21 sizzling sides: unleash the flavors of summer grilling

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Summer is in full swing, and that means it’s time to fire up the grill. But what to serve with your grilled meats and veggies? Try these 21 delicious and easy-to-make side dishes that are perfect to accompany summer grilling.

Pot of homemade baked beans on a wooden table.
Baked beans. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Grilled Baby Bok Choy

Hand holding grilled baby bok choy.
Grilled baby bok choy. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Bok choy is such a fun vegetable, but it is definitley underused. It’s absolutely delicious when you toss it on the grill for just a few minutes after mixing it with an easy Asian marinade. It pairs well with anything from burgers to chicken and more.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Baby Bok Choy

Spinach Orzo Salad

Spinach orzo salad in a glass bowl on a wooden table.

You will love this simple side dish that is far beyond any pasta salad you have ever tried. The savory ingredients get mixed into fresh hot orzo and spinach to create a perfect pairing for any meal.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Orzo Salad

Oven Roasted Potatoes with Spinach and Garlic

Oven roasted potatoes with spinach and goat cheese in a cast iron pot.
Roasted potatoes. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

This simple side dish is a great twist on plain old potatoes. The spinach is delicious and gives you some added veggies to this side dish that everyone loves, no matter what you pair it with.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Potatoes with Spinach and Garlic

Avocado Tomato Salad

Avocado tomato salad in a wooden bowl.
Avocado tomato salad. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Salad is so much more than just lettuce and dressing, and this avocado tomato salad proves that point. It’s a plethora of veggies tossed with romaine a fresh dressing you blitz together in your blender. Summer on a fork.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Tomato Salad

Homemade Smoky Baked Beans

Pot of homemade baked beans on a wooden table.
Baked beans. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Homemade baked beans are so much easier to make than you think. And the flavor you get compared to what you have when you open a can? You will fall in love with these sweet and smoky beans and never go back!
Get the Recipe: Homemade Smoky Baked Beans

Baked Kale Chips

Image shows a hand holding a baked kale chip over a bowl filled with more kale chips.
Baked Kale Chips. Photo credit: Honest and Truly

Experience the healthy and crispy delight of baked kale chips. Fresh kale leaves are seasoned, baked to perfection, resulting in a guilt-free snack that’s both nutritious and irresistibly crunchy.
Get the Recipe: Baked Kale Chips

Bacon Deviled Eggs

Bacon deviled eggs in a red platter.
Bacon deviled eggs. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

These Bacon Deviled Eggs are a snap to make, but they have so much more flavor than traditional deviled eggs. They are smooth and creamy, and it’s a perfect appetizer for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Deviled Eggs

Corn Fritters

Stack of three corn fritters on a small white plate.
Corn fritters. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Fritters are so tasty, and these pan fried corn fritters are easy to make and have a lightly sweet flavor from the kernals. You can use fresh or frozen corn, which means this isn’t limited just to a summertime appetizer.
Get the Recipe: Corn Fritters

Chipotle Grilled Corn on the Cob

Chipotle grilled corn cobs on a white tray.
Chipotle grilled corn. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Ignite your taste buds with this chipotle grilled corn recipe. Sweet and smoky, each tender ear of corn is infused with a chipotle-compound butter, and grilled to perfection for a mouthwatering side dish bursting with bold flavors.
Get the Recipe: Chipotle Grilled Corn on the Cob

Summer Pasta Salad

Overhead shot of Greek vegetable pasta salad in a silver bowl.
Summer Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Honest and Truly

Savor the taste of summer with this mayo-free pasta salad. This refreshing and light salad combines al dente pasta with fresh veggies like corn and tomatoes, plus tangy feta cheese, and a zesty dressing for a Mediterranean-inspired dish that’s perfect for picnics, barbecues, or as a satisfying side dish.
Get the Recipe: Summer Pasta Salad

