Best BBQ Side Dishes for a Crowd
The weather is getting warmer and you know what that means… BBQ’s and cookouts!
That’s my favorite time of the year! I love being outside, cooking out and hanging out with friends and family.
Around here the men usually take over the grilling – they know exactly what they want to make and how they want to make it. So I just leave it to them to do their thing!
BUT – I’m usually in charge of some of the sides and I like to bring something a little bit unique and fun. So I added some of my favorite go-to side dishes like the baked beans, mac and cheese and pasta salad. Plus some new recipes that I am so excited to try this year!
I also like to make some salty snacks and simple desserts when we are hosting at our house.
If you want to impress your guests this barbecue season, save some of these recipes (like the cornbread salad) and bring the best side dish to the cookout!
These BBQ side dishes are easy to make and perfect for a crowd. Have some fun making your summer side dishes and try out these new delicious recipes!
Also see: Non-Alcoholic Party Punch Recipes for a Crowd
Blackened corn is a simple and flavorful side dish that is easy and delicious! Made with sweet corn, melted butter, and a homemade blackening seasoning, it is a tasty side to serve with any meal! This Easy Smoked Cheesy Potatoes Recipe is a comforting side dish to whip up on your smoker! I love when I have long smokes and can also throw the side dishes in the smoker. Pellet grills really make it to where you can make the whole dinner outside. Crisp corn, creamy black beans, and chopped peppers are marinated in a bright and fragrant Mexican vinaigrette and served as a healthy alternative to rice and beans! They go great with chile rellenos, fajitas, and all sorts of Tex Mex fare. The flavorful combination of BBQ sauce and brown sugar makes these baked beans a favorite side dish for any cookout or family meal. One of our favorite side dishes to prepare for a spring or summer outside dinner is our Loaded Baked Potato Salad. It's flavorful and so reminiscent of you got it...a loaded baked potato. We do put a little twist on the recipe that makes us savor each and every bite even more. Honey Butter Skillet Corn is an easy 15 minute side dish recipe with frozen corn, honey, butter, and cream cheese! So creamy, sweet, and delicious. Bacon, ground beef, cheese, and hot sauce make this Cowboy Pasta Salad recipe a definite crowd pleaser! Perfect for an easy dinner, side dish, backyard BBQ’s, game day, or any time! This Jalapeno Popper Roasted Potato Salad is like having a jalapeno popper appetizer but in a salad. It's creamy, a bit spicy, and has a nice tangy taste. The big difference is it uses roasted potatoes instead of boiled ones, which makes it extra yummy. This corn & avocado summer salad is the perfect cookout side dish. Full of bright colors and delicious fresh ingredients. Make this for your next cookout and watch it disappear. The combination of creamy avocado and sweet corn is a fantastic collaboration of flavor and texture. Cornbread Salad is a tasty side dish recipe loaded with cornbread pieces, diced tomatoes, diced bell peppers, corn, shredded cheese, chopped green onions, crumbled bacon and a dressing made from sour cream, ranch and salsa. Frito Corn Salad is out of this world delicious. Using just a few simple ingredients, you will have a crispy, crunchy and creamy salad that is impossible not to binge eat. BBQ Sausage is an easy appetizer idea for any gathering, party, or gameday! Quick and easy to make with only 4 easy ingredients – smoked sausage, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, and mustard. Serve with toothpicks for the best finger food. Everyone needs a recipe for the best Broccoli Salad! This one is stuffed with bacon, cranberry, cheese, sunflower seeds, and tangy homemade dressing. It is easy to make and is a huge crowd pleaser. The perfect side dish to bring to your summer barbecue, or even to serve at Thanksgiving! This healthy Cucumber Tomato Salad recipe is a classic summer staple that’s great for using up garden produce and always a potluck favorite. It’s also wonderful enjoyed all year round on its own or served as a side with shrimp, chicken, pork, or steak! Crisp corn, bell pepper, cheese, and Chili Cheese Fritos in a creamy dressing. Fritos Corn Salad is the perfect no cook, super easy summer side dish for all your barbecues! Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is the creamy pasta salad you’ve been waiting for. With a delicious dressing and lots of bacon, cheese and yummy vegetables in this salad, this is the side dish your next BBQ party needs. Try it this weekend – it will be the star of the buffet! Marinated tomatoes are an effortless side dish that pairs with almost everything! We love it with anything that comes out of the BBQ grill. Tomato packs a punch of flavors by marinating it in olive oil, vinegar, and herbs! The BEST Homemade Mac and Cheese of your LIFE. Outrageously cheesy, ultra creamy, and topped with a crunchy Panko-Parmesan topping, this mac and cheese recipe is most definitely a keeper. I used three different cheese and a homemade cheese sauce to take this macaroni and cheese recipe over the top. Smoky grilled balsamic and garlic marinated mushroom skewers! Our Tennessee onions are a dish of pure Southern goodness and comfort. Super easy to put together and a yummy side dish everyone loves! Don’t miss this one. This Crispy Potato Salad is creamy, flavorful, and the best side dish for your next cookout! It’s made with seasoned potatoes that are baked until golden and crisp on the outside. Then, they’re tossed in a simple dressing and garnished with herbs. So easy and so delicious! This delicious Blackstone smashed potatoes recipe is loaded with crispy bacon and melted cheese, making it the perfect comfort food for any occasion. Easy to make and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser! These crispy roasted potatoes with garlic parmesan, and bacon are the perfect side for any of your meals! Grilled Vegetable Kabobs: A healthy vegetarian skewer recipe loaded with fresh summer veggies and “fajita butter.” A fabulous side dish for picnics!
