Get Creative with Barbecue Sides With These Simple Dishes

1. Cornbread

Cornbread is a classic accompaniment to barbecue that makes sense. The sweetness and texture of cornbread complements smoked, saucy barbecue perfectly. It soaks up all the delicious juices and flavors on the plate. It also travels well for BBQs and cookouts away from home, retaining its texture and taste.

Cornbread can be served warm right out of the oven or made ahead and served at room temp. From scratch or cornbread muffins from a mix, cornbread on the side takes barbecue to the next level. No BBQ spread is complete without this iconic Southern side.

Related: 15 Cornbread Recipes You Should Keep In Your Pocket

2. Potato Salad

Potato salad is another BBQ essential. The cool, creamy potatoes pair perfectly with the smoky barbecue. Potato salad provides texture and tang to balance the richness of brisket, ribs, pulled pork, and other barbecue staples. While homemade potato salad is amazing, quality store-bought potato salad works great too for no-fuss side dishes.

Let guests help themselves to heaping scoops along with their barbecue for a satisfying meal. Choose potato salads with bacon, eggs, pickles or other mix-ins to complement the flavors of your barbecue selections.

3. Macaroni and Cheese

Is any barbecue complete without mac and cheese? This cheesy, gooey side takes barbecue to new levels of comfort and deliciousness. And mac and cheese is a crowd-pleaser that both kids and adults adore. Make an extra pan just for mac and cheese because it will go fast! Baked, stove-top or even instant mac and cheese mixes step up barbecue meals without much fuss. It’s the ultimate BBQ indulgence.

4. Jalapeño Poppers

Jalapeño poppers bring the heat as a tasty appetizer or side at any barbecue. The combination of spicy, cheesy, and crunchy in each bite is hard to beat. The cool, creamy filling helps balance the kick of the jalapeño. You can either bake them or fry them, they taste heavenly both ways. You could also make them ahead in batches as they hold up well at room temperature for at least a couple of hours.

Jalapeño poppers are a go-to barbecue snack or side to satisfy cravings for something fiery and flavorful.

5. Barbecue Sliders

For fun handheld sides, barbecue sliders are the way to go. Load up mini buns with your favorite smoked meats like brisket, pulled pork or shredded chicken doused in barbecue sauce. The sweet, savory flavor pairs perfectly with a cold brew. Make them ahead of time and just warm up right before guests arrive.

Barbecue sliders are great for parties because they are easy to eat while standing and mingling. Offer an assortment of meat choices and let guests create their own little sandwiches.

6. Creamed Corn

Buttery, creamy creamed corn is a classic complement to smoky, tangy barbecue. The sweet corn flavor balances the spice and acidity of barbecue sauce. Creamed corn can be made from scratch but quality canned or frozen creamed corn saves time for no-fuss prep.

The rich, velvety texture works best with tender pulled pork, beef brisket, or any barbecue meat. Drizzle the creamed corn over the top of the meat on a plate or serve it on the side. However you spoon it up, creamed corn is a staple side dish for backyard barbecues.

7. Grilled Asparagus

Grilled asparagus is a tasty, veggie-packed side. The charred, smoky flavor of the veggie mirrors the char on the barbecue meat. To make these, toss asparagus spears with olive oil, salt, and pepper and throw them on the grill alongside steaks, burgers, ribs, or whatever you’re cooking.

The heat brings out the natural sweetness in the asparagus. The texture stands up well to saucy, juicy barbecue too. Grilled asparagus only takes minutes but gives you a solid vegetable component alongside all your meat.

8. Southern Biscuits

Flaky, buttery biscuits are a staple side at any Southern barbecue. Their soft, bread-like texture soaks up excess sauce and juice perfectly. Biscuits can be compared to cornbread but these tend to be softer. Offer biscuits alongside platters of barbecue ribs, brisket, pulled pork and other barbecue fare and let your guests create their own mini sandwiches with sliced barbecue meat between split biscuits.

9. Classic Coleslaw

Bright, crunchy coleslaw is right at home next to deeply flavorful, tender barbecue. The crisp texture and tangy flavor complement smoked meat and ribs. The cabbage also aids digestion when eating heavier barbecue fare. Make your own unique coleslaw dressing or use quality premade slaw mixes from the deli counter.

While serving, you can either serve coleslaw chilled in small side portions or offer it as a topping for barbecue sandwiches and tacos. The options are endless for this classic side.

10. Southern Fried Okra

Crispy, golden-fried okra is a quintessential Southern dish. Once fried, okra has a unique texture that holds up well, becoming tender within yet crispy and cornmeal-coated outside. While frying okra takes a little more time, the rich crunch makes it all worth it in the end.

The hint of spice from seasonings like Cajun, paprika, or cayenne also complements smoky, savory meats. It’s a classic Southern specialty that’s worth the extra effort for your next barbecue feast.

11. Bruschetta

Bruschetta is an elevated side to offer guests before serving barbecue entrees. To make these, grill or toast bread slices then top with a fast tomato-basil mixture. Mix chopped tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, balsamic glaze, basil, and seasonings for a quick bruschetta topping. Spoon it over the toasted bread and top with parmesan.

This handheld dish provides a much-needed lightness before diving into heavier barbecue dishes.

12. Grilled Corn on the Cob

Charred, grilled corn on the cob is an easy addition to your next cookout. Leave the corn unshucked and place it directly on a hot grill to get that charred, smoky flavor. Grill the corn briefly until just charred on all sides, then finish cooking through until tender. Pull back the husks and dig into the hot, juicy corn on the cob.

The natural sweetness is enhanced by the spices you put on top. One thing to consider is using certain spices that complement the flavors of ribs, saucy pulled pork, burgers and more. Let people grab an ear for an easy veggie side.

13. Instant Pot Refried Beans

Whip up a quick pot of refried beans in the Instant Pot as an easy barbecue side. Simply cook dried pinto beans with onion, garlic, and seasonings in the pressure cooker until soft and creamy. Mash the beans with the cooking liquid for that authentic refried texture. Then stir in cilantro and cheese for extra flavor. Instant Pot refried beans can be ready in under an hour with little hands-on time.

Top barbecue tacos and nachos with these protein-packed baked beans, or serve them on the side. Either way, they go well with the barbecue meats perfectly.

14. Kale Pasta Salad

A healthy pasta salad is a fresh and bright complement to rich, saucy barbecue. The textures of al dente pasta, tender kale, and juicy tomatoes make every bite delicious. Because barbecue meats tend to be quite heavy, pairing these with a pasta salad makes total sense.

Kale gives you an extra serving of greens along with the vitamins and minerals to balance out higher-calorie barbecue dishes. Make this colorful salad ahead of time and let the flavors meld. It tastes even better chilled.

15. Baked Beans

No barbecue menu is complete without a big pot of saucy, smoky baked beans. Slow-cooked until thick and infused with sweet molasses flavor, baked beans are a classic for a reason. With or without meat, baked beans hit the comfort food spot at any cookout feast. They're easy, affordable and delicious.