87 BBQ Side Dishes That Are Better Than the Main Event

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, vegetarian
• Serves: 6 to 8

"Maybe no one at your cookout can agree on hot dogs versus burgers, or blueberry versus cherry pie," former PureWow senior food editor Katherine Gillen writes. "But we can all agree on this: Ranch dressing is delicious, and it deserves a spot on the table." This herbaceous spin on potato salad will win you over at first bite.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, make ahead, vegan
• Serves: 8

If you've never pickled onions (or vegetables) before, summer's a great time to start. They add a punch of vinegary bliss to everything from tacos to burgers to salads. "Feel free to play with the ingredients here," Gillen urges. "Cider vinegar or rice vinegar would be lovely, and any sweetener will do."

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <30 minutes, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 6

Olive oil, fresh herbs and a few pantry staples can transform plain yogurt into a spectacular, photo-worthy dish. "For a thicker yogurt dip with the most pronounced swirl of oil, choose a naturally thick Greek yogurt—such as Fage—or swap in sour cream or labneh," Gillen recommends. It'd pair especially well with seared steak or saucy ribs.

• Time Commitment: 6 hours and 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, one pot, slow cooker recipe
• Serves: 6

The barbecue doesn't start until a big batch of this shows up. And because it's made in the Crockpot, the recipe couldn't be any easier to pull off. Don't be shy with the dark brown sugar—it curbs the acidity of key ingredients, like ketchup and cider vinegar, just right.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, vegan, kid-friendly
• Serves: 6 to 8

Take your tastebuds on a tropical getaway. "We char onions, tomatoes, jalapeños and mangoes to bring out some serious flavor," former PureWow food editor Heath Goldman explains. "Then, we dice and lightly season those grill-marked goodies and we're ready to dig in." This limey, spicy condiment is just as delicious with chips as it is piled on top of grilled chicken or fish.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, one pan, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 6 to 8

There’s no wrong way to serve a potato, but these roasted spuds topped with bacon, cheese, sour cream and chives just seem extra right. Use them in lieu of fries or roasted potatoes, and serve them on a baking sheet for minimal mess.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 3 to 5

"These corn cakes are to beans and barbecue what tortilla chips are to salsa and guacamole—the perfect vessel for scooping up food," cookbook authors Ed and Ryan Mitchell say. If you don’t have a smoker at home, add a few dashes of liquid smoke to the butter or use smoked sea salt in place of the kosher salt.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 6

"Instead of boiling the ears and then dousing them with butter and salt, make this recipe for grilled corn drizzled with spicy aioli," Goldman explains. Cook the corn in its husk on the grill until it gets some drool-worthy char marks.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, vegan, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 8

So pretty, so easy and oh-so tasty. The crumbled goat cheese offers salty bursts of flavor against tangy balsamic dressing and mild black rice. (You could substitute quinoa or farro too, if you have some left over—or any grain, really.)

• Time Commitment: 55 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegan, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 6

"If you're cooking a bunch of different vegetables on the same skewer, they'll cook unevenly and the smaller, thinner veggies will be done faster," Goldman explains. "These rainbow vegetable skewers contain one ingredient each, so they'll grill to perfection." Problem solved.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, kid-friendly
• Serves: 4 to 6

Your burger is crying out for these crispy spuds, coated in a ridiculously simple seasoning mix that hits every damn time. Think garlic powder, cayenne and grated Parmesan cheese. Go ahead—make a double batch.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
• Serves: 6

The kids will need lots of energy before dominating the cornhole board. Enter this protein-packed app, which is even tastier when plated with mini pita or Greek salad. It's a great appetizer to serve before the heavier proteins make their debut.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 40

Weenies get enough attention at the cookout. That's why you should swap the minis for tiny pieces of carrot, which are wrapped in store-bought pizza dough and sprinkled with sesame seeds. Just wait until you try the green goddess dip.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, one pan
• Serves: 9

You're going to get a real kick (see what I did there?) out of the spicy Fresno chiles. Jalapeños work, too, if that's all you can find. Drizzle each slice of this BBQ side dish with honey and melted butter before devouring.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 6

It doesn't get simpler than store-bought flatbread and shaved, in-season vegetables. Let the barbecue in on the fun and cook the summer pizza right on the grill.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: one pot, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 6

Pulled pork's best friend is easier to whip up than you think. Take this one-pot dinner, made with only seven ingredients in 30 minutes. "The trick is to boil the pasta in milk (the natural starches in the pasta help thicken the sauce), then stir in butter and cheese," Gillen notes. You're welcome.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, high protein, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 6

This version honors the traditional recipe while simultaneously upgrading it. "I take elements of a classic salade Niçoise and the ensalada mixta I grew up with, and add my own twist with fried capers and dill," recipe creator Aran Goyoaga continues. I'll bring the Chardonnay.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, one pan, kid-friendly
• Serves: 10

This no-frills BBQ side dish just got a fancy makeover. The cherry tomatoes and green onions turn soft and savory in the oven as the cornbread bakes. Alfresco dinner on the patio, anyone?

