Eating barbecue is always a delicious treat, but what you serve alongside the smoked meats and sauces can really take your meal to the next level. When planning a backyard cookout or preparing for a potluck, it’s important to think about savory sides and appetizers that will complement the bold flavors of barbecue. Here are some sensational side dish ideas to serve alongside your favorite BBQ fare.
Savory Salads
A fresh, crisp salad is a perfect way to balance out the richness of barbecue. Try making one of these flavorful salads:
Tangy Coleslaw
No barbecue meal is complete without a creamy, vinegary coleslaw. Shredded cabbage and carrots dressed in a sweet and tangy dressing is the quintessential BBQ side. Add shredded onion, bell pepper, or apple for extra crunch and flavor.
Loaded Baked Potato Salad
For a heartier salad option, whip up a loaded baked potato salad with chunks of tender potatoes, crispy bacon, shredded cheddar, green onions, and a creamy dressing. The potatoes soak up all the delicious flavors.
Macaroni Salad
Elbow macaroni, hard-boiled eggs, diced bell peppers, and a creamy mayo-based dressing make for a classic crowd-pleasing macaroni salad. Add some diced ham for extra smoky flavor.
Broccoli Bacon Salad
For a fun spin on salad, try broccoli bacon salad. With broccoli florets, shredded cheddar, crispy bacon, craisins, and a sweet dressing, this salad has lots of texture and flavor.
Perfectly Paired Vegetables
In addition to salads, serve up some simply prepared fresh vegetables to balance out a barbecue feast.
Grilled Corn on the Cob
What better way to enjoy sweet summer corn than grilling it up alongside your BBQ and slathering it with butter? The smoky char adds even more flavor.
Baked Beans
No BBQ would be complete without a heaping scoop of baked beans. Look for beans cooked with bacon, brown sugar, ketchup, and spices for a sweet and smoky flavor.
Collard Greens
For a traditional Southern side, collard greens simmered with smoked ham hocks are full of flavor. They pair especially well with pulled pork.
Grilled Vegetables
Get your veggies in by grilling up zucchini, squash, bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms. Brush with oil and season with salt, pepper and herbs.
Delectable Breads
Crunchy, buttery garlic bread or fluffy biscuits are excellent for sopping up BBQ sauce.
Skillet Cornbread
Warm skillet cornbread is a barbecue staple. Bake up a pan with cornmeal, buttermilk, egg, and bacon drippings for authentic flavor.
Jalapeño Cheese Cornbread
For spicy and cheesy cornbread, add shredded cheddar and chopped pickled jalapeños to the batter before baking.
Buttermilk Biscuits
Fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth buttermilk biscuits are essential for soaking up BBQ sauce. Serve them warm right out of the oven.
Cheesy Garlic Bread
For quick garlic bread, spread sliced French bread with garlic butter and shredded Parmesan, then broil until browned and bubbly.
Satisfying Appetizers
Get the party started with these finger-licking good appetizers. They’ll keep guests happy while the barbecue finishes cooking.
- Loaded baked potato skins
- Chicken wings with assorted sauces
- Smoky deviled eggs
- Chips and guacamole
- Caprese skewers with mozzarella, tomato and basil
- Beer-battered onion rings
- Cheesy bacon ranch dips with veggies and chips
By pairing your barbecue with flavorful salads, classic veggie sides, warm breads, and appetizing starters, you can create a truly amazing spread. Experiment with different combinations to find the perfect matches with your favorite smoked meats and sauces. Just remember to keep the sides simple to let the barbecue flavors shine. With this guide, you’ll be fully prepared to host an unforgettable barbecue bash.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best classic sides to serve with barbecue?
Some classic sides that pair perfectly with barbecue include coleslaw, baked beans, potato salad, cornbread, and collard greens.
What kinds of salads work well with BBQ?
Great salad options include tangy coleslaw, loaded baked potato salad, macaroni salad, and broccoli bacon salad. The crisp, fresh flavors balance the richness of the barbecue.
What are good vegetarian sides for a barbecue?
Try serving grilled vegetables like corn, zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms and onions. Baked beans and potato salad can also be prepared vegetarian-friendly.
What breads go well with BBQ meals?
Skillet cornbread, jalapeño cheese cornbread, buttermilk biscuits and cheesy garlic bread are all excellent options.
How can I kick off a barbecue gathering before the main course?
Offer hearty appetizers like loaded potato skins, wings, deviled eggs, nachos, onion rings or dips with chips and veggies.
Conclusion
When hosting a barbecue feast, take your meal to the next level with sensational sides and appetizers. Salads, vegetables, breads and finger foods complement smoked meats flawlessly. Keep sides fresh and simple, and offer a variety to please all your guests. With this guide to pairing dishes with barbecue, you’ll be ready to host an unforgettable BBQ bash!