• Home
  • About
  • Portfolio
  • Disclosures
  • Privacy Policy
  • Photo Terms of Usage & Contact Info

A Hundred Affections

Homemaking Made Easy

  • faith
  • family
    • Our Infertility Journey
    • IVF
    • infertility/ttc
    • parenting
    • marriage
    • miscarriage
    • motherhood
    • our twin pregnancy
    • twinlife
  • home
    • food
    • holidays
    • farmhouse
    • decor
    • organization
    • celebrations
    • recipes
  • health
    • healthy eating
    • weight loss
    • whole 30
    • The Master Cleanse, January 2014
  • +100
    • roundups
    • printables
    • holidays
      • Easter
      • 4th of July
      • Thanksgiving
      • Christmas
      • New Year’s
    • leisure
      • entertainment
      • travel
    • life
    • professional
      • blogging
      • teaching
      • writing
      • Portfolio
    • relationships
    • seasons
      • winter
      • spring
      • summer
      • fall
    • shopping

food recipes summer eats

35 Delicious Summer Cookout Side Dishes {100% Crowdpleasers}

Sharing is caring!

2488 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

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 – #14: Vegetable  Salads

#15- 17: Salads with Starch (beans, potato)

#18 – #20: Cole Slaws

#21 – #23: Fruit Sides

#24 – #29: Dips & Salsas

#30 – #35: Hot Sides

OK! On to the sides!

Delicious Side Dishes to Bring to a Cookout This Summer

1

Summer Orzo Pasta Salad

Photo Credit: www.acedarspoon.com

This salad is a delicious mix of orzo, chick peas, feta and summer vegetables! Perfect as a summer side dish!

2

EASY Fiesta Quinoa Salad

Photo Credit: ministryofcurry.com

Quinoa is my grain of choice lately, and this combination of avocados, mangos, peppers and a lime dressing, well...that sounds just amazing.

3

Quick And Easy Tuscan Tortellini Pasta Salad

Photo Credit: ourcraftymom.com

This is a hearty take on a pasta salad, made with tortellini, pepperoni, cheese cubes, and other summer vegetables! This is a side dish that is filling enough as a stand-alone dish!

4

Classic Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

Photo Credit: foodfolksandfun.net

This is such a fun spin on traditional macaroni salad. It's made with half and half, mayo, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar. An absolutely delicious combination of flavors!

5

Israeli Couscous Salad

Photo Credit: www.beyondthechickencoop.com

Couscous is another one of those forgotten grains that is so good! Here, it's mixed with spinach, tomatoes, and sweetened with a light orange dressing. Soooo good.

6

Taco Pasta Salad

Photo Credit: www.sugarandsoul.co

This is a pasta salad you might not want to share! Made with ground beef, veggies, creamy chipotle dressing and topped with tortilla chips and cheese, well, you probably don't even need the burgers and hot dogs.

7

Sun Dried Tomato Pasta Salad

Photo Credit: midwestfoodieblog.com

Here's another variety of pasta salad that is sure to please. This one is made with sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, chickpeas, spinach, fresh mozzarella, and parmesan cheese. Wow. Just wow.

8

Chilled Italian Pasta Salad

Photo Credit: www.kudoskitchenbyrenee.com

This shell pasta salad is served with basil, tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella. Easy to put together and just delicious.

9

20-Minute Summer Squash and Corn Fiesta Salad

Photo Credit: dishingouthealth.com

This delicious salad has summer squash and corn mixed with a chili-lime vinegarette, Cojita cheese, and cilantro. This is a unique and fantastic way to serve those vegetables.

10

Heirloom Tomato & Cucumber Summer Salad

Photo Credit: swirlsofflavor.com

You can't go wrong with a tomato and cucumber salad! This one is made with a tangy red wine vinaigrette that is sure to please!

11

Zucchini Tomato Basil Salad (with Lemon Vinaigrette)

Photo Credit: www.goodlifeeats.com

Basil is one of my favorite summer flavors, and this salad mixes it with zucchini and tomatoes. It is made with a lemon vinaigrette that adds that citrus zest. So many flavorful ingredients!

12

Summer Strawberry Spinach Salad

Photo Credit: dishnthekitchen.com

If you are looking for another option for a green salad, this spinach salad is paired with strawberries and served with a strawberry balsamic vinaigrette. Outstanding.

13

Easy Pear and Walnut Salad

Photo Credit: www.hintofhealthy.com

I love this as a light option for a cookout! Much more fun than a standard garden salad, this easy salad with walnut and pears is simple to make and delicious to eat!

14

Caprese Salad

Photo Credit: www.skinnytaste.com

This one looks so fancy, but it's just so good and so easy to make! Fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, with a balsamic vinegarette is just amazing. Every time.

15

Lunchbox Chickpea Salad

Photo Credit: www.foodpleasureandhealth.com

Chickpea salads are one of my favorite summertime dishes. Made with cucumbers, tomatoes, and olives, you can easily serve this dish with lots of flavor combinations!

16

Frito Corn Salad

Photo Credit: www.devourdinner.com

This is a fantastic spin on a summer taco salad! All the crunch from Fritos mixed with corn, crunchy peppers, taco seasoning, and sour cream. This will definitely be a fan favorite!

17

Potato Salad Recipe (Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Large-Batch!)

Photo Credit: sustainmycookinghabit.com

Is there anything more American for a BBQ side than potato salad? This old-fashioned recipe is a stand-by favorite! Mayo free!

18

Dairy Free Coleslaw

Photo Credit: healthytasteoflife.com

If your crowd includes those who are doing Whole30, paleo, or dairy-free, this is a fantastic alternative! Made with avocado and cashew yogurt as opposed to mayo, this will definitely wow the crowd, no matter what diet they eating these days!

