A barbecue is always good news! While the main event tends to be the meat, great hosts don't neglect the side dishes. Take our classic grazing platter, for example. Don't just serve up a soggy supermarket salad or a loaf of garlic bread. With just a little bit of care and attention, your BBQ sides can be a real triumph.
The best sides for your next BBQ
One thing's for sure—you can never have too much food at a barbecue! There’s no such thing as over-catering when you have sides like these BBQ pulled chicken & black‑bean nachos or our Greek garlic chicken & haloumi mezze platter. Your guests will probably be happy to take some food home if necessary, or you can keep it for yourself. When it comes to side dishes, you should have at least three or four options. Choose something that fits each of these categories:
- Something crunchy. A fresh green salad is a good option here, making the most of the summer's vegetables.
- Something creamy. Potato or pasta salad with a mayonnaise dressing could work here, or go for coleslaw.
- Something with bread. Garlic bread is the classic choice, either in a baguette or as a flatbread.
- Grilled vegetables. Try whole corn on the cob, wrapped tightly in foil, or Mediterranean vegetables like thickly sliced peppers, courgettes and aubergine.
- Something for dipping. Go for a selection of tasty dips or, if you want an all-American barbecue, serve a pot of baked beans.
Top tip: Make your life easy by serving side dishes that all your guests can eat. That means leaving out chopped ham or anchovies from your salads if you're catering to vegetarians. This will keep things a lot simpler than serving multiple side dishes.
Putting together the perfect BBQ salad
It's always a good idea to serve at least two large bowls of salad at a barbecue. That way, all of your guests can mix and match. You'll probably be hosting the event in summer, which is the best time of year to find veggies that burst with flavour. Look for perfectly ripe tomatoes, and try experimenting with different leafy greens, not just boring old iceberg lettuce!
Adding protein to a barbecue salad is a good strategy. This is great for vegetarian guests, and it'll also help your meat dishes stretch further, as it will fill people up. A black bean & rice salad can be served with or without shredded chicken and is always a crowd-pleaser.
Grilled veggies and other BBQ side dishes
If you've got space on the grill, you can also try cooking some vegetables to serve as side dishes. In any BBQ recipe collection, you'll find ideas for great grilled vegetables that will satisfy both meat eaters and vegetarians.
Try skewering chunks of multicoloured peppers, courgettes and onions on bamboo skewers (soak the skewers for an hour first to stop splinters forming) to make fun kebabs. Some vegetables, such as corn on the cob or sweet potatoes, can be wrapped in foil and cooked on the barbecue. Just remember to cook them on a separate part of the grill from the meat, especially if you have vegetarian guests.
BBQ side ideas: serve up a platter
One of the best ways to serve sides at a barbecue is as a platter. Take inspiration from the lamb or chicken mezze platters that are so popular around the Mediterranean. You can offer a selection of dips and dippers, salads, and other dishes. That way, you can let your guests pick and choose!
Consider the other dishes you're serving. This summer sides party platter, with its mouthwatering spread and velvety hummus, will go well with a European-style barbecue. A Middle Eastern grazing platter works perfectly if you're looking for side dishes like flatbread, falafel or baba ganoush.
Hints and tips for the best BBQ sides
Here are a few essential tips to ensure your BBQ sides are a success:
- Check that your meat and sides go well together. If you're using spicy or strongly flavoured marinades and rubs, go for simple flavours in your side dishes. On the other hand, if your meat is simply seasoned, you can choose bolder flavours in the side dishes.
- Consider a common theme. For example, you could go for an Indian-inspired barbecue and serve poppadoms and chutneys, or a Mexican theme with spicy meat, bean salad and guacamole.
- Ensure you have enough serving spoons for every side dish, or you risk getting the flavours mixed up.
- Draw inspiration from your food subscription box. Meal subscriptions are a great way to test-drive new recipes and see if they're suitable for entertaining.
BBQ Side Dishes FAQs
What sides go with BBQ chicken wings?
Many people love spicy BBQ chicken wings. If you're turning up the heat with your meat, opt for cooling side dishes like raita or cucumber and tomato salad. Go for a salad with simple flavours, so it doesn't compete with the BBQ coating on the chicken.
What complements a barbecue?
Barbecue meat goes particularly well with fresh side dishes bursting with flavour. Green salad, bean salad and potato salad are all popular choices. Grilled vegetables like corn on the cob, peppers and mixed veggie kebabs also work well at a barbecue.
How many BBQ sides should you serve per person?
Giving a choice of three to four side dishes is a good idea. Serve more than enough, particularly if you have vegetarian guests who can't enjoy the meaty mains. Remember, it's better to have food left over than to run out!
What vegetables are good with a barbecue?
All kinds of fresh vegetables go well with a barbecue. If you want to cook veggies on the grill, try whole corn on the cob wrapped in foil or mixed peppers. Baked sweet potatoes are also a nice idea.
What are the best BBQ sides?
For good BBQ sides, look for a variety of dishes with different textures. Try something creamy (like potato or pasta salad) alongside something crunchy (like a fresh green salad) and something bready, and look for flavours that will complement your choice of meat. If you have strongly flavoured BBQ marinades and rubs, go for simpler side dishes.