Let's be honest: sometimes the side dishes steal the show.
We've all been to a cookout where everyone is gathered around the pasta salad, asking who made the corn dish, or sneaking seconds of the potato salad before the burgers are even off the grill.
If you're looking for a dish guaranteed to disappear fast, you're in the right place. From creamy pasta salads and fresh summer salads to grilled vegetables, potato sides, and crowd-pleasing desserts, these are the recipes everyone will be asking you to bring all summer long.
Fair warning: don't be surprised if you're sharing the recipe before the meal is even over. 😄
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Best Pasta Salads For BBQs
Pasta salads are a summer cookout classic. They're easy to make ahead, travel well, and pair perfectly with everything from burgers to grilled chicken.
Cold Pasta Salad With Smoked Sausage
A simple and savory cold pasta salad made with smoked sausage (or salami), veggies, and gluten free pasta. Can be served hot or cold to fit any season!
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Chickpea Pasta Salad Vegan
This chickpea tuna pasta salad is an easy vegan, high-protein pasta salad perfect for meal prep. A healthy, creamy, no-fuss lunch or dinner idea.
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Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
This quick Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is an easy, family-friendly dinner you can make in 15 minutes with rotisserie chicken, pasta, kale, and a creamy Caesar dressing.
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Easy Vegetable Side Dishes
Fresh seasonal vegetables are one of the easiest ways to add color and flavor to any backyard barbecue.
Buttery Lemon Garlic Green Beans
Fresh green beans are smothered in butter, garlic, and lemon zest in this easy recipe for Lemon Garlic Green Beans. Crispy, crunchy, and loaded with flavor they are about to become your new favorite side dish, the perfect way to get a green vegetable on the dinner table.
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Asian Stir Fry Green Beans with Mushrooms
These Asian stir fry green beans with mushrooms are savory, garlicky, and better than takeout. A quick 20-minute veggie-packed side dish perfect for busy weeknight dinners or healthy meal prep lunches.
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Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts With Bacon And Chipotle Aioli
Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts is one of the best ways to enjoy a side of low-carb vegetables. The crispy seasoned exteriors of each brussel sprout is totally addictive - not firm but not over soft on the inside! Served with my homemade and healthy chipotle aioli.
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Air Fryer Zucchini
Air fryer zucchini is a quick and easy side dish with crispy edges and tender centers. This healthy zucchini recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and beginner cooks.
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Cabbage Pie (Savory and Delicious!)
This is one of the best cabbage meals you'll ever have. Ultra cheesy cabbage pie is bursting with rich flavor. It is made using simple ingredients like shredded cabbage, mozzarella cheese, and eggs. We like to serve this cabbage casserole with sour cream or greek yogurt and some freshly chopped parsley.
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Roasted Garlic-Parmesan Zucchini, Squash and Tomatoes
This roasted garlic-Parmesan zucchini, squash and tomatoes recipe is a quick, flavorful summer side dish made on one sheet pan in just 40 minutes!
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Air Fryer Broccoli (in 13 Minutes!)
This Air Fryer Broccoli is crispy, golden, and ready in just 15 minutes! A quick, healthy side dish for any meal-perfect for busy weeknights.
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Cauliflower Steaks
Learn how to make delicious cauliflower steaks, grilled or roasted to perfection. This easy, healthy recipe is a great meatless main or side dish for any meal.
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Broccoli Cranberry Salad
Broccoli Salad is a fresh and vibrant side dish with its combination of earthy, tart, and sweet flavors with pops of savory goodness from seeds and nuts! Tossed in a homemade lemon yogurt dressing for a creamy and tangy finish and chilled to make it even more flavorful and refreshing. The perfect make-ahead salad that is ready for chilling in less than 5 minutes!
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One-Pot Parmesan Zucchini and Corn
This Parmesan zucchini and corn skillet is a quick 15-minute summer side dish made in one pan with fresh zucchini, sweet corn, garlic, lemon, and Parmesan cheese. Easy, family-friendly, and perfect for busy weeknights or BBQ dinners.
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Potato Dishes Everyone Loves
Whether creamy, crispy, roasted, or loaded with flavor, potato dishes are always among the first things to disappear.
Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes
Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes are ultra creamy and fluffy, made with high starch potatoes that are slow cooked in flavorful broth and then mashed with sour cream and butter and seasoned with salt and pepper.
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Olivier Salad (Russian Potato Salad)
Olivier Salad (Russian Potato Salad) is a creamy, hearty, and classic dish perfect for gatherings! This easy recipe is beginner-friendly and packed with flavor.
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Easy Baked Sweet Potato
Baked sweet potato is one of the easiest meals you can make yourself! Simply wash and dry the root vegetables, massage some oil and light seasoning onto the skin and bake for an hour.
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Baked Potato In Air Fryer
Meet the Air Fryer Baked Potato - it's crispy outside and fluffy inside, all with minimal effort. This quick and easy recipe uses just three ingredients, making it the ideal side dish. Thanks to the air fryer, you get perfectly even cooking and a wonderfully crispy seasoned skin without the long oven wait. No need to use foil or to microwave first!
