Grilling is one of the best ways to cook a meal. It’s fast and flavorful, plus you get all that tasty smoke flavor. But there’s no reason you can’t make your grilled meat taste even better by adding on some sides.
Grilled side dishes are easy to make and can be just as delicious as anything else on your menu. Plus, they keep the rest of your party going strong while you’re waiting for the main course!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Grilled side dishes can add a lot of flavor and variety to a BBQ party. |
| The best grilled side dishes are easy to make and complement the main course. |
| There are many different grilled side dishes to choose from, including salads, vegetables, and more. |
| It’s important to plan and prepare your side dishes ahead of time so that they’re ready when it’s time to serve. |
| Offering a variety of side dishes that cater to different dietary needs is always a good practice. |
Here are some ideas for simple grilled vegetable side dishes that will take your next barbecue up a notch:
Marinated Grilled Vegetables
Marinated vegetables are a great side dish for any BBQ. They’re easy to make and can be served hot or cold, so you can make them ahead of time if you need to.
If you’re having a summer BBQ, this is an especially good idea because marinating the vegetables in olive oil will keep them from drying out when they’re grilled on the barbecue (which means no more soggy grilled veggies).
To prepare, cut your vegetables into bite-sized pieces and place them in a large plastic container or glass bowl. Pour in enough olive oil to coat all of the vegetables, then add some salt and pepper as well as any other spices that sound good (like garlic powder or chili powder).
Toss everything together until all of the pieces have been coated with olive oil before covering and placing it in the fridge overnight (or at least 4 hours).
Thicker pieces like eggplant need more time than thinner ones like bell peppers; I leave mine overnight while thinner veggies only need an hour or two before being ready for grilling again!
Looking for some delicious grilled side dishes that can make your next BBQ the best on the block? Check out our list of 15 grilled side dishes that are easy to make and packed with flavor
Marinated Mushrooms
Marinated mushrooms are a great side dish to throw on your grill. They’re delicious, they can be made ahead of time and they go with just about anything.
The marinade adds flavor as well as moisture which keeps them from drying out while cooking. The only problem is that it will take some time for them to absorb all the liquid so you need to give them enough time for this process before placing them on the grill. I like to marinate my mushrooms for at least four hours but if you are short on time, 1-2 hours will work just fine.
You can use any type of mushroom in this recipe but I prefer baby portabella because they have such a rich and interesting texture when grilled!
| Ingredients | Directions |
|---|---|
| Button mushrooms | Clean and slice the mushrooms. |
| Olive oil | Whisk together olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a bowl. |
| Garlic | Add the sliced mushrooms to the mixture and toss until coated. |
| Salt | Allow the mushrooms to marinate for about 30 minutes. |
| Pepper | Preheat the grill to medium heat. |
| Parsley | Thread the mushrooms onto skewers and grill for about 5 minutes. |
| Lemon juice | Turn the skewers and grill the other side for another 5 minutes. |
| Red pepper flakes | Garnish with parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice. Add some red pepper flakes for a little kick, and serve. |
Zucchini-Lime Salad
Grilled zucchini is a great side dish to have on hand when you’re hosting an outdoor event. The grill brings out the natural sweetness of the vegetable, and it’s just as good served cold as it is hot.
To make this salad, you’ll need:
- Zucchini (1/2 per person)
- Lime juice (about 1 tablespoon per person)
- Olive oil (about 1 teaspoon per person)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Grilled Chicken Salad
Grilled chicken salad is a great way to use leftover grilled or rotisserie chicken. It’s also an easy and delicious way to get your family to eat raw vegetables. This can be served as a main dish or side dish, depending on the size of your crowd.
The first step in preparing this dish is choosing the best cut of meat for it—breasts or thighs are both good choices.
For the best flavor, we recommend using a good quality mayonnaise (check out our recipes for homemade mayo).
If you’d rather not make your own, there are many high-quality store-bought options that can fit into any budget! Next up? Add some fresh herbs like dill, parsley, chives, basil or cilantro they’ll add tons of flavor and color without overpowering the other ingredients in this recipe.
Finally add some veggies like tomatoes or avocado slices on top for added nutrition and texture (providing there’s enough room on top).
Looking for some delicious grilled side dishes that can make your next BBQ the best on the block? Check out our list of 15 grilled side dishes that are easy to make and packed with flavor
Grilled Broccoli with Greek Yogurt Dressing
Broccoli is a great side dish to have on hand when you’re grilling something. You can make it with other vegetables, like asparagus, and it’s delicious with just about any dressing or marinade.
