When the days start to get longer and warmer, it's only a matter of time until the backyard barbecues begin. Not only does this mean lighting up the grill to cook up some mouthwatering proteins, but it also implies it's time to get out those traditional barbecue sides.
If you're planning on hosting a barbecue, there are some basic guidelines you need to follow. First, have a steady stream of meat rolling off the grill. Second, don't let your drinks get warm.
And, last but not least, never, ever forget the traditional barbecue sides that will protect your guests from hanger all night long. With that, here are a few barbecue side dish recipes to kick-start your creative barbecue juices:
1. Barbecue Sauce
It's in the name, so of course the first step to having a successful barbecue is having the best barbecue sauce. And, no, none of that stuff out of a bottle is going to cut it. This recipe may take a while, but all you have to do are pour the ingredients in a pot and let the magic happen. Once you try homemade barbecue sauce, you'll never buy it from the store again.
2. Hamburger Buns
Hamburger buns are another homemade barbecue side dish that you probably haven't tried to conquer before. This recipe is a lot easier than you'd think and the result is a delicious, airy, sesame-covered bun with none of the gross preservatives that the store-bought varieties are often full of.
3. Macaroni and Cheese
Everyone loves a delicious, warm, creamy, gooey macaroni and cheese to accompany the meat and vegetables at a traditional barbecue. With these mac and cheese cups, you'll make the serving line move a lot faster, and you can skip the messy clean up of hardened cheese the day after your backyard barbecue.
4. Potato Salad
Potato salad is right on the top of the list of classic potluck dishes. Everyone expects it to be there, but it's never quite as satisfying as expected. This recipe breaks through the "bland potatoes covered in mayo" stereotype with bold German flavors that will stand up to all the other classic barbecue dishes.
5. Cornbread
The problem with hosting large get-togethers today is all the dietary restrictions that you have to accommodate. This dish is guaranteed to satisfy everyone, from vegans to gluten-frees to the average joe. It's the perfect balance of sweet and savory, plus it's sturdy enough to sop up all that extra barbecue sauce, which is obviously the most important part.
6. Grilled Marinated Vegetables
Another way to accommodate your vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free friends while still providing them variety in their side dishes is through the use of marinades. This recipe offers three different marinades for vegetables that you can easily throw on the grill alongside whatever barbecue meat you're offering.
7. Watermelon and Feta Salad
This may be the easiest salad that you ever made, but that's no indication of how delicious it tastes. The light and sweet watermelon, combining with creamy feta and spicy mint in every bite, reminds me of summer. This side dish also makes a great appetizer or palate cleanser mid-meal.
8. Pasta Salad
There's something refreshing about biting into pasta salad fresh out of the refrigerator in the summer. It could be the dressing, or maybe it's the carbs. I know that in this simple recipe, it's the combination of cheese and fresh vegetables that has me reaching for this side dish over any other.
9. Coleslaw
Coleslaw and barbecue is as classic a flavor combination as peanut butter and jelly. No matter if you're grilling up pulled pork, ribs, or hot dogs, your guests are sure to want a refreshing coleslaw on the side. This lightened-up version of traditional coleslaw is perfect for a summer barbecue. It ditches the mayo without losing any flavor.
10. Caprese Salad
Caprese salad is one of those traditional side dishes whose flavors go well with pretty much any meal. This recipe puts a summery twist on the traditional ingredients by adding strawberries. The added sweetness perfectly complements the balsamic vinegar to make a well-rounded side dish worthy of entrée status.
11. Hush Puppies
I'll be the first to admit that I'm a huge supporter of the "everything tastes better deep fried" movement. Hush puppies just reinforce this opinion.
Paula Deen doesn't add a lot of extra fluff to this recipe because sometimes sticking to the basics with side dishes is the best way to go. This bite-sized finger food tastes similar to cornbread, but frying it gives it an added bite.
12. Grilled Corn on the Cob
There's nothing like biting into sweet, juicy, grilled corn on a warm summer night. When it's in season, I try to convince my dad to grill corn for dinner almost every night. It's one of those foods that just tastes better fresh off the grill.
This recipe can help you elevate your grilled corn on the cob game for your next backyard barbecue. It's as easy as setting out the ingredients and letting your guests customize their own corn on the cob.
13. Grilled Peaches
Imagine sweet, juicy summer peaches. Your tastebuds are watering right? Now think about crunchy, fatty, salty bacon. More watering? Now imagine the two combined, plus the smoky flavor that grilling adds to any food.
Using this grilled peach recipe, you can have just that. Eat it as a side dish, an appetizer, or even a dessert. Heck, I'll take any excuse I can find to chow down on this sweet and salty deliciousness.
14. Sweet Tea
I'm from Virginia Beach, so I grew up in an area with an abundance of sweet tea. The unfortunate fact of life is that in the Northeast sweet tea can be hard to come by. Luckily, you can use this recipe no matter where you're from to make a cool drink for all your guests.
#SpoonTip: For those hosting a 21+ barbecue, try out this recipe for an extra entertaining evening.
15. Brownies
In my opinion, the best way to round out a barbecue, or any meal for that matter, is with a decadent chocolate dessert. This peanut butter brownie recipe is perfect for a backyard barbecue because the mini cupcakes are easy to grab and go at a buffet. You can easily make some regular brownie cupcakes without nuts from the same recipe if you have guests with allergies.
Summer is fast approaching, but now that you have these barbecue sides, you'll be able to relax by the pool without worrying about what to bring to your next potluck.
If you're the one hosting, try posting a sign up sheet for your guests to bring dishes. Send out a link to this article to ensure no important sides are left behind.