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56 Memorial Day Side Dishes Perfect For BBQs, Picnics & More

Kick off summer with the BEST sides ever.

By and Jillian Elliott
pasta salad tossed in a creamy sauce, corn, and cilantro
PHOTO: ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Memorial Day is the best time to set a precedent for an awesome season ahead. No matter how you’re celebrating the unofficial start of summer, whether you’re throwing a BBQ, having a picnic, or just enjoying a chill outdoor dinner on your grill, you’ve got to do it right. We think the best way to guarantee a stellar meal is to not skimp on the sides—they might be even more important than all those burgers and dogs. We’ve got 56 side dish ideas to help you kick off summer right—they’re perfect for Memorial Day, and all summer long.

It’s hard for us to imagine summer without some of our favorite BBQ sides, like potato salad, pasta salad, and grilled veggies, so we’ve filled this list with them. We’ve got classic options here, like our Southern potato salad or our macaroni salad, as well as some flavorful spins, like our Greek chickpea salad (no mayo!), Mexican street corn pasta salad, our gnocchi antipasto salad, or our jalapeño popper potato salad. We’ve also got a number of crowd-pleasing veggie and bean salads here. Check out our black bean & corn salad, our antipasto chickpea salad, or our Greek salad, then be prepared to share your secrets—we get asked for these recipes whenever we share them!

You can’t talk about summertime veggies without talking about the trifecta of seasonal perfection—corn, zucchini, and tomatoes. We’re shining a spotlight on some of our most classic recipes for them here, like our grilled zucchini, our grilled corn on the cob, or our tomato salad, but don’t feel like you’ve gotta limit yourself to just those. Their season will be over before you know it, so get as creative with them as you can. Not a huge fan of veggies (or have some picky guests)? Try pairing them with carbs, like in our mac & cheese stuffed zucchini, our tomato gnocchi kebabs, or our skillet cornbread. They’re guaranteed to get even the pickiest of eaters on board.

Want even more Memorial Day inspiration? Check out our favorite grilling recipes, our best Memorial Day salads, and our sweetest Memorial Day desserts too.

1

Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

pasta salad tossed in a creamy sauce, corn, and cilantro
PHOTO: ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Elote and pasta salad are two classic cookout sides for good reason. Elote gives that grilled, charred flavor that every grill out needs, while pasta salad is the easy, reliable side dish that everyone thanks you for. We love both of these summer sides so much, we decided to combine them for the ultimate potluck dish.

Get the Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad recipe.

2

Classic Coleslaw

classic coleslaw tossed in a creamy, mayo based dressing
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

A classic, staple side dish to rely on, coleslaw is a must when it comes to summer BBQs, potlucks, and picnics. Whether you’re hungry for a last-minute side dish or the perfect topping to your meal (we’re looking at you, chicken burgers), follow our top tips to ace this dish.

Get the Classic Coleslaw recipe.

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3

Broccoli Caesar Pasta Salad

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

If Caesar salad took a vacation to the Midwest, she would become this broccoli Caesar pasta salad. Bright green crisp-tender 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.

4

Avocado Salsa

diced avocado tossed with tomato, fresh corn, red onion, jalapeno, cilantro, and lime juice, served with tortilla chips
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: FRANCESCA ZANI

Step aside, guacamole—this avocado salsa is my new favorite dip. Creamy, just-ripe avocados are tossed with chopped tomatoes, jalapeño, red onion, sweet corn, and tons of chopped fresh cilantro to create this refreshing hybrid dip that your tortilla chips will thank you for. Serve this at your summer party with some chips and margs.

Get the Avocado Salsa recipe.

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5

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.

6

Green Goddess Pasta Salad

pasta with chickpeas, asparagus, and cucumbers tossed in a green goddess dressing
PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

This side is bright green with a zesty, super-fresh green goddess dressing and some extra veggies mixed in to make it feel more like a hearty salad than a pasta dish. Don’t worry though—there’s still plenty of pasta. Whether you’re a green goddess super fan or just love fresh summer sides, this pasta salad is here to shake up your potluck game.

Get the Green Goddess Pasta Salad recipe.

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7

Elote: Mexican Street Corn

elotes mexican street corn on a sheet pan
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Elote is an unbelievably popular Mexican antojito (little craving) that you can find sold on the street in Mexico. It's often served on a stick, though you could skip the skewer and make it the same way you'd boil or oven bake regular corn on the cob.

