Meal Prep Resources Recipe Index

25+ Summer Side Dishes For Your Next BBQ

By Taylor Stinson | Rate Recipe | Posted: 07/10/23 | Updated: 10/17/24

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These healthy and easy summer sides are perfect for your next BBQ or picnic. Try everything from no-cook salads to grilled veggies!

A collage of 4 different summer sides with the text "Delicious Summer Side Dishes" layered over top.

The Best Summer Side Dishes

Looking for the best picnic and BBQ sides to make this summer? I’ve got you covered! I rounded up some of the best summer side dishes that are as easy to make as they are delicious. There are even no-cook options for days where it’s too hot to turn on the oven! From fresh salads to corn on the cob and baked potatoes, this round up of summer sides has something for everyone.

Want more summer inspiration? Check out these my favourite summer recipes, delicious corn recipes and healthy grilling recipes!

Salads

What is summer without some fresh and delicious salads? These salads are the perfect no-cook side to bring to your next BBQ or picnic.

Homemade Salad Dressings

5 Best Healthy Salad Dressing Recipes

These 5 healthy salad dressings will last in the fridge for up to 2 months! Try Italian, ranch, balsamic, honey mustard and ginger sesame.

Creamy pea salad in a large salad bowls with two wooden tongs in it.

The Best Creamy Pea Salad

This healthy Creamy Pea Salad is perfect for lunch or your next potluck! It's got fresh peas, bacon, cheese and the creamiest dressing.

Two bowls filled with kale salad topped with cooked halloumi cheese.

The Best Kale Salad on the Internet

This Kale Salad is the best meal prep lunch! It's got protein with lentils and halloumi cheese, lots of veggies and a tasty dressing.

Sweet potato salad

Healthy Sweet Potato Salad

This Healthy Sweet Potato Salad is the perfect summer dish to make ahead and bring to a potluck or picnic – it even has bacon in it!

A hand with a tortilla chip scooping up cowboy caviar from a bowl.

Ultimate Cowboy Caviar Recipe

This Cowboy Caviar recipe is a great vegetarian, high-protein lunch idea. It's got veggies, beans, and the best tangy dressing!

Broccoli Salad {High Protein + Meal Prep}

Broccoli Salad {High Protein + Meal Prep}

This High Protein Broccoli Salad is perfect for meal prep – it’s so filling with lentils, bacon and quinoa in a creamy dressing!

The BEST Arugula Salad

The BEST Arugula Salad

Inspired by Aroma Espresso Bar, this is the BEST Arugula Salad – it features lentils, sweet potatoes, and lemon-olive oil dressing. You can meal prep it, too!

The Ultimate Instant Pot Potato Salad via Eating Instantly

The Ultimate Instant Pot Potato Salad via Eating Instantly

The Ultimate Instant Pot Potato Salad comes together in less than 30 minutes with an easy dressing containing light mayo and fresh dill. The eggs and potatoes cook in the pressure cooker at the same time for easy clean up!

Cooked or Grilled Vegetables

Veggies go with anything, especially during the summer! These are my favourite vegetable sides. Bonus: you can cook most of them in the air fryer, on the grill or Instant Pot so they won't heat up your house!

Baked Buffalo Cauliflower

Baked Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe

This is the easiest ever Buffalo Cauliflower recipe – these delicious baked bites are a healthier vegetarian alternative to buffalo wings.

A plate of garlic parm air fryer asparagus.

Air Fryer Asparagus Recipe

This garlic parm Air Fryer Asparagus Recipe is going to become your next favourite side dish – it only takes 15 minutes and 5 ingredients!

Crispiest Green Bean Fries

Crispy Green Bean Fries

These Crispy Green Bean Fries are a delicious and healthy way to satisfy your french fry cravings – make them in the Air Fryer or the oven!

Low Carb Jicama Fries

Crispy Air Fryer Jicama Fries {Low Carb}

These Crispy Air Fryer Jicama Fries will satisfy all your fast food cravings without the carbs – you can make them in the oven too!

