15 Summer Side Dishes to Round Out Your Barbecue

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Make the most of summer produce and grilling season with this vibrant collection of summer side dishes. Whether you’re hosting a cookout, heading to a potluck, or planning a simple weeknight dinner, these easy and delicious recipes are the perfect complement to your warm-weather meals. From crisp salads to sizzling veggies and cheesy fritters, these sides are anything but boring.

A bowl of panzanella salad on a tile surface. — Panzanella Salad. Photo credit: Stetted.

Sautéed Green Beans

Green beans sautéed with garlic served on a green plate with a lemon wedge, fork beside, and a patterned napkin in the background. — Sautéed Green Beans. Photo credit: The Kitchen Magpie.

These sautéed green beans are cooked quickly in butter and garlic for a tender-crisp texture and savory flavor. It’s a simple side that pairs beautifully with everything from grilled chicken to steak.
Get the Recipe: Sautéed Green Beans

Panzanella Salad

Juicy summer tomatoes and fresh basil shine in this easy bread salad. Panzanella is a perfect way to use up day-old bread and is always a crowd-pleaser at summer gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Panzanella Salad

Blackstone Garlic Parmesan Fries

A serving of French fries topped with grated cheese and herbs in a white paper tray on a dark surface. — Blackstone Garlic Parmesan Fries. Photo credit: Or Whatever You Do.

These crispy fries are cooked to golden perfection on a griddle and tossed with garlic and parmesan for bold, savory flavor. Serve them as a snack or side dish—either way, they’ll disappear fast!
Get the Recipe: Blackstone Garlic Parmesan Fries

Lemony Grilled Potato Salad

A bowl of grilled potato salad with a spoon. — Lemony Grilled Potato Salad. Photo credit: Stetted.

This grilled potato salad has a smoky, zesty kick thanks to fresh lemon juice and charred edges. It’s a bright and refreshing twist on the classic picnic favorite.
Get the Recipe: Lemony Grilled Potato Salad

Red Lobster Chesapeake Corn

Four ears of cooked corn on the cob with seasoning are stacked on a white plate, placed on a colorful patterned tablecloth. — Red Lobster Chesapeake Corn. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

This easy corn on the cob recipe is coated in butter and Old Bay for a flavorful side that’s ready in just 10 minutes. It’s a spot-on copycat of Red Lobster’s seasonal favorite and can be cooked several ways.
Get the Recipe: Red Lobster Chesapeake Corn

Cucumber Tomato Salad with Pesto

A caucasian person holding a bowl of cucumber tomato salad. — Cucumber Tomato Salad with Pesto. Photo credit: Stetted.

All the best flavors of summer come together in this no-cook salad, thanks to crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and herby pesto. It’s ideal for hot days when you want something light, easy, and full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Tomato Salad with Pesto

Kidney Bean Salad

A bowl of salad with cherry tomatoes, kidney beans, cucumber, mozzarella balls, sliced almonds, and chopped herbs, with a fork and a napkin nearby. — Kidney Bean Salad. Photo credit: Life Currents.

Packed with protein and texture, this salad features kidney beans, mozzarella, cucumber, and cherry tomatoes. Tossed in a red wine vinaigrette and finished with almonds and parsley, it’s a fresh and hearty summer side.
Get the Recipe: Kidney Bean Salad

Sauteed Snow Peas

Snow peas cook up fast with just a little oil and seasoning, making them a quick and healthy veggie side. Their natural sweetness and crunch make them an easy favorite for busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Sauteed Snow Peas

Zucchini Fritters

A stack of crispy vegetable fritters topped with sour cream and chopped green onions sits on a white plate with herbs and sauce in the background. — Zucchini Fritters. Photo credit: The Kitchen Magpie.

These golden zucchini fritters are loaded with garlic, onion, and two types of cheese for maximum flavor. Crispy on the outside and tender inside, they’re a great way to use up garden zucchini.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Fritters

Baked Potatoes on the Grill

A baked potato topped with sour cream and chopped green onions on a white plate. — Baked Potatoes on the Grill. Photo credit: Game Day Eats.

Baked potatoes on the grill? Yes, please! Wrapped in foil and grilled until crispy outside and fluffy inside, these potatoes are a hearty and easy side for any barbecue.
Get the Recipe: Baked Potatoes on the Grill

Sweet & Spicy Corn on the Cob in the Oven with Husks

Four ears of grilled corn with braided husks are garnished with a creamy sauce, cheese, and green herbs, served on a dark plate with lime wedges and a small bowl of dip. — Sweet & Spicy Corn on the Cob in the Oven with Husks. Photo credit: Gimme From Scratch.

This bold take on corn on the cob combines sweet, spicy, and savory flavors. Roasting it in the husk makes prep a breeze, while the seasoning gives it irresistible flair.
Get the Recipe: Sweet & Spicy Corn on the Cob in the Oven with Husks

Roasted Green Beans Recipe

A white dish filled with roasted green beans garnished with grated cheese and two lemon slices, next to two garlic bulbs on a white surface. — Roasted Green Beans Recipe. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

If you think you don’t like green beans, this recipe might change your mind. High heat gives them crispy edges and a tender-crisp bite that has won over even the biggest skeptics.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Green Beans Recipe

Burrata with Tomatoes and Pesto

A platter of colorful sliced tomatoes, mozzarella, olives, fresh basil, pesto, and toasted bread on a table. — Burrata with Tomatoes and Pesto. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Creamy burrata is paired with juicy tomatoes and fragrant pesto for a stunning summer side. It’s elegant enough for entertaining but easy enough for everyday meals.
Get the Recipe: Burrata with Tomatoes and Pesto

Eggplant Tomato Stacks

Grilled eggplant slices topped with melted cheese, tomato, and fresh herbs arranged on a white oval plate. — Eggplant Tomato Stacks. Photo credit: An Immigrant’s Table.

These elegant stacks feature layers of grilled eggplant and ripe tomatoes, finished with balsamic glaze and fresh basil. They’re as visually impressive as they are flavorful—perfect for showcasing summer produce.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Tomato Stacks

Cilantro Quinoa Corn Salad

A wooden bowl filled with a salad of corn, cherry tomatoes, avocado, red onion, and quinoa, with a lemon half and fork in the background. — Cilantro Quinoa Corn Salad. Photo credit: The Creative Bite.

Fresh, light, and full of texture, this salad combines fluffy quinoa with sweet corn and fragrant cilantro. It’s a healthy, refreshing side dish or a satisfying light meal.
Get the Recipe: Cilantro Quinoa Corn Salad