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Home » Trending

These 28 Sides Are Too Tasty to Be Called Just 'Sides'!

Published: Jul 9, 2024 by Lara Clevenger, Registered Dietitian This post may contain affiliate links - read my disclaimer for full details... Leave a Comment

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If you're hosting a backyard BBQ for all of your friends and family, you'll need this list of the best 28 side dishes. Summer vegetables, fresh fruit, pasta salads and more! We've got everything you need!

Blackstone Corn on the Cob

Blackstone Corn on the Cob. Photo Credit: Lara Clevenger.

Blackstone Corn on the Cob is a tasty and easy side dish. Cook sweet and juicy corn quickly on your Blackstone griddle. It's perfect for any occasion!
Get the Recipe: Blackstone Corn on the Cob

Instant Pot Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower

Instant Pot Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower in a white bowl with butter, salt, pepper, and parsley.
Instant Pot Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

This Instant Pot Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower is super tasty! It's a great low-carb swap for mashed potatoes. You'll love the smooth texture and buttery garlic flavors in this cheesy cauliflower mash.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower

Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts

Air fryer Brussel Sprouts in a white bowl with a spoon.
Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Enjoy crispy, delicious Brussels sprouts in just 10 minutes with this air fryer recipe! With only six ingredients, this side dish is perfect for your weeknight menu. These Brussels sprouts are nutritious, high in fiber, and gluten-free!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts

Roasted Potatoes and Green Beans

Roasted Potatoes and Green Beans with parsley, salt, and pepper.
Roasted Potatoes and Green Beans. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Roasted potatoes and green beans are a tasty and easy side dish! With complex carbs and starch, just add your favorite protein. These roasted veggies are vegan and gluten-free!
Get the Recipe: Roasted Potatoes and Green Beans

Zucchini on the Blackstone Griddle

Zucchini on the Blackstone Griddle on a white plate.
Zucchini on the Blackstone Griddle. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Cook zucchini perfectly on the Blackstone Griddle. Quick and easy, they make a healthy side dish! These Blackstone zucchini are low in carbs and great for keto or paleo diets!
Get the Recipe: Zucchini on the Blackstone Griddle

Sauteed Cast Iron Brussel Sprouts with Bacon

Sauteed Cast Iron Brussels Sprouts with Bacon in a white bowl with red pepper flakes, a spoon, and a fork.
Sauteed Cast Iron Brussel Sprouts with Bacon. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Sautéed Cast Iron Brussels Sprouts with Bacon is a simple and tasty side dish! With just 5 ingredients and a cast iron skillet, it's easy to prep and clean up!
Get the Recipe: Sauteed Cast Iron Brussel Sprouts with Bacon

Instant Pot Mashed Cauliflower (Keto & Gluten Free)

Instant Pot Mashed Cauliflower in a white bowl with a spoon, parsley, butter, salt, and black pepper.
Instant Pot Mashed Cauliflower (Keto & Gluten Free). Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Instant Pot Mashed Cauliflower is a fantastic low-carb swap for potatoes! This cauliflower mash is buttery and delicious, perfect as a healthy side dish!
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Mashed Cauliflower (Keto & Gluten Free)

Air Fryer Peppers and Onions

Air Fryer Peppers and Onions in an air fryer basket.
Air Fryer Peppers and Onions. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Air fryer peppers and onions are bursting with sweetness and flavor! They're super easy to make and ready in just about 10 minutes! Cooking them in the air fryer couldn't be simpler!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Peppers and Onions

Air Fryer Radishes

Air Fryer Radishes with parsley, salt, and pepper in a white bowl with a spoon.
Air Fryer Radishes. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

These air fryer radishes are so easy to make with just a few ingredients. They're perfect for a low-carb, low-calorie side dish that adds a pop of color to your plate!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Radishes

Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash

Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash on a white plate with parsley, salt, and pepper.
Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Air fryer spaghetti squash is a tasty side dish and simple low-carb recipe. It's a great substitute for pasta, ideal for keto or paleo diets! Plus, it's quick to make, ready in under 20 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash

Easy Blackstone Broccoli Recipe

Easy Blackstone Broccoli Recipe in a white bowl with a spoon.
Easy Blackstone Broccoli Recipe. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Cooking broccoli on the Blackstone Griddle is super easy! Get tender, tasty broccoli in no time. It's a perfect keto-friendly recipe that goes well with any protein.
Get the Recipe: Easy Blackstone Broccoli Recipe

Traeger Smoked Sweet Potatoes

Baked sweet potatoes on a tray, cut open with melted butter and a sprinkle of seasoning on top—one of the 29 sides perfect for any meal.
Traeger Smoked Sweet Potatoes. Photo credit: Or Whatever You Do.

Here’s an easy and tasty way to cook sweet potatoes on your Traeger grill for a hint of smoky flavor. They make a great side dish for any meal!
Get the Recipe: Traeger Smoked Sweet Potatoes

Melon Salad with Mozzarella and Mint

a bowl of melon salad with mozzarella cheese on a blue cloth.
Melon Salad with Mozzarella and Mint. Photo credit: Feast + West.

This tasty melon salad includes mozzarella, fresh mint, and savory prosciutto. Ideal for picnics, cookouts, and barbecues!
Get the Recipe: Melon Salad with Mozzarella and Mint

Watermelon Blue Cheese Salad

two green salads with watermelon with forks on blue napkins.
Watermelon Blue Cheese Salad. Photo credit: Feast + West.

