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65 Easy Summer Side Dishes That'll Upstage Those BBQ Ribs

Sorry, ribs!!

By
cheddar bacon ranch corn
ANDREW BUI

It really doesn't matter where we eat this summer (around the grill, on the patio, or heck, on the stoop), there's no denying it; summer dinners are all about the sides. Sure, we love ribs, burgers, and kebabs, but more often than not, we're just trying to find out the best entrées to pair with our favorite side dishes (rather than the other way around). Consider this your go-to list any time a party or BBQ comes up this summer. These 65 easy side dishes—pasta salads, corn on the cob, fresh salads, and grilled veggies included—will be the star of your summer feast.

Summer ushers in all the best produce (looking at you, tomatoes, asparagus, watermelon, and zucchini), and we see no reason not to eat our way through it all. Once you check out our recipes for Thai watermelon salad, summer panzanella, and zucchini casserole with garlicky bread crumbs, you're gonna want to grab your biggest tote bag and get yourself to the farmers' market ASAP.

As the days get longer and hotter, we're more and more in the mood for crisp, refreshing sides that help us keep our cool. A chilled pasta salad (like our summer couscous salad) or potato salad (peep our antipasto potato salad) are light and bright and also require very little cook time (so less time standing next to a hot stove or grill). Ditto for all the summer slaws we've created over the years. Our Thai-style slaw is a sleeper hit at cookouts and potlucks, so be sure to make more than you think.

For more warm-weather-friendly meals, check out our favorite summer vegetables, no-cook summer appetizers, and no-bake desserts!

1

Grilled Potatoes

grilled potatoes on a platter topped with herby green sauce
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

These potatoes are the perfect summer side. Throw 'em on the grill next to your grilled meats for a smoky, summer take on burgers & fries.

Get the Grilled Potatoes recipe.

2

Watermelon Caprese

sliced watermelon, mozzarella, and basil drizzled with balsamic
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

This watermelon Caprese combines slices of juicy, sweet watermelon, mozzarella, fresh basil, and a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic glaze to top it all off. The result is a simple, sweet-salty snack ready in 15 minutes (and isn’t that what summer is all about?).

Get the Watermelon Caprese recipe.

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3

Gnocchi Antipasto Salad

gnocchi antipasto salad
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STLYING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

Featuring crispy potato gnocchi, sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, fresh mozzarella, and salami, it’s a medley of everything you love about antipasto layered around pan-seared gnocchi that's crispy on the outside and slightly chewy beneath. 😍

Get the Gnocchi Antipasto Salad recipe.

4

Baked Beans

saucy baked beans scooped out of a pot
PHOTO: NICO SCHINCO; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Baked beans are sweet, tangy, savory, and the best part, surprisingly easy to make—they’re a one-pot wonder! Throw in the fact that one batch feeds a small crowd and that most of the cooking is done unattended in the oven, and you have a winning dish.

Get the Baked Beans recipe.

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5

No-Knead Caprese Focaccia

no knead focaccia topped with mozzarella, basil, cherry tomatoes and drizzled with balsamic
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Nothing is as rewarding as a slice of homemade focaccia, and the truth is you don’t even have to work that hard to get it. In this Caprese-topped focaccia recipe that remains true—this basic no-knead recipe uses just 5 ingredients (flour, yeast, sugar, salt, and olive oil) and a little time.

Get the No-Knead Caprese Focaccia recipe.

6

Cheddar Bacon Ranch Corn

grilled corn with melted cheddar, bacon, and a drizzle of ranch

Whether we’re looking for sides to complete our summer BBQ, 4th of July celebration, or our weeknight dinner, grilled corn is a classic we return to again and again. While we love the smoky, charred flavor the grill gives corn all on its own, sometimes we’re looking to do something a little extra. We’ve dreamed up countless toppings for grilled corn on the cob, but this cheddar, bacon, and ranch combination just might be our favorite.

Get the Cheddar Bacon Ranch Corn recipe.

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7

Classic Potato Salad

classic potato salad with pickles, onions, and topped with paprika and chives
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: SIMON ANDREWS

A classic potato salad is a must-have at every picnic and BBQ, and and we'd never skip out on a tradition like that. Not to toot our horn, but our recipe is simply the best—it's creamy and tangy, with a little bit of crunch from the onion and pickles. What it's not: too sweet, which is one of our potato salad pet peeves. If you’re looking for a classic, no-fuss potato salad that won’t disappoint, this is it.

Get the Classic Potato Salad recipe.

8

Caprese Asparagus

caprese asparagus with mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and balsamic
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Here at Delish, we're big believers that everything is better Caprese'd. From our Caprese chicken to our Caprese bites and chicken-avocado Caprese salad, we can't get enough of the refreshing burst of flavors when you combine sweet tomatoes, cheesy mozzarella, and fresh basil. When searching for our go-to summer side, we decided to give classic asparagus the same treatment. This easy, extra-cheesy side comes together in 30 minutes, making it the perfect last-minute addition to your pasta or chicken dinner. Grab your mozz and get Caprese-y!

Get the Caprese Asparagus recipe.

