When the grill’s fired up and the sun’s doing its thing, the only thing better than a juicy burger or sticky BBQ chicken is what’s next to it on the plate. Summer cookout side dishes are the true heroes of backyard parties. They bring the crunch, the freshness, the color, the comfort. From pasta salads that hold up in the heat to dips and veggies that disappear faster than you can say “pass the tongs:” here are 23 easy, reliable, everyone-goes-back-for-seconds summer sides that will lock you in as the host who knows what’s going on.

And encourage your guests to bring one to your place, and offer to bring one to theirs! I’m a big fan of sharing the load!

When planning your side dishes for an outdoor gathering or for any meal, there are a few things you will want to think about.

Make-Ahead Tips

• If you are planning to grill your main courses, then figuring out what you can do before the day of is just plain smart.
• Some of the dishes can be made in their entirety and just pulled out of the fridge before serving.
• Some of the recipes can be made in stages, and in some cases, you can make the components of the dish and then just assemble before serving.
• Read the recipe through to see what can be prepared before your party.
• In many cases, you want to pull your side dish out of the refrigerator for about 20 minutes before serving, which will take the chill off. Pasta and grain salads, vegetable dishes, and more are all best when they are closer to room temperature than very cold.
• Leafy green salads are best when chilled, so leave those in the fridge til the last possible minute.

Planning Cookout Sides

• Color: Keep those colors lively, especially during the summer when produce is so bountiful. Make use of all of that fresh produce piled high at the farmers markets. 
• Texture: Think about having a variety of textures in the meal. If you are serving burgers, for instance, you’ll want to have some crunchy side dishes. If you have a potato salad with a creamy dressing, make sure your coleslaw has some crunch to it.
• Vegan and Vegetarian: It’s practically a necessity to have some vegan or vegetarian offerings at any party, to make sure all of your guests are accommodated. Side dishes are the easiest way to make sure there are ample vegan and vegetarian options.
• Allergen-Free: Ask your guests if there are any serious intolerances or allergies before you finalize your menu. If needed, make sure you have all of those bases covered. You might want to have options that are nut-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, and so on. Nothing is worse than realizing you don’t have enough for everyone to safely enjoy at your party.

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23 Easy Cookout Side Dishes

From pasta salads to grilled veggies to potato salad with a twist, these 23 easy summer side dishes are perfect for cookouts, potlucks, and backyard barbecues. Make-ahead, crowd-friendly, and stress-free.

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