Make room on the grill for these barbecue side dishes! From corn on the cob to grilled potatoes, bacon-wrapped asparagus, veggie kabobs and seared pineapple, these grilled sides stretch the smoky flavors of any cookout.
31 Grilled Sides: Recipes for Your Next Barbecue
Updated on Apr. 30, 2025
1/31
Chip-Crusted Grilled Corn
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For my version of Mexican street corn, I roll the ears in crushed chips. For extra pizazz, try different chip flavors like ranch dressing and jalapeno. —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1 ear of corn: 355 calories, 27g fat (5g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 405mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 4g protein.
Instead of steaming up the house with a giant pot of boiling water, grill fresh corn on the cob until it’s lightly charred and tender. You could serve it plain, but seasoning it Mexican street corn-style makes it taste even better. Coat the cooked corn in seasoned mayonnaise and roll it in crushed tortilla chips for a crunchy finish.
2/31
Grilled Potato Fans with Onions
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
55 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Looking for the ultimate grilled potato? These seasoned potato fans are filled with tender onions, roasted garlic cloves and savory Parmesan cheese. —Sharon Crabtree, Graham, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1 potato: 302 calories, 13g fat (8g saturated fat), 35mg cholesterol, 195mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 4g fiber), 7g protein.
Potatoes can take a while to cook, so we like to slice them hasselback-style to speed up the process. Tuck onion slices and garlic into the gaps, and wrap each potato in foil. Let them cook slowly over indirect heat to ensure they cook through without burning on the outside.
3/31
Stuffed Grilled Zucchini
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Pair these zucchini boats with charred pork chops, smoked fish or other grilled greats. —Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey
Nutrition Facts:
2 stuffed zucchini halves: 186 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 11mg cholesterol, 553mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 9g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1 lean meat, 1 fat, 1/2 starch.
Here’s a hot tip: Nestle your zucchini boats against the grill slats so they won’t capsize. You don’t want the crispy bread crumb filling to spill out! Our grilled zucchini recipe includes minced fresh mint, an unexpected flavor that contrasts beautifully with the rich cheesy filling.
4/31
Grilled Cabbage
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The first time I made this, I couldn’t believe how good it was! We served it with grilled burgers and our dinner was complete. I never thought I’d skip dessert because I was full from too much cabbage! —Elizabeth Wheeler, Thornville, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 wedge: 98 calories, 8g fat (5g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 188mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 fat, 1 vegetable.
Cabbage wedges are easy to grill and develop a caramelized nuttiness that’ll make you wonder why anyone boils it. Cut a whole head into wedges, wrap it in foil with seasonings and cook until tender. This grilled side tastes great with bold meaty mains like Vietnamese pork chops.
5/31
Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I grill dinner almost every night, and I love grilling veggies for a side dish. I serve this grilled bacon-wrapped asparagus recipe with meat and sliced fresh tomatoes for a wonderful meal. —Trisha Kitts, Dickinson, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
5 pieces: 120 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 21mg cholesterol, 372mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 9g protein.
Grilling magnifies the earthiness of fresh asparagus, especially when each tender stalk is wrapped with thin bacon strips. It works well as a side dish or a party appetizer. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, bake it in the oven or make air-fryer bacon-wrapped asparagus.
6/31
Grilled Pattypans
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
15 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Just a few minutes and a handful of ingredients are all you’ll need for this scrumptious side dish. Hoisin sauce and rice wine vinegar give grilled pattypans Asian flair. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 54 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 127mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1/2 starch.
Expand your grilled squash repertoire beyond zucchini with these UFO-shaped pattypans. The cute little squashes wobble on a grill grate, so consider cooking them in a grill basket or perforated pan. Kids and adults will love them alongside mains like apricot chicken drumsticks.
7/31
Veggie Kabobs
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Grilling is a delightful way to prepare the season's freshest produce. The zesty Italian marinade adds just the right amount of spice to these veggie kabobs. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 202 calories, 18g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 598mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein.
Veggie kabobs are an easy grilled side dish for the whole family. You can even get the kids involved, letting them slide chopped vegetables onto skewers while you mix up the sauce. Then, marinate the skewers after they’re loaded to minimize the mess.
8/31
Herbed Butternut Squash
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
25 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is just one of many ways I prepare butternut squash for my two girls. It’s a winter staple in our house. —Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 108 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 205mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 7g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1/2 fat.
Winter squash’s natural sugars help it caramelize beautifully on a grill, and it doesn’t even need much seasoning. Simply peel and cut it into slabs, then toss it with oil and herbs. This is a good one to remember when Thanksgiving comes around (especially if you’re already grilling the turkey).
