Once your barbecue bacon burgers and hot dogs are fired up, and you've figured out how to make homemade barbecue sauce, it's time to get to work on those easy BBQ side dishes. After all, chips and salsa just aren't going to cut it at every summer cookout and barbecue. With these 15 recipes that include appetizer size pizzas, guac, stuffed peppers, and more, you're going to want seconds...or thirds.
Brit + Co
Elote One-Pot Pasta Recipe
Having pasta salad as a BBQ side dish is always a good idea. The elote dressing adds a whole new flavor profile that we can't get enough of. (via Brit + Co)
The Edgy Veg
Grilled Peaches & Pimento Pizza
Honor your vegan guests with this delicious flatbread. You can still get your fill of BBQ sauce with this pizza-meets-BBQ recipe. AKA, you won't have to make two entrees — vegans, pizza lovers and BBQ lovers alike will love this meal. (via The Edgy Veg)
Half Baked Harvest
BBQ Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad
Add this 30 minute side dish to your summer menu! And in addition to your typical BBQ food menu, you can easily cook up chicken and throw it with veggies to make an ah-mazing salad, too. (via Half Baked Harvest)
Cozy Cravings
Honey Sriracha Brussels Sprouts
Now brussels sprouts *may* not be a typical BBQ menu item, but you should definitely slot it in for your next cookout. The secret to these mouth-watering grilled veggies is the amazing honey-sriracha glaze, and TBH we can't wait to show these off this summer. (via Cozy Cravings)
Give It Some Thyme
Hot Cheesy Crab Dip in a Bread Bowl
Generous pieces of crab swim in a flavorfully creamy mixture of cheese, cheese, and more cheese. It's all served in a toasty sourdough bowl. (via Give It Some Thyme)
Recipe Runner
Green Chile Guacamole
Nothing facilitates conversation *quite* like good guacamole. Guests will keep coming back to this bowl for chips and chit-chat. (via Recipe Runner)
Live Eat Learn
Baked Jalapeño Poppers
You could never go wrong with jalapeño poppers. Each bite is infused with cream cheese, spicy jalapeño, and crispy breadcrumbs that'll leave you wanting more and more. (via Live Eat Learn)
Half Baked Harvest
Peach and Bourbon Baked Beans
Let's be real, baked beans are a BBQ menu staple. Serve these up on their own or throw them in a salad for an amazing side dish. (via Half Baked Harvest)
These BBQ Party Side Dishes & Ideas Are Out Of This World Tasty
Tara's Multicultural Table
Mini Fired Chicken and Waffles
The full-size version of this brunch classic is always a greasy, sticky mess (in the best way), but when it's mini, the mess is perfectly contained in a napkin. (via Tara's Multicultural Table)
Pink Owl Kitchen
Hush Puppies
Hush puppies are a classic BBQ side dish. These buttery, bready finger food bites pair well with seafood or burgers! via Pink Owl Kitchen)
Cozy Cravings
Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip
Because who doesn't love a good dip? Dive into cheesy, stringy bites of spinach and artichoke for an easy app or side dish. (via Cozy Cravings)
The Endless Meal
Grilled Southwest Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with BBQ Hummus
If you've never had these at one of your cookouts, you're not alone. Score some points with your neighbors with this uncommon (but delicious) BBQ recipe. (via The Endless Meal)
Tara's Multicultural Table
S'mores Bites
Summer's greatest dessert gets packed into party-friendly bars. These babies have an intensely buttery graham cracker crust and a fudgy chocolate layer that is positively packed with marshmallows. (via Tara's Multicultural Table)
The Endless Meal
Broccolini with Tahini Yogurt Sauce
Roasted broccolini meets its ideal pairing with a homemade tahini yogurt sauce for this side-dish star. (via The Endless Meal)
The Cookie Rookie
Skinny Mexican Grilled Corn
If you like your corn on the cob smothered, try this light, Mexican version. Instead of traditional crema, this cob is topped with Greek yogurt and parmesan cheese. (via The Cookie Rookie)
Corn on the cob? Potato salad? Tag us with your fave backyard BBQ side dishes on Instagram!
This post has been updated. Header image courtesy of The Cookie Rookie.