Fresh watermelon isn't just for dessert! Enjoy it in this refreshing salad with radishes and blue cheese. Swap out blue cheese for goat cheese or feta if you prefer.
Get the Recipe: Watermelon Blue Cheese Salad

Loaded Smashed Potatoes

A plate of loaded smashed potatoes topped with sour cream, bacon bits, and chopped green chives.
Loaded Smashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Thriving In Parenting.

These loaded smashed potatoes are crispy, cheesy, and tangy, making them a perfect side dish for family dinners or bite-sized appetizers at gatherings. They're sure to be a hit!
Get the Recipe: Loaded Smashed Potatoes

Ranch Pasta Salad With Bacon

Bacon ranch pasta salad in a clear bowl with a striped towel.
Ranch Pasta Salad With Bacon. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Ranch Pasta Salad With Bacon is a creamy and flavorful side dish that goes perfectly with your summer favorites. It's easy to prepare in just 30 minutes, all in one bowl, making it a great addition to your weekend dinner menu.
Get the Recipe: Ranch Pasta Salad With Bacon

Zesty Tex Mex Chicken Pasta Salad

A pasta salad in a large wood bowl on a table.
Zesty Tex Mex Chicken Pasta Salad. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Try this Tex-Mex chicken pasta salad that blends the flavors of the Southwest with tender chicken. Packed with vibrant colors and bold flavors, this salad is ideal for BBQs or as a flavorful dinner choice.
Get the Recipe: Zesty Tex Mex Chicken Pasta Salad

Smoked Italian Pasta Salad

A pasta salad in a black bowl.
Smoked Italian Pasta Salad. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Enhance your favorite pasta salad with a smoky twist using this tasty smoked Italian pasta salad recipe. Loaded with pepperoni, salami, mozzarella cheese, and a tangy pepperoncini dressing, it's the perfect addition to your summer BBQ spread.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Italian Pasta Salad

Bloody Mary Deviled Eggs

A platter full of deviled eggs.
Bloody Mary Deviled Eggs. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

These loaded deviled eggs, like these Bloody Mary eggs, are perfect for BBQs, cookouts, or picnics. They're also a convenient snack anytime since you can prepare these unique gourmet deviled eggs ahead of time.
Get the Recipe: Bloody Mary Deviled Eggs

Carolina BBQ Chicken Salad

An overhead shot of a wooden serving bowl filled with salad next to cornbread on a cutting board.
Carolina BBQ Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Renee Nicole's Kitchen.

Carolina BBQ Chicken Salad features grilled chicken with mustard BBQ sauce, fresh vegetables, bacon, feta cheese, and a homemade dressing. It shows that summer salads can be hearty main courses.
Get the Recipe: Carolina BBQ Chicken Salad

Grilled Shrimp Grain Bowl

Overhead shot of shrimp skewers and veggie skewers next to a bowl of dressed grains.
Grilled Shrimp Grain Bowl. Photo credit: Renee Nicole's Kitchen.

Filled with the vibrant tastes of summer grilling and drizzled with a homemade herb citrus vinaigrette, this grilled shrimp grain bowl is a delightful summer meal you'll crave again and again.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Grain Bowl

Tomato Burrata Salad

An assembled tomato burrata salad with sliced basil and burrata on a cutting board and a bowl of chopped heirloom tomatoes.
Tomato Burrata Salad. Photo credit: Renee Nicole's Kitchen.

Tomato Burrata Salad is a gourmet twist on the classic caprese. It stars ripe heirloom tomatoes, creamy burrata cheese, and a tangy balsamic reduction, making it ideal for summer.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Burrata Salad

Zucchini Roll with Crab Salad

A close-up of zucchini rolls filled with seafood.
Zucchini Roll with Crab Salad. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

Delicious zucchini rolls filled with shrimp, crab, or your favorite seafood. This gluten-free appetizer or light meal captures the flavors of summer in a healthy dish.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Roll with Crab Salad

Mediterranean White Bean Salad with Feta

Side view of white bean salad in bowl with tongs.
Mediterranean White Bean Salad with Feta. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

Enjoy the Mediterranean flavors in this White Bean Salad. Creamy white beans, juicy tomatoes, and crumbled feta cheese combine for a refreshing summer salad that's satisfying and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean White Bean Salad with Feta

Grilled Peppers and Onions

Plate of grilled bell peppers and onions.
Grilled Peppers and Onions. Photo credit: Ovenspiration.

While your grill is hot, toss on these peppers and onions for a tasty side dish! They pair perfectly with anything you're cooking!
Get the Recipe: Grilled Peppers and Onions

Ratatouille with an Italian Flair

Italian ratatouille in a glass casserole dish.
Ratatouille with an Italian Flair. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

This colorful Ratatouille with an Italian twist combines summer squash, zucchini, and tomatoes in a flavorful mix. Enhanced with fresh herbs and Italian flair, it's the perfect side dish to elevate your barbecue cookouts.
Get the Recipe: Ratatouille with an Italian Flair

Baked Kale Chips

Image shows a hand holding a baked kale chip over a bowl filled with more kale chips.
Baked Kale Chips. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Forget greasy snacks and try healthy kale chips instead. Baked until crispy, these guilt-free snacks are loaded with nutrients and offer a satisfying alternative to unhealthy treats.
Get the Recipe: Baked Kale Chips

Red Cabbage Slaw

Red cabbage slaw in a bowl.
Red Cabbage Slaw. Photo credit: The Honour System.

Prepare to elevate your table with our zesty garlic and lime red cabbage slaw. It’s a flavorful side dish you’ll want to pair with everything.
Get the Recipe: Red Cabbage Slaw

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Hi, I’m Lara, a Registered Dietitian and Personal Trainer with a passion for food and travel.

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