19

Coleslaw Orzo Salad

Photo Credit: www.babaganosh.org

What's a cookout with cole slaw? This is a unique spin on an old favorite with orzo, citrus dressing, almond slices, and dried cranberries!

20

Red Cabbage Coleslaw with Apple & Carrot

Photo Credit: www.therisingspoon.com

This crunchy coleslaw is made with cabbage, carrots, apples and tossed in a sweet apple cider vinegar dressing. This is another mayo-free version which is great for an outdoor get-together!

21

Zesty Fruit Salad with Coconut Milk and Basil

Photo Credit: www.theroastedroot.net

Fruit salads are cool, refreshing side for a summer get-together. This recipe mixes apples, oranges, blueberries, bananas along with a coconut milk and Greek yogurt-based dressing. A lovely mixture of flavors!

22

Watermelon Feta Mint Salad

Photo Credit: stephaniesain.com

Watermelon + mint + feta... there's so many amazing flavors here that compliment each other in such a unique way. Brilliant.

23

Mexican Fruit Salad

Photo Credit: easybudgetrecipes.com

This tropical mix of flavors is perfect for a cookout. Fruit is an amazing side dish in the summer. /The recipe includes mangos, pineapples, papayas, and watermelon, mixed with lime juice and chili lime seasoning. Sooo good.

24

Mango Peach Salsa

Photo Credit: profusioncurry.com

This mango peach salsa is a light and fruity alternative, as opposed to a salty choice, to serve with chips. You can even eat this one as is as a salad.

25

Pineapple Salsa Recipe

Photo Credit: www.twopeasandtheirpod.com

This is another fruity version of salsa that's made with pineapples! Mixed in lime juice, this is an absolutely delicious choice to go with chips or serve as a side!

26

Key Lime Pie Fruit Dip

Photo Credit: www.momontimeout.com

I LOVE this one as a sweet side dish. Key lime is perfect for summer and just 5 ingredients later, here you go. Wonderful with graham crackers, pita chips or even fruit.

27

Chunky 7-Layer Dip

Photo Credit: totallythebomb.com

Please, PLEASE, do not forget the seven-layer dip or under-estimate its importance at a cookout! You can never, ever go wrong serving chips and dip. And this one, well, make sure you take your serving early.

28

Ultimate Cowboy Caviar Recipe - Healthy, Clean, & Delicious

This is a personal favorite, and I bring this to almost every summer get-together (or any time of year, actually). It works great as a side by itself, but you can also serve it with chips. A filling dish with black beans, corn, tomatoes, peppers, avocado, red onions, cilantro, served with a lime balsamic vinegarette.

29

Easy Hawaiian Dip

Photo Credit: thesaltymarshmallow.com

Here's another unique dip that your crew will love. This one is made with cream cheese, cheddar cheese, bacon, ham, and pineapple! Wow. Great combination of flavors!

30

Mexican Street Corn | Elote Recipe

Photo Credit: julieblanner.com

This take corn up a few levels with mayo, queso fresco, lime juice and garlic. I love that combo for summer!

31

Vegetable Kebabs

Photo Credit: thecleaneatingcouple.com

Grilled vegetable kabobs are an excellent side for a cookout! This is easily customized to your favorite veggies as well!

32

BBQ Beef Sweet Potato Bites with Avocado-Cilantro Cream

Photo Credit: gingercasa.com

This is a nice change from a typical salad side dish. These beef sweet potato bites, made with an avocado cream topping, are surprisingly easy to make and feel more like an appetizer or even a meal in itself! I guarantee you'll have no leftovers.

33

Crockpot Bourbon Baked Beans

Photo Credit: 2cookinmamas.com

Crockpot beans are a perfect side dish! This one is made with bacon, molasses, spices and so many other ingredients that take this one over the top.

34

Cornbread Casserole

Photo Credit: dizzybusyandhungry.com

This is a delicious side dish for any occasion and it's super easy to make. It's one of those throw-together dishes that is just perfect.

35

Guatemalan Black Beans and Rice – Arroz Negro

Photo Credit: www.atastefortravel.ca

This is a flavorful version of black beans and rice that is a perfect accompaniment to any main dish for any occasion!

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

 

 

 


Leave a Comment

« 30+ Amazing Foil Pack Meals for Oven, Grill or Campfire
Strawberry Frozen Greek Yogurt Bark: Easy & Loaded »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Welcome to A Hundred Affections!

Welcome to A Hundred Affections!

Hi, I'm Kate! I'm a long-time follower of Jesus, a former high school English teacher, current certified interior decorator, & SAHM to my 8-year old twin boys (whom we just started homeschooling! 🤪). My hope is to inspire moms running the show at home - to help make homemaking easy! If you're looking for budget-friendly ideas for home decor, DIY projects, recipes (healthy and not-so-healthy), kid activities, parties & celebrations, you're in the right place! Or, if you just need a kindred spirit in motherhood, I hope you'll find it here.

In Case You Missed It

  • Easy & Adorable DIY Hand-Lettered Painted Pumpkins November 10, 2023
  • Fall Home Tour: Easy Industrial Modern Farmhouse Ideas November 9, 2023
  • Stylish Thanksgiving Table Settings & Free Printable Place Cards October 31, 2023
  • Sweet & Savory Fall Charcuterie Board That’s Simple to Make October 21, 2023
  • 40+ Best Non-Halloween Pumpkin Painting Ideas for Decorating October 20, 2023

Kate Landry | A Hundred Affections is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com

 


Privacy Policy and Disclosures

Copyright © 2023 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 · Divine Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

2488 shares