25+ Best Sides To Make For A Summer Cookout Or BBQ: Easy And Healthy

These are the side dishes for a cookout you bring when you want everyone going back for seconds, asking who made it, and hovering near the serving table “just to grab one more bite.” Just don’t tell anyone they’re healthy!… seriously. 

We’re talking creamy coleslaw, fresh summer salads, sweet potato goodness, baked beans, fruit salad, crunchy veggie bowls…all the cookout favorites, just made a little fresher, brighter, and better-for-you.

Nobody has to know these dishes are packed with real ingredients and feel-good flavor. They just know they taste amazing.

Love,

Rachel

25+ Cookout Sides Everyone Will Love

Whether you’re heading to a backyard BBQ, pool party, potluck, family reunion, beach day, or casual summer dinner with friends, these are the easy crowd-pleasers that always disappear first. 

Bring one of these, and I promise: everyone will love what you brought, and you can take all the credit!

1. CFC’s Healthier “KFC” Coleslaw 

KFC’s coleslaw is sweet, salty, creamy, and delicious! Well, so is this coleslaw recipe variation I created to taste just like the famous KFC version, but with healthier ingredients. Greek yogurt instead of mayo, is the main way this recipe differs, but I promise…nobody will even know!

2. Healthier Baked Beans

Make these healthier baked beans in the crock pot ahead of time and show up to the summer BBQ with the absolute best side dish! These baked beans taste just like the original, but we are using healthier ingredients like nitrate free bacon, a homemade sauce, and maple syrup as a natural sweetener. Don’t worry vegetarians, you can make this without the bacon and it’s just as delicious.

3. Spicy Sweet Potato Salad

Nothing says summer cookout like a salad filled with summer veg and potatoes! This spicy sweet potato salad lowers the glycemic index of a traditional potato salad by using sweet potatoes instead of traditional white potatoes. Plus, with all the other veggies, it has even more flavor and fiber. Skeptical? I dare you to try it!

4. Fresh Corn Salad

Who wants fresh corn? Me please! This fresh corn salad combines the peppery flavor of arugula, fresh cherry tomatoes, and corn cut straight off the cob with a bright and flavorful homemade vinaigrette. It’s easy to make, and even easier to eat! Everyone’s going to love it!

5. Mojito Fruit Salad

Take a traditional melon salad and turn it into a crowd favorite by adding lime juice and mint! Making a mojito melon salad is such a simple way to put a twist on a classic cookout side dish. Will the party guests even know their eating something that’s good for them?

6. Cheesy Zucchini Au Gratin

You had me at cheesy. Whether it’s potatoes or zucchini, anything in an ooey gooey cheese sauce is worth my attention. This Zucchini Au Gratin is made up of sliced zucchini, cheese (yes! there is still cheese in this healthy version!), and coconut cream. The coconut cream and zucchini are what actually make this healthy! This is one of those cookout sides everyone will want the recipe for.

7. Broccoli Spirals Salad

This easy broccoli salad is such a crowd-pleaser! I’m not sure if you’ve ever had a creamy broccoli salad before, but this tastes just like it…but without all that mayo. Freshly chopped broccoli, red onion, cranberries, and almonds are all dressed in a garlicy dressing. It’s a great side dish when you don’t know what to take to a cookout, because it looks fancy due to the spirals, but it really comes together in about 15 minutes.

8. Greek Chickpea Salad

This Greek Chickpea Salad is one of those summer side dishes I can eat on repeat. So one day I decided I would try taking it to a BBQ, and guess what? It was a huge hit. The best part is that it’s incredibly easy to make. You’re literally just chopping some Greek veggies like cucumbers, olives, and tomatoes, then adding feta and a Greek dressing. I may actually go make one right now!

9. Cucumber Avocado Salad

Simple and to the point, this cucumber and avocado salad brings creamy and fresh together with a delicious dressing. Just chop everything up, put it in a big bowl, and add the dressing. It’s that easy! And did you know that this salad in particular can help you shed water weight and fight inflammation? That’s the power of whole foods like avocado and cucumber.

10. Greek Salad Party Skewers

Greek Salad Skewers are a super fun side dish perfect for a summer potluck or outdoor BBQ. It’s super easy for party-goers to pick up and put on their plate. No scooping with a spoon and no mess. Just an easy way to eat this Greek Salad on a stick.

11. Homemade Five Bean Salad

This tasty five bean recipe is both easy to make and super affordable. It uses pantry staples such as green beans, kidney beans, and chickpeas so you can make it even if you need a last-minute side dish! Toss it all with a simple vinaigrette and it’s ready!

12. Avocado Caprese Salad

I have actually used this both as a side dish and an appetizer before. Who doesn’t love a deliciously simple caprese platter? The added avocado rose in the center makes this look like you spent a lot of time, even though it only takes about 10 minutes to make.

13. Fresh Watermelon Blackberry Salad

If you like sweet and savory dishes, then you’re going to love this watermelon and blackberry salad as a summer side dish idea. Summer ripe watermelon and blackberries topped with salty parmesan cheese, balsamic vinegar, and walnuts. This dish is loaded with nutrients like lycopene, vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants.

14. Chipotle Roasted Sweet Potato Salad

Potato salad is such a must at any summertime party. I love this side dish for a cookout because it’s a really fun twist. Chipotle sweet potato salad combines the sweetness of sweet potatoes with the spicy, smokey flavor of chipotle pepper, and the pungency of blue cheese for a completely out-of-the-box recipe people are going to love.

