15 Southern BBQ Sides to Serve All Summer Long

ByNabeela Dastagir

When summer rolls around and the grill gets fired up, it’s not just the main course that steals the show — it’s the sides that bring everything together. From creamy classics to bright, fresh salads, Southern BBQ sides are the secret to turning any cookout into a true feast.

Whether you’re hosting a backyard bash or bringing a dish to a potluck, these make-ahead, flavor-packed recipes will keep guests coming back for seconds (and thirds!).

Ready to elevate your summer spread? Here are 15 Southern BBQ sides that are easy to prep, crowd-approved, and absolutely perfect for hot-weather gatherings.

1. Classic Creamy Coleslaw

This tangy and creamy coleslaw is a BBQ staple for a reason. It combines crunchy cabbage with a rich, zesty dressing that only gets better as it sits. Make it the night before for maximum flavor and zero stress on party day.

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups shredded green cabbage
  • 1 cup shredded purple cabbage
  • 1 large carrot, grated
  • 3/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. In a large bowl, mix the green and purple cabbage with the grated carrot.
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk the mayo, mustard, vinegar, and sugar.
  3. Pour the dressing over the cabbage mix and toss well.
  4. Season to taste and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, ideally overnight.
  5. Toss again before serving.

2. Loaded Baked Potato Salad

All the flavors of a loaded baked potato—bacon, cheddar, sour cream—in a cold, creamy salad. Hearty, comforting, and perfectly paired with grilled meats.

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs baby red potatoes
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 2 green onions, sliced
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Boil potatoes until fork-tender (about 15 mins). Cool completely.
  2. Quarter the potatoes and add to a large bowl.
  3. Stir together sour cream and mayo, then toss with potatoes.
  4. Fold in cheese, bacon, and green onions.
  5. Chill for 4+ hours before serving.

3. Tangy Black Bean & Corn Salad

Bright, bold, and packed with Southwestern flair, this black bean and corn salad is a refreshing break from heavy sides. Plus, it’s loaded with fiber and protein.

Ingredients:

  • 1 can black beans, rinsed
  • 1 can corn, drained
  • 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
  • Juice of 2 limes
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Combine beans, corn, onion, and bell pepper in a large bowl.
  2. Add lime juice, olive oil, cilantro, salt, and pepper.
  3. Mix thoroughly and chill for 1+ hour.
  4. Toss again before serving.

4. Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad

A light, herby pasta salad that feels both fresh and satisfying. The lemony vinaigrette ties it all together, making it a summer star.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup dry orzo
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, sliced
  • 1/4 cup crumbled feta
  • 2 tbsp parsley, chopped
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Cook orzo, rinse under cold water, and let cool.
  2. Combine orzo, veggies, olives, and parsley in a bowl.
  3. Whisk lemon juice, oil, salt, and pepper; pour over salad.
  4. Add feta just before serving. Chill for 2+ hours.

5. Make-Ahead Marinated Cucumber Salad

Simple, crisp, and refreshing, this cucumber salad gets better the longer it marinates. It’s the ultimate low-effort, high-reward BBQ side.

Ingredients:

  • 2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Add cucumbers and onion to a bowl.
  2. Mix vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper in a separate bowl.
  3. Pour marinade over veggies and toss well.
  4. Cover and refrigerate 4+ hours.
  5. Add dill just before serving, if using.

6. Sweet & Spicy Baked Beans

No Southern BBQ is complete without a pot of slow-simmered baked beans. These hit all the right notes: sweet, smoky, tangy, and just a little spicy for a kick.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cans navy beans, drained
  • 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp yellow mustard
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 small onion, diced
  • 4 slices bacon, chopped

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a skillet, cook bacon until crispy. Add onions and cook until soft.
  3. In a baking dish, mix beans, BBQ sauce, brown sugar, mustard, vinegar, spices, bacon, and onions.
  4. Cover and bake for 45 minutes, then uncover and bake another 15 minutes until bubbly and thickened.

7. Southern Deviled Eggs with a Twist

These aren’t your grandma’s deviled eggs. A dash of hot sauce and a sprinkle of smoked paprika give them a bold flavor that stands out on any picnic table.