The only downside is that broccoli has a tendency to get burned if left on the grill too long—but if you want to keep things simple, there’s no need to worry about this at all! Just cut it up into bite-sized pieces (or larger ones if you like) and toss in some olive oil before throwing them on the grill for just a few minutes.
The result will be tender and flavorful broccoli that won’t leave your guests feeling guilty about eating veggies.
| Ingredients | Directions |
|---|---|
| Broccoli florets | Wash and trim the broccoli florets. |
| Olive oil | Drizzle olive oil over the broccoli and toss to evenly coat. |
| Salt | Sprinkle with salt and pepper. |
| Pepper | Preheat the grill for medium-high heat. |
| Greek yogurt | In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, lemon juice, minced garlic, and honey to make the dressing. |
| Lemon juice | Place broccoli onto the grill, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, turning occasionally until it has a nice char. |
| Garlic | Remove from grill and drizzle the Greek yogurt dressing on top. |
| Honey | Serve the grilled broccoli immediately. |
Roasted Potatoes with Parsley and Lemon
Roasted potatoes are a favorite side dish to serve with grilled chicken or fish. They’re easy to make and can be prepared ahead of time, making them perfect for summertime entertaining.
To get the most flavor out of your spuds, roast them on the grill but don’t just add salt and pepper! We’ve added fresh parsley and lemon juice for some extra punch.
When serving these roasted potatoes as part of a meal, you can accompany them with aioli or sour cream for dipping.
Hosting a BBQ party and need some ideas for crowd-pleasing appetizers? Our ultimate guide to grilled appetizers has got you covered with some mouthwatering starters that are easy to make and perfect for any party.
Corn on the Cob with Chile and Cheese
The first step to perfect corn on the cob is to make sure it’s cooked through. If you’re using fresh corn, this means roasting for a few minutes before putting it in the husks and wrapping them tightly with aluminum foil.
Then, place the foil-wrapped ears on a grill for about 10 minutes until the kernels are tender but not mushy or overcooked.
When it comes time to serve your grilled corn, there are a few things you need to keep in mind: don’t use too much salt; don’t overcook your corn; and don’t overdo the butter (or any other topping).
Using too much salt will make your grilled side dish taste bland and unappetizing—and nobody wants that!
You also want to avoid overcooking your ears of goodness—if they’re not soft enough when you pull them off of the grill, they’ll likely be too hard after sitting in their husks while waiting to be served at dinner time.
Finally: no matter how delicious chili powder tastes on its own or mixed into guacamole recipes , use caution when applying too much of this spice directly onto BBQ-ready corn cobs
Cumin-Rubbed Asparagus With Feta
Use a grill basket. You can use one of those metal baskets that look like a spider, but if you don’t have one of those, don’t worry; any kind of vegetable-grilling apparatus will work. Just be sure to not let the asparagus get too close to the heat source—the bottom should only be lightly charred and blackened (in a good way).
Season with salt and pepper. After washing your asparagus stalks, sprinkle them with some salt and pepper before putting them on the grill.
Grill until tender. Let your asparagus cook until they are fork-tender but still retain their shape; this should take about 8 minutes total (4 minutes per side).
Add feta cheese at the end of grilling time or serve with lemon wedges or vinaigrette for dipping into afterward for extra flavor!
If you want to take your BBQ game to the next level, make sure to try our list of 10 delicious grilled appetizers that will blow your mind. From grilled jalapeno poppers to grilled shrimp skewers, you won’t be disappointed.
Grilled Sweet Potatoes With Guasacaca Sauce
Sweet potato is often overlooked as a side dish, but it should not be. Grilled sweet potatoes are a wonderful way to make this delicious root vegetable more flavorful.
While you can always just toss them in some olive oil and salt and grill them up, marinating them in some citrus juices before they hit the flame will amplify their sweetness and make them an even more versatile star at your next cookout.
Guasacaca sauce is made from avocados—a fruit that’s popular among plant-based eaters because of its health benefits (it’s high in healthy fats).
Avocado pairs nicely with rich cheese like goat cheese or brie, so guacamole makes for an excellent dip option when paired with grilled foods like sweet potatoes. Making guasacaca sauce from scratch isn’t hard; all you’ll need is avocado flesh, lime juice, garlic cloves, cilantro leaves and salt or pepper if desired!
Just add all ingredients into a blender or food processor until smooth enough to drizzle over your favorite grilled vegetables (or whatever else!).
Grilled Cornbread
Grilled cornbread is a summer staple, and it’s easy to make. You can use this quick recipe for cornbread and grill it on your grates or on a pan if you don’t have one. It’s great with any meal, especially barbecue because it has that special flavor from the grill!
