Looking for fresh and delicious BBQ sides? From cucumber salad to grilled sweet potato fries, we have you covered for your next potluck or outdoor cookout with friends and family.
The best side dishes for BBQ’s
When it comes to BBQ side dishes, there are so many great options for fresh summer flavor. Whether it’s a creamy and crunchy coleslaw, an amazing potato salad or a simple watermelon salad, this roundup has you covered.
No matter what you’re cooking, you’ll find great options to go with any protein. You can use these sides as:
- Side dishes for ribs
- Pulled pork sides
- Brisket sides
- BBQ chicken sides
Looking for more? Check out all of our healthy grilling recipes!
What makes a good summer side dish?
A few things define the best side dishes for cookouts and grilling.
- Fresh, seasonal ingredients are a must.
- It’s versatile and pairs well with a variety of grilled meats.
- The dish is easy to make with incredible flavor.
Bonus points if you can prep it in advance, it travels well or makes great leftovers!
Now, here are the healthy BBQ side dishes
Grab a drink, fire up your BBQ and enjoy these delicious side dishes at your next cookout!
1
Asian Cucumber Salad (Paleo, Whole30 + Keto)
A simple and flavorful summer salad, this Asian cucumber salad is THE easy side dish for your next BBQ! A healthy Paleo, Whole30 + Keto cucumber salad recipe with a light and easy sauce.
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2
Pesto Potato Salad
Featuring an easy dairy-free pesto sauce and only 3 other main ingredients, this pesto potato salad is a flavorful side dish that can be served warm or cold.
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3
Healthy Grilled Vegetable Marinade
This healthy marinade for grilled vegetables uses balsamic vinegar in place of sugar. Marinate the veggies after grilling for best results, they'll soak up more flavor. Use this for any grilled veggies!
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4
Rich and Creamy Keto Coleslaw
A creamy low carb coleslaw with only 7 ingredients! A simple homemade keto coleslaw dressing pairs with crunchy cabbage, broccoli and jicama.
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5
Easy, Fresh Tomato Watermelon Salad
This tomato watermelon salad is like a watermelon salad met a caprese salad and had a baby. Skip the cheese or use a plant-based cheese for dairy-free.
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6
The Best Potato Salad with Bacon (Paleo + Whole30)
It's like a classic potato salad but better. Loaded with savory bacon, smoked cheddar cheese plus some crunchy celery and green onions, this creamy and delicious potato salad with bacon is sure to be a family favorite!
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7
Grilled Cauliflower Steaks (Paleo, Whole30 + Keto)
These Paleo, Whole30 + Keto grilled cauliflower steaks are likely to be your new favorite way to eat cauliflower. Pair them with your favorite protein!
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8
Healthy Coleslaw Recipe (Paleo + Whole30) No Mayo
This Paleo + Whole30 healthy coleslaw has no mayo, is a great make ahead salad for lunches during the work week and pairs well with any protein.
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9
Healthy Grilled Sweet Potato Fries Recipe
These grilled sweet potato fries are salty and sweet, and they are a great healthy side dish to enjoy all summer long! Paleo and Whole30 friendly.
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10
20 Minute Keto Broccoli & Cauliflower Salad with Bacon
This easy, hearty keto salad recipe combines crispy bacon, red onion, and fresh broccoli and cauliflower florets with a creamy spiced aioli dressing that’s truly irresistible. It’s a terrific low-carb side dish that’s ready within 20 minutes.
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11
Grilled Fruit Salad (Paleo + Whole30)
Have you tried grilling fruit yet? It is so delicious! Bring this Paleo + Whole30 grilled fruit salad to your next gathering to make you look like a pro!
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10 Easy BBQ Sides: Fresh Cucumber Salad
A simple and flavorful bbq side summer salad, this cucumber salad is THE easy side dish for your next BBQ! Plus, if you're looking for healthy BBQ sides this roundup has you covered for your next potluck or outdoor cookout with friends and family.
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 2 English cucumbers, thinly sliced, (or sub 6-7 medium pickling cucumbers)
- 1 medium carrot, grated
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
For the sauce:
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated on a microplane
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp coconut aminos
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp fish sauce, (optional but highly recommended)
For topping:
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prep cucumbers, carrot and onion as noted and place them in a bowl.
- In a separate small bowl or jar, mix all of the sauce ingredients together.
- Pour the sauce over the cucumber salad and mix. Serve immediately for best flavor (see recipe notes). Top with sesame seeds for serving.
Notes
To make this salad in advance, prep the cucumbers, carrot and onion as noted and store them in a bowl. Prep the sauce as noted and store it separately in a small jar or container. When ready to serve, toss the sauce and salad ingredients together and serve immediately.
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Nutrition facts are an estimate provided for those following a Ketogenic or low-carb diet. See our full nutrition information disclosure here.Â
Calories: 43kcal, Carbohydrates: 7g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 2g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Fiber: 1g
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