterranean flare. It’s also beautifully vibrant thanks to lots of colorful vegetables and extra filling thanks to the fibrous chickpeas and protein-packed chicken. A bigtime bonus: It tastes great as leftovers the next day, as it’s a salad that does not have any lettuce in the recipe so it stays nice and crunchy!

• Simple Summer Chopped Salad

Aka the salad my aunt made for my baby shower that had all of the guests requesting the recipe! It’s the kind of salad you can easily make at home that you swear would also fly off the menu if it was served at a restaurant. It’s that good. Plus, it incorporates fresh berries to make it feel extra summery when it appears on your summer cookout menu!

• Easy Black Bean Dip

You know those salad/side dish recipes that can double as a dip? Well, this is a dip that can double as a side! If you’re looking for a flavorful dip to make for a summer party, I’ve got you covered. If you’re looking for a dip to make that is ridiculously easy, I’ve got you covered. If you’re looking for a dip you can throw together the day before a party so you can check one more thing off your list, I’ve got you covered. Basically, what I’m saying is I’ve got you covered with this incredibly easy black bean dip!

• Shrimp and Edamame Salad

Each bite of this ceviche inspired shrimp and edamame salad is a flavor and texture explosion thanks to vibrant veggies, protein-packed edamame, succulent shrimp, tangy citrus and creamy avocado. Seafood lovers will enjoy this chopped salad that can also double as a delicious dip.

• Simple Summer Pasta Salad

If we are hosting a summertime cookout, you can guarantee this simple summer pasta salad will be on the menu. Made with a homemade Italian dressing and tri-color rotini pasta for a pop of color, it’s easy to whip up in no time at all. Note: You’ll get zero judgment from me if you opt to use your favorite bottle of store-bought Italian dressing to make this side dish even easier! I promise this one is a simple and delicious BBQ side you’ll make again and again.

• Sesame Cucumber Salad

A flavorful, crisp and refreshing recipe for sesame cucumber salad, this side dish is fantastic paired with so many different entrees from grilled salmon or chicken to shrimp and veggie skewers.

• Mexican Street Corn Salad

Something about hosting a summertime barbeque simply calls for sweet, perfectly in-season summer corn. Though I love corn on the cob and think that’s a wonderfully simple side in its own right, if you’re looking to change things up but still want to incorporate corn into your cookout menu, this corn salad is fresh and bright but also slightly creamy and a touch spicy!

• Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad

This quinoa tabbouleh salad incorporates all of the flavors of traditional tabbouleh — parsley, mint, lemon, olive oil and onion — but use quinoa as the base of the recipe in place of the bulgur typically featured in tabbouleh. It’s the kind of side dish that can easily double as a main course, especially when topped with grilled salmon or crispy tofu. It’s also a great one to prep ahead before a summertime cookout or a pool party!

• Black Bean and Brown Rice Salad

How much do we all love recipes we can prep ahead? If you’re anything like me, the answer is A LOT. If we’re hosting a bunch of people in our home, the last thing I want to be doing in the minutes before everyone arrives is scrambling to put the finishing touches on various recipes. If you fall into a similar boat, keep this black bean and brown rice salad in your back pocket because it’s one you can make in advance to help eliminate same-day hosting stress! More importantly though, it’s absolutely delicious and bursting with color, texture, flavor, nutrient-dense veggies and whole grains!

• Edamame and Black Bean Salad

This salad is a go-to side dish in our house. It is always a hit and also serves as a great vegetarian option for those looking for a naturally protein-packed side dish. It also works well as a healthy dip paired with crunchy tortilla chips.

• Chopped Broccoli and Brussels Sprouts Salad 

Chopped salads are my favorite kind of salads because every bite packs so much flavor! This chopped broccoli and brussels sprouts salad has so many different textures and flavors that it’s sure to be a hit. No bland, boring salads here!

• Watermelon Salad with Feta and Mint

If you haven’t made watermelon salad yet, please promise me you will give it a try this summer. It’s cold and refreshing and the ingredients in this salad — feta, cucumber, watermelon, mint, lime, basil — pair so well together.

• Cold Quinoa Salad

A bright, refreshing quinoa salad made with cucumber, pineapple and cilantro, this recipe feels like summer in a bowl! Top it with grilled chicken or shrimp for a delicious and nutritious lunch or dinner or serve it on the side with any of your summertime cookout favorites.

Question of the Day

• What is your favorite side dish to bring to a summertime barbeque?

Feel free to share links to your favorite recipes so we can all check them out!!