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, one pan, vegetarian
• Serves: 6

Let's be real: I'm going to have *at least* two servings of mac and cheese at the picnic. So, why not add cauliflower florets to make it healthy? (Well, healthy-ish, anyway.) Just assemble, bake, cover with foil and hit the road.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, pescatarian, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 8

No matter how stacked my plate is, I'll *always* have room for these tiny summer sandwiches. Think buttery brioche stuffed with zingy, creamy lobster salad, complete with celery, scallions and fresh herbs.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, kid-friendly
• Serves: 48

Aka the most kid-friendly pantry recipe of all time. "If you've got picky eaters who aren't into onions, you can always sub it for a quarter teaspoon of onion powder," PureWow VP of editorial Candace Davison notes. "It adds a little savory flavor, no crunch. I’m also a fan of using chili powder instead of cayenne for more of a smoky note." Might I suggest serving the leftovers as a brag-worthy post-camping snack?

• Time Commitment: 2 hours and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, vegetarian
• Serves: 4o

Who said you need to wait until Christmas to serve hot, melty Brie? I'll take mine wrapped in four-ingredient pretzel dough, thanks. Dip them in nacho cheese, whole-grain mustard or nothing at all.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: one pot, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 8

Sticky, sweet, smoky perfection. This Southern-inspired BBQ side dish starts with thick-cut bacon and baked peaches, not to mention maple syrup and your favorite bourbon.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, vegetarian
• Serves: 8

There are endless options when it comes to this gooey powerhouse. Kale, spinach, collards and mustard greens are all fair game, and the dairy aisle is your oyster (though the recipe recommends extra-sharp cheddar, Gruyère, Emmentaler and fontina). The results will be drool-worthy regardless.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, vegetarian
• Serves: 6 to 8

You'd never know it, but the tangy yogurt dip is totally dairy-free and vegan-friendly. As for the zhoug, it's a breeze to prepare from scratch, but I won't tell if you save time by using your favorite store-bought brand instead.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian
• Serves: 20

This old-school party appetizer gets a green twist, thanks to avocado and minced chives. Serve them at the start of the barbecue or bookmark them for Sunday brunch.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 8

Sandwich, meet your cutest salad bowl. Swap bread for pasta to make this crunchy-creamy BBQ side dish, inspired by the classic handheld. Having tested the recipe myself, I suggest using a pasta type with ridges so the noodles can better hold the dressing.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, pescatarian
• Serves: 6

These Vietnamese beauties offer serious refreshment after a few rounds of kickball. Load 'em up with everything from lettuce to carrot to mint before stuffing them with shrimp and wrapping them closed.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, one pot, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

Combine two of your favorite things for a new take on a barbecue classic. The buttery avocado adds one more layer of cozy decadence to all that melted white cheddar. I wouldn't mind a dash or two of pickled jalapeño brine in the mix, either.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, dairy free
• Serves: 4 to 6

Not only does using yellow tomatoes instead of traditional red result in a milder, less acidic gazpacho, but the addition of ripe summer peaches also gives the soup a subtle sweetness you'll love. Prep the produce the night before, then blend the ingredients together in less than ten minutes, right before serving.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 8 to 10

Sayonara, mayo. I'd recommend using Greek yogurt to make this BBQ side dish super creamy and tangy, but mayo is a fine alternative in a pinch. Pass the ribs, please.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, no cook, high protein, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 4 to 6

This easy lunch idea was overdue for an update. Start by adding chunks of buttery avocado. Then, cut back on the mayo to make way for tangy rice vinegar and fresh dill. Prepare it a day or two ahead of the cookout for maximum convenience.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 6

