The main dish may get all the attention, but the right side dishes can make your cookout memorable. These fresh summer salads, flavorful dips, and other backyard barbecue favorites pair perfectly with anything coming off the grill.
If you’re planning a backyard barbecue, burgers, hot dogs, and grilled chicken are usually the stars of the show.
But the right sides are what turn a simple cookout into a meal everyone remembers.
From pasta salads to flavorful dips and warm breads, we have plenty of delicious options to round out your menu.
Whether you’re hosting a a family cookout, a casual weekend barbecue or a Labor Day gathering, these easy recipes are sure to be a hit.
And many or these cookout side dishes can be made ahead of time, so you’ll have time to enjoy the party instead of spending all your time in the kitchen.
With its colorful layers and creamy texture, this 7-layer dip looks as good on the table as it tastes.
It is easy to make ahead, then pull out with a bowl of tortilla chips when everyone is ready to eat.
Fresh, simple, and packed with flavor, grilled asparagus is an easy side dish that comes together right alongside your burgers and steaks.
The smoky char from the grill brings out its natural sweetness, making it a great way to add some vegetables to your cookout menu without a lot of extra work.
This fresh fruit charcuterie board is loaded with watermelon, grapes, pineapple and berries, with several dips for dunking.
It is an easy way to put plenty of fresh fruit on the cookout table while letting everyone choose what they want.
A backyard barbecue classic, creamy pasta salad is hearty, comforting, and easy to make ahead.
The rich dressing and tender pasta make it a versatile side dish that complements almost any grilled main course.
These watermelon caprese skewers add a fresh pop of color and flavor to any cookout.
The combination of juicy watermelon, mozzarella, prosciutto and basil is light, refreshing and easy to make ahead for summer gatherings.
Juicy watermelon and blueberries get a savory contrast from feta, red onion and fresh mint in this colorful summer salad.
A simple citrus dressing keeps the flavors bright and refreshing next to food from the grill.
Rich, creamy, and loaded with cheesy goodness, crockpot mac and cheese is comfort food at its best.
Since it stays warm in the slow cooker, it’s an ideal side dish for feeding a crowd at picnics, cookouts, and backyard parties.
Loaded with colorful vegetables, cheese, and a zesty Italian dressing, this pasta salad is always a crowd favorite.
Since it can be made ahead of time and served cold, it’s the perfect side dish for outdoor gatherings and backyard barbecues.
Creamy, crunchy, and refreshing, classic coleslaw pairs well with everything from burgers and hot dogs to grilled chicken and pulled pork.
Its cool texture and tangy flavor help balance out all of the rich, smoky foods typically found at a cookout.
This bruschetta pasta salad takes the fresh flavors of the classic appetizer and turns them into an easy cold side dish.
It can be made ahead, which makes it especially convenient when most of your attention is going to the grill.
This fresh and flavorful salad combines juicy grilled chicken with creamy avocado and sweet mango for a side dish that’s both satisfying and light.
It’s a great way to add something a little different to your cookout spread while still keeping those summer flavors front and center.
Warm, buttery garlic bread is an easy side that everyone loves.
It pairs especially well with burgers, grilled chicken, and pasta salads, while giving guests something delicious to snack on between trips to the grill.
Packed with protein, fiber, and plenty of flavor, mixed bean salad is a classic make-ahead side dish for summer gatherings.
Its tangy dressing and hearty texture make it a great complement to grilled burgers, hot dogs, and barbecue favorites.
Light, refreshing, and packed with summer flavor, this fruit and cucumber salad is perfect for hot-weather gatherings.
The combination of sweet fruit and crisp cucumber provides a refreshing contrast to heavier grilled foods.
Turn your burger bar into an experience with a charcuterie board filled with toppings, cheeses, sauces, and fresh vegetables.
Guests can customize their burgers exactly how they like them, making this a fun and interactive addition to any cookout.
Soft, buttery, and packed with cheesy flavor, these biscuits are the perfect addition to any barbecue meal.
They’re great for soaking up sauces, pairing with grilled meats, or simply enjoying warm with a little extra butter.
This creamy, fluffy fruit salad brings a touch of sweetness to your cookout table without feeling like a full dessert.
Its light texture and refreshing fruit flavors make it a popular choice for summer picnics and family gatherings.
With crisp vegetables, feta cheese, and a tangy dressing, Greek pasta salad adds bright Mediterranean flavors to your cookout menu.
It’s easy to prepare ahead of time and offers a lighter alternative to traditional creamy side dishes.
This cheesy, crowd-pleasing dip is always one of the first dishes to disappear at a party.
Served with tortilla chips, it gives guests something to snack on while they mingle and wait for the food coming off the grill.
Variations: White queso
This berry cheesecake fruit salad combines fresh summer berries with a rich, creamy cheesecake mixture for a sweet fruit salad.
It is served chilled and gives the cookout table a side that can easily double as dessert.
A meat and cheese charcuterie board is an easy way to add plenty of savory options to your cookout spread without another dish to cook.
Guests can pick and choose what they like, making it especially good for a casual meal where everyone is helping themselves.
Have comments or questions about our cookout side dishes? Tell us in the section below.