Barbecue sandwiches are an American classic. The tender, sauced meat combined with a soft bun make for a delicious handheld meal. But what should you serve alongside these messy and meaty sandwiches? There are many tasty options that pair beautifully with barbecue sandwiches to round out your meal.
Sides That Complement BBQ Sandwiches
Barbecue sandwiches are often focused on flavorful, sauced meats. Serving complementary sides can add color, crunch, creaminess, and additional flavors. Here are some of the best options to consider:
Salads
Salads are a perfect pairing for rich and heavy barbecue sandwiches. The fresh vegetables and greens lightly dress provide contrasting textures and lighter flavors.
Some salads to consider:
- Coleslaw: The classic pairing! Tangy coleslaw with its crunchy cabbage and carrots helps cut through the richness. Try red or green slaw for variety.
- Potato salad: Another traditional cookout option, potato salad offers creaminess alongside the barbecue flavors.
- Pasta salad: Chilled pasta salads with veggies deliver carbohydrates and crunch.
- Corn and avocado salad: For a fresh twist, try diced tomatoes, corn, avocado, and lime dressing.
- Broccoli salad: Broccoli florets, shredded carrots, raisins, and a sweet dressing are an unexpected but delicious match.
Baked Beans
No barbecue would be complete without a heaping scoop of baked beans. Their sweet and smoky flavors complement the grilled or smoked meat perfectly. Traditional beans braised in a sauce of ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, and bacon are hard to beat. Or go bold with spicy beans kicked up with hot sauce.
Fries and Tots
Crispy fried potatoes are another barbecue staple with good reason. The hot, salty fries or tots taste amazing when dunked in leftover barbecue sauce. Shoestring fries, waffle fries, and sweet potato fries all pair well. Tater tots are a fun, nostalgic option. Load them up with pulled pork, coleslaw, and barbecue sauce for tasty bbq sandwiches.
Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese is comfort food that complements barbecue’s deep, nostalgic flavors. The rich, cheesy noodles round out the meal. Make it an indulgent side with a deep, smoky cheese sauce and a crispy breadcrumb topping.
Cornbread
Warm cornbread muffins or wedges served with honey butter are perfect for barbecue meals. You get crispy edges, fluffy centers, and sweet corn flavor. The bread soaks up any extra sauce and adds body compared to sandwiches alone.
Watermelon
Juicy wedges of refreshing watermelon will tame the heat of spicy barbecue sauce. The sweetness balances the savory sandwiches. Watermelon’s hydration can also help counter the sodium from these sometimes salty dishes.
Homemade Chips
Crunchy, snackable chips bring fun textures alongside softer barbecue sandwiches. Make your own from corn tortillas, potato slices, or pita bread cut into wedges. Fry and season them for homemade flavors that beat plain bagged chips.
Grilled Vegetables
For lighter pairings, vegetables like zucchini, peppers, mushrooms, and onions can be lightly brushed with oil and grilled alongside the barbecue meat. Their subtle charred flavors and crisp-tender texture will complement.
Collard Greens
Slow cooked collard greens seasoned with smoked meats are a southern barbecue tradition. Alongside pulled pork, the tender spiced greens balance the plate with vegetal flavors.
Sweet Treats for Dessert
After such substantial, savory sandwiches and sides, lighter desserts taste especially refreshing. Here are fantastic ways to end a barbecue meal:
Fresh Fruit
Cut watermelon, pineapple, grapes, or a mixed fruit salad make healthy, no-fuss options. The natural sweetness is perfect after salty, saucy dishes.
Strawberry Shortcake
Fluffy biscuits topped with juicy strawberries and whipped cream are a classic summer dessert.
Peach or Blackberry Cobbler
Warm fruit cobblers feature sweet, seasonal fruit baked under a cakey crust. The interplay of juicy fruit with tender biscuit topping is delicious.
Banana Pudding
Rich banana pudding made with milk, vanilla wafers, and whipped cream is a comforting, classic dessert for barbecue meals.
Homemade Popsicles
For a cool, fun treat, puree fruits like mango, strawberry, or watermelon. Freeze in popsicle molds for kids and adults alike.
No-Bake Cheesecake
Tangy, creamy no-bake cheesecake is easy to make ahead. Top with berry sauce for added sweetness.
S’mores Bars
Who doesn’t love gooey s’mores? Make them in bar form for individual handheld portions after a cookout. Use graham crackers, chocolate, and toasted marshmallows.
Perfect Drink Pairings
Quench your thirst and complement the barbecue flavors with these drink ideas:
Iced Tea
A tall glass of freshly brewed iced tea is perfect on a hot day after eating smoky barbecue. Try traditional black tea, fruit-infused varieties, or southern sweet tea. Arnold Palmers with lemonade and iced tea are also delicious.
Lemonade or Limeade
Homemade or store-bought lemonade and limeade offer sweet, tart refreshment. For adults, spike with vodka, bourbon, or citrus liqueurs.
Beer
Chilled beer is ideal for informal backyard barbecue meals. Opt for crisp lagers, blonde ales, or wheat beers. IPAs also have enough hoppy bitterness to stand up to sweet, saucy barbecue.