All of your antipasto favorites in one bowl—it's a beautiful thing. Skip hearty red sauce for a lighter take with Italian essentials, like rosemary and marinated artichoke hearts. Most importantly, make it ahead so the pasta can soak up as much of the balsamic vinegar dressing as possible before the meal.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, no cook, one bowl, high protein
• Serves: 6

Lunch never looked so good. "The recipe calls for the meat from a rotisserie chicken, but since chicken sizes can vary, I would aim for about three cups of cubed chicken—whether you use a rotisserie chicken or cook it yourself," Gillen writes. Serve the peppers as sides for ribs or steak and take the leftovers to work all week.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian
• Serves: 6

Pass on tri-color spirals. This pretty pasta is easy for guests to scoop and packed with baby spinach, peas and Parmesan. Add chopped roasted almonds for crunch, or sub sautéed leeks and ramps for peas and spinach.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, <30 minutes, vegetarian
• Serves: 8

Stand back, cabbage: Let some other greens in on the slaw game. It's like a vegan Caesar salad with a creamy dressing made from sunflower seeds and almonds. "Seed and nut butters work instead of the soaked seeds and nuts if that's easier, but choose a gentle, ideally untoasted one," recipe creator Anna Jones notes.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, make ahead
• Serves: 10

I never get tired of this party staple. Not only is it a breeze to put together, but you can make it up to 12 hours ahead of the picnic. Serve it with tortilla chips, pita chips or vegetables, or use it on steak and grilled chicken tacos.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, <30 minutes
• Serves: 6

Serve it hot, serve it cold. Either way, this BBQ side dish boasts a ton of protein, fiber and healthy fat, thanks to beans and avocado. A squeeze of lime gives it the touch of brightness it needs.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: gluten free, <10 ingredients, dairy free
• Serves: 8

These potential burger buns have a secret: Thanks to riced cauliflower and almond flour, they're totally gluten-free. But don't worry, the rolls still have an uncanny bread-like crumb to them that the carb lovers at the cookout will love.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, make ahead
• Serves: 10 to 12

When in doubt, a big board of easy snacks is a guaranteed home run. Savor Spanish finger foods, like Ibérico ham, chorizo, manzanilla olives and Manchego cheese, with a pitcher of sangria.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, crowd-pleaser, make ahead, kid-friendly, <30 minutes
• Serves: 8 to 10

The trick to this savory, spicy BBQ side dish? Shredding the cheddar cheese by hand. Pre-shredded cheese is packaged with additional ingredients to prevent clumping, so shredding your own guarantees a creamy, velvety texture.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, make ahead
• Serves: 6

Any pasta topped with lemon-garlic bread crumbs is my kind of pasta. And with all that bacon, the kids won't even mind the broccoli, promise. Believe it or not, this make-ahead gem tastes just as good cold as it does warm.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian
• Serves: 8

Grain bowls can be made with much more than just rice. Meet millet, a nutty, mild alternative that's closer to couscous in texture than quinoa. It's also a healthy (and gluten-free) grain that cooks quickly, due to its small size.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, kid-friendly, make ahead
• Serves: 4 to 6

Avocado takes over for traditional egg in the dressing, so count on this pasta salad being creamier than expected. Go ahead and make a second batch of the Caesar base for dunking veggies, pretzels and pita bread.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

"I love the bright, briny flavor of capers and the texture they add to dishes," recipe creator Yumna Jawad writes. "But let me tell you: When fried, they might actually be even more amazing. They lose some of their pungency and become crisp, light and almost nutty." That said, skip the frying and add them straight from the jar if you're pressed for time.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, vegan, no cook
• Serves: 6

Lettuce, schmettuce. This refreshing, leaf-free salad has only five ingredients. And it's just what you (and your guests) need after a long, hot day in the backyard. Stir in a dollop of sour cream for a richer texture.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, vegan
• Serves: 6

Hard to pronounce (hi-kuh-muh), easy to eat. Think of jicama as a cross between an apple and a pear. Serve the slaw as a side salad, perhaps with grilled fish, or on top of turkey burgers.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, vegan
• Serves: 6

See ya, mayonnaise. Go beyond gloppy, store-bought slaw with this vinegar-based beauty, starring lots of crunchy veggies and Dijon-Greek yogurt vinaigrette. P.S.: It comes together in a flash and can be made up to four hours in advance.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, no cook, vegan, gluten free
• Serves: 4

I'll never get sick of pasta, but spiralized cucumbers are hands-down more refreshing. Thanks to the tangy tahini-soy dressing, you won't miss wheat noodles one bit. Start with store-bought zucchini noodles instead if you're feeling lazy.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegan, gluten free, beginner-friendly, no cook
• Serves: 4

Obsessed with the peanut sauce at your go-to Thai restaurant? You can make your own with five pantry staples that you likely have in your kitchen right now. (Spoiler: The secret ingredient is sweet chili sauce.)

