The Most Popular BBQ Side Dishes
When it comes to summer cookouts, the main dish might get all the attention, but let’s be honest, it’s the BBQ side dishes that everyone piles onto their plate. From creamy classics like potato salad and baked beans to fresh, vibrant salads, the right sides turn a good BBQ into an unforgettable one.
Whether you’re hosting a backyard cookout or bringing a dish to share, these are the most popular BBQ side dishes that people actually want to eat.
The Classics (Absolute Must-Haves)
These are the tried-and-true BBQ side dishes that show up at every cookout and for good reason! They’re nostalgic, crowd-pleasing, and basically expected at any summer gathering.
Potato Salad
Creamy, tangy, and loaded with tender potatoes, this is the side dish no BBQ is complete without.
Macaroni Salad
Cool, creamy, and simple, this classic pasta salad is a must for feeding a crowd.
Classic Coleslaw
Crisp, refreshing, and perfectly balanced with creamy or tangy dressing—it pairs with everything.
Baked Beans
Sweet, smoky, and slow-cooked to perfection, these beans are always a hit.
Cookout Favorites (Grill-Friendly & Crowd Pleasers)
These grill-friendly sides are made for outdoor cooking and bring big flavor with minimal effort. They’re easy to throw on the grill and always disappear fast.
Elote (Mexican Street Corn)
Smoky grilled corn coated in creamy, cheesy, zesty goodness.
Grilled Vegetables
A colorful mix of charred, tender veggies that add freshness and flavor to any plate.
Garlic Bread
Warm, buttery, and perfect for soaking up all those BBQ juices.
Grilled Corn on the Cob
Juicy, sweet corn grilled to perfection and slathered in butter, simple and irresistible.
Skillet Cornbread
Soft, slightly sweet, and a classic pairing for any BBQ plate.
Fresh & Light Sides (Balance the Meal)
These fresh, vibrant sides balance out rich BBQ meats and add a bright, summery touch to your plate.
Greek Pasta Salad
Packed with crisp veggies, olives, and feta for a bold, refreshing bite.
Tropical Fruit Salad
Sweet, juicy, and refreshing, it’s always a crowd favorite on hot days.
Creamy Cucumber Salad
Cool, crisp cucumbers in a tangy, creamy dressing and so refreshing.
Italian Pasta Salad
Zesty, colorful, and loaded with flavor and perfect for making ahead.
Caprese Salad
Fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil drizzled with balsamic for a simple, elegant side.
Creamy & Comfort Sides
These rich, comforting sides are the ones everyone scoops up first and then goes back for more. They’re hearty, satisfying, and totally irresistible.
Baked Mac & Cheese
Ultra creamy, cheesy, and baked to golden perfection and always a standout.
Broccoli Salad
Crunchy, creamy, and slightly sweet with a savory twist.
Deviled Eggs
Classic, creamy, and perfectly bite-sized for any gathering.
Corn Casserole
Soft, buttery, and just a little sweet. It’s pure comfort in every bite.
No matter what’s on the grill, the right BBQ side dishes are what truly bring the whole meal together. From classic favorites to fresh, flavorful salads and comforting crowd-pleasers, there’s something here for every kind of cookout. Mix and match a few of these sides for your next gathering, and don’t be surprised when everyone asks for the recipes.
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Best Homemade Potato Salad
How to make the BEST potato salad from scratch! This no-fail recipe uses mayo, mustard, vinegar, and one game-changing method!
Course 100 + Salad Recipes to Obsess Over, 200+ Easy Side Dish Recipes Every Mom Needs
Cuisine American
Keyword bbq, potato, potato salad, potluck, salad, side, side dish
Prep Time 40 minutes minutes
Total Time 40 minutes minutes
Servings 10
Calories 365kcal
Author Carrian Cheney
- 5 Pounds Potatoes yukon gold
- 2 Cups Mayonnaise
- 2 ½ teaspoons Yellow Mustard
- 1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard
- 1 Tablespoon Vinegar apple cider
- 1 Tablespoon Dill fresh, chopped
- ¼ – ½ teaspoon Celery Salt
- ½ teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- ¾ Cup Pickle Relish sweet
- 2 Pickles Sweet Kosher Baby, chopped
- 2 Green Onions chopped
- 10 Eggs hard-boiled, chopped
- ½ teaspoon Salt or more, to taste
Start this recipe the day before you intend to eat it, or at least the morning of.
Fill a large pot with water. Give the potatoes a rough chop, skins on and place in the water and bring to a boil. Cook until soft when poked with a fork.
5 Pounds Potatoes
Meanwhile, stir together the mayonnaise, mustards, vinegar, dill, celery salt, paprika, relish, pickles and green onions.
2 Cups Mayonnaise, 2 ½ teaspoons Yellow Mustard, 1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard, 1 Tablespoon Vinegar, 1 Tablespoon Dill, ¼ – ½ teaspoon Celery Salt, ½ teaspoon Smoked Paprika, ¾ Cup Pickle Relish, 2 Pickles, 2 Green Onions
Remove the potatoes and drain, allowing them to cool for a few minutes.
Use a paring knife to remove skins, chopping the potatoes a little smaller and place 3/4 of the potatoes in the dressing. Mince the remaining potatoes and add to the dressing as it will make more texture in the salad.
Add the eggs and gently fold to coat.
10 Eggs
Season with more salt if needed.
½ teaspoon Salt
Sprinkle with more paprika, cover in plastic wrap and place in the fridge for the day or up to overnight. I prefer overnight.
Stir and serve!
You can boil the potatoes and peel them two days ahead and wrap tightly in plastic wrap, store in the fridge.
This will keep for 3-5 days in the refrigerator. Serving: 1g | Calories: 365kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 171mg | Sodium: 956mg | Potassium: 1072mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 406IU | Vitamin C: 46mg | Calcium: 66mg | Iron: 3mg