10 Delicious Summer Sides to Elevate Your BBQ Game
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Short answer summer sides for bbq:
Summer sides for BBQ include classic options like potato salad, coleslaw and baked beans as well as more adventurous choices such as grilled vegetables, corn on the cob and fruit skewers. Pasta salad, watermelon feta salad and caprese salad are also popular options for a refreshing touch to any BBQ spread.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Delicious Summer Sides for Your Next BBQ
Summer is the perfect season for outdoor barbecues, parties and gatherings with friends and family. And nothing makes a barbecue more memorable than having delicious side dishes to complement your grilled meats.
But let’s be honest, finding the right summer sides that everyone will love can sometimes feel like a daunting task. Do not worry anymore because in this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through creating some of our favorite tasty and easy-to-make summer side dishes.
1. Grilled Corn on The Cob
First up? A classic summer side dish: grilled corn! This veggie tastes delicious when it is charred over an open flame until slightly crunchy, tender in the center and coated in buttery goodness. Here’s how to whip it up:
Ingredients:
– 6 ears fresh corn
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Olive oil or melted butter
Instructions:
Step 1 – Preheat your grill on medium-high heat.
Step 2 – Carefully peel away the husks from each ear of corn.
Step 3 – Cut off any silk strands still attached to each piece of corn by brushing them onto unused newspaper or cloth using a small kitchen brush.
4 – Apply olive oil or butter all over the corn as per preference.
5 – Grill the corncobs directly on hot grates for about six minutes turning regularly after every two minutes so they cook evenly throughout till soft but tender inside
6 – Season with salt & pepper before serving alongside main course meat or Veggies KeBab equally cooked on grill
2) Summer Pasta Salad
A colorful pasta salad filled with various vegetables is always a hit at any summertime get together uncluding bbq nights / dinners .
Ingredients:
– Bowtie Pasta; one pound
– Cherry Tomatoes; halved approx half cup
– Cucumber diced half-quarter inch cubes taking out seeds ;Half Cup,
-Fresh Basil leaves chopped quarter cup
-Ball Mozzarella cheese in small cubes another half cup
– Black olives sliced -quarter Cup
– Italian dressing ; Half to One cup as per your preference
Instructions:
Step 1. – Boil the pasta till it is al-dentie
2 .Drain and Add diced tomatoes, cucumbers, basil leaves and mix well
3. Include black Olives along with mozzarella chunks carefully thrown in just before serving so they remain intact.
4 Mix everything with preferred amount of salad dressing & serve.
3) Grilled Vegetable Medley Skewers
Healthy grilled vegetables are both colorful and delicious making a perfect accompaniment for any BBQ gathering outdoors or indoors enjoying flavorsome treats while not sabotating your healthy lifestyle goals.
Ingredients:
-Eggplant :Half inch slices Halved into quarters after slicing roll crosswise
-Zuchinni; cut on angle quarter inch Pieces each Approx two Cups ,
-Mushroom cups: bite-size Eight-tenths (8/10) ounces, )
-Green peppers cut into squares one medium size .
-Cherry Tomatoes / Grape tomatoes around about ten oz..
-Skewer sticks ; soaked for thirty minutes prior to grilling depending on number of servings .
Instructions:
Step 1.- Preheat grill over high flame + lightly oiling the grate do avoid sticking.
Step 2-Cut all veggies according to their description above until finishing up make sure that you’ve got enough cuts each ingredient should be slightly bigger than strawberries!
3. Season veggies with salt pepper is purely optional use garlic powder if preffered Onions could also be added depending upon taste preferences or Ginger paste gives extra twisty flavor to veggies kababs skewered onto wooden sticks soaked previously because baking charges them very fast which isn’t conducive sometimes given texture issues arise unevenly due water content drainage problem from veggie medleys . Once ready set oiled grates holding Kabobs Skewers placing two inches apart
4. Grill the skewered veggies for approximately 10-12 minutes flipping every few minutes, Before serving check and adjust seasoning as per preference served hot with sizzling bbq meats .
That’s it! Now you know how to make some delicious summer sides, perfect for any upcoming BBQ or gathering with your favourite folks. Grilled corn on the cob, colorful pasta salad & a veggie medley grill kabob could all raise spirits of curbing hunger when paired along nicely grilled barbecue meat dishes elevating overall experience while not breaking the bank nor consuming too much time cooking indoors leaving smelling like smoke maybe but outdoors roasted spices aromas ruling environment will be simply irresistible . So what are you waiting for? Grab your apron and get cooking!
Common FAQs about Summer Sides for BBQ: What You Need to Know
Summertime is the perfect season for outdoor gatherings with friends and family, and nothing quite screams summer like a good old-fashioned BBQ. Whether you’re grilling burgers or cooking up hot dogs, no BBQ is complete without some delicious sides to complement the main course.
With so many different options available, it can be tough to decide which summer sides will best suit your next BBQ gathering. To make things easier for you, we’ve compiled a list of common FAQs about summer sides that you need to know before hosting your next party.
1) What are some classic summer side dishes that never go out of style?
Some classic side dishes that are always a hit at any summertime BBQ include potato salad, coleslaw, pasta salad, corn on the cob, and baked beans. These tried-and-tested classics have been around for years because they taste great and pair well with almost anything off the grill.
