1. Southern Potato Salad
Let’s start with a classic—a Southern potato salad. This creamy dish is not reserved for those hailing from the South. Its tradition aligns perfectly with the charm of a Southern-style BBQ, offering a timeless and comforting side that pairs flawlessly with any grilled meat.
2. Cucumber Salad
When the meat gets heavy and saucy, balance it out with a refreshing cucumber salad. The mild and crisp flavors provide a palate-cleansing break. The best part? You can prepare it a day before, saving you time on the day of the barbecue.
3. Crock-Pot Mac and Cheese
In the hot summer months, there’s no need to heat up your kitchen. Enter the Crock-Pot mac and cheese. This simple yet decadent side dish can be effortlessly prepared in your slow cooker, leaving you more time to mingle and enjoy the barbecue festivities.
4. Strawberry Arugula Salad
For a surprising twist, serve up a strawberry arugula salad. The combination of sweet strawberries and salty feta over a bed of fresh greens is a flavor profile that will astonish your taste buds. It’s a refreshing addition that complements the smoky notes of barbecue.
5. Jalapeño Cornbread
Add a kick to your backyard barbecue with jalapeño cornbread. Baked in a cast iron skillet, it boasts the trademark golden brown edges that make cornbread irresistible. The slight heat from the jalapeños adds a bold and spicy dimension to this classic side.
6. Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
What’s not to love about a side that combines pickles, pasta, and cheese? The zesty dill pickle pasta salad is a surefire hit at any backyard barbecue. Its unique blend of flavors makes it stand out, and it’s often one of the first dishes to disappear from the potluck table.
7. Creamed Corn
To capture the essence of summer, serve up a bowl of creamed corn. From the freshness of the corn to the fragrant basil, every bite exudes the season’s vibrancy. It’s a rich, sweet, and incredibly fresh side that adds a touch of indulgence to your barbecue spread.