Ingredients:

  • 6 large eggs, hard-boiled
  • 3 tbsp mayonnaise
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • A few dashes of hot sauce
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Smoked paprika for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Peel and halve the eggs. Remove yolks and mash them in a bowl.
  2. Mix in mayo, mustard, vinegar, hot sauce, salt, and pepper.
  3. Spoon or pipe mixture back into whites.
  4. Sprinkle with smoked paprika and chill until ready to serve.

8. Southern Macaroni Salad

Creamy, tangy, and just a little sweet — this macaroni salad is a must for backyard cookouts. It’s easy to make ahead and always a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups elbow macaroni
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp yellow mustard
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1/4 cup chopped celery
  • 1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
  • 2 tbsp finely chopped onion
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Cook macaroni, rinse with cold water, and drain well.
  2. In a large bowl, mix mayo, mustard, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper.
  3. Fold in pasta, celery, pepper, and onion.
  4. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.

9. Cheesy Jalapeño Cornbread Muffins

Cornbread is a Southern classic, but these muffins come with a cheesy, spicy twist that makes them totally irresistible — and easy to serve individually.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup cornmeal
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tbsp melted butter
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 small jalapeño, finely chopped

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a muffin tin.
  2. Whisk dry ingredients together in a bowl.
  3. In another bowl, mix buttermilk, egg, and melted butter.
  4. Combine wet and dry ingredients, then stir in cheese and jalapeños.
  5. Spoon into muffin tin and bake for 15–18 minutes until golden.

10. Creamy Southern-Style Grits

Silky, buttery grits are the ultimate comfort side. Serve them warm alongside ribs or grilled chicken for a touch of Southern soul in every bite.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup stone-ground grits
  • 4 cups water (or half water, half milk for creamier grits)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Bring water and salt to a boil. Slowly stir in grits.
  2. Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring often, for 20–25 minutes.
  3. Stir in butter (and cheese, if using) until smooth.
  4. Serve warm — they thicken as they cool, so keep extra water handy if needed.

11. Creamy Cucumber Salad

This refreshing cucumber salad balances out rich BBQ meats with cool, crisp crunch and a tangy creamy dressing. It’s a Southern picnic staple!

Ingredients:

  • 2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 tbsp white vinegar
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Combine cucumbers and onions in a bowl.
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk sour cream, vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper, and dill.
  3. Pour dressing over cucumbers and toss to coat.
  4. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.

12. Classic Southern Hush Puppies

Golden and crispy on the outside, tender and savory inside — hush puppies are deep-fried balls of cornmeal heaven and perfect with BBQ and fried fish alike.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup cornmeal
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp sugar
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 small onion, finely grated
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • Vegetable oil for frying

Instructions:

  1. Heat oil in a deep fryer or skillet to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Mix dry ingredients in a bowl. Add onion, buttermilk, and egg to form a thick batter.
  3. Drop spoonfuls into hot oil and fry until golden brown, 2–3 minutes per side.
  4. Drain on paper towels and serve warm.

13. Tangy Red Cabbage Slaw

A vibrant alternative to classic coleslaw, this red cabbage version has a tangy vinegar-based dressing and a lovely crunch. It adds color and brightness to any plate.

Ingredients:

  • 1 small red cabbage, shredded
  • 1 carrot, grated
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp honey or sugar
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions:

  1. In a large bowl, toss cabbage and carrot.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk vinegar, honey, oil, salt, and pepper.
  3. Pour over the cabbage and mix well.
  4. Let sit for at least 30 minutes to soften and marinate.

14. Southern Green Beans with Bacon

These green beans are simmered low and slow with smoky bacon and onions until tender and packed with flavor — a true Southern comfort side.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed
  • 4 slices bacon, chopped
  • 1/2 small onion, chopped
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. In a skillet or pot, cook bacon until crisp. Remove and set aside.
  2. In the bacon drippings, sauté onions until soft.
  3. Add green beans, broth, salt, and pepper. Simmer covered for 25–30 minutes until beans are tender.
  4. Stir in bacon just before serving.

15. Watermelon & Feta Salad

End your BBQ spread with something light and refreshing. This watermelon salad is juicy, sweet, salty, and tangy — the perfect warm-weather palate cleanser.

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups seedless watermelon, cubed
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. In a large bowl, combine watermelon, feta, red onion, and mint.
  2. Drizzle with olive oil and lime juice.
  3. Gently toss and season with salt and pepper.
  4. Serve chilled.

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