The grill may get all the attention at a cookout, but the side dishes do a lot of the heavy lifting. They fill out the plate, balance the smoky flavors, and somehow end up being the recipes everyone asks about before the meal is over.
Over the years, I have learned that the best cookout sides are the ones that work with whatever comes off the grill, whether it is burgers, chicken, steak, or seafood. These 19 recipes are crowd-friendly favorites that fit in anywhere and never seem to come home with leftovers.
Crispy Smashed Baby Potatoes
These little potatoes get boiled, flattened, and roasted until the edges are crunchy. That crispy texture makes them a sturdy match for juicy burgers, steak, or grilled chicken. You can smash them ahead of time and just pop them in the oven right before the meat comes off the fire.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Smashed Baby Potatoes
Duck Fat Roasted Vegetables
These roasted vegetables come out crisp on the edges, tender in the middle, and packed with rich flavor. The duck fat helps them caramelize, making them a natural match for everything from grilled chicken to steaks.
Get the Recipe: Duck Fat Roasted Vegetables
Fennel And Mango Slaw
This light, bright mix of thin fennel and mango matchsticks has a sharp, clean crunch. It acts as a fresh bite that cuts right through rich, fatty choices like pork chops or salmon. Use a vegetable slicer to get the fennel paper-thin so it is easy to chew.
Get the Recipe: Fennel And Mango Slaw
Air Fryer Broccoli and Cauliflower
A quick blast of high heat toasts the florets until crisp without turning them to mush. It is a simple, mild green side that pairs easily with anything from shrimp skewers to hot dogs. Spread them out in a single layer so they do not trap steam.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Broccoli and Cauliflower
Spinach Colcannon Recipe
This is a comforting bowl of buttery mashed potatoes with tender cooked greens stirred right in. It makes standard spuds feel a lot more thoughtful. Squeeze the spinach completely dry first, so you do not make the mash watery.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Colcannon Recipe
Easy Oven Asparagus
Toss snappy green stalks with oil and salt and roast them right in the oven. They cook in just a few minutes, keeping your kitchen prep fast while the grill finishes up. To prep them instantly, just snap the woody bottoms off by hand.
Get the Recipe: Easy Oven Asparagus
Sauteed Cabbage With Peppers
Shredded cabbage and sweet pepper strips cook down in a skillet until they are tender and bright. This colorful side adds a fresh look to the table and pairs with anything from fish to burgers. Pull it off the heat early to keep some crunch.
Get the Recipe: Sauteed Cabbage With Peppers
Homemade Corn Casserole
Sweet golden kernels bake into a fluffy, rich corn bread that tastes like a mix of a side dish and a treat. Hand your guests a large serving spoon so they can scoop out the warm, comforting center.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Corn Casserole
Buttered Cabbage
Simmer green cabbage ribbons in a pan with a pat of butter until soft. It takes very little attention, leaving you free to focus entirely on checking your meat temperatures. Cut the ribbons thick and even so they cook at the same rate.
Get the Recipe: Buttered Cabbage
Green Bean Casserole
Fresh green beans bake in a creamy mushroom sauce topped with crispy fried onions. It is a classic crowd-pleaser that is easy to double if your guest list grows. Stir half the onions inside the sauce and save the rest for a crunchy topping at the end.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole
Roasted Lemon Potatoes, Broccoli And Peppers
A squeeze of lemon gives these roasted vegetables the kind of freshness that balances smoky food. They work just as well next to a steak as they do alongside grilled chicken or seafood. This is one of those versatile sides that never feels out of place at a cookout.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Lemon Potatoes, Broccoli And Peppers
Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts With Feta, Pomegranate And Balsamic
Air-fry these until crunchy, then toss with salty feta and a drizzle of balsamic. The sharp mix of salt and tang cuts right through sweet barbecue glazes on ribs or chicken wings. If you use the oven, roast them cut-side down for the best charred edges.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts With Feta, Pomegranate And Balsamic
Mayo Purple Cabbage Slaw
This crunchy mixture uses shredded cabbage ribbons tossed in a wonderfully smooth, creamy dressing that keeps things simple. Pass the chilled bowl around the yard for a refreshing bite that balances hot foods.
Get the Recipe: Mayo Purple Cabbage Slaw
Maple Tahini Sweet Potatoes
Roast sweet potato rounds and drizzle them with a blend of sesame paste and maple syrup. The earthy, nutty flavor works beautifully with grilled chicken or pork chops. Whisk the syrup with a splash of warm water first so the paste does not clump.
Get the Recipe: Maple Tahini Sweet Potatoes
Mexican Coleslaw
The fresh crunch in this slaw is exactly what a cookout plate needs. Cabbage, corn, and peppers bring plenty of color and texture, while the tangy dressing keeps everything feeling light. It works with just about anything coming off the grill, which is why I keep coming back to it.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Coleslaw
Sauteed Swiss Rainbow Chard
Cook these colorful stalks and leaves in a hot pan with plenty of garlic. It takes minutes on the stove and gives you a light green side that will not overpower grilled fish or chicken. Just chop the stems into tiny pieces and cook them for 3 minutes before adding the leaves.
Get the Recipe: Sauteed Swiss Rainbow Chard
Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices
Bake sweet potato discs in the oven until the edges get sticky and caramelized. That natural sweetness balances out salty, vinegar-heavy barbecue sauces on chicken or pork. Be sure to line your pan with parchment paper first, because melted sugar is a nightmare to scrub off.
Get the Recipe: Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices
Sweet And Spicy Glazed Carrots Recipe With Red Wine
I know carrots do not sound like the side dish people get excited about at a cookout, but these always prove me wrong. The sweet-and-spicy glaze plays especially well with smoky food from the grill, whether it is burgers, chicken, or pork. Every time I make them, someone ends up asking what I did differently to the carrots.
Get the Recipe: Sweet And Spicy Glazed Carrots Recipe With Red Wine
Greek Orzo Pasta Salad
This is one of those recipes I find myself bringing to cookouts again and again because it goes with practically everything. The cucumbers and olives keep it fresh, while the orzo makes it filling enough to earn space on an already crowded plate. If I am not sure what everyone is grilling, this is usually the side I bring.
Get the Recipe: Greek Orzo Pasta Salad
Whether you're serving burgers, ribs, chicken, or sausages, these sides go along with everyone at the cookout.
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