Short answer best summer sides for bbq: Some of the best summer sides for a BBQ include grilled corn on the cob, potato salad, coleslaw, watermelon salad, and pasta salad. These dishes are easy to make ahead of time and pair perfectly with grilled meats.
How to Choose and Prepare the Best Summer Sides for BBQ: A Step-by-Step Guide
Summer is the perfect time to fire up your grill, invite friends and family over for some backyard fun, and indulge in an array of delicious BBQ foods. While protein-rich meats are often the star of any summer cookout, it’s crucial not to overlook the importance of sides – they can turn a simple meal into a spectacular culinary experience!
But with so many different options available, deciding which side dishes to prepare can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve put together this step-by-step guide to help you choose and prepare the best summer sides for BBQ.
Step 1: Understand Your Guests
Before selecting your side dish lineup, consider your guests’ dietary needs and preferences. Some people follow specific diets like vegetarian or vegan, while others may have food allergies or intolerances that must be taken into account. Make sure you know what your guests’ needs are before planning out the menu.
Step 2: Choose a Variety of Dietary-Friendly Options
Once you’ve confirmed everyone’s dietary preferences and restrictions, select main course-friendly side dishes that will satisfy all tastes bud — starting from fresh salads right down to starches like potatoes etc., but make sure to offer equally healthy options as well!
For example:
– Grilled Vegetables Salad – A colorful mix of grilled vegetables tossed with olive oil dressing
– Summer Coleslaw – Classic coleslaw recipe made using cabbage slaw mix coated with creamy dressing.
– Roasted Garlic Bread – Perfectly flavored bread by spreading roasted garlic on top.
– Corn & Tomato Salsa – Fresh corn combined with ripe cherry tomatoes seasoned with lemon juice
or chili flakes.
– Baked Sweet Potato Wedges – Oven-baked sweet potato wedges seasoned lightly thus making them crispy on outside yet soft inside
By offering a variety of sides from salad-like easy-going texture recipes (like grilled vegetable salad) towards heavy starchy alternatives such as baked potato wedges; ensures every palate at your gathering get to enjoy something they like.
Step 3: Get Creative with Seasoning
Now that you’ve chosen and prepared the perfect summer sides for BBQ, it’s time to step it up a notch by getting creative with seasoning. Summer’s produce is vibrant and flavorsome so experiment freely when deciding how best season each dish:
– Grilled Vegetables Salad – Fresh herbs like basil or thyme can take this salad to another level
– Summer Coleslaw – A bit of jalapeno or Dijon mustard in dressing gives kick to an otherwise plain recipe
– Roasted Garlic bread – Adding rosemary on top brings out flavor subtlety!
– Corn & Tomato Salsa – Chopped parsley, coriander sprigs make excellent garnish options.
– Baked Sweet Potato Wedges – Cumin powder or Paprika would bring some spicy flare!
Whether through the addition of spices, fresh herbs, or distinctive sauces; focussing on evolution means discovering wonders you might not even know existed just moments before laying eyes upon finished dishes.
In Conclusion,
When hosting a summer BBQ gathering, remember that side dishes complement your main course–they offer warm laughs while inspiring memorable dining experiences. Don’t stress yourself over choosing what goes well as there are many great recipes online waiting for us all right now! However long you may take preparing them will be worth every second once ready come meal times.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Summer Sides for BBQ
As the summer season approaches, many of us start planning for fun backyard barbecues with family and friends. Grilling up some tasty burgers, hot dogs or chicken on the BBQ can sure be a crowd-pleaser but what about choosing the perfect sides that will complement your main course? There are plenty of options when it comes to delicious summer sides for BBQs, so we’ve put together some answers to frequently asked questions below!
What’s important to keep in mind when choosing summer sides for BBQ?
When you’re selecting side dishes to go along with your grilled meats or veggies, there are a few things that you should consider. Firstly, think about balancing flavors and textures – if you serve rich, creamy potatoes salad alongside saucy ribs then everything becomes too heavy and ends badly! Secondly it’s good have variety; offer some cold salads as well refreshingly juicy fruit platters -. Thirdly try sticking within specific theme – Mexican themed menus would pair tacos with guacamole while Greek style salad has cucumber feta dill dressing.
