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15 Delicious Summer Sides Perfect For Your Next BBQ

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Everybody knows that a cookout isn't really a cookout until the sides arrive! This roundup is all about summer BBQ sides you can't live without! Welcome to 15 Delicious Summer Sides Perfect for Your Next BBQ; jam packed with flavor-forward, colorful dishes to serve all season long. From Mexican Street Corn to Strawberry Bruschetta and refreshing Layered Fruit Salad, these recipes are perfect for entertaining, sharing, and soaking up summer!
Vertical graphic reading 15 Summer BBQ Sides above a grid of summer side dish photos

Summer Side Dishes To Complement Any Cookout

When it comes to throwing the perfect summer BBQ, the main dish might get the spotlight, but it’s the BBQ sides that truly make the meal shine. Whether you’re firing up the grill for burgers, veggie dogs, or BBQ Tofu, the right lineup of summer side dishes turns a good cookout into a great one.

Meal Prep Perfection!

Many of these summer BBQ sides aren’t just crowd-pleasers—they’re also perfect for the host! Look for the SUN next to a recipe name to know it’s prep-ahead friendly! These are the dishes that taste even better the next day; think pasta salad, corn salad or anything that requires a little marinating. To get ahead of the game, prep your veggies (like sliced cucumbers, shredded cabbage, or grilled corn) and store them in airtight containers. Wait to dress your salads until closer to serving – unless, of course, it benefits from a good overnight soak. Anything that can be served cold, tossed in vinaigrette or creamy dressing, and made in big batches is a guaranteed win for stress-free hosting. Speaking of big batches…

How to Increase the Servings of These Recipes

Feeding a crowd? Most of these easy summer side dishes can be doubled or tripled without any fuss. For something like a pasta salad, just cook a larger batch of noodles and scale the add-ins and dressing proportionally. For veggie-heavy dishes like grilled veggie skewers, simply prep more produce and adjust the seasoning to taste. Pro tip: use a big mixing bowl and prep ahead—many of these sides actually taste better after they’ve had time to chill and marinate. Whether you’re serving 6 or 60, these summer BBQ sides scale up beautifully and are perfect for making ahead!

Why BBQ Sides Are Just as Important As the Main Dishes

While the grill gets the attention, it’s the BBQ sides that round out the meal and make it memorable. The right summer side dishes add balance, color, and creativity to your plate. They offer contrast—crisp against smoky, fresh against rich—and give your guests more to enjoy, especially if they follow plant-based or allergen-friendly diets. Enough talking about why they are important, give a quick read through this list, and you’ll know exactly why you need to make these ASAP!

QUICK AND EASY SUMMER SIDES!

Strawberry Bruschetta

This Strawberry Bruschetta is a delightful twist on a classic, featuring strawberries, fresh basil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Perfect for any gathering, this recipe is both simple and impressive. I can’t think of a better way to start off the summer season than with juicy strawberries, basil and sweet balsamic atop crispy baguette slices!

Full Recipe Here
Hand dipping a tortilla chip into creamy vegan buffalo chicken dip topped with green onion

Vegan Buffalo Chicken Dip

This Vegan Buffalo Chicken Dip recipe is everything you love about classic Buffalo dip, but made with 100% vegan ingredients and shredded jackfruit! Whether you’re serving it for game day, a party, or just because, it’s guaranteed to be a hit!

Full Recipe Here
Hand holding a chip scooped with corn dip, herbs, red onion and cilantro.

Dairy-Free Mexican Street Corn Dip

This Dairy-Free Mexican Street Corn Dip is my Jackfruitful version of the classic. Combining roasted corn, tangy lime juice, spicy jalapeños, and a creamy dairy free base, this dip is perfect for any gathering. It is vibrant, flavorful, easy to make, and sure to be a hit at your next fiesta!

Full Recipe Here

Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip

Indulge in the ultimate party appetizer with my Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip! If you’re making a spread of delicious dips, you cannot skip this one! Everyone can enjoy it because it’s gluten free, dairy free, nut free, and so tasty. Made with artichoke hearts and vibrant spinach, it comes together quickly and may even be eaten faster! 

Full Recipe Here

Strawberry Salsa

Get ready to impress at your next BBQ with this delectable Strawberry Salsa. Chopped strawberries, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, mint, and avocado come together in a zesty mix, perfect for dipping with chips or cucumber slices.

Full Recipe Here

Rainbow Collard Wraps with Peanut Sauce

This delicious and easy recipe is filled with fresh veggies, creamy avocado, and crispy tofu. Dip these wraps in a perfectly sweet, perfectly salty, oil-free, vegan peanut sauce and you’ve got a real party. You totally can meal prep these wraps because they honestly taste better on day two.

Full Recipe Here
Layered fruit salad in a glass jar with strawberries, mandarins, pineapple, grapes, blueberries, and blackberries

Layered Fruit Salad

Layer your way to the most addictive fruit salad you will ever have! This layered salad is the perfect addition to any summer gathering and will catch the eyes of everyone! With a delightful mix of strawberries, clementines, pineapple, and more, this fruit salad is topped with a zesty maple lime dressing that perfectly complements the fresh fruits. 

Full Recipe Here
white bean salad with cucumber, red onion, and fresh dill in a creamy dressing

White Bean and Cucumber Dill Salad

This White Bean and Cucumber Dill Salad is an easy cucumber salad recipe that’s perfect for any occasion. The combination of creamy beans, fresh cucumbers, and a tangy dill vinaigrette makes it a refreshing side dish you’ll want to make again and again. 

