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    Home » Roundups

    29 Summer Side Dishes For BBQ Parties

    Published: Aug 8, 2025 by bobbieblue

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    When hosting a summer BBQ you need to have an array of delicious side dishes for your guests. From classics like pasta salads, mac and cheese and fresh watermelon salad there's a side dish recipe that everyone will love. Try broccoli salad made with a creamy yogurt dressing for a light option. So next time you are hosting a summer get together or are wanting to take a side to a potluck, try these delicious recipes!

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    BLT Salad Recipe With Creamy Dressing

    A bowl of salad with two wooden spoons.
    Photo Credit: Blue's Best Life

    BLT Salad is a classic dish that will always give the best flavors for everyone to enjoy. This recipe will show you how you can easily make this dish in no time!

    Get the recipe: BLT Salad Recipe With Creamy Dressing

    Summer Corn And Cucumber Salad With Basil

    Photo Credit: Avocado Skillet

    This salad is light and refreshing which is the perfect addition to a summer BBQ. This lemon dressing with a touch of paprika really pulls everything together.

    Get the recipe: Summer Corn And Cucumber Salad With Basil

    Baked Beans From Scratch

    Photo Credit: Garlic & Zest

    These baked beans from scratch are full of Southern flavor and soul. Slow cooked and packed full of tasty flavors they are the perfect BBQ side dish.

    Get the recipe: Baked Beans From Scratch

    Creamsicle Orange Fluff Jello Salad

    Photo Credit: Blue's Best Life

    This fluffy fluff salad is made with mandarin oranges, cool whip and cream cheese to give the flavor of a creamsicle. This is the perfect no-bake dessert to serve at picnics and holiday gatherings!

    Get the recipe: Creamsicle Orange Fluff Jello Salad

    Cucumber Salad

    Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon

    This Cucumber Salad Recipe is the perfect light and refreshing lunch or go-to side dish. Filled with crunchy cucumbers, quick-pickled red onions, and avocado, it’s easy to enjoy this cucumber salad year-round with your favorite recipes!

    Get the recipe: Cucumber Salad

    Southern Yellow Fried Squash

    Photo Credit: This Silly Girl's Kitchen

    You should absolutely try this recipe to make yellow squash not just healthy but super savory. Fried in the buttermilk-based secret mix, these squash slices become an addictive snack (especially paired with your favorite dip!).

    Get the recipe: Southern Yellow Fried Squash Recipe.

    Easy Pesto Orzo Pasta Salad

    Photo Credit: Blue's Best Life

    Loaded with crisp vegetables and a flavorful lemony basil pesto dressing, this Pesto Orzo Pasta Salad is a perfect side dish for any summer gathering.

    Get the recipe: Easy Pesto Orzo Pasta Salad

    Velveeta Mac & Cheese

    Photo Credit: Grandbaby Cakes

    There’s just something about the combo of gooey Velveeta cheese and tender elbow pasta that takes me straight back to those old-school childhood meals. It’s simple, it’s buttery, and it’s so dang delicious!

    Get the recipe: Velveeta Mac & Cheese

    Poppyseed Pasta Salad

    Photo Credit: Tastes Of Lizzy T

    This vegetable pasta salad is refreshing, healthy, and delicious. Homemade poppyseed dressing pairs well with all the veggies and highlights sweet and tangy flavors.

    Get the recipe: Poppyseed Pasta Salad.

    Cheesy Ranch Potato Foil Packs

    Cheesy Ranch Potato Foil Packs
    Photo Credit: A Southern Soul

    Cheesy Ranch Potatoes are cooked in foil packs and they are the perfect side dish for camping or summer BBQs. Cooking in foil packs on the grill is super popular, and for good reason. You can even customize this to include all your favorite ingredients.

    Get the recipe: Cheesy Ranch Potato Foil Packs

    Sautéed Summer Vegetable

    Photo Credit: Two Healthy Kitchens

    This dish is a colorful vegetable heaven: we have yellow squash, zucchini, corn, red onion, and tomatoes. The recipe is vegetarian and gluten-free and gets done in about 30 minutes.

    Get the recipe: Sautéed Summer Vegetable Recipe.

    Strawberry Fluff Salad

    Photo Credit: Blue's Best Life

    Loaded with fresh strawberries, mini marshmallows and Cool Whip this strawberry fluff salad is the perfect light dessert for any occasion. Easy to make and can be made ahead!

    Get the recipe: Strawberry Fluff Salad

    Caprese Zoodle Salad

    Photo Credit: Served From Scratch

    This fresh salad uses garden summer zucchini and cherry tomatoes for the same great taste you love from a caprese salad. Perfect for a summer potluck or dinner side dish.

    Get the recipe: Caprese Zoodle Salad

    KFC Coleslaw Copycat

    Photo Credit: Amanda's Kitchen

    This quick and easy coleslaw is perfect if you love KFC'S version. It takes only a few minutes to make but plan ahead so it has time to chill before serving.

