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75 Summer Sides Perfect For Pairing With Burgers, BBQ & More

There's something for everyone.

By and Kelly Vaughan
watermelon cubes, feta, red onion, and mint in a bowl
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

Whether you're dining alfresco on the patio or are packing a picnic for the beach, summer dinners are all about the sides. Whether you're hosting a crowd or attending a potluck gathering, consider this your go-to list for the season. From pasta salads and potato salads to grilled vegetables and crisp salads, these recipes will be the star of your summer feast.

Summer ushers in all the best produce (looking at you, tomatoes, watermelon, and zucchini), and we see no reason not to eat our way through it all. Grab your biggest tote bag and get yourself to the farmers' market ASAP to stock up on the bounty of seasonal fruits and vegetables. From there, you can pair the produce with some of our top-tier sides like this watermelon-feta salad or riffs on a classic Caprese salad featuring juicy tomatoes and fragrant basil.

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 or potato salad (peep our antipasto potato salad) are light and bright. Plus, they 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. They're a lovely complement to heavier, charred bites like burgers, ribs, and hot dogs.

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

1

Classic Macaroni Salad

creamy macaroni salad with carrots, celery, and olives
PHOTO: NICO SCHINCO; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Macaroni salad is one of our favorite things to pair with pulled pork or ribs. Skip the deli-counter version and make our classic recipe using celery, tomatoes, and Kalamata olives.

Get the Classic Macaroni Salad recipe.

2

Grilled Potatoes

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

Burgers and fries might be a culinary power couple, but if you’re already using the grill for burgers, you can’t go wrong with these grilled potatoes. Cooked until lightly charred and drizzled with a bright green herb sauce, these simple spuds will make you wish every night was a cookout.

Get the Grilled Potatoes recipe.

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3

Tuscan Tortellini Salad

tortellini with salami, spinach, and sun dried tomatoes
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

This easy tortellini salad is guaranteed to impress at your next summer gathering. It's chockfull of cheese tortellini, chopped salami, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese.

Get the Tuscan Tortellini Salad recipe.

4

Watermelon Feta Salad

watermelon cubes, feta, red onion, and mint in a bowl
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

Watermelon + cucumbers is one of the most refreshing combos of all time. Throw in some mint, red onion, and feta and toss it all with a very simple vinaigrette (just olive oil + red wine vinegar), and you've got yourself a mean summer salad.

Get the Watermelon Feta Salad recipe.

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5

Cheddar Bacon Ranch Corn

grilled corn with melted cheddar, bacon, and a drizzle of ranch
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Your cookout isn't complete without corn on the cob. While we love the smoky, charred flavor of grilled corn, try amping it up with a trio of shredded cheddar, bacon, and ranch dressing.

Get the Cheddar Bacon Ranch Corn recipe.

6

Summer Couscous Salad

summer couscous salad with cucumber, tomato, avocado, and feta
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

A summer salad should be low effort. This couscous salad is just that, all while allowing the summer produce to really shine. Serve this with some grilled steak for a feel-good dinner that is so satisfyingly simple.

Get the Summer Couscous Salad recipe.

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7

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 salad delivers a charred flavor that goes perfectly with Caesar dressing.

Get the Grilled Romaine Caesar Wedge recipe.

8

Watermelon Caprese

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

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

Get the Watermelon Caprese recipe.

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9

Greek Chickpea Salad

creamy greek chickpea salad with crumbled feta
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

This protein-packed salad has all of the ingredients that you love from Greek salad—Kalamata olives, bell pepper, cucumbers, red onions, and feta cheese. It's substantial enough to be the main course or a hearty side dish.

Get the Greek Chickpea Salad recipe.

10

Homemade Cornbread

cornbread
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

A good piece of cornbread should be thick, tender, just a little bit sweet, and not at all dry. Whether you’re serving it plain or with honey butter, we can guarantee that you'll return to this recipe all summer long.

Get the Homemade Cornbread recipe.

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11

Baked Beans

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

It's not a cookout with baked beans. Skip the canned stuff and try our homemade version, which is equal parts sweet, tangy, and savory. Plus, it's a one-pot wonder!

Get the Baked Beans recipe.

12

Antipasto Potato Salad

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

Potato salad is a classic summer side dish, but we love experimenting with different flavor combinations. Inspired by a classic antipasto, this version features artichoke hearts, mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, black olives, and soppressata.

Get the Antipasto Potato Salad recipe.

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13

Watermelon Gazpacho

watermelon gazpacho
PHOTO: ANDREA MONZO; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Though we love a classic, tomato-based gazpacho, the addition of watermelon gives the soup a delicious subtle sweetness that we can't get enough of. Full of bright fruits and veggies, this no-cook soup is equal parts satisfying and refreshing.

Get the Watermelon Gazpacho recipe.

14

Panzanella Salad

a bowl of panzanella salad with basil and shallots
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Nothing says summer quite like a huge bowl of panzanella in the center of the table. Our recipe features generous golden-brown croutons, chunks of juicy tomato, shallots, and torn basil in a bright vinaigrette.

Get the Panzanella Salad recipe.

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15

Carrot Coin Salad

carrot coins tossed in a salad
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

This make-ahead carrot coin salad, tossed with a sweet-tangy sesame miso dressing, is a cool, crunchy side for summer. Pro tip: Slicing the carrots on a mandoline will yield the paper-thin 1/16" slices that you need here.

Get the Carrot Coin Salad recipe.

16

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. 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 addition of red onions and pickles.

Get the Classic Potato Salad recipe.

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17

Grilled Green Tomatoes

grilled green tomatoes
Andrea monzo

Green tomatoes are beloved for more than their pretty, pale color—they have a firm texture and a slightly tart flavor. This recipe combines the slightly tangy flavor of underripe tomatoes with the smoky char of the grill and tangy goat cheese.

Get the Grilled Green Tomatoes recipe.

18

Broccoli Caesar Pasta Salad

broccoli caesar pasta salad topped with crunchy croutons
PHOTO: ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Bright green broccoli is tossed with cavatappi, shredded Parm, and shards of crispy croutons in a silky homemade Caesar dressing for an unforgettable spin on the classic cookout staple.

Get the Broccoli Caesar Pasta Salad recipe.

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19

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

This may just be the prettiest preparation of zucchini ever. Skewered and grilled zucchini planks are topped with herby whipped ricotta and crunchy toasted walnuts in this easy, healthy side dish for summer.

Get the Grilled Zucchini With Ricotta & Walnuts recipe.

20

Vinegar Coleslaw

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

It's not a cookout without coleslaw. To make this vegan-friendly slaw, we use maple to enhance the natural sweetness of the vegetables and Dijon mustard to add a kick.

Get the Vinegar Coleslaw recipe.

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