Any recommendations for refreshing salads?
Absolutely! Summer is all about enjoying fresh ways by staying light weight through eating lightly without compromising quality taste buds satisfaction. A cold quinoa chickpea cucumber salad topped with crumbled feta makes a great starter option which also supplements protein content & combines protective antioxidants . Then again nothing beats classic Caesar salad complete with tender lettuce leaves sprinkled generously around crunchy croutons served alongside tangy Caesar Salad Dressing made from organic ingredients like yogurt pepper garlic lemon squeezed till bursting point!.
What are popular veggie-based sides people tend to enjoy during summer BBQs?
There are so many plant-based options available out there nowadays — especially during summertime where vegetarianism is at its peak popularity — it would surprise anyone who may assume meat rules the roost all year long!. Classic coleslaw offers satisfying crunchiness because finely sliced cabbage mixed up scallions celery ribbons red bell peppers and carrot matchsticks can be truly taste changer rather than boring & drab!. Grilled eggplant slices served with a sprinkle of sea salt or fresh herbs offer an unexpectedly appetizing addition to food plates while herbed potato wedges oven roasted until crispy complements veggies, meats alike!.
How about a dessert options?
For sweet endings that will have everyone asking for seconds definitely try grilling some fruit kabobs served alongside vanilla ice cream. Orange chunks topped layers of creamy coconut layer cake not only adds healthy impact inside body but satisfies spirit cravings too.
There you go – just some quick ideas for summer sides that’ll make your backyard BBQs even better! Remember to keep things balanced between flavors, textures, plant-based options as well as variety . Happy grilling season picnics all!
Top 5 Facts You Need to Know About the Best Summer Sides for BBQ
The barbeque season is finally upon us, and it’s time to fire up the grill for some mouth-watering meals. While the meat usually takes center stage at a BBQ, no meal is complete without delicious summer sides to complement the grilled goodness.
Here are the top 5 facts you need to know about the best summer sides for BBQ:
1. Embrace seasonal produce
Summer is all about fresh produce with bright colors and bold flavors that can be easily transformed into delicious sides alongside your BBQ spread. A simple cucumber salad with tomatoes or char-grilled corn on the cob slathered in butter and seasoned with chili flakes make perfect additions to any outdoor feast. Also, don’t forget about succulent watermelon slices, juicy peaches or grilled zucchinis served as salads.
2. Simple doesn’t mean boring
Sometimes less is more, particularly when having guests over during barbecue parties who might have different preferences yet want to try everything on offer. Whether serving solo cups filled with a pasta salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette or crispy roasted potatoes sprinkled with herbs near your burger and sausage station reflects good taste sense while still keeping things simple.
3. Add Some Spice and Tang With Sauces And Marinades
Picking flavorful sauces that go well not only compliments chicken, beef but also spruces up bland side dishes like potato salads, coleslaw etc., which otherwise may leave plates underwhelmingly empty if left unseasoned properly! Try pairing tangy chimichurri sauce or even fried plantain style sweet banana ketchup hamburgers. You’ll never look back!
4. Balanced textures bring interest
Textures can add depth of flavor along with aromas & spices level; they help turn contrast bringing dynamism on plates – thereby making them an interesting one! Some prefer crunchy bits from nuts or seared vegetables tossed together into a complementary dish: Pasta wheels mixed herby breadcrumbs crusted chicken, or sautéed green beans added with crispy bacon bits will bring out discerning palates’ unique flavors.
5. Fresh Herbs and Aromatics Bring a Summer Feel
Adding fresh herbs like basil, parsley, cilantro add zesty aromas to your barbecue foods whilst also promoting excellent health benefits such as digestion aids. Besides adding colors and robust tastes on plates by garnishing sauces & marinades – it brings summery memories right into every bite of the BBQ feast.
Wrapping Up:
A perfect summer BBQ has deliciously grilled meat that doubles up combined with options within vegetable/fruit salads providing different color pops along with textures balanced equally in each dish served altogether under the sun-kissed skies of an ideal season for a successful outdoor party!