Crockpot Baked Potatoes

Easy Crockpot Baked Potatoes

These are the best Crockpot Baked Potatoes. They’re super easy to make – load them up with your favourite toppings for a yummy dinner!

Overhead shot of sweet potato fries with a side of dipping sauce

Healthy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries

These Healthy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries with chipotle dipping sauce are the ultimate side dish, and they're SO crispy!

Grilled Potatoes

Cheesy Grilled Foil Potatoes {Potato Nachos}

These Cheesy Grilled Foil Potatoes are potato nachos made easy on the BBQ. Just slice the potatoes, add on your toppings and grill!

Instant Pot Corn on the Cob via Eating Instantly

Instant Pot Corn on the Cob via Eating Instantly

This Instant Pot Corn on the Cob is SO easy and turns out perfect every time – plus I’ve included a bonus Mexican street corn seasoning for you to try!

Easy Instant Pot Cabbage and Bacon via Eating Instantly

Easy Instant Pot Cabbage and Bacon via Eating Instantly

This Easy Instant Pot Cabbage and Bacon is the ultimate side dish that’s ready in less than 20 minutes and made healthier with turkey bacon!

Lemon Herb Instant Pot Green Beans via Eating Instantly

Lemon Herb Instant Pot Green Beans via Eating Instantly

These Lemon Herb Instant Pot Green Beans are so easy to make. They’re tender crisp and seasoned with lemon, garlic and herbs.

Rice, Pasta & Other Grains

Want a heartier side to go with your grilled mains? Try anything on this list, ranging from cauliflower rice to pasta salad! Most of these sides cook hands-off so you'll have time to prep and cook your mains easily.

5 Easy Rice Recipes

5 Easy Rice Recipes to Spice Up Dinner

Looking for new ways to enjoy rice for dinner? These 5 delicious and easy rice recipes will add some flavor to your weeknight meals.

How to Make Cauliflower Rice 5 Ways

How to Make Cauliflower Rice {5 Ways}

Learn how to make cauliflower rice quickly and easily with or without a food processor! Plus, try one of these 5 seasoning ideas.

Instant Pot Pasta {Perfect Every Time} via Eating Instantly

Instant Pot Pasta {Perfect Every Time} via Eating Instantly

This Instant Pot Pasta turns out perfectly every time! I also included a bonus Caprese pasta salad recipe you’ll love.

Instant Pot Coconut Rice via Eating Instantly

Instant Pot Coconut Rice via Eating Instantly

This Instant Pot Coconut Rice is super flavourful thanks to the coconut milk. Top it with peanut chicken and mango salsa for a full meal!

Instant Pot Quinoa {+Burrito Bowl Idea!} via Eating Instantly

Instant Pot Quinoa {+Burrito Bowl Idea!} via Eating Instantly

Making quinoa in the Instant Pot is so easy—it’s perfect every time! Plus, get the recipe for my yummy vegetarian quinoa burrito bowl.

Instant Pot Farro {+Farro Bowl} via Eating Instantly

Instant Pot Farro {+Farro Bowl} via Eating Instantly

This Instant Pot Farro is super easy and comes together in just 15 minutes. Use the superfood grain to make a healthy and nutritious bowl!

Created by Taylor Stinson

Hey there, my name's Taylor! I’m the founder of The Girl on Bloor, a food blog where I share healthy meal prep recipes for busy people. I'm a busy city girl living in downtown Toronto on (you guessed it!) Bloor Street. I've got 10 years experience meal prepping, along with a Master's degree in journalism, and you can find my work across the internet featured on publications such as Buzzfeed, HuffPost, Women's Health, Reader's Digest and more. I'm also the founder of Dinner Prep Pro, which is a meal prep app and community that helps busy people get more time back, save money on food and reduce stress during the work week. Thanks for being here and I hope to inspire you with my recipes and meal planning tips!

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