35 Best Summer Side Dishes

This classic recipe combines Yukon Gold potatoes with mayonnaise, refrigerated pickle relish, yellow mustard, and apple cider vinegar. Celery seeds, paprika, hard-boiled eggs, diced celery, and sweet onion are added to enhance its depth of flavor and crunch. The key to its luxurious consistency is allowing the potatoes to become soft enough to partially mash when mixed, resulting in a creamy and indulgent side dish.

This easy recipe recreates the famous Chick-fil-A coleslaw. It features a creamy dressing made from mayonnaise, white vinegar, granulated sugar, dry mustard, and a pinch of kosher salt. This tangy and slightly sweet dressing is then tossed with shredded coleslaw mix, resulting in a refreshing and crisp salad that's perfect for potlucks and barbecues. For optimal flavor, refrigerating the coleslaw for at least two hours before serving is recommended.

This vibrant and healthy salad mixes chopped tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, red onions, and diced avocados. The medley is brightened with a drizzle of olive oil and lemon juice and then seasoned with sea salt and black pepper. You can optionally add fresh cilantro for an aromatic touch. This recipe is a delicious accompaniment to grilled dishes or as a standalone light meal.

This colorful and flavorful recipe for grilled vegetable skewers features chunks of red onion, zucchini, and assorted bell peppers. They are brushed with a fresh garlic herb sauce and drizzled with tangy balsamic vinegar, elevating the vegetables' natural sweetness while the grilling imparts a delicious smoky flavor.

This quick and nutritious salad combines fresh spinach leaves with juicy strawberries, blueberries, toasted pecans, and crumbled feta cheese. It is drizzled with a homemade balsamic glaze, adding a sweet and tangy note that complements the ingredients beautifully. This salad is not only visually appealing but also packed with antioxidants and healthy fats, making it an ideal choice for a healthy lunch or as a light side dish during summer celebrations.

This simple yet flavorful recipe features sautéed zucchini and yellow squash. The sliced vegetables are cooked in a hot skillet until they achieve a delightful caramelization, enhancing their natural flavors. For an added touch, a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese can be incorporated at the end, elevating the dish's savory profile. This side dish pairs well with a variety of main courses and makes a cheap and delicious staple during the summer months.

This vibrant salad celebrates the flavors of summer. It combines grilled vegetables such as corn, eggplant, zucchini, asparagus, and peppers. The grilled veggies are then tossed with fresh tomatoes, basil, and crumbled blue cheese, and dressed with a light vinaigrette made from herb-infused oil, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard. This salad offers a delicious medley of smoky and fresh flavors, making it an ideal accompaniment to any summer dinner.

This semi-homemade baked beans recipe is both quick and flavorful. Canned baked beans are enhanced with sautéed bacon, sweet onion, bell pepper, and garlic. The side dish is further seasoned with smoked paprika, chipotle chili powder, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, ketchup, and BBQ sauce, resulting in a thick, syrupy sauce that's rich in smoky, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors. These beans are perfect for summer cookouts and can be prepared ahead of time or frozen for later use. ​

This quintessential summer side dish combines sweet corn (fresh or frozen), juicy cherry or grape tomatoes, creamy avocados, and finely diced red onion. The medley is dressed with a zesty mixture of olive oil, lime juice, lime zest, chopped cilantro, salt, and pepper, enhancing the natural flavors of the produce. For the best taste, it's recommended to chill the salad for an hour or two to allow the flavors to meld, adding the avocados just before serving to maintain their freshness

This flavorful, southern-style twist on green beans is achieved by slow-cooking them with barbecue sauce and bacon. The addition of bacon adds a smoky depth, making it a perfect accompaniment to grilled meats. This easy set-it-and-forget-it recipe is perfect for potlucks, barbecues, and weeknight dinners alike.

This creamy side dish combines the flavors of deviled eggs and classic macaroni salad. It features ditalini or elbow pasta, hard-boiled eggs, mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, sweet pickle relish, black olives, and pimientos. This salad has a rich and tangy taste and is a great choice for picnics or summer potlucks.

This flavorful recipe recreates Torchy's Tacos' Mexican street corn. It features corn kernels sautéed to perfection, then mixed with mayonnaise, lime juice, chili powder, and topped with cotija cheese and fresh cilantro. This zesty and creamy side dish pairs wonderfully with various Mexican entrees.

This vibrant and refreshing side dish combines orzo pasta with colorful vegetables like cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumber, and red onion, all tossed in a homemade red wine vinaigrette. Crumbled feta cheese and fresh basil are added to create a delicious depth of flavor.