When making grilled cornbread, make sure you’re using fresh ingredients like good quality flour and eggs. You’ll want to serve this as soon as possible after cooking so that it doesn’t get soggy.
Become a grill master by checking out our ultimate guide to grilling like a pro with tips and tricks that will take your grilling skills to the next level. From choosing the right grill to mastering different grilling techniques, we’ve got you covered
Grilled Peaches with Honey Yogurt Dip
Peaches are a good source of vitamin C, fiber and vitamin A. They also contain potassium, which helps keep your heart healthy. Also known as “the sunshine vitamin,” Vitamin D can help you avoid depression and even prevent cancer.
| Ingredients | Directions |
|---|---|
| Peaches | Cut peaches in half and remove pits. |
| Honey | Brush the cut side of each peach with honey. |
| Cinnamon | Sprinkle with a pinch of cinnamon. |
| Greek yogurt | In a small bowl, mix together Greek yogurt, honey, and vanilla extract to make the dip. |
| Honey | Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. |
| Vanilla extract | Once hot, add the peaches cut side down and grill for 3-5 minutes or until grill marks appear. |
| Mint (optional) | Remove from the grill and serve with a dollop of honey yogurt dip. Garnish with mint if desired. |
When it’s time to fire up the grill, keep it simple by grilling your sides too.
The grill is a great way to cook your sides too. One of the reasons we love grilling is that it makes everything taste better, even things you wouldn’t normally think of as being compatible with meat or fish.
Grilling vegetables adds a smoky flavor and caramelizes them, making them sweeter and more tender. Try grilling carrots, bell peppers, onions and mushrooms for even more flavor!
Grilling fruit brings out their natural sugars and creates an amazing caramelized crust on apples or pears—and don’t forget about peaches! They’re delicious when grilled whole over hot coals until soft enough to eat; then slice into wedges for serving.
Grilled breads (like ciabatta) are incredible when cooked over indirect heat so they can get nice and crispy on the outside without burning before they’re warmed through inside; try serving them with balsamic vinegar or olive oil drizzled atop each slice before putting them on your plate (the vinegar will help keep the bread from getting soggy).
You could also brush fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme onto one side before laying it down once again on top of some foil paper if you want something extra special in terms of presentation value!
Conclusion
The best thing about grilling your sides is that you can make them in large quantities and use them for multiple meals. Grilled vegetables like mushrooms, asparagus, or sweet potatoes can be served with pretty much anything from salads to sandwiches.
Corn on the cob, marinated chicken salad, and grilled cornbread are all great accompaniments to your main dish.
And peaches are so delicious when they’re cooked on the grill! With these tips in hand, you’ll be ready to grill up some delicious side dishes in no time at all.
Further Reading
Delicious Magazine: Barbeque Side Dishes: A collection of grill side dishes offering a range of options from salads to roasted vegetables that’ll help elevate your BBQ party.
Good Housekeeping: 50+ Easy BBQ Side Dishes That Are Perfect For Summer: A compilation of easy and delicious BBQ side dishes that are perfect for summertime grilling!
Ahead of Thyme: 25 Best BBQ Side Dishes: An article with a collection of BBQ side dishes that are quick and easy to make, perfect to compliment your BBQ main course.
FAQs
What are the best side dishes to serve at a BBQ party?
There are many side dishes that can enhance a BBQ party, including grilled corn on the cob, coleslaw, baked beans, grilled vegetables, and potato salad.
How can I make sure my side dishes are ready for serving during the BBQ party?
Prepare your side dishes ahead of time and keep them in the refrigerator until it’s time to serve. Consider using insulated bowls or coolers to keep your side dishes cold during the party.
Is it possible to make side dishes on the grill while the main course is cooking?
Yes, it is. Some side dishes like vegetables, fruits, and even pizzas can be cooked on the grill while cooking the main course.
Can I make side dishes that are healthy and still taste delicious?
Yes, you definitely can. Consider making dishes like grilled asparagus, roasted sweet potatoes, fresh salad greens or corn on the cob with lime and spices.
What can I do to accommodate guests with food allergies or restrictions?
Try offering a variety of side dishes that cater to different dietary needs such as gluten-free or vegetarian. Always inquire about guests’ food allergies or restrictions during the RSVP process to prepare accordingly.
Hi there! I’m Hellen James, and I’m a grilling enthusiast. I’ve been grilling for years, and I absolutely love it. I love how it brings people together and how you can feed your family with just a few minutes of work.