50 Easy Summer Vegetable Side Dishes to Freshen Up Your BBQ Cookout
Easy summer vegetable side dishes! These veggie sides are so fun to serve at your next BBQ cookout, summer potluck, or family picnic.
If you’re anything like me, you’ll agree that the side dishes make or break any BBQ!
Sure, the grilled meat main dish is good, but having an assortment of sides to choose from is what really rounds out the meal.
There’s usually potato and pasta salad …
… but what about the veggies?
It’s nice to balance the heavy “salads” with lighter, more vibrant flavors too!
I put together a list of the best veggies side dishes for your BBQ cookout, so you have tons of ideas to choose from.
These summer sides include recipes for:
- Unique and flavorful green salads
- Grilled vegetables (with lots of flavor)
- Veggie-filled pasta salads
- Delicious condiments and toppings
- Non-lettuce veggie salads
There are so many fun ideas for every type of event and summer gathering!
Serve them on Memorial Day or July 4th cookouts, at summer birthday parties, picnics, and potlucks, and more.
Okay, let’s dive into these delicious veggie side dishes!
Summer Vegetable Side Dishes
Mexican Street Corn Salad
Mexican Street Corn Salad is an off-the-cob version of the popular Mexican street food, Elotes.
With roasted corn, fresh vegetables and herbs, creamy mayonnaise, and Mexican-style spices is guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser.
Easy Grilled Veggie Skewers
These Easy Grilled Veggie Skewers are made with zucchini, red onion, and bell peppers are grilled to perfection and drizzled with tangy balsamic vinegar and brushed with a fresh garlic herb sauce.
Yes, they’re healthy, but they also taste FANTASTIC.
Dill Pickle Chopped Salad
Dill Pickle Chopped Salad is the perfect healthy dish to satisfy those pickle cravings. It's briny, citrusy, and bursting with pickle flavor!
The secret is the light & refreshing dill pickle dressing.
Grilled Corn with Cilantro Lime Butter
Fresh sweet summer corn slathered in a garlicky cilantro lime butter is the perfect grilled side dish to any meal.
It's incredibly easy to make, well-seasoned, and always a crowd pleaser!
Strawberry Spinach Salad
Pure summer in every bite, this Strawberry Spinach Salad is a classic you might make on repeat throughout the summer months.
It’s perfect paired with simple proteins like grilled chicken or pork chops, and the Strawberry Vinaigrette gives you a double strawberry hit.
Grilled Romaine
If you’ve never tried grilled romaine lettuce, you’re in for a treat! Crisp romaine hearts are grilled just enough to give the edges a little char and drizzled in an easy Dijon vinaigrette.
Carrot Ribbon Salad with Arugula
Carrot Ribbon Salad with Arugula is a light refreshing salad with delightful contrasts in shape and texture.
The peppery flavor of the arugula offsets the crunchy, sweet flavor of the carrots and the sliced almonds with the creaminess of the goat cheese.
Corn Riblets
Seasoned to perfection, Corn on the Cob Ribs are fun and easy to make! They are gone so fast and everyone always wants more.
Simple, inexpensive ingredients - and healthy too!
Easy Creamy Coleslaw
This Easy Coleslaw recipe is THE quick, creamy, delicious side dish you will be taking to every party, potluck or picnic this summer.
It uses honey rather than sugar to balance the vinegar, and gives the dressing a bit of thickness without being overly sweet.
Corn and Tomato Pasta Salad
This easy Corn and Tomato Pasta Salad has fresh cherry tomatoes, sweet corn, and cilantro mixed with cavatappi pasta and a fresh lemon dressing.
It lends the perfect pop of summertime to any potluck or picnic.
Easy Grilled Vegetables (with 5 easy sauces)
Simply the best way to enjoy your veggies in the summer, these Grilled Vegetables are so easy to make!
They’re perfect served on their own, lightly scented with garlic and seasoned with sea salt, but they’re also incredible with any of the tasty sauce recipes included.
Strawberry Cucumber Salad
With a beautiful medley of sweet and savory flavors, Strawberry Cucumber Salad is a fresh take on traditional BBQ sides.
The addition of pickled onions and fresh dill really make for a robust flavor!
Mango Corn Salsa
Quick and easy Mango Corn Salsa is a flavorful, fresh, and healthy salsa that is the perfect combination of sweet and savory with a little kick.
You get crunch from the corn and red onion, and softness from the ripe mango.
Use it as a dip with tortilla chips, a topping for grilled meats, or a side dish.
Smoked Mushrooms
Smoked Mushrooms are cooked to perfection with garlic and thyme for the perfect side dish or topping to many of your favorite smoked meats.
These earthy white mushrooms are infused with a nice smoky finish and are very simple to prepare.
