66 Cookout Side Dishes to Serve at Every Alfresco Gathering

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <500 calories, make ahead
• Serves: 6 to 8

"Maybe your guests can’t agree on hot dogs versus hamburgers, but they can all get together on ranch dressing. Short of plopping a bottle of store-bought next to the carrot sticks, how can you sneak it in the menu?" inquires Gillen. Answer: This crowd-pleasing salad that tastes like pure comfort.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, low carb, <500 calories, vegetarian
• Serves: 4

"The dressing isn’t really a dressing in the traditional sense, since you don’t need a whisk or a blender to make it," former PureWow senior food editor Katherine Gillen explains. "Instead, the strawberries are marinated with rice vinegar and honey, releasing their juices to coat the greens." All that's missing is a drizzle of olive oil.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes (plus chilling time)
• Why I Love It: make ahead, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
• Serves: 8 to 10

You can't go wrong with what's arguably the most quintessential cookout side dish of all time. "It actually tastes better the longer it sits in the fridge," Gillen says, "so I highly recommend making it a day ahead of your picnic." Keep it on ice so the mayo isn't wasting away in the sun.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <500 calories, no cook
• Serves: 6 to 8

Everything tastes better on a stick, including salad. And when you’re looking for creative ways to use the pounds of fresh peaches you splurged on at the farmers market, why not throw them in the mix? "The skewers are ready in 15 minutes and pair really well with a glass of white wine," Gillen raves.

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

"This pasta salad has all the beloved flavors of the Italian antipasto (juicy tomatoes, creamy cheese, fresh basil and bright balsamic vinegar), plus the picnic-friendly portability of a cookout side dish," Gillen states. And thanks to orecchiette's bite-size shape, it's totally kid-friendly, too.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <500 calories, dairy free, gluten free
• Serves: 6

If a creamy potato salad isn’t your jam, try this tangy, bacon-y version instead. "It's good warm or room temp, and with a tangy-sweet vinegar-based dressing [instead of mayo], it can hang at your outdoor party, no problem," Gillen claims.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, <500 calories
• Serves: 8

Burrata makes *everything* look Insta-worthy. It's practically no-cook (just five minutes of quick blanching), feeds a crowd and won’t wilt when you set it out in 90-degree weather. That's called a win-win-win in my book.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, low carb, gluten free, high protein
• Serves: 4

Rather than just chopping up the ingredients and tossing them with dressing, this flavorful take on a summer staple begins on the grill. Charring the melon will offer smoky splendor to every bite (plus, it makes the skewers look super photogenic and impressive).

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 12

These have just the right amount of sweetness and spice, plus they look really sophisticated, even though they’re shockingly easy to make. (That’s the magic of store-bought puff pastry.) A final sprinkling of crushed red pepper flakes ties everything together.

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

As much as I adore a mayo-based salad, it’s not always the best choice when the temps are pushing 90 degrees. This pasta dish is dressed with olive oil instead for a hot weather-ready treatment. Use fresh corn instead of canned if you have plenty from the farmers market.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: low sugar, gluten free, vegetarian, dairy free
• Serves: 4

It’s just the right balance of sweet, spicy and zesty—and it’s filled with delicious goodies, namely grilled summer corn. Pass the tortilla chips, please. (Alternatively, serve it with grilled steak or crispy fish tacos.)

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, no cook, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 6

No one wants a bowl of gloppy, store-bought slaw at the end of a picnic table. Here, you'll lay off the mayonnaise and use a zesty vinegar base instead. The result? A lighter and more flavorful take on a classic.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: high protein, vegetarian, kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 6

Be still my corn-loving heart. The only thing you have to cook is the fritters, so this hot-and-cold masterpiece is surprisingly simple to make. "They're quick to throw together, so you can make this on a weeknight," recipe developer Erin McDowell asserts, "but it’s also beautiful because of all the colors, and fancy enough [for a] dinner party."

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, make ahead, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 8

Wanna know a secret? This slaw can be completely plant-based if you leave off the blue cheese. The super creamy dressing is made from a base of soaked nuts and seeds. Make this one in advance so the greens have extra time to marinate.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, make ahead
• Serves: 8

It combines all the crunchy, savory, creamy ingredients of the classic sandwich—well, minus the bread (because pasta is way more fun). I tested the recipe myself and suggest using a pasta type with ridges so it can better hold the dressing. I'd also rinse the noodles with cold water to cool and keep them from sticking, so you can combine the ingredients sooner and ensure easier, even mixing.

