Summer cookout bliss: 11 side dish recipes to steal the show

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Elevate your summer cookouts with these 11 show-stopping side dish recipes that are sure to impress. From vibrant salads to grilled delights, these dishes will leave your guests craving for more.

Cucumber melon salad on a plate with a serving spoon.
Cucumber Melon Salad. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Grilled Green Beans

Grilled Asian green beans on a plate with a lemon wedge.
Grilled Green Beans. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Elevate your summer cookout with these easy grilled green beans. With a smoky char flavor and a simple garlic soy sauce, they make a fantastic side dish that perfectly complements any summer meal.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Green Beans

Greek Pasta Salad

Greek pasta salad in a white bowl.
Greek Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Add a healthy spin to your summer cookout with this vibrant Greek pasta salad filled with fresh veggies, it’s a refreshing and nutritious twist on the classic side dish.
Get the Recipe: Greek Pasta Salad

Grilled Zucchini Stack

Grilled zucchini stacks with ricotta and green tomatoes on a plate.
Grilled Zucchini Stack. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Impress your guests with this delightful grilled zucchini stack featuring fresh ricotta and green tomatoes. Bursting with summer flavors, it’s a perfect addition to your cookout menu.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Zucchini Stack

Grilled Vegetable Orzo Salad

Grilled summer vegetables with orzo on a white plate with a fork.
Grilled Vegetable Orzo Salad. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Turn your summer vegetables into a sensational grilled vegetable orzo salad. Coated with a cherry balsamic glaze, this seasonal pasta salad can be served warm off the grill or chilled, making it a versatile and delicious side dish for your summer get-togethers.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Vegetable Orzo Salad

Garlic Basil Wax Beans

Wax beans with garlic and basil on a plate with a fork.
Garlic Basil Wax Beans. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Highlight the best of summer produce with these flavorful garlic basil wax beans. Simple yet delicious, they are the ideal side dish to showcase the freshness of your summer cookouts.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Basil Wax Beans

Creamy Avocado Zucchini Noodles

Zucchini noodles with creamy avocado sauce and cherry tomatoes in a bowl.
Creamy Avocado Zucchini Noodles. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Whip up a light and refreshing side dish with these creamy avocado zucchini noodles. Perfect for a summer meal, they offer a delightful combination of flavors that will satisfy your taste buds.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Avocado Zucchini Noodles

Cucumber Melon Salad

Cucumber melon salad on a plate with a serving spoon.
Cucumber Melon Salad. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Add a refreshing touch to your cookout spread with this cucumber melon salad. Featuring pickled onions and sweet cantaloupe, it pairs wonderfully with grilled meats, making it an ideal summer side dish.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Melon Salad

Eggplant Fries

Eggplant fries on a white plate with hummus as a dip.
Eggplant Fries. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Crispy and flavorful, these baked eggplant fries are a fantastic vegetable dipper for your summer cookouts. Coated in breadcrumbs, parmesan, and aromatic Italian spices, they will be a hit among your guests.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Fries

Roasted Stuffed Tomatoes

Cheesy stuffed heirloom tomatoes with herb garnish.
Roasted Stuffed Tomatoes. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Indulge in the flavors of late summer with these roasted stuffed heirloom tomatoes. Filled with a creamy cheese mixture and topped with garlic butter breadcrumbs, they make for an exquisite side dish.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Stuffed Tomatoes

Bruschetta Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Bruschetta hummus stuffed zucchini boats in a glass baking dish.
Bruschetta Hummus Stuffed Zucchini. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Enjoy the best of both worlds with these bruschetta stuffed zucchini boats. Topped with a simple bruschetta and a crispy panko basil crumb, they offer a delightful combination of flavors, perfect for summer cookouts.
Get the Recipe: Bruschetta Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Cheesy Zucchini Quinoa

Cheesy zucchini quinoa in a terracotta bowl topped with basil.
Cheesy Zucchini Quinoa. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Sneak in vegetables while satisfying your cheesy cravings with this deliciously comforting cheesy zucchini quinoa. Bursting with flavors, it’s a side dish that will please everyone at your summer cookouts.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Zucchini Quinoa

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