Grown Up Mac and Cheese

Grown up mac and cheese in a casserole dish.
Mac and cheese. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that everyone loves. But sometimes, the classic mac and cheese can be a bit too bland. That’s where this grown-up baked mac and cheese with tomato and bacon comes in. This recipe takes the classic dish to the next level by adding in some tomatoes and crispy bacon.
Get the Recipe: Grown Up Mac and Cheese

Ratatouille with an Italian Flair

Italian ratatouille in a glass casserole dish.
Italian Ratatouille. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

This Italian inspired baked ratatouille is a colorful and flavorful vegetable dish that is perfect for a summer meal. Made with yellow squash, zucchini, and tomatoes, this dish is sure to please everyone at your table.
Get the Recipe: Ratatouille with an Italian Flair

Hearts of Palm Salad

Silver bowl with a veggie filled hearts of palm salad.
Hearts of palm salad. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

This light and refreshing hearts of palm salad is the perfect summer side dish. Made with fresh hearts of palm, tomatoes, cucumbers, and a light vinaigrette dressing, this salad is sure to please everyone at your table.
Get the Recipe: Hearts of Palm Salad

Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

Cheesy scalloped potatoes in a casserole dish on a blue wooden table.
Cheesy scalloped potatoes. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

These cheesy scalloped potatoes are the ultimate comfort food. Made with thinly sliced potatoes, a creamy white sauce, and plenty of cheese, these potatoes are sure to please everyone at your next cookout.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

Garlic Sesame Kale

Garlic sesame kale in a pot just cooked and ready to eat.
Garlic sesame kale. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

This garlic sesame kale is a healthy and flavorful side dish that is perfect for any meal. Made with fresh kale, garlic, and sesame oil, this dish is sure to please even the pickiest eaters and it pairs beautifully with any grilled meat.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Sesame Kale

Amish Potato Salad

creamy potato salad with eggs and mayonnaise.
Amish Potato Salad. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Amish potato salad is a delicious salad is the perfect blend of creamy and tangy, with a sweet dressing that tastes amazing.
Get the Recipe: Amish Potato Salad

Cheesy Grilled Potatoes and Onions

Grilled potatoes topped with cheese and bacon in a foil pan.
Cheesy Grilled Potatoes and Onions. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Fire up the grill for these mouthwatering cheesy grilled potatoes! Loaded with gooey cheese and smoky flavor, these delicious spuds will quickly become a backyard BBQ favorite.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Grilled Potatoes and Onions

Beet Cucumber Salad with Feta and Dill

Beet cucumber salad with feta and dill on a pink plate.
Beet Cucumber Salad with Feta and Dill. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

This beet and cucumber salad with feta and dill is packed with sweet, savory, earthy, tangy, and salty flavors. Crunchy cucumbers, tender cooked beets, and a fresh lemon vinaigrette combine to create a delicious beet salad you’ll crave.
Get the Recipe: Beet Cucumber Salad with Feta and Dill

Coleslaw

Low angled shot of coleslaw in a black bowl.
Coleslaw. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

This creamy coleslaw recipe is crisp and bright, tangy and a little sweet, and seasoned with just the right hit of spice and salt.
Get the Recipe: Coleslaw

Mexican Corn Salad

Overhead shot of two bowls of Mexican corn salad with lime wedges and forks on the side.
Mexican Corn Salad. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

This Mexican Corn Salad has all the flavors of street stall corn on the cob—sweet corn, creamy butter, freshly squeezed lime juice, diced Jalapeños, chili flakes, and cheese.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Corn Salad

Golden Baked Jicama Fries

Golden baked jicama fries garnished with parsley on a plate.
Golden Baked Jicama Fries. Photo credit: Plays Well With Butter.

These Golden Baked Jicama Fries are cooked in the oven and are a perfect low-carb side dish for weeknight dinners. To make them, you’ll prepare the fries by first boiling them in water, seasoning, and then baking them in the oven.
Get the Recipe: Golden Baked Jicama Fries

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