26 Summer Side Dishes for Cookouts
Summer’s here and you’ve nailed the main course, but what about the sides? Don’t resign yourself to the same old potato salad (it’s a classic, but…).
We’ve got exciting, flavorful recipes that’ll take your cookout from “meh” to magnificent. These are our favorite 26 side dishes for summer.
Marinated Lentil Salad
Marinated Lentil Salad! French green lentils tossed with herbs and a bright lemon dressing. A must for vegan meal prep and easy meals throughout the week.
Lemon Pasta Salad
Lemon Pasta Salad with Basil! This pasta salad features herby chickpeas, bowtie pasta, fresh basil, lemon, and shredded Asiago cheese. Inspired by Trader Joe’s lemon basil pasta salad.Â
Greek Orzo Pasta Salad
This Greek Orzo Pasta Salad is packed with marinated white beans, olives, fresh herbs, tomatoes, and feta. It’s a light and flavorful salad that’s perfect as a side dish or a main.
Farmer’s Market Salad with Green Goddess Dressing
A salad for Farmer’s Market Days! Made with butter lettuce, avocado, tomatoes, dates, corn, creamy goat cheese, cornbread croutons, and homemade Green Goddess dressing.
Watermelon, Tomato and Feta Salad
This watermelon, tomato, and feta salad is summer in a bowl! Salty and sweet salad with juicy watermelon, the best tomatoes you can find, and salty feta.
Japanese Cold Silken Tofu Recipe (Ready in 10 Minutes)
Japanese-inspired cold silken tofu recipe! Simple, flavorful silken tofu with a sesame soy sauce and garnished with chili peppers, scallions and sesame seeds. A healthy appetizer or light meal, with 13 g protein per serving.
Whipped Ricotta with Confited Tomatoes
Whipped Ricotta with Confited Tomatoes, Basil, and Balsamic Reduction. The best appetizer or side dish!Â
Summer Grilled Flatbread with Peaches, Tomatoes, and Whipped Ricotta
This grilled flatbread recipe is a must for summer! Grilled naan with whipped ricotta, peaches, tomatoes, and pesto. So delicious and perfect for late-summer meals!
Spicy Udon Noodles with Chili Crisp
Spicy Udon Noodles with Chili Crisp! Cold, slurpy noodles with a spicy peanut sauce. The perfect side or main for hot summer days.
Mediterranean Farro Salad
Mediterranean Farro Salad. A healthy vegetarian grain-based salad. Easily vegan. The perfect side dish or light lunch.
Cherry Caprese Pasta Salad
Cherry Caprese Pasta Salad for all your summer potluck needs. Fresh cherries, tomatoes, whole grain pasta, basil and mozzarella balls.Â
Grilled Panzanella Salad
Grilled Panzanella Salad! The best potluck salad for summer. Grilled zucchini, eggplant, squash, tomatoes, sourdough bread and a bright, tangy basil dressing.
Lemon Potato Salad
Vegan Lemon Potato Salad! This simple mayo-free lemon potato salad is perfect for summer.
Smoked Corn on the Cob
This smoked corn on the cob recipe is easy to make, juicy, tender, and flavorful. The perfect side dish for any bbq!
Marinated White Bean Salad
White beans with herbs, roasted red peppers and tangy Italian dressing.
Healthy Potato Salad
If you’re looking for a healthy vegan potato salad recipe this is it. The best mayo-free potato salad; incredibly creamy without any mayo!
Grilled Corn and Farro Salad
Grilled Corn and Farro Salad! The PERFECT salad for potlucks, picnics and get-togethers! Grilled corn, farro, tomatoes, basil with a delicious dressing.
Cucumber, Dill and Radish Salad
Cucumber, Dill and Radish Salad! A MUST-MAKE side-dish; refreshing, delicious and healthy! Vegetarian and gluten-freeÂ
Chopped Italian Pasta Salad
Chopped Italian Pasta Salad! The perfect pasta salad for summer, picnics and cookouts. Loaded with vegetables and beans. Vegetarian, easily vegan.
Roasted Summer Squash and Quinoa Salad
Roasted Summer Squash and Quinoa Salad! This side dish is perfect for summer or dinners. Roasted zucchini, squash and tomatoes with quinoa and a lemon-basil dressing. Vegan and GlutenFree.
Summer Pasta Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing
Summer Pasta Salad with Lemon-Tahini dressing! If you like Goddess salad dressing, you will love this salad! Noodles, four vegetables, tahini dressing, parsley and basil. Vegan.
Dill Pickle Potato Salad
Dill Pickle Potato Salad! A fun-twist on traditional potato salad! Tangy dill pickle potato salad that’s perfect for your next picnic, potluck or cookout.
Instant Pot Baked Beans
Ready in less than an hour, these beans are so much healthier than the canned variety and packed with plant-based protein and fiber.
Broccoli with Garlic
Easy broccoli with garlic! An easy side dish that will make anyone love broccoli. I’ve served this so many times to rave reviews you’ll be making this garlic broccoli over and over again!
Summer Farro Salad
The Best Summer Farro Salad! A rainbow vegan farro salad with red cabbage, carrots, broccoli, fresh herbs and a spicy peanut sauce.
Veggie Scallion Pancakes
Veggie Scallion Pancakes! If you love scallion pancakes, you’ll love this veggie-packed version with shredded carrots, zucchini, and cabbage. Enjoy with a chili garlic dipping sauce.