9/31
Grilled Peppers and Zucchini
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This versatile side dish is so simple and quick that I had to share it. Grilling the colorful veggies in a foil packet means one less dish to wash, but I sometimes stir-fry the mixture on the stovetop. —Karen Anderson, Fair Oaks, California
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 57 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 186mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 vegetable.
You can lay peppers and zucchini right on a grill grate, but a foil packet works best for thinly sliced vegetables. Throw a little butter and soy sauce into the packet and serve this side dish directly from the grill.
10/31
Grilled Green Beans
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I cook almost everything outdoors, including grilled green beans. I prepare this snappy side dish while the entree is cooking. The recipe has won over my picky eaters. —Carol Traupman-Carr, Breinigsville, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 137 calories, 9g fat (5g saturated fat), 24mg cholesterol, 234mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 4g fiber), 5g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 fat, 1 vegetable.
You can cook raw green beans on the grill, but blanching vegetables helps them stay crisper and fresher. We grill the green beans in a foil packet with shallots, garlic and grated Parmesan. The foil keeps them from falling through the grill grates, and the seasonings ensure the beans come off the heat evenly coated and ready to serve.
11/31
Easy Grilled Corn with Chipotle-Lime Butter
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Grilling corn in the husks is so easy. There's no need to remove the silk and tie the husk closed before grilling. Just soak, grill and add your favorite flavored butter. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 ear of corn with 2 tablespoons butter: 225 calories, 13g fat (8g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 265mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 3g fiber), 5g protein.
When grilled in its husks, corn on the cob steams until tender and gains a smoky undertone. Brushing the corn with a zesty lime and chipotle pepper-infused butter enhances the charred flavor.
12/31
Grilled Zucchini
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Wondering what to do with all your garden-grown zucchini in the summer? Give it a sizzle and a little heat with this healthy side. It’s also an easy recipe to double or triple for summer cookouts. —Alia Shuttleworth, Auburn, California
Nutrition Facts:
3 zucchini halves: 73 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 314mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1 fat.
Cut zucchini into lengthwise planks instead of rounds, and they will lie smoothly across all sizes of grill grates without slipping through the gaps. Toss them with a little oil before you cook them so they don’t stick, and season them with lemon juice, green onions and pepper flakes while still hot.
13/31
Quick Barbecued Beans
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
25 min
Servings
5 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Barbecued beans are a simple, classic recipe and cooking them on the grill adds great smoky flavor. —Millie Vickery, Lena, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 264 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 877mg sodium, 51g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 13g fiber), 14g protein.
Anyone who loves barbecued beans will be into this version, which cooks them right on the grill. If you’re serving it with other grilled mains like pork chops or grilled bratwurst, slide the beans to the side and start grilling the meat when the beans are almost finished cooking.
14/31
Grilled Sweet Potatoes
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
35 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband first tried this recipe with plain potatoes. They were so yummy; we experimented with sweet potatoes. Dipped in Gorgonzola spread, they’re irresistible. —Kristen Minello, Macomb, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving with 3 tablespoons spread: 362 calories, 19g fat (5g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 425mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 6g fiber), 6g protein.
To cook sweet potatoes on the grill, first steam them in the microwave. Slice them into rounds and brush the cut surfaces with oil to help them pick up char marks and flavor. A rich Gorgonzola spread balances their caramelized sweetness.
15/31
Jalapeno Popper Mexican Street Corn
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
One of the best things about summer is fresh sweet corn, and this recipe is a definite standout. We love its creamy dressing, crunchy panko coating and spicy jalapeno kick. If you're really feeling wild, sprinkle these with a bit of cooked and crumbled bacon! —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1 ear of corn: 339 calories, 26g fat (9g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 568mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 3g fiber), 6g protein.
Grilled Mexican street corn (aka elotes) has become popular across the continent thanks to its smoky, creamy and cheesy layers. This version involves grilling the corn on the cob, smothering it with lime crema and finishing it with seasoned panko and grilled chiles.
16/31
Grilled Veggies with Caper Butter
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
35 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We enjoy the tart, peppery taste of capers. No one likes a bland veggie, and caper butter helps peppers, squash and zucchini shine. —Danyelle Crum, Indian Trail, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 117 calories, 10g fat (4g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 219mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 fat, 1 vegetable.
Lemon juice and capers add a zingy character to a buttery sauce that can be used to baste all sorts of vegetables. This recipe calls for summer squashes, sweet peppers, mushrooms and green onions, but you can change it up and use whatever looks best at the farmers market.
17/31
Grilled Potato and Corn Salad
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Corn salad and potato salad are two summer classics. I smashed them together for a crowd-pleasing side that we love with burgers. Locally sourced ingredients from the farmers market make it extra special. —Donna Gribbins, Shelbyville, Kentucky
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 260 calories, 14g fat (5g saturated fat), 25mg cholesterol, 347mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 7g protein.
