Once a simple and effective way to prepare less valuable cuts of meat, BBQ has taken off as an art form. Most entry-level meat smokers can be found stuffed with beef or pork. These days, the offerings are no longer the toughest cuts but include many other types of meat, including seafood.
Regardless of whether your BBQ is made of beef, pork, poultry, or seafood, you will want to serve up some delicious side dishes to round out the meal.
Here are 10 of the best BBQ side dishes we’ve encountered. Most are classic BBQ side dishes. You can’t go wrong with the options below when planning your BBQ meal.
Baked Cheesy Sweet Potato Wedges – Bev Cooks
Potato dishes have long been a favorite pairing with a meat main course. Bev’s recipe will leave you in disbelief as to the fact it has but four ingredients.
Sweet potatoes, pepitas (a type of pumpkin seed), honey, and Havarti cheese are all you need to make this scrumptious dish. We love all of her recipes; this one is our favorite!
Classic Cheddar Bacon Macaroni and Cheese – Bake at Midnite
Few foods combine decadence and simplicity more than macaroni and cheese. Everyone has their own favorite kind of Mac and Cheese. We’re partial to this one.
It combines Velveeta and cheddar cheese to keep the sauce creamy. Bacon is added because bacon makes everything better.
Potato Salad – Dinner then Dessert
The king of all side dishes. If you don’t believe it, just try to visit a potluck without seeing one type of potato salad. While this recipe has nothing fancy, it’s a go-to in my book. It is easy, quick, popular, and tasty.
Creamed Spinach – Savory Tooth
Like many other side dishes, this one is easy and simple. The bonus with creamed spinach is that it is a solid choice for folks looking for a low-carb option. This version skips the cream cheese you often see in this dish.
Elotes – Jessica Gavin
Some may not be aware that this dish is commonly sold as Mexican street fare. Ears of corn are roasted and then topped with a creamy topping, cheese, and spices.
The topping is made with sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, garlic, chili powder, pepper, and cilantro. It puts a fun twist on some traditional BBQ side fare.
Onion Straws with Chipotle Pepper Aioli – Small Town Woman
Onion straws are thinly sliced pieces of onion that are then breaded and fried. They can be yummy all by themselves, but an aioli sauce makes for a wonderful appetizer. They add some additional tang to your BBQ spread.
Southern Baked Beans – Paula Dean
Paula Deen is synonymous with Southern fare, so seeing this recipe from her is no surprise. No southern BBQ is complete without this sweet and slightly spicy dish.
Vinegar Coleslaw – Savory Experiments
This version of a popular summer dish skips the mayonnaise, allowing the cabbage’s crunchy bite to shine. Perfect for the ”mayo-adverse” crowd or anyone watching their caloric intake.
Three Bean Salad – Food Network
Salads are great summer dishes, and they are also often a healthy choice for what can be a diet-blowing BBQ. This one gives the added benefit of high fiber from three different beans: green, cannellini, and red kidney.
Twice Baked Potatoes – House of Yumm
Another potato dish that is both simple and easy to make. They can be made with almost limitless ingredients. This one sticks to the more traditional cheese, bacon, and green onion.
What Are Your Favorites?
We’d love to know what your favorite recipes are? Let us know in the comments below!
