What Side Dishes Go Best With a BBQ?

Whether you’re hosting family and friends this summer, or have been asked to bring something along to someone else’s BBQ, choosing the right side dishes can be easier said than done! 

The perfect sides should complement the smoky, rich flavours of grilled meats while adding balance, texture, and variety to the meal. Whether you’re looking for something light and refreshing or a crowd-pleasing comfort food, we’ve got you covered with delicious ideas to elevate your BBQ spread. So, let’s dive in! What side dishes go best with a BBQ?

The best BBQ side dishes are colourful, vegetarian and vegan friendly, whilst incorporating the key flavours of the season. Ideas include:

• Light, leafy salads
• Hearty potato, pasta, or cous cous salads
• Coleslaw 
• Beans – served warm or cold
• Salsa & pickles
• Grilled veggies
• Halloumi  

Read on for more irresistible BBQ side dish ideas!

 

What Side Dishes Should You Serve at a BBQ?

Ensure that the majority of your side dishes are vegetarian friendly (with some vegan options too), as this ensures there is something to suit everyone, especially if the meat on the grill isn’t their thing. 

Light Salads

Light salads are the perfect place to start when thinking about side dishes for a BBQ – especially if you’re a guest. They aren’t too heavy, they’re easy to prep ahead of time, and they can be used as both a side and a burger filling, saving you chopping extra tomatoes and salad leaves on the side! Skip the iceberg – get creative with exciting seasonal produce to wow your guests. Here are some of our go-to recipes:

• Brussel Sprout, Apple, & Cranberry Salad
• Butterbean & Courgette Salad
• Grilled Courgette & Feta Salad 
• A Simple Green Salad
• Caprese-Style Salad (colourful tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, balsamic… yum)
• Prawn Fruit Salad

Learn more about the salad vegetables in season right now in our Month-By-Month Seasonal Eating Guide.

Hearty Salads

It’s a good idea to prep some filling salads for your BBQ alongside your leafy, light ones – that way, you can provide a substantial option for those not filling up on meat. Think salads with a potato, pasta, or cous cous base – AKA anything that will add a bit of carby sustenance to your plate. These salads can be made in large batches with relatively affordable ingredients, and they tend to hold up well outdoors! Check out  these delicious recipes for inspiration:

• Salmon Potato Salad
• Greek Potato Salad
• Coronation Potato Salad
• Honey Mustard Potato Salad
• Green Goddess Orzo Salad
• Greek Orzo Salad
• Moroccan Cous Cous Salad

Slaw & Coleslaw

Coleslaw is a great BBQ side dish because its crisp texture and tangy, creamy flavor provide a refreshing contrast to the rich, smoky, and savoury meats typically served at barbecues. A classic cabbage, carrot, and onion slaw is expected at almost every BBQ, but this shouldn’t stop you from getting creative. Here are some of the most delicious slaw recipes I’ve tried this year:

• Ginger Asian Slaw
• Apple & Cranberry Coleslaw
• Red Cabbage Slaw

Beans, Beans, Beans

Whilst serving beans at a BBQ might seem somewhat strange to us Brits, they are a staple served with grilled meats across the pond! They are a fantastic veggie option, and one of the most cost-effective items you can serve at a BBQ. Beans can be served in a number of ways (both warm and cold), depending on your preference – here’s a few ideas:

• Bean Salads: Light and refreshing, like a three-bean salad with vinaigrette dressing.
• Smoky Baked Beans: Sweet and smoky, often cooked with BBQ sauce, brown sugar, or bacon. Find a recipe for smoky baked beans on our website.
• Chili or Cowboy Beans: Spicy and robust, often featuring a mix of beans, ground meat, and bold seasonings.

Salsa & Pickles

Something tangy, sharp, and sweet is going to provide some welcome contrast to the richness of grilled chicken and sausages – salsas and pickles are perfect for this! Dip If you’re after convenience, they’re easy to grab at your local supermarket. Or, for those wanting to spend time homemaking a delicious salsa or batch of pickles, check out these recipes below:

• Simple Tomato Salsa
• Pomegranate Salsa With Pistachios
• Pickled Wild Garlic Buds
• Pickled Red Onions

Grilled Veggies

No BBQ is complete without the smoky, charred goodness of grilled vegetables. Of course, the classic BBQ staple is corn on the cob, but you could also grill some more exciting options too. Not only do they add a splash of colour to your plate, but they also cater to guests looking for lighter or plant-based options. Here are some of our favourites that grill beautifully:

• Aubergine
• Pepper (red or green work best)
• Tomatoes
• Courgette
• Sweet potato slices (these make for a great veggie-burger alternative when sliced into rounds!)
• Mushrooms
• Asparagus
• Tenderstem broccoli
• Red onion

Either cut your veggie of choice into squares and pop onto a skewer, or opt for whole slices directly on the grill for a couple of minutes on each side.

Halloumi 

Halloumi is a BBQ essential in my book, and trust me, there won’t be a single piece left by the end of the day! While it’s less of a traditional side dish and more of a fantastic meat alternative for vegetarians, it absolutely deserves its place on this list. With its salty, chewy texture and perfect grill marks, halloumi is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleasing side dish at any BBQ. Whilst you can grill it as-is, you could also use it in:

• Halloumi & veggie skewers (see veggie ideas above!)
• Halloumi salads
• Halloumi-stuffed burgers

How Long Can BBQ Side Dishes Stay Out For?

At a BBQ, which I’m assuming you’re hosting outside, you shouldn’t keep food out for more than 2 hours at a time. Especially if it is a particularly warm day, food left out for longer than that is at risk of spoiling. Even if it doesn’t necessarily spoil after 2 hours, being in the heat outside may cause the texture of things like salads and grilled veggies to change – they may become soggy or grainy, and you may not want to eat them! 

Delicious BBQ Side Dishes From Savery Grazing

Hosting a BBQ this summer? Check out our fantastic recipe blog for oh-so-easy BBQ side dish recipes. We have ideas for everyone – whether that be veggie, vegan, or even gluten free guests – nobody goes hungry here! For more inspiration, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.

Have we forgotten something on this list? Let us know in the comments what you’d serve at a BBQ!

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