Wine Spritzers
For a festive drink, mix wine with sparkling water and citrus slices. White and rosé wines make refreshing spritzers for barbecue meals.
Milkshakes
Thick, creamy milkshakes are a fun nod to the classic diner pairing of burgers and shakes. Blend ice cream with milk and flavorings like fruit, caramel, vanilla, or chocolate. Top with whipped cream.
Fruit Juices
Apple, grapefruit, pineapple, and cranberry juices freshly squeezed or store-bought provide lighter options for hydration.
Barbecue Sandwich Meal Ideas
Here are full meal ideas featuring complementary sides and drinks:
Classic Cookout
Pulled pork sandwiches
Baked beans
Coleslaw
Iced tea
Texas-Style Feast
Beef brisket sandwiches
Potato salad
Collard greens
Beer
Carolina-Inspired Menu
Fried chicken sandwiches
Cornbread
Watermelon slices
Lemonade
Kid-Friendly Cookout
Cheeseburger sliders
Tater tots
Fruit kabobs
Milkshakes
Vegetarian Spread
Portobello mushroom sandwiches
Pasta salad
Grilled vegetable kebabs
Iced tea
Indulgent Backyard BBQ
Smoked sausage sandwiches
Mac and cheese
Strawberry shortcake
Wine spritzers
Hawaiian Flair
Kalua pork sandwiches
Pineapple salsa
Coconut rice
Pineapple juice
The possibilities are endless for incredible barbecue meals! Tweak these ideas or get creative with your own perfect pairings. Focus on a mix of salads, sides, fruits, vegetables, and treats to complement your barbecue sandwiches. With homemade sauces and rubs, fresh ingredients, and thoughtful dishes, you can’t go wrong at your next cookout.
Frequently Asked Questions About Barbecue Sandwich Pairings
What are the best side dishes for barbecue sandwiches?
Classic barbecue sides like baked beans, coleslaw, cornbread and potatoes salad are always great options. For lighter sides, try fresh salads with leafy greens, pasta salads, grilled vegetables, and fresh fruits like watermelon.
Should I pair sweet or salty sides with my sandwiches?
A mix is ideal – salty baked beans and fries complement the sweetness of cornbread and fresh fruits. Varying flavors and textures creates a more interesting plate.
What vegetables go well with bbq sandwiches?
Cool, fresh vegetables help balance the rich sandwiches. Try cucumber salad, grilled zucchini or peppers, broccoli salad, tomato wedges, or avocado slices.
What goes good with pulled pork sandwiches?
Pulled pork benefits from tangy sides, like vinegar-based coleslaw and potato salad. Baked beans, corn on the cob, collard greens, and cornbread also pair deliciously. Iced tea makes a great beverage choice.
Are chips or fries better with bbq sandwiches?
It’s hard to beat the classic duo of fries or potato chips with messy barbecue sandwiches for dipping. Both provide hot, salty crunch. But for variety, homemade veggie chips or tater tots are fun, too.
What is a good dessert after barbecue?
Desserts should be relatively light after such a heavy meal. Fruit-based options like cobblers, pies, and fruit salads work well. Or try no-bake chocolate treats like cookies or fudge. Iced coffee drinks or lemonade also help with digestion.
Can I eat mac and cheese with bbq sandwiches?
Definitely – mac and cheese is a fantastic accompaniment to barbecue sandwiches. The creaminess pairs perfectly with saucy pulled pork or brisket. Just balance the indulgence with some fresh veggies, too.
What is the best beer to drink with barbecue?
Opt for crisp, clean beers that won’t overpower the flavor of your barbecue. Good options include lagers, pilsners, blonde ales, and wheat beers. IPAs can work too thanks to their bitterness. Avoid very dark beers.
Should I drink wine with bbq?
Wine can work well, though brisket and smoked meat tend to pair better with beer. Opt for lighter reds like pinot noir or chilled white wines. Sweeter rioja or zinfandel wines can also stand up to the sauces.
Tips for the Best Barbecue Sandwich Meals
- Make homemade sides when possible – in-season salads, from-scratch baked beans, fresh cornbread, etc.
- Chill beverages like beer and soda ahead so they’re frosty cold for serving.
- Set up a “build your own” toppings bar with pickles, onions, hot sauces and other condiments.
- Have a bottle of vinegar-based bbq sauce on hand for drizzling over meats and sides.
- Mix indulgent sides like mac and cheese with fresher options like fruit salad.
- Buy high-quality buns and breads – they make all the difference for sandwiches.
- Lightly toast buns on the grill for extra barbecue flavor.
- Keep a range of drinks on hand – sodas, tea, juice and water.
- Have wet wipes or damp paper towels handy for cleaning up sticky fingers!
Final Thoughts
Barbecue sandwiches straight from the grill or smoker beg to be matched with delicious accompaniments. With the right sides, desserts and drinks, you can create an incredible barbecue feast. Keep sides simple yet flavorful, with fresh components like salads and fruits. Comfort foods like baked beans and slaw are must-haves, too. Round out the meal with lighter desserts and a mix of cold beverages. With these pairing ideas, your barbecue sandwiches will get the flavorful complements they deserve. Just don’t forget the wet wipes!