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

If a backyard barbecue is thrown and there are no baked beans on the menu, did it even really happen? (The answer is no.) These come together in the slow cooker, so they're decidedly low-lift, and their flavor is tangy, savory and classic.

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

With one ingredient per skewer, these beauties will grill to perfection (unlike mixed ones, which tend to cook unevenly). Use whatever vegetables you'd like, but the recipe calls for red onion, summer squash, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes and eggplant.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, low carb, keto
• Serves: 6

During the dog days of summer, turn to this no-cook number. It basically makes itself in the fridge, so you won’t even break a sweat. For a touch of richness (and if it won't be sitting under a blazing sun all day), stir in a few dollops of sour cream for extra tang.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 40 pieces

You should serve this ever-so-slightly sophisticated, vegetarian version of the classic with a side of green goddess dressing (store-bought, for ease) for dipping—swoon. Even picky kids will go for 'em (well, maybe it's best to make some with cocktail weenies just in case).

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

Your favorite Italian flavors unite in a picnic-ready salad to create one simple yet satisfying cookout side dish. Even better, it’s ready in less than 30 minutes and can be successfully prepared in advance if you have the time. Need I say more?

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, no cook, <500 calories
• Serves: 4

Zucchini is typically reserved for cooking, not raw preparations. But one bite of this zesty, marinated, no-cook salad and you’ll never look back. "Prepare the cheese in advance," recipe creator Charlotte Druckman encourages. "The longer it sits, the more flavor it—and the oil—picks up."

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, kid-friendly, low sugar
• Serves: 8

Not all salads need to include tender lettuce, especially if you’re serving them on a hot summer day. This grain salad will hold up to the heat—if it lasts that long, anyway. Millet also has a mild flavor, which makes it ideal for dressing up with a few choice ingredients.

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

When corn is in season, make a beeline for your local farmers market and grab as many ears as you can carry. Then, make this 20-minute salad that keeps like a charm in the fridge. In this case, fresh over canned makes a major difference. "It's sweeter and more flavorful, and will caramelize when it hits the hot skillet," Gillen claims.

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

The marinated tofu and tangy homemade dressing ensure this side dish is packed with flavor without turning on the oven. Crank the A.C. and make it on a sweltering day, then cool off with every bite. Feel free to use store-bought zoodles instead of spiralizing the cukes by hand.

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

Cold green beans? Don't knock it 'til you try it—and know it's oh-so refreshing. The veggie gets a quick blanch before it's doused in an irresistible vinaigrette. Green beans are tough and fibrous when raw, so a quick cook in boiling salted water, followed by a quick ice bath, will tenderize them and preserve their bright green color. 

• Time Commitment: 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 4

Forget the boring fruit salad of your childhood. This one is spicy, herby and versatile to boot, but still lets the in-season produce shine. Add watermelon to the mix if you'd like, or swap the mint for basil and the chili powder for crushed red pepper flakes. Honey would be a nice addition, too.

• Time Commitment: 55 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, <500 calories
• Serves: 6

Consider it an elevated alternative to French fries. Cook the sweet spuds on the grill instead of in the oven if you want to stay outdoors while you entertain. FYI, the exact roasting time for the sweet potatoes will vary depending on their thickness.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 6

Bring on the savory fruit salads. This one combines watermelon, radishes, shallots and cider vinegar for a tangy treat. Briny feta cheese really seals the deal though, along with a generous dose of fresh dill.

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

It's a potluck favorite for good reason, that reason being that it's delicious. This cookout side dish also calls for store-bought ingredients, like guacamole and salsa, so all you'll have to do to pull it off is assemble.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, <500 calories, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 6

Lightly charred and slathered with Mexican street corn toppings, it’ll make you never want to eat plain boiled corn again. And you know how mayo on grilled cheese guarantees a savory, gorgeous brown crust? Same here. Pass the lime wedges, por favor.

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

Honestly, I’d eat this as a main course or a side dish—it’s that tasty. Chalk it up to the shatteringly crisp, black pepper-encrusted bacon. A flurry of lemony panko breadcrumbs offer even more crunch to the make-ahead wonder.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: low carb, make ahead, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4

This fancy appetizer can do double duty as a stunning centerpiece. Roasting the red peppers for the dip gives them a richer, softer quality and brings out their vibrant color. Make an extra batch to serve on sandwiches or with grilled seafood and tinned fish.