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, vegan, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 4

Who said soup has to be hot? Cool off with a bowl of this tomato-based gem. All you need is 15 minutes and a blender—no oven (or heat of any kind) required.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, vegan, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 8

No one's passing on this pretty-in-pink dip. And you're only seven ingredients and 15 minutes away. Serve this BBQ side dish with crackers, raw veggies or pita chips for good measure.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

Cold soup is one of my favorite summer appetizers because it doesn't require you to stand over a sweltering hot stove to prepare it. This beauty comes together in a flash with the help of a blender.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, no cook, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 4

A no-cook accompaniment that's as elegant as it is delicious? Where do I sign? The Caesar-like dressing stars anchovy, which is paired with smashed garlic for sharpness, lemon for acidity and Dijon mustard for dairy-free creaminess. 

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, no cook, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 6

Take your pick of oranges, clementines, tangerines, grapefruits and pomelos, slice them up and arrange them to your liking. You can also trade citrus for melon, if you want to make the most of the summer farmers market.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, one pan, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

"It has everything you want (cheese, fluffy crust, garlic) and a bit of what you need (green vegetables) because balance is my number one motto," Gillen claims. Might I suggest a crispy prosciutto crown for good measure?

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 8

Sure, you can serve this briny bowl of deliciousness with toasted bread or pita chips. But what I'm really psyched for is spreading it onto my first burger of the season. "It’s just as elegant as an elaborate charcuterie spread and comes together in all of 30 minutes," Gillen raves.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, vegan, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
• Serves: 4 to 6

Whether you're serving mussels, ribs, burgers or summer chicken, this three-ingredient BBQ side dish pairs well with just about everything. (Don't panic about the frying: The fries are so tiny that you'll only need a little bit of oil to get the job done.)

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegan, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4

Bust out the tortilla chips, because the guac is always first to go at the cookout. Roast the peppers and corn in the oven or char them on the grill to infuse this appetizer with a delectable touch of smoke.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

This simple dish is bursting with summer flavor (and it doesn’t look too shabby, either). Load up on zucchini at the farmers market to spice up this veggie-heavy spin on a tomato classic.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian
• Serves: 8 to 10

Charred bread topped with melted cheese and tangy, balsamic-marinated strawberries? Oh, you fancy. Most importantly, it'll only take you 45 minutes to assemble, despite its Insta-worthy appearance.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

Fact: Everything tastes better when it’s on a stick, and these barbecued bites are no exception. The recipe suggests trading tomatoes for cubed watermelon here, but either combo will work.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: one pan, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 12

I'm picturing a slice of this nestled on a paper plate between big scoops of pulled pork and mac and cheese. In case it's an outdoor brunch you're cooking, it also pairs beautifully with mimosas and bellinis. Just sayin'.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, vegan, one pan
• Serves: 4

Roasting is the secret to crispy veggies, adding a nice note of caramelization as well. The Thai-inspired almond butter sauce takes it over the top, thanks to toasted sesame oil, soy sauce, sriracha and lime juice.

• Time Commitment: 55 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, one pan, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4

Forget the mayo-drenched elbow macaroni of cookouts past. Combine cherry tomatoes, thin-sliced summer squash and lots of ricotta and Pecorino Romano instead for an easy win that's newbie-friendly.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: vegan, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4

Hit a Parisian café without ever setting foot on a plane, courtesy of this BBQ side dish. Substitute canned tuna with extra veggies (hello, green beans, arugula, potatoes and radishes), then add curry and Dijon vinaigrette. Très chic.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

When the weather gets warm, I try to work juicy peaches into my meals as often as possible. Here, they're grilled alongside tangy halloumi cheese and tossed in basil-lemon dressing before being paired with plenty of greens and tender-crisp veggies.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein, pescatarian, kid-friendly
• Serves: 4

Could you serve these for the main course? Yes. Am I eating two of them before digging into burgers and dogs? Also yes. Bring on the lime-kissed sour cream, amigas.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegan, <30 minutes, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

If you haven't been introduced to crunchy garlic chile oil yet, now's the time. Spicy and savory, thanks to seven whole cloves of garlic and Aleppo chile, the condiment can take any veggie from blah to bae.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

Recipe creator Erin McDowell's vegetarian take on a Southern classic swaps sausage for thin-sliced onions. The biscuits will fit in at either brunch or a barbecue (I'm making pulled pork sliders with mine).

