27 Lazy BBQ Side Dishes That Still Taste Incredible

Hosting a BBQ should be fun, not stressful. As a mom of three who’s served up countless backyard meals, I know the secret to a great gathering lies in having easy, crowd-pleasing sides ready to go.

Whether you’re feeding a hungry crew, celebrating a summer holiday like July 4th or Canada Day or just want something simple for your family that actually tastes amazing, this list of 27 easy BBQ side dishes has you covered.

These delicious side dishes come together quickly, travel well, and don’t require you to hover over the stove for hours. From fresh summer inspired pasta salads, and dips to no-fuss classics like baked beans, and slaw, you’ll find something here for everyone. Because let’s be real, we all need a few shortcuts in our life, that still deliver big flavor.

1. Easy Mediterranean Orzo Salad

Easy Mediterranean Orzo Salad is one of my most requested BBQ side dishes, and such a crowd pleaser. Even the kids love it (and I usually get their extra kalamata olives…bonus!).

Full of fresh summer veggies like crisp cucumbers and cherry tomatoes, with a simple lemony vinaigrette drizzled on top, it makes for a great picnic, camping and road trip salad too.

I usually have to double to recipe as it gets eaten so quickly.

Get the recipe: Easy Mediterranean Orzo Salad

2. Chili Cheese Fritos Corn Salad Recipe

This Chili Cheese Fritos Corn Salad is the ultimate mix of creamy, crunchy, cheesy goodness that takes almost no effort to throw together.

Sweet corn, peppers, and a zesty dressing get a fun twist with a handful of Chili Cheese Fritos on top, because why not?

It’s one of those easy summer sides that shows up once and then never gets forgotten. Although I’m not sure how to prevent my kids from picking off all the fritos from the top.

Get the recipe: Chili Cheese Fritos Corn Salad Recipe

3. Classic Potato Salad

I can’t imagine a BBQ cookout without at least one potato salad, and this classic version brings all the nostalgia of childhood summers back to life.

A creamy potato salad that requires only a handful of ingredients you already have kicking around your pantry. Soft yukon gold or red potatoes, eggs, red onion, fresh dill topped with a creamy mayo dijon dressing to add a little kick.

I usually make it the night before, put it in the fridge, and just pull it out when it’s time to eat. It saves me so much stress on the party day.

Get the recipe: Classic Potato Salad

4. Grilled Veggie Skewers

Grilled Veggie Skewers are a fun way to get your kids, and let’s be honest your partner, to eat more veggies.

I usually just adjust the kabobs to veggies I know my kids are more likely to eat, and leave the adult version full of all our favorite summertime vegetables.

These Veggie Skewers scream summer with zucchini, red onion, and bell peppers, grilled to perfection and drizzled with tangy balsamic vinegar and brushed with a fresh garlic herb sauce. Yum!

5. Mexican Street Corn Salad

Corn is such a summer staple in our household and this Mexican Street Corn Salad brings all the bold, creamy, smoky flavors of elote, no toothpicks required.

Charred corn, tangy lime, chipotle, and cotija cheese come together in a salad that’s easy to scoop and even easier to love.

Whether it’s a summer BBQ or taco night, this one always disappears fast.

6. Classic Italian Pasta Salad

This Easy Italian Pasta Salad is your no-fuss answer to summer meals on the go. With rotini pasta, juicy tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and a splash of Italian dressing, it’s bold, fresh, and ridiculously simple.

Great for BBQs, picnics, or just clearing out the fridge before vacation, it’s the easiest win you’ll serve all week.

We make this cold pasta salad at least 3 or 4 times a month in the summer.

7. Creamy Southern Baked Mac and Cheese

Creamy Southern baked mac and cheese is the kind of comfort food that steals the show every single time.

Made with a rich custard base and a sneaky spoonful of mascarpone, it’s got that ultra-smooth, cheesy magic that brings everyone back for more.

An easy summer side dish for a BBQ, summer cookout, holidays, or just because, it’s the side my family never skips and yours won’t want to either.

8. Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Salad

Roasted beet and goat cheese salad brings serious flavor without the fuss…….sweet, tangy, crunchy, and totally easy to throw together.

It’s one of those easy side dishes for BBQ parties that looks fancy but takes almost no time, which is my kind of win.

Whether you’re team beet or still on the fence, the combo of roasted goodness, creamy goat cheese, and walnuts is seriously worth a spot on your plate.

9. Whipped Feta with Tomatoes, Peaches and Grilled Bread

Whipped Feta with Tomatoes, Peaches, and Grilled Bread brings all the summer vibes in one bite; creamy, juicy, salty, and fresh.

Pile it high on crusty grilled bread and you’ve got an easy showstopper that works as a side, snack, or starter.

I like to add a chilled drink and good company, and then feel like we’ve officially won this summer dinner thing.

10. Bacon Wrapped Grilled Jalapeño Poppers

These barbecue bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers bring the heat, the smoke, and all the flavor with just five easy ingredients.

Creamy, cheesy, smoky jalapeños are wrapped in crispy bacon, then brushed with barbecue sauce for that sweet-savory kick.

Toss them on the grill for your next BBQ, game day, or summer hangout and watch them vanish faster than your cold drinks.

11. Strawberry Goat Cheese Summer Salad

Could anything scream warm weather more than strawberries, arugula and goat cheese tossed with a tangy balsalmic dressing?

Every bite is light, bold, and seriously satisfying.

It’s our go-to side for cookouts, summer parties, vacation meals, and lazy lunches on the patio. Easy to prep and even easier to devour.

12. Kimchi Slaw

Kimchi Slaw is a fun twist on a classic BBQ side dish.

We love kimchi in our household, and make some every year. Well I “help,” as my partner does most of the work to be fair.

This slaw is a delicious fusion of traditional coleslaw with Korean kimchi flavors, crunchy, and a bit spicy, adding a nice kick to your food.

13. Cheddar Chive Biscuits

People are all about the scone…. but I think sweet scones are wrong!

Biscuits are one of my favorite things, especially the Cheddar and Chive and savoury varieties. I could eat these for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack (and have many, many times).

This is a no fail recipe that will give you those extra fluffy and cheesy biscuits every time. Dip them in baked beans, slather them with butter, or eat as is, warm from the oven.

14. Cowboy Beans

Meaty, smoky, and just the right amount of sweet for me, these cowboy beans are the kind of dish that earns recipe requests every time I bring it out.

Filled with bacon, ground beef, three types of beans, and a bold BBQ-style sauce that turn this into more than just a side, it can hold its own as a full meal too.

Whether you’re feeding a crowd or craving comfort food on a weeknight, this one’s an easy win straight from the skillet.

15. Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

Forget boring sides, this dill pickle pasta salad brings the crunch, the creaminess, and a serious hit of tang.

Bacon, cheese, dill pickles and pasta all get tossed in a zippy dill dressing that’s anything but average. It’s a crowd favorite at BBQs and potlucks, and the leftovers (if you’re lucky) make a decadent & fun lunch.

16. Apple Kale Slaw

Kale and apples bring crunch and color, but it’s the maple tahini dressing that really brings this slaw to life.

Sweet, creamy, a little tart, and ready in under 15 minutes, this one’s a win for BBQs, picnics, or quick weeknight dinners. Plus I get to use up my abundance of garden kale that seems to take over my backyard in the summer.

Vegan, gluten-free, and full of flavor, it checks all the boxes without ever feeling too much like a “health” salad.

17. Creamy Corn Dip Recipe (No Cream Cheese)

Corn dip doesn’t need cream cheese to steal the show and this one brings all the flavor with a creamy mix of sour cream, mayo, cheese, and a kick of taco seasoning.

Toss in sweet corn, tomatoes, and green chilies, and you’ve got an easy appetizer that disappears faster than the chips.