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Homemade Baked Sweet Potato Fries With Parmesan
Treat yourself to the deliciousness of these oven-baked Sweet Potato Fries. They're perfectly seasoned, baked until they're wonderfully golden crispy, and finished off with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese - a truly delightful snack! Plus baking fries in the oven is a healthier alternative to regular French fries.
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How To Make Skillet Potatoes (Korean Style)
Spicy skillet potatoes aka Gamja Jorim is a deliciously flavorful Korean side dish that's quick and simple to make. Baby potatoes are boiled then braised in the skillet and coated in a sweet and spicy glaze. So good!
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Lemon Greek Potatoes
Enjoy crispy Greek lemon potatoes roasted to perfection in garlic and oregano. This easy potato recipe is the ideal side dish for any meal!
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Parmesan Crusted Potatoes
Crispy Parmesan Crusted Potatoes that are perfect for any meal! Discover this easy roast potato recipe with a delicious parmesan crust. Try our homemade parmesan potatoes for the ultimate potato recipe experience.
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Potato Salad Recipe (No Eggs)
Potato salad recipe (no eggs) - is an easy BBQ side dish loaded with potatoes, bacon, mustard olive oil-based vinaigrette without any eggs or mayo. This potato salad is light, very quick to make, and will be a perfect side dish for almost any main course. Perfect for parties.
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Air Fryer Potato Skins With Cheese and Bacon
Create these scrumptious crispy Air Fryer Potato Skins from scratch in under 10 minutes using pre-cooked potatoes. Fill them with cheese, bacon, sour cream, and green onions for a delightful game day or party appetizer treat. Enjoy the easy preparation and deliciousness
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Creamy Scalloped Potatoes
Creamy Scalloped Potatoes made with milk and cream for the perfect rich, tender side dish. This easy scalloped potatoes recipe without cheese is ideal for holidays and weeknight dinners.
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Oven Roasted Potatoes with Herbs
Crispy oven roasted potatoes with lemon herb dressing! An easy, healthy side dish perfect for busy weeknights or family dinners.
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Crispy Potato Bites
Crispy Smashed Potato Bites are the perfect blend of crunchy and fluffy! Easy to make, these bite-sized delights are a family favorite for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.
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Corn Recipes For Summer Cookouts
Sweet summer corn is practically made for barbecue season. These easy recipes bring out its best flavor.
Corn Casserole (Fresh, Frozen or Canned Corn)
Creamy Corn Casserole is a delightful side dish that combines the flavors of cornbread, creamed corn, and soufflé, topped with a tasty golden-brown crust. It's perfect for preparing in advance, making it an excellent choice for potlucks and holidays.
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Jalapeno Cornbread Muffins
Jalapeño Cornbread MuffinsTender, spicy with balanced sweet and savory flavor Jalapeño Cornbread Muffins are quick to make, naturally gluten free and are perfect to accompany any of your favorite Southern/Southwestern style dishes.
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Corn Salsa (Fresh or Frozen)
Fresh Corn Salsa that tastes like Chipotle. This quick, easy, and healthy dip is made with fresh or frozen corn and simple ingredients, perfect for tacos and parties.
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Avocado Corn Salad
This delicious avocado corn salad is loaded with plenty of freshly grilled corn on the cob kernels, tomatoes, avocado, and salty feta cheese. Paired with a simple and light olive oil salad dressing is a great side dish for your BBQ meats.
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Sweet & Spicy Corn Relish for Hot Dogs (Summer BBQ Favorite)
Sweet, tangy, and a little spicy, this homemade corn relish is perfect for hot dogs, burgers, tacos, and summer BBQs. Easy, fresh, and better than store-bought.
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Photo credit: cookrita.com
Cajun Corn On The Cob Recipe (Grilled, Baked, or Air Fryer)
Roasted Cajun corn on the cob is easy to make in the comfort of your home. Perfectly cooked corn is dipped in a creamy-cajun-mayo sauce, sprinkled with salty crumbled cheese, and is the best choice for large summer parties. use one of my 3 methods to make it!
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Fresh Summer Salads
Light, colorful, and packed with seasonal ingredients, these salads balance out all the rich barbecue favorites.
Crunchy Cucumber Carrot Salad
This refreshing and crunchy cucumber, carrot, and zucchini salad is packed with flavor and a breeze to make. Tossed in a simple olive oil and balsamic vinegar dressing with a hint of sugar and salt, it's a perfect side dish for any meal.
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Creamy Cucumber Tomato Salad
Savor the fresh flavors of summer with our creamy cucumber tomato salad. Perfect for BBQs and picnics, this dish is a crowd-pleaser!