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, vegetarian, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 4

"It's the crispest thin-crust pizza you'll ever taste—no kneading necessary," Goldman asserts. Transform store-bought flatbread with briny artichoke hearts, fresh spinach, lemon juice and basil. Extra crushed red pepper flakes on mine, please.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian
• Serves: 6

Butter and salt? You can do better than that. These cobs are charred first, then coated with lime-y mayo, Parmesan cheese and smoked paprika. If you like elotes, these are right up your alley.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, kid-friendly
• Serves: 4 to 6

All the salty crispness you love, minus the messy deep frying. These panko-crusted zucchini sticks are baked in the oven for convenience, so have a handful (or three) with your cheeseburger.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, kid-friendly, one pot
• Serves: 6

Imagine if you could dip a chip into an elote. Yup, now it's a thing. Think a boatload of corn kernels atop tortilla chips with all the fixings, from cotija cheese to cayenne pepper to sour cream. Fresh cilantro on top is must, too.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegan
• Serves: 4

I'm betting you have nearly every ingredient you need to tackle this veggie dish (breadcrumbs, sea salt, red pepper flakes, garlic, olive oil and broccoli, in case you're curious). Pair it with steak, burgers or grilled Portobello mushrooms.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, pescatarian, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4

Isn't this just the most Southern-inspired summer salad you've ever seen? Feel free to grill the peach slices alongside the shrimp to impart extra smoky flavor to this BBQ side dish.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

Salty, crispy strips of heaven never hurt, especially when they're mixed in with cheddar pasta, fire-roasted tomatoes, sweet onion and arugula. Think of this soul-soothing, kid-friendly meal as a fancy-ish, pasta-fied BLT.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients, <30 minutes
• Serves: 4

Believe it or not, this iconic summer BBQ side dish is only a few pantry staples away. Finish the tomatoes with a generous smear of pimento cheese and a flurry of crumbled bacon to take them over the top.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

Because fried cheese is always invited to the cookout. These halloumi fries are essentially like super flavorful mozzarella sticks, while the tomato dip is a garlicky, elevated alternative to ketchup and marinara.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 6

Behold: a mess-free seafood boil. This skewer recipe is a total breeze to prepare on the grill, but the dish's real claim to fame is the smoky, spicy Cajun butter that's slathered all over it before cooking.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4 to 6

Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, just like fries—only a million times more elegant. The citrusy saffron aioli will totally blow your mind too, BTW. Serve them with fried fish, grilled steak or pork chops.

• Time Commitment: 55 minutes
• Why I Love It: keto, low carb, high protein, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 6

Three ingredients + one hour = the most delicious baked wings you'll ever serve. The recipe calls for making your own everything bagel seasoning with pink Himalayan salt, but you can easily use your favorite store-bought brand instead.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4

Sesame oil, a sprinkle of sugar and bacon fat curb kimchi's punchy flavor in mere minutes. When caramelized, it pairs seamlessly with traditional spud toppers, like bacon and sour cream. Plate it with any protein you'd like, although I'm partial to steak.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 2 to 4

Sure, celery is an essential complement to Buffalo wings and canned tuna salad—but have you ever seen it steal the spotlight? I'm betting not. This dish proves the underrated veggie can run the show, and it'll convert unsuspecting haters with ease.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, <30 minutes
• Serves: 4 to 6

If you love elotes, you need to try this souped-up spin. The corn is crowned with a drizzle of Kewpie mayo—which is famously rich and umami-forward—and shichimi togarashi, a Japanese spice blend containing chili flakes, seaweed and sesame seeds.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4 to 6

This recipe is super hands-off. While the broccoli roasts on an easy-to-clean sheet pan, the pesto comes together in the food processor with a few quick pulses. Finish it with lemon and all the shaved Parm.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, vegan
• Serves: 4 to 6

Prosciutto-wrapped watermelon (or cantaloupe) is tasty...but expected. No one will see these charred, artfully garnished wedges coming. "I would pair this dish with some grilled fish, a tomato-mozzarella salad and something green, maybe arugula with lemon and some garlic bread crumbs," recipe creator Abra Berens suggests.