Get the Elote: Mexican Street Corn recipe.

8

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.

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9

Crispy Zucchini Stacks

layers of tender zucchini roasted with parmesan and gruyere, garlic, and fresh thyme, then topped with crispy panko bread crumbs and baked until golden brown
PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

If you love our viral recipe for potato au gratin stacks, these cheesy, crispy zucchini stacks need to be next on your list. They’ve got layers of tender zucchini roasted with Parmesan and Gruyère, garlic, and fresh thyme, then topped with crispy panko bread crumbs and baked until golden brown.

Get the Crispy Zucchini Stacks recipe.

10

Tomato Salad

sliced tomatoes with red onions and feta and herbs
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

You might say to-may-to and you might say to-mah-to, but no matter how you say it, a tomato salad is a summertime classic. With juicy tomatoes, a simple red wine vinaigrette, thinly sliced red onion, herbs, and crumbled feta, this salad is like the little black dress of the season.

Get the Tomato Salad recipe.

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11

Grilled Corn On The Cob

grilled corn on the cob closeup
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI

This is our simplest, easiest recipe, but the flavor combo options are endless—check out the rest of our grilled corn ideas too.

Get the Grilled Corn On The Cob recipe.

12

Tuscan Tortellini Salad

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

This easy tortellini salad is the only pasta salad we bring to potlucks. It's quick and simple with an easy homemade vinaigrette that will make it stand out among a sea of basic macaroni salads. Plus, you just can't beat cheesy tortellini.

Get the Tuscan Tortellini Salad recipe.

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13

Grilled Romaine Wedge

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

Hail, Caesar—ahem—salad! Wildly popular and extremely simple to make, the classic Caesar salad gets a glow grill up in this recipe. The idea of grilled lettuce may leave you scratching your head, but trust us, it’s a game-changer.

Get the Grilled Romaine Wedge recipe.

14

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, which is why it's such a disappointment when it's too dry or soggy. Not to fear—this recipe guarantees perfection ever time.

Get the Classic Macaroni Salad recipe.

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15

Grilled Brie With Wine

grilled brie with wine
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: Taylor Ann SPENCER

Gooey oven-baked brie will always be one of my favorite apps, but in the summertime, we really can't be bothered to fuss with puff pastry or even turn on my oven. Enter: this grilled brie appetizer that might just outshine its inspiration. To give this classic appetizer a summery twist, you'll cook it on the grill.

Get the Grilled Brie With Wine recipe.

16

Tomato Gnocchi Kebabs

tomato gnocchi kebabs with red onion and salsa verde
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS

Sure, gnocchi is amazing served in a bowl with a sauce, but have you ever had nicely browned gnocchi taken straight off the grill? We’re here to tell you that the crispy-chewy texture is something that you simply have to try.

Get the Tomato Gnocchi Kebabs recipe.

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17

Summer Panzanella

bestever summer panzanella
Andrew bui

Panzanella is a salad that truly tastes like summer. It's one that you want to make in peak season—when the tomatoes are extra juicy, the squash slightly sweet, and the basil extra cheap.

Get the Summer Panzanella recipe.

18

Grilled Broccoli

grilled broccoli
PARKER FEIERBACH

Summer is here, and for me, that means one thing: I'm grilling everything. From potluck sides to grilled fruit (yes, really!), I bring the grill out for anything and everything. One of my favorite crowd-pleasing side dishes to almost any summer dinner? Grilled broccoli. Seasoned with a spicy-sweet sauce and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, this charred veggie shines.

Get the Grilled Broccoli recipe.

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19

Whipped Mozzarella Dip with Burst Cherry Tomatoes

whipped mozzarella dip with burst cherry tomatoes
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

This dip is not just mozzarella: ricotta and heavy cream join in to make an epic base for the juicy cherry tomatoes and dollops of pesto too. Bonus: This summer-y dip goes with all your favorite Memorial Day mains (try it on top of a burger, mmm).

Get the Whipped Mozzarella Dip with Burst Cherry Tomatoes recipe.

20

Grilled Peach Salad

lettuce topped with grilled peach slices, tomatoes, toasted hazelnuts and creamy buttermilk dressing
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

With so much juiciness and just a hint of acidity, peaches—like their summery friend the tomato—are amazing in all sorts of salads. Next up on our peach salad agenda? This summery spin on the iconic wedge salad.

Get the Grilled Peach Salad recipe.

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