14 Cookout Sides to Make Instead of Potato Salad or Coleslaw
Go for another classic or try something new.
Cookouts are what make summer so great. Firing up the grill, hanging out for hours with your friends and family, enjoying all that food—there’s nothing like it! And let’s talk about that food for a sec, because it really can be something special. Beyond the smoky grill recipes, just think about all those amazing BBQ sides like potato salads and coleslaw that round out the meal. You can go up for seconds and thirds, and nobody bats an eye.
As Ree Drummond once said, "You can never have too many sides at a summer cookout." She’s very right about that! But what if you already have those go-to summer side dishes made, or what if someone else is bringing them? What else should you make? So glad you asked, because we’ve got a whole list of cookout sides to make instead of potato salad and coleslaw!
Some of these dishes are also cookout classics like pasta salads and baked beans that go with anything you’d throw on the grill. But there are also some new ideas. Take Ree’s watermelon, tomato, and mozzarella salad, for instance. It’s a fun twist on everyone’s summertime favorite Caprese, but even more refreshing. You’ll wow your guests and be proud of yourself for making cookout sides that aren’t the same old potato salad or coleslaw.
Macaroni Salad
Ree knows a thing or two about making macaroni salad. “I want it creamy but still light, full of flavor without tasting too vinegary, and loaded with crunchy add-ins for texture.” And that’s what you’ll find here!
Get Ree's Macaroni Salad recipe.
Grilled Corn on the Cob
Corn is a summer staple. While you’ve got the grill going, throw on some cobs and make everyone happy. This one has a garlic-chive butter to slather on top, but there are plenty of other corn on the cob recipes to try, too.
Get the Grilled Corn on the Cob recipe.
Baked Beans
Ree says, “Bring these to a cookout once, and you'll be asked to bring them to every single cookout for the rest of your life. They're sweet, tangy, smoky, saucy, and—most importantly—topped with bacon.” Um, yes please!
Get Ree's Baked Beans recipe.
Three-Bean Salad
While there is absolutely nothing wrong with using all canned beans for this classic, do yourself a favor and use fresh green beans. That one tweak makes a huge difference and everyone will be asking for the recipe.
Get the Three-Bean Salad recipe.
Watermelon, Tomato, and Mozzarella Salad
If you like Caprese (and who doesn’t?), try this extra summery twist. Chunks of sweet watermelon join fresh tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, thinly sliced red onion, and fresh herbs for a refreshing bite.
Succotash
All of your garden favorites shine in succotash. It’s a medley of fresh summer vegetables like corn, lima beans, bell pepper, and cherry tomatoes lightly sautéed together. It’ll go with everything else on the table!
Get the Succotash recipe.
Upside-Down Tomato Cornbread
While cornbread is always a good idea, this elevated version is the perfect way to highlight all those juicy summer tomatoes. It goes great with chicken, ribs, brisket—you name it!
Get the Upside-Down Tomato Cornbread recipe.
Grilled Zucchini
Admit it: You have more zucchini than you know what to do with. The good news is all you have to do is grill it up, season it with a little lemon salt, and serve. Sometimes simple is best!
Get Ree’s Grilled Zucchini recipe.
Bow Tie Pasta Salad
Looking for a crowd-pleasing pasta salad? This one features cute little bow ties tossed with ham, cheddar, peas, and other crunchy veggies, then coated in a creamy dressing to tie it all together.
Get the Bow Tie Pasta Salad recipe.
Cucumber Salad
Cucumber salad is a great way to beat the heat! It's cool and crisp, so it'll balance out hearty meats and heavier sides. It holds up well in the summer heat because it doesn’t have mayo or sour cream.
Get the Cucumber Salad recipe.
Mac and Cheese
Can you imagine BBQ anything without mac and cheese? It goes with everything from simple burgers and dogs to every kind of grilled meat. Everyone will want a scoop of the cheesy goodness!
Get Ree's Mac and Cheese recipe.
Cowboy Caviar
You don’t need to live on a ranch to enjoy this salsa-inspired side. It’s filled with tomatoes, bell peppers, red onions, and jalapeños, plus black-eyed peas and black beans. Scoop it up with chips!
Get the Cowboy Caviar recipe.
Whipped Deviled Eggs with Dill
It’s just not a gathering without deviled eggs. While there are many ways to make them, this version feels extra special with fresh dill that you can take right from your garden... or you know, your local grocery store.
Get Ree’s Whipped Deviled Eggs with Dill recipe.
Grilled Asparagus
Another fresh veggie that you really can’t miss with is grilled asparagus. It takes just a few minutes and really shines with a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if you’re feeling a little spicy.
Get the Grilled Asparagus recipe.
12 Delicious Ways to Use Up a Bag of Cornmeal
14 Easy Recipes You Can Make With a Can of Corn
15 Eggplant Recipes That Are Anything But Boring
10 Air Fryer Sides That Go With Anything You Grill