Full Recipe Here
Quinoa salad with chickpeas, cucumber, tomato, celery, and fresh herbs

Chickpea Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad

This Chickpea Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad is a refreshing, protein-packed take on traditional tabbouleh, made with quinoa instead of bulgur to make it totally gluten free. Featuring crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, fresh parsley, and mint, it’s tossed in a zesty lemon dressing that ties everything together. It’s a delicious display of fresh produce and ease of preparation!

Full Recipe Here
Bowl of quinoa fruit salad ingredients with strawberries, blueberries, corn, scallions, mint, and sliced almonds

Quinoa Fruit Salad with Tangerine Vinaigrette

This Quinoa Fruit Salad is paired with the most delicious Tangerine Vinaigrette – Trust me, it’s so good you’ll want to drink it! This salad combines your favorite summer berries, fresh greens, the perfect amount of crunch and quinoa to satisfy and refresh all summer long! Be prepared to put a smile on everyone’s face with this delicious salad!

Full Recipe Here
Creamy pasta salad with rotini, kale, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, corn, and red onion

Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Salad

Enjoy this quick and elegant Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Salad, ready in under 30 minutes! It combines tender gluten-free pasta with a sweet and tangy homemade roasted red pepper sauce. 

Full Recipe Here

Sweet Corn Avocado Salad

Seriously, maybe one of my favorite salads, this Sweet Corn Avocado Salad is unreal good. It takes only 20 minutes to put together, tastes amazing the next day and is the perfect combination of zesty Tajin, creamy avocado, and a touch of jalapeño! I highly suggest making a large batch of this because it WILL disappear.

Full Recipe Here

Vegan Dill Pickle Salad

This Vegan Dill Pickle Salad is a delightful celebration of spring, made with kale, romaine, red cabbage, cauliflower, chickpeas, and fresh dill. Topped with savory breadcrumbs and a tangy dill pickle dressing.

Full Recipe Here

Sesame Cabbage Salad

Look no further than this sesame cabbage salad! This crunchy, savory, and oh-so-satisfying dish checks all the boxes, and whether you’re a seasoned plant-based eater or just looking to add more veggies to your plate, this salad is sure to impress even the most discerning taste buds.

Full Recipe Here

Vegan Lemon Poppyseed Pasta Salad

My Vegan Lemon Poppyseed Pasta Salad is just the recipe you need. It’s bright and subtly sweet flavor screams summer, and it is filled with in-season summer produce for an easy to make recipe that is ready in less than 30 minutes!

Full Recipe Here

Tips for Making the Perfect BBQ Spread

A well-balanced BBQ spread is all about variety, texture, and flavor. Make sure to offer a mix of cold summer sides like pasta salads to keep things light and refreshing. Pair those with warm dishes like grilled corn or roasted summer vegetables for that classic cookout feel. Don’t forget the dips, dressings, and sauces—these finishing touches can bring your summer BBQ sides to life. Finally, presentation matters: use big serving platters, fresh herbs for garnish, and bowls that keep things chilled or warm depending on the dish.

Why You’ll Love Our Best BBQ Sides

I cannot think of a reason why you wouldn’t love these! Every recipe is packed with flavor, super easy to make, makes great leftovers and feeds a crowd. There is something for everyone in this round up and the best part? Every recipe is gluten free, dairy free, vegan and many are high protein and easy to meal prep. These recipes are made for crowds without having to exclude anyone from the table! Enjoy them, make them your own and never be afraid to come back for more!

Jackie Akerberg

Author of the Clean Vegan Cookbook, Food Blogger and Recipe Developer from Des Moines, Iowa. 

Jackfruitful Kitchen has proudly been featured in Forks Over Knives, Vegan Bowls, Vegan Food and Living, and DSM Magazine.

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Layered fruit salad in a glass jar with strawberries, mandarins, pineapple, grapes, blueberries, and blackberries
Jackie Akerberg

Layered Fruit Salad

5 from 4 votes
Print Recipe Pin to Pinterest!
Layer your way to the most addicting fruit salad you will ever have! This layered salad is the perfect addition to any summer gathering and will catch the eyes of everyone! With a delightful mix of strawberries, clementines, pineapple, and more this fruit salad is topped with a zesty maple lime dressing that perfectly complements the fresh fruits. Layered in a glass canister for dramatic presentation, this salad is not only a feast for the eyes but also a celebration of fresh, juicy flavors!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Dessert, Salad, Side Dish

Equipment

Ingredients
  

Fruit Salad Ingredients
  • 1½ cups strawberries, quartered
  • 1½ cups clementine sections, halved
  • 1½ cups pineapple, chopped
  • 1½ cups green grapes, halved
  • 1 cup mint leaves, chopped
  • 1½ cups blueberries
  • 1½ cups blackberries
  • 1½ cups purple grapes, halved
Maple Lime Dressing
  • ⅓ cup orange juice
  • 1 large lime, zested and juiced
  • 1 tsp maple syrup, optional
  • pinch of salt

Method
 

  1. Add the ingredients for the dressing to a jar and whisk to combine. Season to taste for desired sweetness. Carefully pour into the bottom of the canister.
  2. Layer each ingredient for the salad in the canister in the order listed. Seal the canister and store in the fridge until you're ready to serve.
  3. When it's time to enjoy, remove the lid and flip the salad upside down over a large serving bowl. This salad dresses itself and is ready to eat right away!

Notes

Click here to purchase the canister

*Macros are provided as an estimate for convenience. Your final numbers will vary depending on ingredient brands, substitutions, and how you portion the recipe.

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