No matter how great your ribs are, or how tender the grilled chicken, if the side dishes are lacking, your summer spread is just not all it could be. Here are some crowd-pleasing side dish recipes to make your next summer meal complete. The secret to a great side dish is its ability to compliment the main courses, yet be interesting enough to stand up on their own.
Baked Barbecue Beans
Photo (c) John Mitzewich
This simple barbecue beans recipe makes a classic side dish for any of your grilled meats. The real secret of these delicious barbecue beans is the chopped barbecued pork, which gives the recipe its deep, rich flavor.
Deli-Style Red Potato Salad Recipe
Photo © Flickr user rick
This deli-style red potato salad recipe is delicious with all your favorite sandwiches, as well as alongside a spicy rack of ribs at the next cookout. Red potatoes work so well in potato salad recipes since they don't fall apart after being cooked.
Red Pepper and Fresh Corn Salad Recipe
Photo © Flickr user kspoddar
This red pepper and fresh corn salad recipe is a colorful, and delicious way to break that summer salad routine. A crunchy, sweet, fresh corn salad is perfect for any picnic, cookout, or barbecue.
Sour Cream Potato Salad
Photo (c) John Mitzewich
A tangy sour cream dressing turns a basic potato salad recipe into something special. This potato salad recipe can be done with russet, red, or gold potatoes.
Sweet Potato Salad
Photo (c) Andrea Bell
This healthy sweet potato salad features a low-fat honey mustard dressing, and would make a great change of pace from more traditional potato salads.
Honey Mustard Coleslaw Recipe
Photo © Flickr user rick
This honey mustard coleslaw recipe is sweet, tangy and delicious. It's a perfect coleslaw recipe to pair with almost any grilled meat or chicken.
Green Bean Salad Recipe with Fresh Mint
Photo © Flickr user fab4chiky
This quick and easy green bean salad recipe is very low fat thanks to a light, simple rice vinegar dressing. Rice vinegar has a natural sweet and tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with the fresh mint. A cold green bean salad is a very refreshing side dish served next to richer foods.
Feta, Red Onion, and Tomato Salad Recipe
Photo © Flickr user adactio
When tomatoes are in season, there's nothing like a fresh and colorful feta, red onion, and tomato salad. The simple balsamic dressing really brings out the sweetness of the tomatoes, as well as balancing the tangy feta in this great summer salad.
Artichoke and Tortellini Pasta Salad Recipe
Photo © Flickr user VeryBadLady
Tired of the same old pasta salad recipes? Try this artichoke and tortellini pasta salad recipe for a great change of pace. The canned artichoke hearts, and simple Italian dressing, makes this delicious pasta salad very fast and easy to put together.