2) How can I prepare healthy side dishes for my guests?
Healthy doesn’t necessarily mean boring! There are plenty of ways to create tasty and nutritious summer sides including grilled veggies such as zucchini or asparagus seasoned with garlic butter or lemon juice; fresh salads made from cucumber, tomato or watermelon drizzled with balsamic vinegar dressing or grab pre-made veggie tray assortments wrap in dip cups; roasted sweet potatoes teamed up with honey-glazed carrots topped by pecans; among others!
3) Are vegetarian/vegan Summer Sides easily available?
Yes absolutely! In recent times plant-based diets have become increasingly popularized worldwide just like veganism too has grown immensely over time now becoming more mainstream favored type of diets especially amongst health conscious individuals concerned about animal welfare issues combined ethical considerations coming along with being green-conscious people. As such several vegan-friendly barbecue food options readily embracing meat-free alternatives but still providing devoured savory flavors while including macaroni pasta dish coated in creamy cashew sauce loaded vegetables or drizzled with spicy chipotle to create a mouth-watering sensation of deliciousness cooked over succulent roasted vegetables like eggplants, peppers and sweet potatoes.
4) How can I make my summer sides exciting and unique?
There are plenty of ways to supercharge your summer side dishes! Why not try adding unexpected ingredients such as apricots in quinoa salad? Maybe add some spices for extra flavor notes or avocado salads thrown into the mix—play around and take chances; Chilled Mexican Street Corn loaded up on cilantro-lime perfection corn given heat treatment topped by crumbled cotija cheese is surefire crowd pleaser.
5) Can you suggest any dessert options that complement summertime grilling menus well?
Fresh fruits like citrusy limes, juicy oranges, zesty lemons or Pineapple slices served sprinkled honey-dipped mint leaves cooling down after-spicy BBQ-y meats become epicurean delicacies without breaking budget while offering refreshing taste palettes thrilling guests’ cravings too much needed added benefit of nutrients vital minerals for bodies health-wellbeing factors…or go classic with ice cream parfaits layered angel-food cake drenched whipped shortbread crumbs filled with fresh berries creating blissful texture against bursts guava-berry sauces..too irresistible!
So there you have it – all the essential FAQs about summer sides that will help you nail your next barbecue completely. Whether you’re sticking to classic tried-and-tested recipes or trying out funky new alternatives mixing things together creatively getting fun flavors everyone enjoys unleashing top favors each invited guest no one can resist sharing nibble savors off mash-up plates full goodness!
Top 5 Facts You Need to Consider When Planning Your Summer Sides for BBQ
Summer is officially in full swing, which means it’s time to fire up the grill and indulge in some delicious barbecue. While burgers and hot dogs may steal the spotlight, no BBQ spread would be complete without a few mouth-watering side dishes.
If you’re looking for inspiration on what to add to your menu, here are the top 5 facts you need to consider when planning your summer sides for BBQ:
1. Keep It Fresh
One of the most important things to keep in mind when selecting your summer side dishes is freshness. After all, summertime is all about celebrating the season’s vibrant flavors and ingredients. Whether it’s crisp vegetables or juicy fruits bursting with flavor, fresh produce should have a prominent place on your BBQ table.
For example, grilled corn salad with avocado and tomato perfectly captures that bright summertime flavor while also adding plenty of color and texture to your meal.
2. Mix Up Your Flavor Profiles
Another essential tip for spicing up your summer sides is mixing up different flavor profiles throughout your menu. Instead of sticking with one note tastes, think outside of the box by exploring new spice blends or combining sweet and savory notes.
A great example of this would be honey glazed sweet potatoes topped off with chopped spicy jalapenos—this dish offers just enough sweetness followed by an unexpected kick from mild heat from jalapeno pepper poppers!
3. Don’t Forget About Texture
While taste plays a vital role in any recipe—it’s not everything! So remember textures too!!! You want each bite to bring something new experience every single time – so mix them creatively into much-loved classics like macaroni salad or twice-baked beans casserole that make ideal complements to smokey meats they will share their space along on pretty platters within easy access at buffet stations set outdoors under large shade umbrella tents wherever possible during these warm months!
4.Watch Out For Refrigerator Woes
When it comes to summertime BBQs, keeping your side dishes chilled as long as possible is crucial. Especially if you plan to be outside in the sun for extended periods whipping up fun-filled activities like lawn games and socializing around daisy-wheel barbecue grills after a plateful of juicy burgers.
One neat trick here could be placing containers filled with ice underneath serving platters which will keep those hot summer temperatures at bay!
5. Save Room For Dessert
Last but not least makes sure to take dessert into account when planning out your menu! Instead of settling for store-bought cookies or sugary snacks that may feel onerously calorie-dense – adding fresh sweet goodness- such as grilled pineapple or chocolate dipped-s’mores treats toasted over charcoal flames can add an extra layer of indulgence making any evening more memorable!
BBQ season represents endless opportunities to unleash your creativity, giving guests even more reason than ever before learn new recipes too by exchanging ideas on what they loved at other household cookouts rotated weekly each weekend throughout July and August – so why wait? Start getting inspired today by incorporating these top 5 facts on everything from classic sides’ additions all the way through creating innovative twists off familiar flavor profiles this year since we are saying “adios” winter shades now right!?