Whether it’s baby-back ribs, juicy burgers, or chicken drumsticks, main BBQ dishes tend to hog the grill and the spotlight. But side dishes are more than supporting acts; the right sides can create a tapestry of taste, making or breaking your cookout. Fortunately, there are tons of sides to choose from, including these flavorful choices:
Grilled corn on the cob is superior to its boiled cousin, taking maize to amazing levels. This side is quick and easy to make, taking about 10 minutes from start to finish. It’s versatile, as well; while many people opt to keep things simple by adding salt and butter, you can add garlic powder, pepper, cheese, and whatever else you please.
Zucchini bread is what happens when vegetables and junk food merge on the highway of hunger toward a destination that’s delicious. This bread is hearty enough to sop up other BBQ fare, but sweet enough to act as dessert. Zucchini is also extremely easy to grow, which means you might have a surplus in your backyard garden. Now you know what to do with the extras.
Coleslaw is as much a staple of summer gatherings as burgers and hot dogs. It comes in many variations, too, including jalapeno lime slaw. This slaw is spicy and sour, a sidekick with a kick, and works as a topping or a stand-alone dish. You can play with the level of heat, depending on how many pepper seeds you include.
A BBQ without potato salad is like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich without the jelly. But this potato salad goes above and beyond a typical recipe. Channeling its southern roots, it’s creamy, full of flavor, and packed with extra ingredients (like hard-boiled eggs). Bless this dish’s heart!
This mac and cheese gets a bit craftier than Kraft, thinking outside of the box and into the crockpot. It uses a combination of three cheeses - American, white sharp cheddar, and smoked gouda - for a silky, bold side. It’s an excellent contribution to a gathering with little ones. After all, most children consider mac and cheese a food group.
It’s hard to go wrong with BBQ food, but these satisfying sides can take your meal to the next level and help make your cookout out of this world.
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