25 Easy BBQ Side Dishes For Effortless Grilling

Looking for a few easy BBQ side dishes that’ll make your next backyard gathering a roaring success? From simple salads to grilled veggies and tasty baked potatoes, these recipes will inspire you to embrace the sunshine.

Love this? Check out these 25 Lettuce Salad Recipes or these 50 Easy Summer Dinner Recipes.

Ah, grill season.

It’s that time of year when the sun comes out, you slap on sunscreen and fire up the BBQ.

But if you’re struggling to find side dish inspirations for marinated meats, I’m here to help

These creative and easy BBQ side dishes will jazz up any garden party plate. All without taking hours to prep or cook!

Whether you love tasty salads or are craving easy-to-make vegetarian recipes, you’ll find something you can’t wait to whip up.

25 Easy BBQ Side Dishes

Elote

Crunchy, crispy, and perfectly smoky, this delicious elote recipe will have you running for the BBQ this summer.

The mayonnaise gives the sweet corn a creamy coating, while the chili powder and lime juice bring spice and zest.

Oh, and the salty tang from the tasty cotija cheese is to die for!

Grilled Mushroom Skewers

If you’re on the hunt for Meatless Monday recipes that serve as satisfying appetizers, these grilled mushroom skewers are IT.

They’re coated with olive oil and soy sauce for a savory kick. And they get a herby freshness from parsley and thyme.

Grilled Potatoes

I’m a huge fan of tasty fries and delicious mashed potatoes, but these grilled taters truly take the cake.

They’re golden and crisp on the outside (with a touch of smokiness from the grill!), but the middle melts in your mouth.

Grilled Peppers

If you’re looking for easy side dish recipes that taste of summertime, try these perfectly charred, grilled peppers.

The crispy skins are coated in a delicious vinaigrette and get a glorious creaminess from sinful burrata cheese.

Grilled Zucchini

Move over zoodles, as these grilled zucchini strips are a dreamy way to use up leftover summer squash!

The squash is super tender and is seasoned with garlic powder, salt, pepper, and fresh herbs – yup, that’s it.

Squeeze a small amount of fresh lemon juice or pesto over the zucchini for a dash of brightness.

Grilled Sweet Potatoes

You might think that there’s nothing better than a plate of fresh fries, but these healthy and crunchy sweet potatoes are a seriously close second.

They contain just two ingredients – sweet potatoes and oil!. And you can jazz them up with different seasonings depending on your mood.

Easy Grilled Vegetables

I’m always trying to work more veggies into my diet, and these sweet and smoky grilled vegetables are a dream.

This recipe is completely customizable depending on what you have to hand. But eggplants, zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms, and onions are all reliable picks for the grill.

Season with salt and pepper, get cheesy with parmesan, or season with a dollop of homemade red pepper pesto for an extra flourish!

Grilled Peach Avocado Caprese Salad

I’m a huge fan of Caprese sandwiches, but this grilled peach and avocado salad won’t make you miss bread one bit.

It combines zesty grilled lemons with grilled peaches, avocado, mozzarella, tomatoes, and a tangy arugula mix for a peppery kick.

You just need to simmer the balsamic vinegar with sugar, reduce it, and spoon it over the salad when it’s ready!

Maroulosalata Greek Lettuce Salad

This Maroulosalata is my go-to meal for a light lunch as it’s packed with nutritious ingredients and has an unbeatable crunch.

Although the Romaine lettuce and spring onions bring texture, I love the lemony vinaigrette as it brings a burst of freshness to the dish.

Serve it with pita, homemade hummus, and a handful of your favorite grilled meats!

Grilled Vegetables

Is there anything better than vegetable skewers that are bursting with color and flavor?

These are made with seasonal veggies like summer squash, onions, mushrooms, and corn, meaning you’ll be met with a mouthwatering blend of textures with every bite.

While the veggies are delicious as-is, you can drizzle them with a tangy Mediterranean salad dressing or pesto for an extra kick!

Grilled Eggplant

Light and perfectly charred, these grilled eggplants are one of my all-time favorite BBQ side dishes for when you’re whipping up a tasty meal. The eggplant doesn’t go remotely slimy or mushy as each slice is brushed with olive oil for prime crispiness!

Loaded BBQ Baked Potatoes

When I’m looking for a comfort food fix, I’ll always pull out these loaded BBQ baked potatoes.

They get a gloriously creamy flavor from the garlic, herb, spinach, and bleu cheese crumble. 

But don’t count out the hit of savory goodness you get from the crispy onions or BBQ chicken!

Cabbage Steaks

Okay, so I was slightly skeptical of this recipe when I first stumbled across it, but these tender and caramelized cabbage steaks will seriously make you want to turn vegan!

