10 Cookout Side Dishes That Will Have Guests Raving

Summer is the perfect time to fire up the grill and enjoy the warmer weather, but why settle for just burgers and hot dogs when you can whip up some show-stopping side dishes? Here is our list of 10 of the tastiest cookout side dishes: from creamy coleslaw to zesty grilled vegetables. Each of these delectable meal additions is sure to please your guests.

We’ve included simple dish ideas that require minimal effort and can be prepared beforehand, so you can enjoy your cookout more and spend less time in the kitchen. Each dish delivers exquisite flavor and visual appeal, so you can create a stunning spread that’ll have everyone talking. Ready to start cooking? Then it’s time to get inspired with this wide variety of side dish suggestions.

Potato Salad

Potato salad is thought to have originated in Germany in the1800s but has since become popular in many countries around the world. Most recipes start with quality potatoes and include a variety of dressings, vegetables, and other flavorful additions.

1. Classic American Potato Salad — made with potatoes, mayonnaise, chopped celery, onion, and boiled eggs.
2. German Potato Salad — includes vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, celery, onions, and potatoes and vinegar-based dressing.
3. Potato and Carrot Salad — features potatoes, carrots, other vegetables, bacon, and a creamy dressing.

Macaroni Salad

Macaroni salads originated in Europe and were first seen in the United States in the late 1800s. The timeless pasta dish makes for a great hot or cold cookout side, depending on the variation.

1. Classic American Macaroni Salad — includes elbow macaroni noodles, celery, onion, green bell peppers, and mayonnaise or Miracle Whip for the dressing.
2. Italian Macaroni Salad — calls for tomatoes, olives, capers, onions, mozzarella cheese, and an Italian-style dressing made with olive oil and red wine vinegar.
3. Macaroni and Cheese Salad — combines elbow macaroni noodles with sharp cheddar cheese cubes and is often dressed with ranch dressing or a vinaigrette dressing.

Broccoli Salad

The origins of broccoli salad are unknown, but it has become increasingly popular as a cookout side dish in recent years. Taking a spin on this healthy vegetable encourages better eating without sacrificing delicious flavor.

1. Classic Broccoli Salad — typically includes fresh broccoli florets along with raisins, bacon crumbles, diced red onions, sunflower seeds, and a creamy dressing such as mayonnaise or yogurt-based dressing.
2. Bacon Broccoli Salad — a twist on classic broccoli salad that adds crispy bacon bits for an extra flavor boost!
3. Broccoli and Raisin Salad — includes sweet raisins to the mix for added sweetness and other vegetables such as carrots or celery if desired.

Coleslaw

Coleslaw is thought to have been invented in the Netherlands in the 17th century but has since become popular worldwide. It’s become a regular cookout side dish and pairs perfectly with barbecued proteins and other main courses.

1. Classic Coleslaw — made with shredded cabbage mixed with a creamy mayonnaise-based dressing that often includes onions or other vegetables, such as grated carrots or chopped celery stalks, if desired.
2. Broccoli Coleslaw — adds fresh broccoli florets for extra crunch and other vegetables, such as shredded carrots or bell peppers for added flavor complexity.
3. Asian Coleslaw — features an Asian-inspired dressing made with sesame oil combined with soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sugar or honey for added sweetness if desired.

Baked Beans

Baked beans were originally made by Native Americans cooking beans over an open fire before being adopted by colonists when they arrived in America. This tasty side is packed with protein and flavor for a hearty addition to any meal.

1. Classic American Baked Beans — includes navy beans cooked in tomato sauce, molasses, brown sugar, onion, garlic, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, oregano and smoked pork hocks or bacon.
2. Barbecue Baked Beans — has extra ingredients such as chili sauce, BBQ sauce, diced bell peppers, or jalapeños for added heat if desired.
3. Vegetarian Baked Beans —omits pork hocks or bacon and instead adds vegetables such as diced mushrooms or bell peppers for extra flavor complexity alongside traditional ingredients like tomato sauce, molasses, and brown sugar.

Fruit Salad

Fruit salads have been around since ancient times but have evolved over the years into wide varieties due to globalization, allowing different cultures to share their styles of making fruit salads. It’s a great choice for combining a sweet and savory flavor profile with a delightful crunch.

