Summer Side Dishes Perfect for Your Next Cookout

Summer is a time for fun in the sun, but it’s also the perfect time to try something new in the kitchen! With the days getting longer and the temperature rising, you can create light, fresh, and delicious side dishes for any outdoor meal.

collage of side dishes with text overlay "25 summer side dishes"

From classic coleslaw to modern twists on potato salad, here are twenty five summer side dish recipes to help spice up your summer barbecue and impress your friends.

So, grab your aprons and get ready to try something different this summer – you won’t be disappointed!

Slaw and other Salads

Summer is the time for colorful and flavorful fruits and vegetables. Here's a few cole slaws, fruit salads and vegetable salads that would make a tasty and healthy addition to your meals

Asian Sesame Noodle Slaw

Cole slaw and burger on a plate — Carolina Cole Slaw

Fruit salad in a bowl with text overlay "Melon Pineapple Fruit Salad" — Melon Pineapple Fruit Salad

peach slices and blackberries on salad greens with blackberry dressing and text overlay "peach and blackberry salad" — Peach Blackberry Salad

celery and sesame salad — Sesame Celery Salad

Kohlrabi Slaw with carrot and kale garnish in a bowl — Southern Style Kohlrabi Slaw

close up of southwestern salad with avocado dressing — Southwestern Salad

bowl of cucumbers in yogurt with text overlay "Cucumbers in yogurt Jajuk: Armenian Summer Soup" — Summer Soup (Jajuk - Cucumbers and Yogurt)

Barley Tabbouli (Tabbouleh) - middle eastern salad made with barley, tomatoes and cucumbers with a lemon mint vinaigrette. — Tabbouli (Tabbouleh)

Uborkasalata (dairy free cucumber salad)

tropical watermelon cucumber salad on a plate — Watermelon Cucum ber Salad

Potato Salad

Potato Salads are a classic addition to cookouts and picnics. Here are three very different potato salads to try.

bowl of red potato salad on a table with text overlay "Creamy Dijon Potato Salad" — Creamy Dijon Red Potato Salad

top down view of potato salad on a picnic blanket with text overlay "herb and garlic potato salad" — Herb and Garlic Potato Salad

Rice and Grains

You might not think of rice for a cookout side dish, but these recipes will change your mind.

cold rice salad in a bowl — Curried Cold Rice Salad

Hominy Casserole - simple and quick southwestern side dish with of hominy, chilies and cheese. Great for pot lucks and barbecues. — Hominy Casserole

Beans

Beans are another classic summer side dish. Luckily the modern pressure cooker makes these recipes a breeze to make without cooking them for hours and heating up the kitchen.