This grilled vegetable potato salad puts a charred twist on the classic picnic salad. It combines grilled potatoes, poblano peppers, corn and green onions with a creamy lime-cilantro dressing.
18/31
Spicy Grilled Eggplant
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This side dish goes well with any meat you might also be grilling. Thanks to the Cajun seasoning, the zesty eggplant gets more attention than an ordinary veggie. —Greg Fontenot, The Woodlands, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 88 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 152mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 4g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 fat, 1 vegetable.
Eggplant develops complex flavors when cooked over open flames, which is why most baba ganoush recipes start with charring it. This spicy grilled recipe serves the eggplant as thick rounds to create a side that tastes fantastic alongside sweet huli huli chicken. If you end up with leftovers, turn them into a sandwich.
19/31
Grilled Herb Potatoes
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
40 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Every year my father and I plant a garden together. After an especially great growing season, we had plenty of produce to eat! We like to use fresh herbs from our garden but dry is just as tasty in this dish. —Bernadette Bennett, Waco, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 117 calories, 6g fat (4g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 351mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fat.
Baby potatoes cook with shocking speed when grilled in a foil packet. To help them steam, toss the spuds with cranberry juice, cubed butter and fresh herbs before wrapping them in foil.
20/31
Grilled Vegetable Platter
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe is the best of summer in one dish! These pretty veggies are perfect for entertaining. Grilling brings out their natural sweetness, and the easy marinade really perks up the flavor. —Heidi Hall, North St. Paul, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 144 calories, 9g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 50mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 3g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 vegetable, 2 fat.
A large serving dish piled high with grilled vegetables is welcome at any cookout. Tender young carrots, slender asparagus, sweet peppers, squash and red onion make a colorful display at a barbecue.
21/31
Grilled Broccoli
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
25 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I started using this recipe in 1987, when I began cooking light, and it's been a favorite side dish ever since. With its lemon and Parmesan flavors, it once took second place in a cooking contest. —Alice Nulle, Woodstock, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 107 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 304mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 fat, 1 vegetable.
Marinating broccoli helps the sturdy stalks pick up flavors that deepen as they cook. Serve this bright side dish with grilled rosemary swordfish for a light summer meal.
22/31
Grilled Mushrooms
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
15 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Mushrooms cooked over hot coals always taste good, but this easy recipe makes them taste fantastic. As a mother of two children, I love to cook entire meals on the grill. It's fun spending time outdoors with the kids. —Melanie Knoll, Marshalltown, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1 skewer: 77 calories, 8g fat (5g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 230mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
Earthy mushrooms turn smoky and rich when cooked on a barbecue and get a bright finish with grilled lemon wedges. Serve them with garlicky grilled steak and other veggie sides like cabbage.
23/31
Grilled Okra
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 skewers
From the Recipe Creator:
Verdant, grassy okra pods get a little crispy and lightly charred after a quick turn on the grill. The skewers make a fresh and welcome addition to a backyard cookout and can convert even those who aren't okra fans. Just sprinkle with lemon juice and salt for a simple and sublime finish. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 skewer (4 okra pods): 14 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 151mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.
For a summer picnic with southern flair, wow your guests with grilled fresh okra. This mild vegetable readily picks up the smokiness of the grill’s flames and turns crisp in its high, dry heat.
24/31
Grilled Pineapple with Lime Dip
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Serve this dish as an appetizer or a dessert—the choice is yours! If desired, the pineapple spears can be rolled in flaked coconut before grilling. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
2 spears with 2 tablespoons dip: 160 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 41mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (28g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein.
The grill’s heat adds sweet and savory undertones to grilled fruit. To balance the sweetness, this recipe includes a tangy lime dip. Call it a side dish or call it a dessert; either way, it’s a delicious combination.
25/31
Grilled Sweet Potato Wedges
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love when an entire meal can be cooked outside on the grill and I don't need to heat up the kitchen. These grilled sweet potatoes meet that requirement and are healthy, too! —Natalie Knowlton, Kamas, Utah
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup with 2 tablespoons sauce: 166 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 349mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 3g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat.
Cooking sweet potato fries outdoors helps them develop a charred exterior and a smoky crunch. Instead of ketchup, dip them in a spicy mayonnaise and yogurt sauce.
26/31
Grilled Veggies with Mustard Vinaigrette
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
35 min
Servings
10 servings (3/4 cup each)
From the Recipe Creator:
I make this healthy and inviting side dish whenever friends come over for a cookout. The honeyed vinaigrette lets the veggies shine. —Shelly Graver, Lansdale, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 155 calories, 12g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 166mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2-1/2 fat, 1 vegetable, 1/2 starch.
If you think of vinaigrette as just a salad dressing, think again. It’s delicious on fresh vegetables hot off the grill. Serve this summery spread as a mellow side for spicy Cajun grilled shrimp.
