35+ Delicious Summer Cookout Side Dishes {100% Crowdpleasers}

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If you need some amazing summer dishes to go along with your burgers or dogs or cookout main dish, give these a look! There are 35+ amazing choices that will please any guest or be welcome at any BBQ or party you attend! And, they aren’t just for summer and they aren’t just for get-togethers: they are perfect any time of the year.

summer cookout side dishes collage, 7 layer dip, tortellini salad, zucchini tomato salad

The Unsung Star of the Cookout: Side Dishes

Did you ever see a movie where the supporting actor or actress totally up-staged the main star?

That’s how I feel about side dishes.

Side dishes are usually thought to fulfill a supporting role, but when done right, they can totally be the star of the show.

When we are preparing meals or preparing for parties, we usually spend a lot of time thinking about the main dish – something special, something delicious.

And rightly so. I mean, after all, it’s the main dish, right?

Sometimes we gloss over the side dishes, thinking they really aren’t that important.

But having amazing side dishes will only compliment all the time you’ve spent on the main meal – in the same way that the supporting actor can help the star of the show shine.

With summer cookouts and BBQs, you really can host a bang-up get together and rely on some amazing side dishes to compliment a simple, uncomplicated main dish.

Usually, you have your burger and hot dogs, so having side-dishes that knock it out of the park can really go a long way.

The Ideal Side Dish

When you’re thinking about summer cookouts or BBQ, there are a few things that make a side dish an ideal choice.

This is true whether you’re hosting the get-together or if you’re a guest bringing something to share.

1| You want a dish that’s uncomplicated and easy to make. Nobody wants the stress of a complex dish.

2| You want something that travels easily, if you’re the one attending someone else’s get together.

3| You don’t want something that will require full-on cooking before serving. Ideally, it should be something, if it needs to be cooked, it can be cooked ahead of time.

Then, it just needs a quick reheat. Or, something that can be served in a crockpot could work as well.

4| It’s something you can make ahead of time. It’s stressful if you need to put a dish together while guest or there, or if you need to make it at the host’s house.

5| When you’re thinking summer, you want something that is refreshing, but not something that will go bad in the heat.

It’s OK to have some dishes with mayo, but I’d reserve that for the host, who knows the serving environment, versus bringing something with mayo.

Delicious Summer Side Dishes that Check Off All the Boxes

As you go through this list, you’ll see that most of these dishes check off most of these boxes.

Of course, not every single dish on the list fulfills every single requirement, but most dishes fulfill most requirements.

And, I have to say – don’t limit yourself to just summer cookouts to make these sides.

These are great all year long, to serve at your family dinner.

I personally struggle with side dishes, feeling like it’s the same old, same old – but these side dishes can really freshen up an old standby meal.

If you’re looking for more side dish options, here’s a whole list of healthy salads, most of them green salads but other types mixed in, that would also be amazing as side dishes as well.

Side Dish Table of Contents (Sort of)

Below, I tried to group the side dishes into categories, so it’s easier for you to find what you’re looking for.

It’s a loose grouping and there’s some overlap, but you’ll catch on.

#1 – #8: Salads with Grains or Pasta

#9 – #15: Vegetable Salads

#16- 18: Salads with Starch (beans, potato)

#19 – #21: Cole Slaws

#22 – #24: Fruit Sides

#25 – #23: Dips & Salsas

#31 – #36: Hot Sides

OK! On to the sides!

 35+ Delicious Side Dishes to Bring to a Cookout This Summer

How delicious do these side dishes look?

You definitely don’t need a get-together or party to make them. They would really add some fun to a regular weeknight or weekend dinner.

All summer long.

And if you’re looking for more fun food to serve, how about some individual serving appetizers and single-serve desserts?

This makes food tables a breeze with these grab-and-go dishes!

Getting Backyard Ready 

As you’re planning your backyard get together, you may want to consider how to clean up your backyard deck and patio! If so, take a look here!

 20+ Beautiful Backyard Patio Dining Sets for Under $300 

Absolutely Fabulous Backyard Deck Ideas on a Budget

Cozy Backyard Decorating Ideas on a Budget

Purple Leaf Pergola Review: Everything You Want to Know First

 

And if you’re looking for some backyard party inspiration – food and more! – check these out!

Best Backyard Dinner Party Ideas {Budget-Friendly, Outdoor Charm}

80+ Epic Outdoor Backyard Graduation Party Ideas (on a Budget!)

Summer Backyard Menu Ideas

35 Easy Summer Desserts for a Crowd (Perfect for Cookouts!)

30 Single-Serving Desserts for Parties (Easy, Safe, Classy!)

25 Best Individual Appetizers for Social Distancing: Party Approved!

60+ of the Best Trifle Recipes

 

More Delicious Summer Food

If you’re looking for more delicious food to eat this summer, I’m putting together a special series focused just on that! Summer is a time for cookouts and family and friends, even in these crazy times. For all the food inspiration, take a look at these posts below! 

25 Delicious Summertime Strawberry Desserts & Treats

25 Easy & Healthy Summer Desserts

35 Refreshing & Healthy Summer Salads

30 Delicious Foil Pack Meals – In the Oven, On the Grill or Over a Campfire

 

If you try this, I’d love to hear how it came out or any suggestions you have (always a work in progress here!). Please tag me on Instagram@100affections or leave a comment on Pinterest! And use the hashtag #summereats2020.

Thoughts? I’d love to hear them! Leave a comment below!

35 delicious side dishes for a cookout collage, tortellini salad, zucchini tomato salad, 7 layer dip

 

 

 

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