There's something about a table loaded up with colorful, fresh, flavorful sides that just screams summer to me. Whether you're heading to a backyard BBQ, hosting a Fourth of July party, or just trying to get dinner on the table on a weeknight, these summer side dishes are going to be your new go-tos.
You'll have these summer side dishes on repeat
We're talking simple ingredients, minimal effort, and maximum flavor. And yes, most of them can be made ahead of time, which is a total game-changer when you're feeding a crowd.
Summer Side Dishes
Here's what I personally look for in a summer side. First, it should use fresh, seasonal ingredients since that's when produce is at its absolute best, and it shows. Second, it should be easy. Summer is for relaxing, not spending three hours in a hot kitchen. And third, it should hold up well. Nobody wants a wilted salad or a dish that turns sad after sitting out for an hour. The recipes below check all three boxes, I promise.
Sweetgreen's seasonal corn elote bowl was recently released, and it is so good. It brings together some of summer's best produce all with their lime cilantro jalapeño vinaigrette, ugh. So much goodness all in one bowl. Here's how you can make this copycat Sweetgreen Corn Elote Bowl recipe at home!
Looking for the ultimate cold pasta salad to serve at your next summer gathering? This Ditalini pasta salad is a crowd pleaser packed with flavor, texture, and just the right amount of crunch. Whether you're prepping for a family cookout, bringing a dish to a potluck, or planning easy lunches for the week, this creamy ditalini pasta recipe checks all the boxes.
This roasted corn salsa is so perfect for the summertime! It's a great appetizer, snack, or side dish for taco night. You will love making this homemade salsa recipe with just a few simple ingredients.
This Greek salad with couscous is one of my favorite recipes! It's so easy to make and for such a simple salad, it packs so much flavor. It's a great option for an easy lunch or a quick side dish for a weeknight dinner.
If you're looking for summer captured in a single salad, this watermelon basil salad with cucumber and mozzarella is it. It's the perfect balance of sweet, savory, crunchy, soft and everything you could ever want out of a watermelon salad recipe.
I love this broccoli crunch salad! It is one of my favorite summer side dish recipes, and it is so easy to make at home. Here's how to make the best broccoli salad.
I can't say I've ever been to La Scala, but what I can say is that I get why the Kardashians claim the famous La Scala Chopped Salad to be one of their favorite salads. This copycat viral recipe is amazing.
If you're looking for a way to take any french fries recipe to the next level, these feta fries are the recipe you want! The Mediterranean flavors are so fresh and make for the perfect easy appetizer or side dish.
This pesto gnocchi recipe is so perfect for the summer. Whether you're looking for a simple dinner for busy weeknights or you want a fun and fresh recipe for a patio dinner party, this is such a delicious recipe.
This sun dried tomato pasta salad is one of my favorite pasta salad recipes for summer. It's so easy to whip together and perfect for any summer BBQ or a quick weeknight dinner.
If you are looking for a summer pasta salad that is going to have everyone coming back for seconds, this elote pasta salad is the one. It is packed with all the bold, smoky, creamy flavors of Mexican street corn, tossed with tender pasta and the most delicious dressing you have ever had on a pasta salad. It is the kind of dish that looks impressive on a table but is genuinely so easy to pull together.
These healthy air fryer carrot fries are one of the best healthy fries recipes. They are perfect for any weeknight dinner side dish recipe, and are one of the easiest ways to cook carrots!
Frozen pierogies in the air fryer are such an easy air fryer dinner recipe! Such an easy way to cook frozen pierogies, done in just 10 minutes, it is such a game changer when you need a quick dinner fix. Plus, it's such a delicious comfort food, you'll love this easy air fryer recipe.
Attention all pickle lovers, you absolutely need this dill pickle ranch dressing in your life. It is so easy to make homemade and it's the perfect twist on the traditional ranch dressing recipe.
Tips for making BBQ side dishes ahead of time
Honestly, making your sides ahead of time is the secret to actually enjoying your own party. Here's how I do it:
Make cold salads 1 to 2 days ahead. Coleslaw, cucumber salad, and macaroni salad all get better with a little time in the fridge. The flavors meld together, and the texture is usually even better than freshly made. Just store everything in an airtight container and give it a good stir before serving.
Dress salads separately when possible. For anything with leafy greens or delicate ingredients (like a caprese), keep the dressing on the side until right before serving. This keeps everything from getting soggy or sad-looking.
Cook grains and pasta a day early. If your side dish involves pasta or rice, cook it the day before and refrigerate it. The day of, just toss it with your dressing or mix-ins, and you're good to go.
Prep your produce the morning of. Chop your tomatoes, slice your cucumbers, and cut your corn off the cob in the morning so assembly is a breeze later. Store everything in separate containers in the fridge and combine right before serving.
Label your containers. This sounds extra, but when you're juggling multiple dishes, it makes life so much easier. A simple piece of masking tape and a marker goes a long way.
How to Store Summer Side Dishes
Most of these summer BBQ sides will keep well in the fridge for 3 to 5 days in an airtight container. I recommend letting any hot dishes cool completely before sealing and refrigerating. For salads dressed with vinaigrette, they tend to hold up a bit longer than creamy mayo-based ones, which are best within 3 days. Anything with fresh fruit (looking at you, watermelon feta salad) is best eaten the day it's made.
Cocktails to go with these side dishes
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