This refreshing salad features crisp cucumbers and sweet onions tossed in a creamy dressing made from sour cream, mayonnaise, vinegar, and fresh dill. This simple yet flavorful side dish is a summertime staple, perfect for any occasion. It's a versatile recipe that pairs well with grilled meats and sandwiches or can be enjoyed independently for a light entree or snack.

This unique and flavorful pea salad combines sweet peas with crunchy peanuts, crispy bacon, and celery in a creamy dressing. This side dish offers a tasty mix of textures and flavors, making it a great addition to potlucks and summer gatherings.

These corn fritters can be prepared in just 15 minutes. Using either fresh or frozen corn kernels, they are combined with all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, eggs, and heavy cream to create a batter that's pan-fried until golden and crispy. The result is a hot, crunchy exterior with a soft, sweet corn-filled interior. For an added touch, serve them with a dollop of sour cream or garlic aioli. They also make a great summer appetizer or snack.

This colorful medley includes black-eyed peas, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, bell peppers, red onion, and fresh cilantro. The mixture is tossed in a tangy dressing made from olive oil, sugar, white wine vinegar, chili powder, and salt, creating a flavorful and refreshing dish. It can be served as a side salad or a dip with tortilla chips or crackers.

This rich and flavorful pasta salad is sure to be a crowd-pleaser for picnics, potlucks, or BBQs. It features pasta, crispy bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, and sweet green peas, enveloped in a creamy ranch dressing, which gives it a tangy and savory flavor profile.

This side dish involves slicing zucchini lengthwise, tossing them with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and then sprinkling with a mixture of parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs. Baked in a hot oven for just 12 minutes, the zucchini comes out tender with a crispy, golden topping. This simple side pairs well with a variety of main courses and is an excellent way to enjoy zucchini's natural flavors with minimal effort. ​

This unique twist on traditional potato salad is made with oven-roasted potatoes, crisp cucumber, green onions, and fresh herbs like parsley and dill. The salad is tossed in a creamy dressing made from mayonnaise, mustard, garlic, lemon juice, and a touch of sweetener, then garnished with crunchy pistachios. This flavorful and textured salad can be served warm or chilled.

This refreshing side dish combines a variety of fresh fruits, such as grapes, pineapple, mango, blueberries, strawberries, and watermelon. The fruits are tossed together and drizzled with a light dressing made from fresh orange and lemon juice. The absence of added sugars allows the fruits' natural sweetness to shine. It's an ideal choice for a healthy breakfast, a light dessert, or a colorful side dish at summer gatherings.

This classic Southern cornbread recipe is made without sugar, staying true to its Southern roots. It utilizes self-rising cornmeal mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and buttermilk to create a flavorful batter. Baked in a preheated cast-iron skillet, the cornbread develops a delightful golden crust that's perfect for pairing with BBQ side dishes. The recipe also provides tips for achieving the ideal batter consistency and crust texture, ensuring a delicious result every time.

This quick and easy side dish features fresh mushrooms marinated in a flavorful blend of balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and thyme. They are then threaded onto skewers and grilled until tender and slightly charred. The smoky aroma from the grill enhances the mushrooms' umami-rich taste, making them a perfect appetizer or side dish for backyard BBQs.

This quintessential Southern fried okra recipe is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Fresh okra pods are sliced, lightly coated in seasoned flour, and fried until golden brown, resulting in bite-sized morsels often referred to as "southern popcorn." This simple yet addictive side dish is a staple in Southern cuisine and pairs wonderfully with a variety of main courses. The recipe includes tips on selecting fresh okra and achieving the perfect crispy texture without a heavy coating.

This flavorful and healthy recipe involves slicing eggplants and marinating them in olive oil, garlic, and fresh herbs before grilling to perfection. The grilling process imparts a smoky flavor and soft texture to the eggplant slices. It is suitable for those following Paleo, Whole30, Keto, and Vegan diets.

This hearty and nutritious chickpea salad is bursting with Mediterranean flavors. It is a vegan and gluten-free dish that combines canned chickpeas with chopped bell pepper, celery, red onion, and fresh parsley. The ingredients are then tossed in a tangy dressing made from olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic. The result is a protein-rich salad that's perfect as a side dish, light lunch, or snack.

This easy-to-make pasta salad features cooked pasta tossed with cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, spicy salami, pepperoncini, olives, and red onion. The ingredients are combined with a homemade Italian dressing. The combination of flavors and textures creates a delicious and crowd-pleasing salad that is perfect for any spring or summer gathering.