This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Everyone talks about what’s on the grill, but let’s be honest. Half the time it’s the sides that people are really there for. The potato salad that’s gone before the burgers even come off the grill. The slaw that somehow goes with everything. The baked beans someone always asks you to bring.
If you’re putting together a summer cookout spread and need to know what to make, you’re in the right place. I’ve pulled together my most trusted, most requested side dishes, the ones that travel well, feed a crowd, and have a way of disappearing faster than anything else on the table.
From creamy salads to classic Southern sides and everything in between, pick a few of your favorites and call it a spread. That’s really all it takes to make the whole cookout feel complete.
Cookout Dips and Appetizers
Set these out while the grill heats up and watch them disappear before the main event even starts. Every one of these is a crowd pleaser.
Antipasto Skewers Recipe
Loaded with all the good stuff — salami, cheese, olives, and fresh veggies on a stick. Easy to make, easy to eat, and always the first thing gone from the table.
From classic potato salad to cheesy casseroles and crispy skins, potatoes show up for a cookout in a big way. These are the ones worth making.
Southern Potato Salad
Creamy, perfectly seasoned, and made the way Southern potato salad is supposed to be made. This one disappears fast at every cookout, so make a double batch and don't say I didn't warn you.
A fresh twist on a classic. Bright, herby, and a little lighter than your usual potato salad. Great for when you want something a little different on the table.
Cold, satisfying, and perfect for feeding a crowd. These pasta salads hold up in the heat, travel well, and taste even better after they’ve had a little time to sit.
Easy Macaroni Salad Recipe
Cold, satisfying, and loaded with flavor. This one travels well, feeds a crowd, and gets better as it sits.
Light, fresh, and pretty enough to make the table look good. These are the sides that balance out the heavier dishes and always come home with an empty bowl.
Watermelon Arugula and Feta Salad
Juicy watermelon, peppery arugula, and creamy feta. Light, fresh, and pretty enough to make people stop and look before they dig in.
A big bowl of fresh summer berries tossed in a light sweet dressing. The easiest thing you can bring to a cookout and always one of the first things gone.
However you’re celebrating summer, the best cookout is the one where the food is good and the people around the table are even better. Pick a couple of these sides, add your favorite thing off the grill, and you’ve got yourself a spread worth coming back for.
Made one of these for your cookout? Drop it in the comments and tell me what landed on your table. I love hearing what’s cooking in your kitchen!
This five-minute appetizer is always a huge hit! Million Dollar Dip (Neiman Marcus Dip) is loaded with shredded cheddar cheese, fresh green onions, savory bacon pieces, and crunchy chopped pecans.
This Southern Potato Salad is a classic side dish for summer picnics and barbecues and easy to make with just 10 ingredients. Creamy and tangy, it's a recipe that will have many folks coming back for seconds!
This bold and creamy Blue Cheese Coleslaw is a flavorful twist on a classic side dish. Packed with crunchy cabbage, tangy dressing, and rich blue cheese, it’s perfect for BBQs, sandwiches, or a Southern-style luncheon. Easy to make ahead and even better after chilling!
This Classic Macaroni Salad is the best summer side dish recipe for any picnic or barbecue. Easy for anyone to make in about 30 minutes, chill it in the fridge until you're ready to serve for an effortless menu.
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad (Easy Creamy Elote Recipe)
This Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad (Elote Pasta Salad) combines smoky roasted corn, creamy lime dressing, fresh cilantro, and crumbled cheese tossed with tender pasta. It’s quick to make, easy to prep ahead, and perfect for cookouts, potlucks, or a simple weeknight side dish.
Baked Beans with Bacon and Brown Sugar are the best sweet, sticky, and savory beans ever. And this lip-smacking dish side dish is easy to make and always a hit!
If you’re looking for that dish—the one that vanishes first at every cookout, potluck, or game day—this Frito Corn Salad is it. It’s bold, creamy, crunchy, and totally irresistible. One bite, and you’ll see why folks always come back for seconds (and ask for the recipe!). It makes a great dip, too!
Grilled corn on the cob is a summer cookout staple, and knowing which method to use makes all the difference between tender, juicy kernels and dried-out disappointment. This guide covers all three ways to grill corn, husk-on, direct on the grates, and foil-wrapped, so your corn turns out perfect every single time.
These Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans are tender green beans cooked low and slow with bacon, onion, garlic, butter, and simple seasonings. They are easy to prep, full of savory flavor, and a great make-ahead side dish for Sunday dinner, holiday meals, or any time you need a hands-off vegetable.
This Broccoli Salad with Bacon is the ultimate make-ahead side dish that combines crunchy and creamy textures with sweet and savory flavors in every bite! It's a potluck favorite for good reason, and once you try this version, it'll become a regular in your recipe rotation.
Salty, sweet, and savory all in one delicious dish! This Southern Pea Salad Recipe only takes 15 minutes to make and uses simple ingredients. It’s a refreshingly delicious summer side dish, perfect for holidays and all other special occasions!
These Classic Deviled Eggs are an appetizer that's required on every table for any gathering in the South. My recipe has been passed down in my family for generations and I'm sharing all of my knowledge - from boiling the eggs perfectly, to making the creamiest filling with relish, so they will be beautiful every time.
Strawberry Pecan Salad with Mozzarella and Sweet Vinaigrette
Fresh and flavorful Strawberry Pecan Salad with Mozzarella and Honey Vinaigrette. Perfect for summer meals, this easy-to-make salad combines sweet strawberries, crunchy pecans, creamy mozzarella, and a tangy honey vinaigrette
Hi, I’m Nikki Lee. Here at Soulfully Made you will find delicious, home-cooked, easy recipes for all occasions. From speedy dinners to tasty desserts, with easy step-by-step instructions. I am here to help teach you how to make mouthwatering recipes without spending hours in the kitchen.