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

For those who like it hot. If you can’t find Fresnos, jalapeños will work fine. Just be sure to slice the peppers thin so you get a little bit of heat in every bite. (And don’t forget the honey for drizzling.)

• Time Commitment: 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, no cook
• Serves: 8

Toss all the ingredients in a food processor and voilà: instant snack. No wonder it comes together in five minutes flat. P.S.: The dip can be made up to three hours ahead. Just store it in the fridge with plastic wrap pressed onto the surface to prevent browning.

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

Think of this cookout side dish like a gourmet caprese salad with halloumi cheese instead of mozzarella. Grill the Cyprian ingredient right next to the steaks (or burgers) and your meal will come together in a flash.

• Time Commitment: 55 minutes
• Why I Love It: gluten free, vegetarian, make ahead
• Serves: 6

They’re refreshing, gluten free and will make you look like a pro chef with very little effort. Plus, you can wrap them the night before the cookout and store them in the fridge until serving. Isn't that a breeze?

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, <30 minutes, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

Let's shake up the definition of a salad, shall we? This one substitutes avocado for the usual greens, resulting in a more indulgent, unexpected final product. The recipe will leave you with extra dressing, so store the leftovers in a jar in the fridge for up to a week to use on any protein or veggie you'd like.

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

Tomato girls, assemble! When the ingredients are at their peak, a ten-minute salad is guaranteed to taste like a million bucks. Pair it with fresh mozz, burrata or goat cheese, as well as toasted bread, perhaps rubbed with fresh garlic and drizzled with olive oil.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, <30 minutes, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4

Corn, tomato and zucchini are arguably the holy trinity of summer produce. The edible flowers are an optional decorative touch, but they take this side dish from delicious to absolutely showstopping. (I love the sweet, summery addition of peach jelly in the dressing, too.)

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, <500 calories, <30 minutes
• Serves: 4

Thanks to protein-rich shrimp, this cookout side dish is surprisingly filling. If you're preparing it ahead of time, it'll hold up in the fridge for about to two days, meaning you'll have one less thing to worry about at the cookout. You genius, you.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, <500 calories
• Serves: 8

Sweet, roasted cherry tomatoes and a beyond-flaky crust? This is the savory galette of my summertime dreams, down to the fresh rosemary and thyme. "It would be great alongside eggs at breakfast or a big salad at dinner," McDowell says, "and it’s fantastic to cut into bite-size pieces for a party appetizer."

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <500 calories, no cook, gluten free
• Serves: 2

Blitz the creamy raw coconut milk sauce in your blender and drizzle it over zucchini noodles, which you can find pre-spiralized at the supermarket. Just like that (or in 15 minutes, rather), you’re done.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, special occasion-worthy, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 4

As much as I love tomatoes, there’s another seasonal produce vying for the spotlight, and it pairs just as well with mozzarella and balsamic vinegar. I'm also a big fan of peaches with honey and basil, so this cookout side dish is pretty flawless, if you ask me.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, kid-friendly, low carb
• Serves: 4

Pesto makes everything taste a little fancy, including zucchini noodles. Toss on a generous flurry of fresh Parmesan and you’re golden. Pair this one with grilled chicken, seared pork chops or pizza.

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

Spread it out on a big platter for your guests to serve themselves and it'll wow everyone at your next backyard bash, guaranteed. (Peaches are special like that.) Nectarines or plums would be fine substitutes, if you'd prefer.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <500 calories, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 8 to 10

It's like fancy grilled cheese for adults, no? I love the combination of strawberries and balsamic vinegar, but you could also use tomatoes in their place. As for the Brie, burrata and ricotta are just as tasty, if you're not a fan of funkier cheeses.

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

I know mango sounds like an unusual ingredient to use in guacamole. But trust me: It adds a burst of tangy sweetness that melds delightfully with creamy avocados. Personally, I'd pair it with spicy shrimp tacos.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 8

Isn't she lovely? This cookout side dish is quick, easy and on the table in 15 minutes, yet so much more chic than soup-packet onion dip. If you can't find a rainbow of tomatoes, don't sweat it: Red ones are just fine.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian
• Serves: 8

Normally, I'd say sushi and hot weather do not mix, but when the former is fish-free, it's fair game. This dangerously poppable recipe comes together in a muffin tin and pairs beautifully with fried fish or grilled salmon.