House Salad
Everyone needs a good House Salad recipe in their back pocket.
You know when you go to a restaurant and enjoy a delicious tossed salad that you devour because it is so good?
This is that easy salad recipe to make in your own home - always a crowd pleaser too!
Mexican Orzo Pasta Salad
Mexican Orzo Pasta Salad is a delicious and refreshing dish that combines the flavors of Mexican cuisine with the small, rice-shaped pasta called orzo.
The small pasta is mixed with corn, onion, avocado, and tomatoes in a light vinaigrette sauce for a perfect pasta grilling side.
Honey Lime Coleslaw
Whether you are team creamy or team vinegar coleslaw, this Honey Lime Coleslaw is sure to be a hit.
This coleslaw is the perfect balance of tang and sweetness. Ditch the pre-made coleslaw dressing, and have this on your table in under 10 minutes!
Mango Avocado Salad
This beautiful chopped Mango Avocado Salad is healthy, incredibly satisfying, and ready in 15 minutes.
Sweet and salty, with a touch of heat and citrusy flavors, all come together with a creamy and crisp texture. It's mouthwatering!
Jalapeno Creamed Corn
Zero prep is needed for this spicy Jalapeno Creamed Corn.
Simply heat up all of the ingredients in a pan over medium heat and you’ll have a satisfying side ready in less than 10 minutes.
Roasted Veggie Pasta Salad
Roasted vegetables and pasta salad become the perfect union in this Roasted Veggie Pasta Salad.
It tastes healthy and fresh, is a great way to use up extra summer produce, and can be made ahead of time for easy serving.
Green Bean Potato Salad with Sundried Tomato Pesto
This simple and refreshing TexMex Cucumber Corn Salad is so easy to prepare and packed with flavor!
A refreshing twist on a Mexican elote corn salad, this dish combines cucumbers and corn with jalapenos, red onion, cilantro and a sour cream dressing you will love.
TexMex Cucumber and Corn Salad
This simple and refreshing TexMex Cucumber Corn Salad is so easy to prepare and packed with flavor!
A refreshing twist on a Mexican elote corn salad, this dish combines cucumbers and corn with jalapenos, red onion, cilantro and a sour cream dressing you will love.
4 Bean Salad
4 Bean Salad is a fresh, easy, and nutritious salad that is perfect for summer potlucks or barbecues.
It is filled with a variety of fiber filled beans, crunchy vegetables and a tangy vinaigrette dressing.
Air-Fryer Fried Okra
Fried Okra is savory and crunchy, with a summer flavor all its own.
You can make this version in the oven or air fryer, so it’s healthier than the traditional recipe. It pairs wonderfully with tomatoes and other summery foods.
Cajun Coleslaw
Cajun Coleslaw is fresh and crunchy with a creamy dressing. It has lots of bold flavor with jalapeños and a sweet and spicy cajun seasoning.
It is so easy to make and is a unique and unexpected side dish to serve at your barbecue or summer potluck.
Crack Corn Salad
Crack Corn Salad is crunchy, creamy, sweet, sour, and savory all at the same time!
Make it with fresh or frozen corn, Ranch dressing, bacon, and cheddar cheese, it’s ready to serve in just about 15 minutes.
Broccoli Salad
Crunchy, tangy, and subtly sweet, the lovely thing about this Broccoli Salad is how easy it is to throw together.
Four main ingredients, a quick dressing, toss it in the fridge, and you're ready to serve!
Panzanella Toscana Caprese
Panzanella Toscana is a Tuscan-inspired, bread and vegetable salad with a strong nod to the southern Italian island of Capri.
With fresh mozzarella, extra tomatoes and extra basil, it’s extra-delicious and just screams summer.
Shaved Brussels Sprouts and Parmesan Salad
Parmesan Brussels Sprouts Salad is so fresh and crunchy.
Shaved Brussels sprouts tossed with parmesan cheese and a light vinaigrette make it an easy, foolproof dish with restaurant quality results.
Mango Cucumber Salad With Avocado
If you’re a fan of light and refreshing summer salads, you’re in for a treat with this Mango Cucumber Salad.
The simple natural flavors of ripe mangoes, crisp cucumbers, creamy avocados, and cooling mint steal the show in this colorful salad.
Crack Green Beans
Crack Green Beans are rich, and incredibly addicting. They're cooked in a sweet and savory sauce with brown sugar and crispy bacon.
You only need simple ingredients to transform boring canned green beans to a whole new level.
Roasted Chili Corn Salsa
If you're a fan of bold flavors and spicy heat, you'll love this Roasted Chili Corn Salsa.
The combination of smoky poblano peppers, sweet corn, and tangy lime juice creates a mouthwatering explosion of taste and texture.