    Get the recipe: KFC Coleslaw Copycat

    Carrot Raisin Salad

    Photo Credit: Little Sunny Kitchen

    This super easy old fashioned carrot salad is similar to a side dish that was popular at Chick-Fil-A. This salad is slightly sweet but you can use a grated apple instead of honey or sugar.

    Get the recipe: Carrot Raisin Salad

    Avocado Corn Salad

    Photo Credit: Evolving Table

    This easy side dish is loaded with fresh summer produce. Make this avocado corn salad for a summer BBQ or get-together.

    Get the recipe: Avocado Corn Salad

    Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

    Photo Credit: Love From The Oven

    This easy pasta salad has a sweet and creamy dressing and a little crunch from the celery and carrots. This is a perfect side dish for summer cookouts.

    Get the recipe: Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

    Easy Broccoli Salad With Creamy Greek Yogurt Dressing

    Photo Credit: Blue's Best Life

    This broccoli salad is full of crunchy almonds, sunflower seeds and sweet dried cranberries with a light Greek yogurt dressing. This light and fresh salad is the perfect side dish for a BBQ.

    Get the recipe: Easy Broccoli Salad With Creamy Greek Yogurt Dressing

    Tex Mex Chicken Pasta Salad

    Photo Credit: XOXO Bella

    It’s a southwest pasta salad with chicken offering the best of all worlds. This is a flavorful dinner salad just bursting with color and flavor!

    Get the recipe: Tex Mex Chicken Pasta Salad

    Summer Watermelon Salad With Mint And Cucumber

    Photo Credit: Blue's Best Life

    This fresh watermelon salad is sweet with a light honey lime dressing. This salad is perfect for summer cookouts and will accompany any main dish.

    Get the recipe: Summer Watermelon Salad With Mint And Cucumber

    Tortellini Caprese Pasta Salad With Balsamic

    Photo Credit: Blue's Best Life

    Bursting with juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant basil, this Tortellini Caprese Pasta Salad is easy to prepare using simple ingredients. In under 20 minutes, you can create a satisfying meal, a delicious side dish, or a perfect summer potluck dish!

    Get the recipe: Tortellini Caprese Pasta Salad With Balsamic

    Italian Pasta Salad

    Photo Credit: Busy Family Recipes

    This zesty Italian Pasta Salad is loaded with fresh veggies, cheese and a homemade Italian dressing. It is a summer staple that is perfect for barbeques and potlucks.

    Get the recipe: Italian Pasta Salad

    Peach And Burrata Salad With Balsamic

    Photo Credit: Blue's Best Life

    When summer peaches are at peak season this is the salad to make! Grilled peaches are delicious in a summer salad bursting with fresh produce.

    Get the recipe: Grilled Peach And Burrata Salad With Balsamic

    Potato Mac Salad

    Photo Credit: Joyous Apron

    If you are looking for a potato salad that is a little different then you have to try this Potato Mac salad. A simple side dish combining potatoes, sweet onions, chopped carrots, mixed with a tangy creamy dressing.

    Get the recipe: Potato Mac Salad

    Herbed Potato Salad

    Photo Credit: Two Kooks In The Kitchen

    Bursting with the freshness of lemon, herbs, and garlic this potato salad is so easy to make and tastes delicious. Perfect as an accompaniment for any dish this summer.

    Get the recipe: Herbed Potato Salad

    Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

    Photo Credit: Little Sunny Kitchen

    You’ll love this quick and easy Dill Pickle Pasta Salad filled with crunchy pickles, cheddar cheese, extra dill, and a creamy dressing. Pickle Pasta Salad will be your new favorite, all summer long!

    Get the recipe: Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

    Greek Pasta Salad

    Photo Credit: Modern Honey

    Homemade Greek Pasta Salad made with Pasta, Greek Olives, Feta Cheese, Peppers, Tomatoes, Cucumber, Pepperoncini, and tossed in a homemade Greek Dressing. The Best Greek Pasta Salad Recipe!

    Get the recipe: Greek Pasta Salad

    Easy Cucumber And Carrot Salad With Sweet And Spicy Dressing

    Photo Credit: Blue's Best Life

    This crunchy side dish is perfect for hot days. The cool crisp cucumbers are perfectly paired with the sweet and spicy dressing.

    Get the recipe: Easy Cucumber And Carrot Salad With Sweet And Spicy Dressing

    Smoked Street Corn (Elote recipe)

    Smoked Street Corn (Elote recipe)
    Photo Credit: Little Black Skillet

    This grilled Mexican Street Corn is a delicious recipe that is perfect for a summer cookout. The corn is brushed in a mayo mixture, sprinkled with cheese and spices for a tasty side dish everyone will love.

    Get the recipe: Smoked Street Corn (Elote recipe)

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    Hi, I'm Bobbie! Welcome to Blue's Best Life. I'm a self-taught cook that loves to cook wholesome meals while still enjoying a truly decadent dessert, because there is always room for a little something sweet!

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