1. Classic Fruit Salad — combines diced fresh fruits like watermelon, apples, oranges, strawberries, and kiwi with lemon juice and honey or maple syrup for added sweetness, if desired.
2. Ambrosia Fruit Salad — typically features fresh oranges, pineapple chunks, or cherries combined with shredded coconut flakes or marshmallows for extra sweetness and crunchiness.
3. Melon Fruit Salad — includes melons such as cantaloupe, honeydew melon, or watermelon combined with diced fresh fruits like apples or mangos for additional sweetness and texture.

Corn on the Cob

Corn on the cob is thought to have been first eaten by Native Americans in Central America thousands of years ago before being adopted by colonists when they arrived in North America. Later on, it became a popular food worldwide due to its versatility and ease of preparation on an open-flame grill outdoors.

1. Grilled Corn on the Cob — imparts smoky flavor while still maintaining its crunchy texture due to its protective husks, which keep it from drying out over direct heat from an open flame grill outdoors (make sure you use outdoor food covers when grilling).
2. Charred Corn on the Cob — gives the corn an even deeper smoky flavor which can be further enhanced by brushing melted butter onto each ear before grilling them.
3. Mexican Street Corn — grilled corn on the cob that’s typically brushed with mayonnaise followed by freshly grated Cotija cheese before being served

Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs are thought to have originated in ancient Rome, where they were served at banquets during celebrations. Devilled eggs weren’t seen in North America until sometime during the 19th century when they became popular among social gatherings, including potlucks, picnics, barbecues, etc.

1. Classic Deviled Eggs — combines hard-boiled eggs and mashed-up yolks mixed with mayonnaise, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and green onions.
2. Southwestern Deviled Eggs — adds diced jalapeños, pepper Jack cheese, cilantro, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs — combines mashed-up yolks mixed with horseradish, cream cheese, smoked salmon, capers, chives, lemon juice, and black pepper for an even richer smokier flavor.

Baked Potatoes

Baked potatoes are thought to have first appeared during prehistoric times. However, modern versions feature more elaborate preparations than their prehistoric counterparts. This is a great cookout side dish that allows guests to add their preferred toppings.

1. Classic Baked Potatoes — uses larger Russet potatoes that are baked until their skin is crispy by using direct heat from an open flame grill outdoors (again, be sure to use outdoor food covers). Once cooked, they’re topped off with butter, sour cream cheese, chives, bacon bits, etc.
2. Sweet Potato Baked Potatoes — uses sweet potatoes instead of Russet, and bakes them until their skin is crispy, then tops them off with butter, cinnamon sugar-cinnamon applesauce, etc.
3. Sour Cream Chive Baked Potatoes — involves baking any type of potato until they are tender, then dressing them with melted butter, sour cream, chives, garlic salt, or other preferred topping.

Grilled Vegetables

Grilled vegetables have been eaten since ancient times utilizing direct heat from open flames. In the modern era, it has become increasingly popular due to its simplicity, convenience, and health benefits.

1. Classic Grilled Vegetables — involves simply tossing chopped vegetables such as bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, etc., into aluminum foil packets along with olive oil, salt, pepper, and herbs, then placing then cooking them over an open flame grill outdoors.
2. Mediterranean Grilled Vegetables — adding thick slices of eggplant, zucchini, roasted red peppers, crumbled feta cheese, olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, basil, thyme, and garlic into aluminum foil packets, then cooking on a preheated open flame grill.
3. Teriyaki Grilled Vegetables — tossing cut-up vegetables such as zucchini, mushrooms, bell peppers, etc. into aluminum foil packets along with teriyaki sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, honey, and soy sauce, and grilling them over an outdoor open flame until lightly charred.

Conclusion

Cookouts are a great way to get together with friends and family and enjoy the warm summer weather, and with these ten cookout side dishes, you can be sure to have guests raving about your spread. From potato salads and coleslaw to macaroni salads and grilled vegetables, each one of these meal additions is sure to please. So fire up the grill, get cooking, and let the delicious smells of summer fill the air!