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

It’s luscious and creamy but not heavy, which is ideal on a summer evening. Plate it with grilled chicken or salmon for a boost of protein, or crown it with a hefty amount of crumbled bacon or crispy prosciutto.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, <30 minutes, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4

Toast, but make it pinkies-out. Your guests will be drooling at the first mention of burrata, but the real highlight is the in-season tomatoes. "Buy the best you can find and keep them at room temperature (just as you would fruit), which will bring out their flavor," recipe creator Theo Randall writes.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: <500 calories, low carb, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 8

Once again, store-bought pie crust saves the day. Galettes are lifesavers for lazy bakers, and this savory one is just as clutch for cooks who don't want to work too hard to get from zero to dinner. Cut this masterpiece into thin slivers to serve it as a side dish or appetizer.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: <500 calories, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian
• Serves: 4 to 6

Homer Simpson says you don’t win friends with salad, but I might disagree, thanks to this salad-on-a-stick number. The halloumi holds its shape against the grates like a champ, but turns soft and tender on the inside.

• Time Commitment: 2 hours
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, low carb
• Serves: 6

Nothing against a bag of store-bought potato chips, but these crispy bites are a little more special. (It is a party, after all.) Serve them with tzatziki for dipping, or in lieu of fries with burgers and steaks.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, <500 calories, gluten free, dairy free
• Serves: 4

You just took a trip to the farmers market and have enough zucchini, cherry tomatoes and corn to feed you for a week. Now, you know exactly what to do with it, thanks to this no-cook recipe. You can thank me later.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, make ahead
• Serves: 8

The combination of strawberries and a savory-spicy salad might sound unusual, but it totally works. The lightly sweet miso dressing ties it all together. Just be sure to toss the strawberries in right before serving so they don't turn mushy.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, <500 calories, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 4 to 6

Crisp, cool lettuce and creamy pasta salad: It’s the best of both worlds in one dish. Plus, you can make it up to two days in advance. The dressing also works beautifully as a dip for veggies, pretzels, pita bread and basically any dunkable item you can think of.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: <500 calories, <10 ingredients, vegetarian
• Serves: 6

It’s not as if corn on the cob needs improvement; I just can’t help playing with my food. The combination of smokiness from the grill and spiciness from the homemade aioli will blow the usual butter and salt away.

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

If you already have the coals fired up for burgers, why not make your entire meal on the grill? This cookout side dish only requires five ingredients (and that's including salt and pepper, friend).

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, Mediterranean diet-friendly, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 2

The caramelized vegetables can be used in countless ways, from pasta salad to bruschetta and free-form tarts (hence the “magic”). But this cookout side dish is a guaranteed home run.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, low carb, gluten free
• Serves: 4

This is what I like to call “summer on a plate.” Bonus points if you’re working with zucchini that you grew in your own backyard...but no judgment if you use whatever you can get your hands on at the supermarket.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, gluten free
• Serves: 4 to 6

This cookout side dish is ready for its closeup. (Watermelon wedges always are, no?) Pair the refreshingly sweet-and-savory recipe with grilled fish and a tomato salad for the ultimate summertime effect.

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

“I love this quick and simple one-pan dish with a passion,” recipe developer Jamie Oliver writes. “It’s a crowd-pleaser, bringing Italy and Provence together. Purists would judge the frozen veg base hack, but I guarantee they’re missing out.” Finish it with all the goat cheese you can handle.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, make ahead, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 9 biscuits

You're only six ingredients away from barbecue and fried chicken's timeless soulmate. The biscuits have a sweet secret: “It’s the Sprite (or 7-Up) that makes them light,” recipe developer Dora Charles reveals.

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

You'll feel more inclined to eat your veggies when they're swimming in cheese sauce. Kale, spinach, collards and mustard greens are all solid choices. The dairy aisle is also your oyster, but recipe creator Molly Baz recommends a blend of extra-sharp cheddar, Gruyère, Emmentaler and fontina.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegan, make ahead, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 6

This seasonal side dish is great cold, warm or at room temperature, and you can make it up to one day ahead. In other words, it's a win-win for any summer hostess.