15. CFC’s FAVORITE Crunchy Kale Salad

When it comes to summer side dishes, this Crunchy Kale Salad is one of my all-time favorites. It is just so crunchy! All the kale, sliced almonds, and cabbage with a deliciously spicy vinaigrette! I love this salad so much I often meal prep it and eat it on repeat! But, you can also make a large batch and take it to a gathering. Everyone will love it!

16. French Bistro Salad

It’s colorful, full of flavor, and texture! Perfect for an impressive BBQ side dish, this French Bistro Salad is made up of fresh lettuce, purple radicchio, red onions, and pecans all tossed with a simple oil and vinegar dressing. It’s the perfect light, fresh salad to eat as a side.

17. Fresh Summertime Italian Chopped Salad

This Italian Chopped Salad is made with Italian seasoning and chopped vegetables. Similar to a creamy pasta salad, but without mayonnaise…and without pasta. It still has great texture and even better flavor. Every guest will love it.

18. Rachel’s Favorite Cold Sweet Potato Salad

Say HELLO to your NEW Favorite Cold Sweet Potato Salad! With creamy avocado, tangy lime juice, and spicy hot sauce, this salad is a flavor and texture explosion that will leave you wanting more. And the best part? It’s completely packed with nutrients from the sweet potatoes, black beans, avocado, and fresh tomatoes.

19. Cilantro Lime Coleslaw

With a hint of zesty lime juice, a sprinkle of homemade taco seasoning, and a dollop of creamy Greek yogurt, this cilantro lime slaw is going to be your favorite! So go ahead, give it a try, and discover the power of cabbage for yourself. It’s the perfect addition to a grill-out!

20. Miso Smashed Cucumber Salad

Layers of texture and flavors that will leave you feeling refreshed and satisfied. The secret to this miso cucumber salad lies in the smashing of the cucumbers, which releases their natural enzymes and creates a tender, slightly softened texture. Paired with the creamy miso dressing, crunchy peanuts, and fresh cilantro, this salad is absolutely crave-worthy!

21. Healthy Ranch Pea Salad

This easy ranch pea salad is actually full of healthy protein! Crisp bacon, creamy cottage cheese, and fresh peas create a tangy and slightly bacony flavored protein salad. It pairs perfectly with any grill-out burgers, hot dogs, or chicken. Make it ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator because the peas can stand up to marinating in the dressing and it makes the flavors even better.

22. French Onion Butter Beans

This French Onion Butter Beans Recipe is one of our newest, and I have to say, most delicious recipes on the site! Make this in place of baked beans for a completely unique and crowd pleasing dish. Caramelized onions, garlic, thyme and broth make these butter beans irresistible. It’s the perfect side dish for a cookout, but also makes a great meatless main for all the vegetarians at the party.

23. Simple Celery Salad Recipe

This celery salad is both delicious and a complete nutrient powerhouse! The celery alone contains luteolin, vitamin K, potassium, and a plethora of anti-inflammatory compounds. But then we went ahead and added in walnuts for omega-3’s and brain health, black beans for fiber and protein, dates to improve digestion, and radishes to help regulate blood sugar. I think the people at this grill out are going to love this recipe! And go home feeling better than when they got there!

24. Layered Quinoa Salad

I love a good trifle, with all those gorgeous layers and colors. So I came up with a way to make a “salad trifle”! This layered quinoa salad is full of delicious ingredients like eggs for protein and nitrate free bacon for flavor. Beans bring fiber and great texture, and the peas add a touch of sweetness while also contributing even more protein and fiber. You may be tempted to mix it all together, but don’t! Scoop it out just like a trifle, then add the Greek yogurt dressing when it’s on your plate.

25. Broccoli + Fresh Corn + Bacon Salad

I absolutely love creamy broccoli salad, especially at a grill-out. But it’s always weighed down with heavy mayonnaise dressing with loads of refined sugar. So I created this recipe specifically so I could eat broccoli salad at the next cookout and not feel guilty. It’s made with all the same delicious produce like broccoli, raisins, pecans, and carrots, but the dressing is made with Greek yogurt to get that creamy consistency, and natural sweetener (honey in this case) to create that same wonderful flavor, only made with clean ingredients.

26. Broccoli Slaw Salad with a Simple Tangy Dressing

Did you know you don’t have to make slaw out of cabbage? This broccoli slaw combines shredded broccoli, carrots and purple cabbage to create a fun, colorful mix with great flavor. It’s all dressed with a traditional tasting creamy dressing, however this dressing is made with clean ingredients. Nutritionally, this salad will give you loads of your daily vitamins like B1, B2, B3, B6, iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc.

27. Caprese Zucchini Boats

These caprese boats are fun, their colorful, and best of all, they taste amazing. They’re the perfect side dish for a cookout because each person can grab one zucchini half. No scooping, no mess like you would get making caprese on a platter. Cut them into smaller pieces for a better side dish portion size. The fiber, protein, and other vitamins and minerals you get from this side will make everyone feel better about what they’re eating.

28. Carrot Salad

This carrot salad will totally spice up your life! It’s bright and colorfully made with rainbow carrots, plus a little spicy with bold flavors coming from coriander, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper. There will not be another dish like this one at the party. So if you’re looking for something a little unique, but still delicious, and fun, this is the healthy side dish for you.

29. Jalapeño Avocado Hummus

The cookout crowd is going to love this exciting jalapeno avocado hummus twist on a classic hummus recipe. It’s spicy, creamy, and vibrant, all at once. Made with traditional chick peas for the base, we also added avocado for a boost in nutrients and creaminess, and jalapenos for extra fiery flavor. This still works as a traditional dip for veggies or homemade tortilla chips, so whip some up and be the talk of the BBQ!