15 Best Summer Side Dishes

Vegan Black Bean and Mango Salad — The Spruce/Emily Hawkes

Grilled mains and summer vegetables may get most of the attention during warm-weather months, but they all need supporting side dishes to become a full meal. Whether you dream of digging into creamy macaroni salad, the best-ever corn on the cob ideas, or summer slaws that sing with flavor, these delicious summer sides go well with grilled meats, fish, and vegetarian mains.

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01 of 15

Vegan Cole Slaw

The Spruce

A vegan coleslaw is just as good as a traditional American-style slaw and makes a great barbecue side dish. It's simple to make with shredded cabbage, carrots, and vegan mayonnaise and is suitable for anyone on an egg-free or vegan diet.
02 of 15

Mexican Street Corn

Leah Maroney

Mexican street corn is salty, sweet, crunchy, and creamy in every bite. After grilling ears of corn, roll them in garlicky lime crema, followed by crumbly queso fresco. Sprinkle on cilantro and a dash of chili powder for an unbelievably flavorful vegetable side.
03 of 15

Dilly Potatoes Grilled in a Packet

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Dilly potatoes grilled in packets go great with flame-cooked meats. Steaming them on the grill after a short marinade produces the perfect crispy-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside texture. Serve warm or at room temperature.
04 of 15

Old-Fashioned Southern Spoon Bread

The Spruce

Warm Kentucky-style spoonbread is like a soft, custardy cornbread you scoop straight from the pan. Bake it in the oven, adding bacon crumbles or chopped green onions if you like, until it puffs up and turns golden-brown. It's a wonderfully comforting side dish that goes great with barbecue chicken.

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05 of 15

Pesto Chicken Pasta Salad

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Use a rotisserie chicken and prepared pesto sauce to assemble this tasty chicken pasta salad. Grape tomatoes, cubed mild cheese, and bright green peas add color to this fuss-free, mayo-free summer salad.
06 of 15

Vegan Black Bean and Mango Salad

The Spruce/Emily Hawkes

Skip the mayo-drenched salads and offer guests something bright and healthy. Black beans and mangoes combine with fresh bell pepper, fresh jalapeno peppers and fresh cilantro in this colorful vegan, gluten-free summer medley that is loaded with protein and nutrition.
07 of 15

Spicy Kimchi Natto

Judy Ung

Spicy kimchi natto is a quick and easy Japanese fusion side dish made with fermented soy beans (available in Asian markets) and cabbage. It makes a delicious topping for pulled pork and burgers or a unique vegetarian taco filling.
08 of 15

Baked Zucchini Fries

The Spruce/Diana Rattray

Panko bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese make these baked zucchini fries crispy and delicious. They are a great alternative to traditional French fries when you want to cut back on carbs and make use of a bounty of zucchini from your garden. Enjoy them with everything from burgers and sandwiches to sausages and grilled steaks.

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09 of 15

Creamy Coleslaw With Pineapple

Diana Rattray

Juicy fresh pineapple adds sweetness and zing to this fruity, flavorful coleslaw that includes plump raisins and sunflower seeds for added crunch. For best results, make it a few hours in advance, and chill in the fridge until ready to serve.
10 of 15

BBQ Corn with Honey-Dijon Baste

Brian Leatart/Getty Images

Grilled corn on the cob is one of summer's great pleasures. Honey-mustard fans will cheer for these corn cobs slathered in sweet honey and tangy Dijon, and cooked on the barbecue. If you're pressed for time, you can skip the step of soaking the corn ears in water first (as long as you remove the husks for grilling), but even a one-hour water bath will plump up kernels for a juicier eating experience.
11 of 15

Classic Fried Green Tomatoes

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Fried green tomatoes are an iconic Southern dish and a great way to use unripe tomatoes from your summer garden. They fry up in only 10 minutes on the stovetop, so they're a great last-minute side dish for burgers and hot dogs at summer parties.
12 of 15

Loaded Baked Potato Salad

Diana Rattray

If you love the taste of loaded twice-baked potatoes, you're sure to enjoy this filling salad with bacon, cheddar cheese, and seasoned sour cream. Taking the time to bake the potatoes adds extra-special flavor to this hearty and flavorful potluck salad.

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13 of 15

Sweet Corn Fritters

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Sweet corn fritters are a great way to enjoy the goodness of fresh corn in summer. They take only 30 minutes to make in a skillet on the stovetop, and taste especially great alongside grilled pork tenderloin. Plan to make them immediately before serving, as they are best eaten when fresh and hot.
14 of 15

Crunchy Cabbage Ramen Salad

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Crunchy, nutty, and full of crisp vegetables, this irresistible ramen slaw is a great accompaniment to grilled steak, chicken, or fish. You don't even have to cook the ramen noodles, which go into the salad directly from the packet. The flavoring pouch is then used the dressing to add wonderful flavor.
15 of 15

BLT Macaroni Salad With Bacon

Diana Rattray

What would a summer barbecue be without macaroni salad? This creamy pasta salad combines all your favorite BLT sandwich flavors in a bowl, with salty crumbled bacon, ripe tomatoes, and crispy lettuce, plus hard-cooked eggs, in a lemony mayonnaise dressing.

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