Serve it with chips or on the side or on top of your favorite summer dishes.
Cucumber Pomegranate Salad
Light and refreshing, Cucumber Pomegranate Salad is full of flavor with sweet berries paired with fragrant mint.
Equally perfect for summer BBQs and holiday celebrations, this fresh fruit salad has no cook time and takes just 10 minutes to come together.
Summer Cold Green Bean Salad
No summer meal is complete without this green bean salad recipe! Each bite is filled with healthy ingredients and is bursting with flavor.
Delicious green beans drizzled in a balsamic vinegar and dijon mustard sauce paired with greens, black eyed peas, squash and walnuts.
Plus, a little bit of lemon to bring all the flavors together.
Lemon Basil Orzo Salad
Lemon Basil Orzo Salad is fresh, bright, and healthy. Orzo, Northern beans, and veggies get tossed in a delicious dressing.
The combination of flavors and textures is so good!
Tropical Mango Coleslaw
Tropical Mango Coleslaw is a fun and fruity dish perfect for summer picnics, BBQs and potlucks.
A tasty and fun mango slaw without mayo, it uses an oil-based dressing, and comes together in just ten minutes.
Easy Grilled Green Beans
Easy Grilled Green Beans are the perfect side dish for your next barbecue!
With only 4 ingredients, they’re a great use up for fresh summer green beans during grilling season.
Mexican Quinoa Salad
Vibrant and fresh Mexican quinoa salad is essentially a party in a bowl.
Loaded with quinoa, bell peppers, red onions, black beans, and combined with a fresh cilantro lime dressing for tons of bold flavor.
Quick Pickled Red Onions
Quick Pickled Red Onions is a no-cook recipe that can be made in minutes and ready to eat in 1 hour!
Add them to salads, burgers, brats and BBQ pulled pork sandwiches for a bit of crunch and tanginess.
Mango Pico de Gallo
Homemade Mango Pico de Gallo is a fun tropical twist on the classic salsa.
It has the perfect balance of sweet mango flavor, tangy lime juice, and a kick of spice from fresh chilies. It tastes delicious with tortilla chips on top of grilled meats.
Lemony Chickpea Salad
Chickpea Salad with fresh lemon is packed with fresh flavors including juicy cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, chickpeas, and fresh mint and parsley.
This is an easy side ready in less than 20 minutes!
Sausage and Summer Squash Casserole
Easy Sausage Squash Casserole is a tasty vegetable side dish to serve at your summer holiday potluck, family reunion, or backyard bbq!
The sausage is optional, but it sets it apart from all other squash and zucchini casseroles.
Make it with yellow or zucchini squash or a mixture of both!
Avocado Black Bean Salad
This easy-to-make Avocado Black Bean Salad is loaded with fresh summer veggies and bright colors, and full of vitamins and nutrients.
It’s crisp and the best part is it couldn’t be easier to make!
Shredded Carrot Salad
Shredded Carrot Salad is not just a sidekick, but a superstar in its own right! Picture crunchy shredded carrots mingling with sweet raisins and tangy dressing.
Whip up this shredded carrot salad that’s not just good for you, but is also packed with flavor.
Bacon Fried Corn
Bacon Fried Corn is a Southern classic. Fresh corn off the cob is cooked in the skillet & seasoned for a sweet, salty, crispy, and tasty side dish no one can resist.
Mediterranean Farro Salad
Once you’ve tried this unique Farro Salad, you’ll want to make it again and again!
Juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, onions, and feta cheese are all tossed in a simple dressing with protein-rich farro.
Fresh Avocado Pico de Gallo
If you're looking to take your Mexican-inspired dishes up a notch, you gotta try this Avocado Pico de Gallo!
It's got all the good stuff like creamy avocados, juicy tomatoes, and a good hit of lime to really make those flavors pop.
Trust me, once you make this chunky pico de gallo, it'll be a regular feature on your summertime table.
Roasted Beet Salad
Roasted Beet Salad is a unique and light side dish, with bright colors and fresh, delicious flavors in every mouthful.
Roasted beet tangerine salad is visually gorgeous, and it’s easy to make from scratch.
Pear Salad
This oh-so-elegant pear salad recipe is easy to make and totally delicious.
It has the perfect blend of fresh greens, sweet ripe pears, crunchy nuts, and creamy cheese tossed in a tangy vinaigrette.
Best Ever Blackened Corn
Blackened Corn bursts with robust and smoky flavors, achieved through charring the kernels to perfection.
The caramelized exterior provides a delightful contrast to the tender sweetness of the corn.
Ready to try some new summer vegetable side dishes?
I hope this list of veggie side dishes has given you tons of new ideas to serve at your next barbecue.
Change up the traditional BBQ menu by adding in some new, fresh recipes!
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