25+ cookout side dishes to bring to your next backyard barbecue or potluck! Below you’ll find classic warm-weather salads and sides, plus plenty of no-cook options that travel well.
The Best Cookout Sides
Summer is almost here, and that means backyard barbecues and potlucks are back. This roundup collects crowd-pleasing sides to serve with grilled proteins—hot dogs, burgers, chicken, pork, or seafood. You’ll find vegetables, breads, salads, dips, and easy make-ahead dishes suitable for any summer gathering.
One of the most popular items on this list is deviled eggs. They’re simple to make, travel well, and are usually the first thing to disappear. My version includes a small amount of butter in the filling for extra richness and is delicious topped with crumbled bacon or a sprinkle of paprika.
Here are 28 delicious side dishes to consider for your next cookout ☀️
1. Deviled Eggs
A classic party favorite—creamy, flavorful, and addictive. My Million Dollar Deviled Eggs get an extra touch of richness from a small pat of butter in the filling.
Million Dollar Deviled Eggs
Less than an hour to make! These elevated deviled eggs are rich and crowd-pleasing.
DEVILED EGGS RECIPE
2. Coleslaw
A cool, crunchy classic that pairs perfectly with burgers, pulled pork, or grilled chicken. Freshly shredded veggies and a tangy homemade dressing set this version apart.
Easy Coleslaw Recipe
Freshly shredded cabbage and a simple dressing make a classic, crowd-pleasing side.
COLESLAW RECIPE
3. Broccoli Salad
A top-rated favorite with bacon, sunflower seeds, cheese, cranberries, and a creamy dressing. It’s crunchy, flavorful, and a great make-ahead side.
Broccoli Salad
Loaded with mix-ins and a simple dressing, this is an easy favorite that travels well.
BROCCOLI SALAD RECIPE
4. Buttermilk Cornbread
Moist, slightly sweet, and perfect alongside barbecue. For a spicy twist, try jalapeño cornbread.
Buttermilk Cornbread Recipe
Moist, tender, and easy to make from pantry staples.
BUTTERMILK CORNBREAD RECIPE
5. BLT Dip
A creamy, layered dip with tomato, lettuce, bacon, and cheese—great with crackers or chips and ideal for summer gatherings.
BLT Dip
Cream cheese base topped with lettuce, tomato, bacon, and cheese—full of BLT flavor.
BLT DIP RECIPE
6. Potato Salad
A summer essential. Make it a day ahead so flavors meld—perfect with grilled meats and picnic fare.
Potato Salad
A make-ahead favorite with flavor enhancers for an extra-delicious result.
POTATO SALAD RECIPE
7. Macaroni Salad
Crunchy, creamy, and colorful—this is a staple at potlucks and cookouts and one of the site’s most-loved recipes.
Macaroni Salad
Perfectly cooked pasta, crunchy veggies, and a zippy homemade dressing.
MACARONI SALAD RECIPE
8. Baked Mac and Cheese
Creamy, cheesy, and comforting—try a bacon variation for an indulgent twist or a simpler stovetop version for speed.
(The Best!) Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe
Rich and gooey with a buttery panko topping—classic comfort food for summer sides.
BAKED MAC AND CHEESE
9. Cucumber Salad
Refreshingly crisp and ready in minutes—no cooking required. Great for hot days and trips where oven space is limited.
Cucumber Salad
Only 10 minutes to prep—bright, simple, and ideal for garden cucumbers.
CUCUMBER SALAD RECIPE
10. Pasta Salad
Colorful tri‑color pasta with fresh veggies and tangy Italian dressing—easy to scale for a crowd and always popular.
(The Best) Pasta Salad Recipe
Fresh veggies, perfectly cooked pasta, and a zesty homemade dressing—must-have at summer cookouts.
THE BEST PASTA SALAD
11. Corn Muffins
Light, fluffy, and slightly sweet—corn muffins are a great handheld bread for barbecues and chili nights.
Corn Muffins (Perfectly sweet!)
Light and fluffy, these pair well with barbecue, chili, and more.
CORN MUFFINS RECIPE
12. Fruit Salad
A colorful, healthy option that’s easy to customize with whatever fruit you have on hand. Add a simple dressing for extra brightness.
Fruit Salad
Quick to prep with a simple two-ingredient dressing that elevates the fruit.
FRUIT SALAD
13. Fried Apples
Sweet, buttery, and lightly spiced—fried apples are an unexpected but delicious side for BBQ chicken or pork.
Fried Apples
Sweet, spiced apples in a buttery sauce—serve with breakfast, dessert, or as a savory side.
FRIED APPLES RECIPE
14. Mexican Street Corn Salad
All the flavor of elote without the mess—creamy, tangy, and perfect for taco nights or summer sides.