I love that it comes together in minutes, travels well, and always gets rave reviews at BBQs, potlucks, or last-minute hangouts.

18. Korean Cucumber Salad Recipe (Oi Muchim)

When I first tried Korean Cucumber Salad, I didn’t know what to make of the Gochugaru spicy taste. But it has grown on me. So much so, this is often the cucumber side salad I crave the most.

Spicy, tangy, and crunchy in all the right ways, this vegan version brings serious flavor without turning on the stove.

Tossed in a quick chili-garlic marinade, these cucumbers come together in minutes and level up anything from rice bowls to BBQ plates.

It’s bold, refreshing, and one of the easiest ways to make veggies actually taste exciting.

19. Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Bacon, ranch, and pasta is a combo that just makes sense.

Toss it all together with a few crisp veggies and you’ve got a creamy, crave-worthy side that works for lunch, dinner, or your next backyard BBQ. When in doubt and short on time, this is the no-brainer dish everyone will dive into first.

20. Steamed Corn on the Cob

I can’t imagine a BBQ without corn on the cob. It’s what I live for in the summer.

My favorite is corn fresh from the local farm stalls in the area we live in, steamed up and slathered in butter. Oh so tasty.

When you try this fresh and delicious, Steamed Corn on the Cob in your Dutch oven its simple recipe using simple ingredients will win you over.

21. Grilled Bok Choy

If you’re looking for a tasty vegetable side dish for your next cookout, I recommend Grilled Bok Choy.

It’s one of my favorite 10-minute recipes that brings out the sweet freshness of the baby bok choy, and needs only a few ingredients.

So simple, but delicious.

22. Moist Sweet Cornbread Recipe

Sweet, buttery, and golden, this cornbread brings comfort in every bite. The brown sugar and buttermilk keep it soft and moist, with just the right amount of richness.

Whether you’re serving it alongside chili, BBQ’d meat, a holiday ham, or slathering it with jam for breakfast, it’s always a hit on the table for every season.

23. Broccoli Crunch Salad

Ah, ha! You thought you could get away with not eating your broccoli. Have no fear, because Broccoli Crunch Salad is a not your average side dish. AND there’s bacon.

My kids will even eat it. Most likely because there’s bacon, but if it gets them to eat even a couple of pieces of broccoli without complaints, I am sold.

You’ll find crunchy broccoli, crispy bacon, sunflower seed kernels, carrots, dried cranberries, and red onion tossed in a creamy, sweet, and tangy dressing. What’s not to love?

24. Strawberry Cucumber Salad For a Crowd

When the weather heats up, this cucumber strawberry salad is exactly what you want on your plate.

Juicy berries, crunchy cukes, and a quick honey-lime dressing come together in just 10 minutes.

Bright, fresh, and easy to make ahead, it’s one of those party side dishes that always gets people talking (and asking for the recipe).

25. Traditional Cretan Dakos Salad

Think Greek bruschetta, not lettuce, Cretan Dakos Salad flips the usual salad script in the best way.

Juicy tomatoes, briny capers, creamy feta, and a drizzle of olive oil all pile onto crisp barley rusks for a bite that’s crunchy, salty, fresh, and wildly satisfying.

It’s a Cretan classic with simple ingredients and bold flavor that earns its spot at any summer table.

26. Easy Italian Chopped Salad Recipe

This Italian chopped salad brings serious restaurant vibes without ever leaving your kitchen.

Crisp romaine, juicy tomatoes, garbanzo beans, salami, and all the bold extras get tossed in a zesty Italian dressing that wakes up your taste buds.

It’s colorful, hearty, and I find it’s just right for lunches, meal prep, or tossing into a big bowl for your next BBQ spread.

27. Sweet Heat Watermelon Crunch Salad

Not your average watermelon salad, this one brings a little sass with every bite.

A vinegar kissed cabbage base, whipped feta, and warm spices turn a sweet summer classic into something totally unexpected.

Crunchy, creamy, cool, and with just enough heat, it’s the kind of side dish that starts conversations.