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9

Grilled Plum & Pancetta Panzanella Salad

grilled plums tossed with crispy pancetta, tangy goat cheese, fresh cherry tomatoes, and grilled sourdough bread, then drizzled with a maple dijon dressing
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

Since plums are their best at the height of summer, it’s only right to toss them on the grill and add some smokey char to their naturally sweet-tart flavor. The transformed plums get tossed with crispy pancetta, tangy goat cheese, fresh cherry tomatoes, and grilled sourdough bread, then drizzled with a maple-Dijon dressing, turning this humble salad into a work of art.

Get the Grilled Plum & Pancetta Panzanella Salad recipe.

10

Air Fryer Corn On The Cob

air fryer mediterranean inspired corn on the cob
PHOTO: JOEL GOLDBERG; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

What can't the air fryer do? After air frying until the cobs turn bright yellow and the kernels are tender, you'll stir up a tangy feta topping to make Greek-inspired street corn (kind of like Mexican elote, but with Greek yogurt instead of cotija)

Get the Air Fryer Corn On The Cob recipe.

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11

Grilled Green Tomatoes

grilled green tomatoes
PHOTO: ANDREA MONZO; FOOD STYLIST: SPENCER RICHARDS

This recipe combines the slightly tangy flavor of underripe tomatoes with the smoky char of the grill and a whipped goat cheese schmear to boot. Long a Southern staple in famous dishes like fried green tomatoes, green tomatoes are equally delicious in this lighter, healthier preparation too.

Get the Grilled Green Tomatoes recipe.

12

Lemon-Herb Rice Pilaf

lemon herb rice pilaf topped with almonds, feta, and parsley
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

This rice pilaf recipe has enough going on to be the main event, but can also be the supporting role for roasted meats and fish. Textures are the key to giving this dish complexity: A crunch from the almonds, a freshness from the herbs and lemon, and a sharp, briny punch of feta all combine for the perfect bite.

Get the Lemon-Herb Rice Pilaf recipe.

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13

Grilled Zucchini With Ricotta & Walnuts

skewered and grilled zucchini planks topped with herby whipped ricotta and crunchy toasted walnuts
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI ; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Instead of leaving the zucchini in their traditional slices, we threaded them onto skewers to lessen the amount of direct contact the zucchini had with the grill and create contrasting textures. The ribboning also creates plenty of nooks and crannies for the creamy ricotta and walnuts to settle.

Get the Grilled Zucchini With Ricotta & Walnuts recipe.

14

Homemade Cornbread

pan of homemade cornbread sliced into squares and topped with honey butter
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Here at Delish, we want our perfect cornbread to be thick, tender, just a little bit sweet, and not at all dry. We also believe that cornbread should be simple, a side you can whip up quickly to serve with chili or smoky beans that takes way less time than making homemade rolls. THIS is that perfect recipe.

Get the Homemade Cornbread recipe.

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15

Antipasto Potato Salad

antipasto potato salad tossed together with fresh basil and parsley
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: SIMON ANDREWS

Potato salad is about as classic a summer side as it gets, and we love experimenting with different flavor combinations. If you’re looking to lighten up your usual potato salad, look no further—this version is bursting with all the flavors of your favorite antipasto.

Get the Antipasto Potato Salad recipe.

16

Vinegar Coleslaw

vinegar coleslaw with purple cabbage, carrots, and poppy seeds
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: ERIKA JOYCE

To make this a truly vegan-friendly slaw, we use maple to bring out the veggies’ natural sweetness and Dijon mustard helps emulsify the oil and vinegar while adding a bit of a kick in the back of your throat. You might never make the mayo-based kind again!

Get the Vinegar Coleslaw recipe.

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17

Sheet-Pan Panzanella

sheet pan panzanella salad
Andrew bui

Panzanella—an Italian salad made with dried bread cubes—is one of the most delicious versions of salad. That's because it stars bread as the main ingredient rather than lettuce. (Perhaps this is why we love making panzanella as often as possible—with asparagus in spring, with tomatoes and zucchini in summer, and even with peaches and burrata, too.) As great as those version of panzanella are, we like this sheet pan version best.

Get the Sheet-Pan Panzanella recipe.

18

Watermelon Strawberry Caprese Salad

watermelon strawberry caprese with feta and mint
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

We took inspo from two summer salad staples—Caprese salad and watermelon feta salad—to create this best-of-both-worlds creation. In it, fresh strawberries combine with juicy watermelon, tangy feta, and fresh basil for an extra-sweet summer treat.

Get the Watermelon Strawberry Caprese Salad recipe.

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19

Mediterranean Pasta Salad

gemelli pasta tossed with chickpeas, bell pepper, cucumber, scallions, feta, olives, herbs, and tomatoes, then tossed in harissa mayo
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

This time around, pasta salad gets a Mediterranean twist, showcasing some of my favorite flavors from that corner of the globe. And the best part—although pasta salad is usually thought of as a side, the added protein from the chickpeas will make this easy to turn into a main.

Get the Mediterranean Pasta Salad recipe.

20

Grilled Romaine Caesar Wedge

grilled romaine lettuce wedge topped with caesar dressing and croutons on a white platter
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

If you've never grilled your greens before, you're in for a treat. Grilling romaine for this wedge salad gives them just a slight char that goes perfectly with Caesar dressing.

Get the Grilled Romaine Caesar Wedge recipe.

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