It's summer, so live your best life with a barbecue accompanied by these easy and tasty sides. We've got everything from veggie fries and classic pasta salads to some new and unexpected dishes you probably didn't think of.
Photo: Roberto Caruso
Baked potatoes are so basic. Crank it up a notch with these sweet potatoes topped with sour cream, crispy bacon and a drizzle of maple syrup. Get the recipe: Maple-Bacon Sweet Potatoes
This dish does double duty as a fresh side for grilled meat or as a main for the vegetarians in the crowd, thanks to protein-packed edamame. Get the recipe: Corn And Squash Succotash
What’s a BBQ without a heaping helping of creamy macaroni salad? It’s just wrong, that’s what it is. Soft elbow pasta is tossed with mayo-yogurt dressing, while chopped pickle, celery and carrot bring the crunch. Get the recipe: Creamy Macaroni Salad
Want a lighter pasta salad? This one is gently dressed with oil and vinegar and loaded with crispy veggies. Don’t you dare forget the feta. Get the recipe: Greek Salad Pasta
Cucumber and watermelon are a dream couple—just similar enough, they get along so well and bring out the best in one another. We invited toasted pistachios and fresh mint to this party, but everyone knows the fun doesn’t really get started until feta arrives. Get the recipe: Watermelon and Cucumber Salad
Ooey gooey garlic bread is never a bad decision. Get ready to live your best life with this by your side. Get the recipe: Pull-Apart Cheesy Garlic Bread
This quick and easy cold noodle salad is a pretty fun thing to slurp. And if you’ve never met soba noodles (which are made from buckwheat), it’s about time you got acquainted. We like this served with grilled chicken or shrimp. Get the recipe: Cold Sesame Soba Noodle Dish
Shredded zucchini and carrots with chopped kale, crumbled feta and dried cranberries makes a hearty salad that can definitely live on as leftovers. Get the recipe: Kale, Carrot and Feta Salad
Potatoes are great, but asparagus fries are better. These lean and crispy stalks are a great way to gobble your greens. Get the recipe: Asparagus Fries
Crisp, sweet summer corn with smoky, crunchy bacon is your burger’s new bestie. You could even pile it on your hot dog or steak. Get the recipe: Corn and Bacon Hash
Veggie fries are the new thing. These crispy beans are the best when swirled in this creamy Greek yogurt-based sweet potato dip. Get the recipe: Green Bean Oven Fries With Sweet Potato Dip
You know how those cool little BBQ joints put buckets of fresh popcorn on the table to munch while the grill gets going? Now you can too. Get the recipe: Ketchup Popcorn
These little beans pack some big flavours. They’re sweet, smoky and delicious warm or cold. Buying canned navy beans keeps it super simple. Get the recipe: Smoky Campfire Beans
Your grilled chicken called—it wants you to serve these rice-packed peppers on the side. There’s a good amount of veggies underneath that golden, cheesy crust. Get the recipe: Confetti Rice Stuffed Peppers
Here’s the actual solution to your impromptu BBQ with friends. Chances are you’ve already got the ingredients on hand: canned chickpeas and artichoke hearts, red pepper and a lemon-Dijon dressing. Ah yeah. Get the recipe: Pantry Salad
Read more:
10 quick weeknight dinners
13 quick and easy recipes for a kid-friendly picnic
10 recipes to kick off barbecue season
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