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Marinated Cucumber, Tomato and Onion Salad (Just 5 Minutes)
Marinated cucumber tomato and onion salad is a fresh summer side dish, it only takes 5 minutes to throw together, super simple and delicious. No summer feasting and BBQ party is the same without this salad.
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Creamy Cucumber Pea Salad
This creamy cucumber pea salad is packed with spring veggies, fresh herbs, and a tangy yogurt-feta dressing. Ready in 15 minutes.
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Cabbage Cucumber Salad (With Super Simple Dressing)
Easy and budget-friendly cabbage salad with cucumber and dill is ready in minutes and perfect for hot summer days. Serve at BBQ with grilled meats, poultry, fish, and other main courses.
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Tomato and Onion Salad (10 Minutes!)
Tomato and Onion Salad is the perfect salad for any dinner table. This refreshing summer salad is made with juicy fresh tomatoes, sweet onion, simple seasoning, and balsamic vinegar dressing.
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Mozzarella and Tomato Salad
Enjoy a refreshing Mozzarella and Tomato Salad, featuring ripe tomatoes and creamy mozzarella drizzled with a zesty vinaigrette. Perfect for a light lunch or a vibrant side dish.
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Strawberry Chicken Salad Recipe
This refreshing Strawberry Chicken Salad is packed with good-for-you ingredients and dressed in a flavor-packed strawberry honey vinaigrette. Only with little prep and cooking required, this salad comes together exceptionally fast and has plenty of room for further customization.
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Easy Summer Desserts
No cookout is complete without something sweet. These simple desserts are perfect for feeding a crowd.
Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies
Soft and chewy Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies topped with a tangy lemon glaze. Easy to make and perfect for lemon lovers! Ready in just 25 minutes.
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EASY To Make Cherry Cheesecake Bars Recipe
Love cherry and cheesecake? Try these no bake cherry cheesecake bars with a buttery shortbread crust for a hassle-free dessert option.
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Photo credit: cookrita.com
Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie
Indulge in this rich and fudgy Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie! A giant cookie in a flaky pie crust, perfect for sharing with family and friends.
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Blueberry Zucchini Cake with Incredible Cream Cheese Frosting
Blueberry Zucchini Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a moist, flavorful dessert packed with fresh blueberries and zucchini. Topped with rich cream cheese frosting, it's a perfect sweet treat for any occasion.
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Photo credit: cookrita.com
No Bake Sour Cream ''Cheesecake'' (with Oreos)
This No Bake Sour Cream "Cheesecake" with Oreos is a healthier, cream cheese-free twist on classic cheesecake! No refined sugar, easy to make, and perfect for kids' birthdays or a no-fuss dessert. Ready in just 20 minutes of prep!
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Baked Apricots With Coconut Sugar And Butter
This Quick Baked Apricot Dessert is an easy summer treat made with fresh apricots, butter, cinnamon, and crunchy toppings. Ready in under 30 minutes.
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Easy Plum Cake (NYT Plum Torte Copycat)
Make a beautiful Plum Cake using basic pantry staples! This buttery sponge cake adorned with juicy plums, cinnamon, and sugar is a delicious way to savor the in-season fruit. It's ideal for brunch or dessert, especially when crowned with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
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Photo credit: cookrita.com
White Chocolate Chip Strawberry Cookies (No Cake Mix)
These easy strawberry cookies are made with real strawberries and creamy white chocolate chips - a delicious and pretty treat to make for Valentine's day or to take advantage of strawberry season!
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Photo credit: cookrita.com
Strawberry Shortcake Cookies
These strawberry shortbread cookies will soon become one of your favorite desserts! These soft cookies consist of a sweet biscuit base in cookie form, loaded with chopped strawberries, and topped with a sweet sugar glaze. These summer cookies contain all the goodness of strawberry shortcake that you can enjoy with a slather of cream cheese filling or whipped cream!
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Photo credit: cookrita.com
Air Fryer Cookie Fries (Cookie Sticks)
These Air Fryer Cookie Fries are crispy on the edges, soft in the center, and perfect for dipping. A fun beginner-friendly dessert recipe perfect for movie nights, parties, and sweet cravings.
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Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp Recipe (Sweet and Tart!)
This Rhubarb Strawberry Crisp has all - a perfect balance of tangy and sweet flavors, warming spices, crumbly and buttery topping served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream for ultimate decadence. Fresh and juicy tart rhubarb paired with sweet strawberries create a classic dessert for any occasion. This recipe can be done with all purpose flour, almond flour or gluten free flour blend.
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Homemade Strawberry Shortcake
This easy strawberry shortcake recipe is a quick, healthy, and easy homemade strawberry shortcake with fluffy biscuits, fresh berries, and whipped cream.
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Photo credit: cookrita.com
More Summer Recipe Collections
Looking for more warm-weather inspiration? Check out these reader favorites:
- My Go-To Cookout Recipes This Summer
- High-Protein Dinners
- Pickled Food Ideas
- Fourth of July Recipes
- Best Cabbage Recipes
- Daikon Radish Recipes
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