They’re wonderfully crispy on the outside, and the recipe takes all of five minutes to prepare to perfection.

It’s one of the easiest BBQ side dishes to try out this summer as it’s just so versatile (and a total crowd-pleaser!).

Cowboy Caviar

I’m all for making Mexican night more interesting, so why not take your cookout to the next level by whipping up cowboy caviar?

This corn salad combines beans and avocado with crunchy veggies, a zingy Italian dressing, and cilantro for a herby kick.

Scoop everything up with a few tortilla chips or make it one of your go-to BBQ side dishes to serve with fajita-spiced steaks or chicken!

Grilled Watermelon

A grilled watermelon salad might sound bizarre, but this uber-juicy recipe is the side dish you didn’t know you needed!

The char lines add a hint of smokiness to the mix, but it’s the lime, sea salt, mint, and honey garnish that elevate the naturally sweet watermelon.

Boring side salads? They’re about to take a permanent vacation with this creative platter on the menu!

Greek Chickpea Salad

This Greek chickpea salad is one of my most reliable BBQ side dishes as it’s light, zingy, and satisfying.

You’ll get classic Mediterranean flavors from the olives and tasty tomatoes, along with a hit of protein and healthy fat from the chickpeas and dressing.

It’s a well-balanced and filling dish that you’ll want to pull out time and again (yup, even kids love it!).

Grilled Corn

In my book, no classic BBQ is ready to rumble until the grilled corn comes out in all its perfectly-seasoned glory.

This recipe uses fresh corn and a personalized blend of seasonings to create a high-fiber dish that’s bursting with minerals like zinc and iron.

Whether you’re an all-butter and salt lover or want to brush the corn with chili oil and brown sugar, the world’s your oyster!

Charred Corn Avocado Quinoa Salad

Who said that salads needed to be boring?

This charred corn and avocado quinoa salad blends avocado with poblano peppers, cotija cheese, and a simple cilantro lime dressing to create a flavor sensation.

It’s super refreshing on the tongue, and the fresh cilantro compliments every single ingredient in the dish.

Oh, and don’t underestimate the salty tang from that cotija cheese – it’s divine and oh-so-authentic!

Cold Rice Salad

When someone asks me for easy BBQ side dishes that are chock full of protein, flavorful herbs, and tender whole grains, I’ll always recommend this rice salad.

It contains the perfect balance of protein, fats, and carbs, and is packed with unique textures that make every mouthful marvelous.

Better yet, it stores like a dream, meaning you can make it a couple of days ahead of an event if you’re pressed for time.­­

Charred Peppers

Charred peppers are a BBQ classic for a reason, and this variation takes them up a notch with creamy feta and tzatziki.

This recipe uses super-sweet baby peppers for a lighter taste that pairs beautifully with a drizzle of honey and smooth, fruity olive oil.

Serve them with naan, tortillas, a hunk of ciabatta, or a serving of grilled meat for the ultimate BBQ plate!

Simple Lettuce Salad

Sometimes, all you want is an easy BBQ side dish that’s ready in minutes – and this one fits the bill!

The dressing is tangy and sweet thanks to a mix of honey and lemon, but the crushed red pepper flakes and parmesan bring heat and nuttiness.

This dreamy chameleon salad pairs wonderfully with anything from sandwiches to grilled tofu, bruschetta, and mighty plates of meat!

Grilled Carrots

Carrots are one of my all-time favorite veggies, and these chargrilled delights are sweet, smoky, and tender enough to melt in the mouth (without being mushy!).

These carrots are seasoned with a simple mix of olive oil, salt, and pepper so they don’t burn during the cooking process.

But feel free to douse them with chimichurri, fresh herbs, or spices of your choice once they’re off the grill!

Healthy Potato Salad with No Eggs

I’m always looking for new plant-based recipes that actually taste delicious, and this potato salad ticks all my boxes.

The Dijon mustard, green onions, and zesty lemon dressing give it lots of flavor.

It’s just as delicious as a classic potato salad!

Grilled Tomatoes

These tomatoes couldn’t be any juicier, and they get a wonderful sweetness from being caramelized on the grill.

This is one of those easy BBQ side dishes that take just minutes to make. Just slice your tomatoes, season them with a simple marinade, and whack them on the grill!

You’ll be left with gloriously charred, herby tomato salad that you can eat as-is or blend into a sauce.

Italian Salad

Are you on the hunt for easy BBQ side dishes that require virtually zero prep time? Well, this tried and tested Italian salad is here to save the day!

It pairs tomatoes, red onions, carrots, black olives, arugula, and dried oregano with creamy, fresh mozzarella for a true taste of Roman goodness.

Oh, and don’t forget the tart zing you get from the balsamic vinegar-based dressing.

Which ones are your favorite BBQ side dishes? Let me know in the comments!