They're Also Easy to Make
Grilled mains and summer vegetables may get most of the attention during warm-weather months, but they all need supporting side dishes to become a full meal. Whether you dream of digging into creamy macaroni salad, the best-ever corn on the cob ideas, or summer slaws that sing with flavor, these delicious summer sides go well with grilled meats, fish, and vegetarian mains.
-
Coleslaw Salad With Purple Cabbage
A coleslaw with purple cabbage makes a great barbecue side dish. It’s simple to make with shredded cabbage, carrots, and mayonnaise and can swap out regular mayonnaise for vegan mayonnaise for anyone on an egg-free or vegan diet.
-
Mexican Street Corn
Mexican street corn is salty, sweet, crunchy, and creamy in every bite. After grilling ears of corn, roll them in garlicky lime crema, followed by crumbly queso fresco. Sprinkle on cilantro and a dash of chili powder for an unbelievably flavorful vegetable side.
-
Dilly Potatoes Grilled in a Packet
Dilly potatoes grilled in packets go great with flame-cooked meats. Steaming them on the grill after a short marinade produces the perfect crispy-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside texture. Serve warm or at room temperature.
-
Old-Fashioned Southern Spoon Bread
Warm Kentucky-style spoonbread is like a soft, custardy cornbread you scoop straight from the pan. Bake it in the oven, adding bacon crumbles or chopped green onions if you like, until it puffs up and turns golden brown. It’s a wonderfully comforting side dish that goes great with barbecue chicken.
Continue to 5 of 10 below
-
Black Bean and Mango Salad
Skip the mayo-drenched salads and offer guests something bright and flavorful. Black beans and mangoes combine with fresh bell pepper, fresh jalapeno peppers, and fresh cilantro in this colorful vegan, gluten-free summer medley that is loaded with protein and nutrition.
-
Baked Zucchini Fries
Panko bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese make these baked zucchini fries crispy and delicious. They are a great alternative to traditional French fries when you want to cut back on carbs and make use of a bounty of zucchini from your garden. Enjoy them with everything from burgers and sandwiches to sausages and grilled steaks.
-
Creamy Coleslaw With Pineapple
Juicy fresh pineapple adds sweetness and zing to this fruity, flavorful coleslaw that includes plump raisins and sunflower seeds for added crunch. For best results, make it a few hours in advance, and chill in the fridge until ready to serve.
-
Classic Fried Green Tomatoes
Fried green tomatoes are an iconic Southern dish and a great way to use unripe tomatoes from your summer garden. They fry up in only 10 minutes on the stovetop, so they’re a great last-minute side dish for burgers and hot dogs at summer parties.
Continue to 9 of 10 below
-
Sweet Corn Fritters
Sweet corn fritters are a great way to enjoy the goodness of fresh corn in summer. They take only 30 minutes to make in a skillet on the stovetop, and taste especially great alongside grilled pork tenderloin. Plan to make them immediately before serving, as they are best eaten when fresh and hot.
-
Classic Macaroni Salad
What would a summer barbecue be without macaroni salad? This creamy pasta salad combines chopped vegetables, noodles, and hard-cooked eggs in a mayonnaise dressing.