27/31
Grilled Potatoes with Bacon-Ranch Sauce
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
30 min
Servings
5 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These potatoes are tender and good all by themselves, but pairing them with the sauce creates a perfect combination—a side dish compatible with any entree cooked on the grill. —Craig Carpenter, Coraopolis, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup with 2 tablespoons sauce: 365 calories, 23g fat (4g saturated fat), 7mg cholesterol, 879mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 4g protein.
If you love roasted potatoes, you simply have to try them on the grill. They steam evenly in a foil packet, and a bacon and ranch dressing sauce enhances their smokiness.
28/31
Grilled Potato Skins
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 appetizers
From the Recipe Creator:
It's easy to love these delicious appetizers. They're nice to serve outside when you invite friends over for a grilled meal. They remind me of the potato skins I have had in restaurants—only better! —Mitzi Sentiff, Annapolis, Maryland
Nutrition Facts:
2 each: 327 calories, 16g fat (10g saturated fat), 49mg cholesterol, 611mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 12g protein.
Potato skins cook so fast on the grill that you can fire off batch after batch. The speedy secret is to steam them in the microwave until tender. Then, you’ll just need to crisp the outside and melt the cheese when your backyard barbecue guests arrive.
29/31
Lime and Sesame Grilled Eggplant
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When I lived in Greece, I fell in love with eggplant. My recipe's seasonings have an Asian theme, but the dish still makes me think Greek. —Allyson Meyler, Greensboro, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 50 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 246mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat.
Most people cut eggplant into rounds, but this recipe slices them lengthwise. Brushed with a savory glaze and charred on the grill, the lime-and-sesame glazed slabs taste fantastic with Asian pork kabobs.
30/31
Grilled Cauliflower Wedges
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This side is incredibly easy, yet is packed with flavor and looks like a dish from a five-star restaurant. The grill leaves the cauliflower cooked but crisp, and the red pepper flakes add bite. —Carmel Hall, San Francisco, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 wedge: 57 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 32mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1 fat.
Cauliflower absorbs just about any flavor you throw at it. In this case, it’s earthy turmeric, spicy pepper flakes, sweet-tart lemon juice and pomegranate seeds. Serve the wedges with kofta kabobs made from spiced beef and lamb.
31/31
Grilled Corn Salad
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
35 min
Servings
about 8 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
I absolutely love cilantro and add it to recipes whenever I can. I'm also a fan of corn on the cob, and especially of the flavor that grilling the corn brings out. This recipe was born from the love of these ingredients. —Misty Tudor, Ajax, Ontario
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 149 calories, 9g fat (2g saturated fat), 3mg cholesterol, 176mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 4g protein.
Grilled corn kernels have a sweet flavor that stands out even when they’re cut from the cob and turned into a salad. A lime dressing, fresh summer vegetables and Cotija cheese give the salad tangy, savory and salty layers.
Grilled Sides FAQ
What are good sides to cook on a grill?
Most of our favorite grilled sides involve fresh vegetables because they require little preparation and cook quickly. Slender veggies, like asparagus or green beans, can be tossed with a bit of oil and cooked in mere minutes on the grill grates. Thicker veggies, like zucchini or eggplants, can be cut into slabs or rounds to help them cook evenly. Dense ones like potatoes should be boiled or microwaved first to speed up the cooking time.
Some surprising foods you can grill include cherry tomatoes threaded onto skewers and whole heads of garlic. Don’t overlook fruit, either. Charred peaches, pears and apples often become dessert, but they’re also tasty as savory sides like grilled peach, rice and arugula salad or chicken Alfredo with grilled apples.
What grilled sides should you bring to a barbecue?
The grill can fill up quickly at a barbecue, so bring sides that cook quickly or don’t need to be reheated. Grilled and chilled dishes like grilled chicken salad, potato salad or grilled fruits are always great options. For grilled kabob recipes, load the skewers at home and rapidly cook them in pairs as space opens up. Speedy sides in foil packets are easy to tuck into gaps or can steam slowly on an upper rack. Foil-wrapped items are also nice because they don’t stick to the grill, so you don’t need to clean the grate if they follow a meaty main.
What vegetable side dishes go well with grilled chicken?
Most vegetable side dishes go well with grilled chicken, and the best ones contrast or complement the chicken marinade or dry rub. Counterbalance the sweet sauce of barbecue chicken with grilled vegetables tossed with tart lemon juice, capers or mustard vinaigrette. Pair zesty Greek lemon chicken with spicy cauliflower or broccoli spears garnished with grilled lemon wedges and Parmesan cheese. The rich flavor of peanut butter chicken skewers works well with light veggies like grilled eggplant. Or slather corn on the cob with the same butter you mix up for spiced grilled chicken with cilantro lime butter.