Mexican Street Corn Salad
Everything you love about street corn—creamy, spicy, and bright.
MEXICAN STREET CORN SALAD
15. Biscuits
Buttery, flaky biscuits are a must-have. Serve with honey butter or try cornbread biscuits for a twist.
Homemade Biscuits
Buttery, flaky, and surprisingly easy to make—perfect for slathering with honey butter.
HOMEMADE BISCUITS RECIPE
16. Caprese Salad
A simple, elegant side that highlights ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil—great for potlucks where you want something a bit different.
Caprese Salad
Bright, fresh, and unmistakably summery—easy to assemble and visually appealing.
CAPRESE SALAD RECIPE
17. Shrimp Pasta Salad
A seafood spin on classic pasta salad—light, creamy, and satisfying. Great when you want a slightly fancier option.
Shrimp Pasta Salad
Salad shrimp, veggies, and macaroni come together in a light, creamy dressing.
SHRIMP PASTA SALAD
18. Chips & Salsa
Easy, fast, and always popular. Make a fresh blender salsa in minutes for an unbeatable starter or side.
Homemade Salsa
Quick blender salsa using fresh or canned tomatoes—ready in minutes.
HOMEMADE SALSA RECIPE
19. Corn Salad
Fresh summer veggies and sweet corn combine for a flavorful, fiber-rich side that pairs well with grilled meats.
Corn Salad
Classic summer veggies tossed together—best made an hour ahead to let flavors meld.
CORN SALAD
20. Black Beans
A simple, vegan-friendly side that’s hearty and full of flavor—great for BBQs with vegetarian guests.
Cuban-Style Black Beans
Turn canned beans into a flavorful side in about 10 minutes—zesty and versatile.
CUBAN-STYLE BLACK BEANS
21. Pineapple Salsa
Sweet, tangy, and a little spicy—delicious with chips or spooned over grilled chicken or fish.
Pineapple Salsa
Tropical sweetness balanced with heat—great for summertime menus.
PINEAPPLE SALSA RECIPE
22. Creamed Corn
Comforting and sweet, creamed corn pairs beautifully with ribs, chicken, or as a rich side for any barbecue.
Creamed Corn
Sweet corn in a creamy sauce—simple to make and easy to dress up with add-ins.
CREAMED CORN RECIPE
23. Bruschetta
Crusty bread topped with marinated tomatoes—fresh, bright, and an excellent way to use ripe garden tomatoes.
Bruschetta
Juicy marinated tomatoes on toasted bread—simple, satisfying, and very summery.
BRUSCHETTA RECIPE
24. Drop Biscuits
Quick, tender, and easy—drop biscuits are ideal when you want warm biscuits fast. Add cheese or garlic for an extra savory option.
Easy Drop Biscuits
Ready in about 20 minutes and easily customized with cheese, scallions, or herbs.
DROP BISCUITS RECIPE
25. Texas Caviar
Zesty and crunchy, Texas caviar works as a chip dip or a bright side dish—great for picnics and potlucks.
Texas Caviar
Finely diced veggies and beans in a zesty dressing—serve with chips or as a side.
TEXAS CAVIAR RECIPE
26. Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad
All the flavors of buffalo chicken in an easy, make-ahead pasta salad—great for game day or a casual barbecue.
Buffalo Chicken Style Pasta Salad
A 15-minute prep salad that packs buffalo flavor without the fuss.
BUFFALO CHICKEN PASTA SALAD
27. Ramen Noodle Salad
Crunchy, textured, and unique—ramen noodle salad is a potluck favorite that’s quick to assemble.
Ramen Noodle Salad
Full of texture and flavor with just a 10-minute prep time.
RAMEN NOODLE SALAD
28. Avocado Salsa
Bright and creamy, avocado salsa (similar to guacamole) is a great dip or topping for grilled proteins.
Avocado Salsa
Creamy, bright, and perfect with chips or spooned over grilled steaks, shrimp, or chicken.
AVOCADO SALSA
Frequently Asked Questions
Cool creamy salads, fresh fruit, grilled vegetables, and French fries or potato wedges all pair well with burgers and hot dogs.
No-cook options include cucumber salad, corn salad (use frozen or canned corn), avocado or mango salsas, coleslaw, fruit salad, pineapple salsa, and Texas caviar.
Classic barbecue sides are cornbread, mac and cheese, coleslaw, creamed corn, baked beans, and pickles.
Which of these are your favorites? If I missed one you love, leave a comment on the original recipe so it can be added to the list. Many of these sides can be made ahead and easily transported to a potluck.
Enjoy your cookout!