Looking for BBQ side dishes? Summer side dishes are an important element of a BBQ. Try one of our best vegetable side dishes for summer entertaining. Whether it’s a BBQ or an al fresco dinner party, our recipes will create an impressive spread.
Potato salads, teriyaki aubergine, corn on the cob; we have lots of exciting BBQ sides to make…
Potato salad
Potato salad is a summer entertaining staple – add to your BBQ for an easy way to please a crowd. We have plenty of potato salad recipes to choose from for your BBQ, from quick and easy to more exciting ideas with punchy dressings.
Spiced corn on the cob
This recipe for spiced corn on the cob is based on a grilled Mexican street snack but gets a bump of flavour from punchy Korean gochuchang sauce. If you can’t find it, use any garlicky chilli sauce. It’s a great way to pep-up sweetcorn for your next barbecue.
Lemon and mint marinated courgettes
These zesty grilled courgettes are a great side dish that is ideal to make in advance – perfect for a summer get together. See more of our courgette recipes here.
Middle Eastern roast carrot salad with herby carrot top yogurt
Check out this spiced roast carrot salad recipe with zesty yogurt using herby carrot tops. Serve this easy recipe as an impressive side dish at your next BBQ.
Cucumber kimchi
Looking for a punchy summer side dish for the BBQ? Check out this quick and easy recipe for mini cucumber kimchi. Packed with punchy peppery gochugaru and fiery ginger these fermented cucumbers are ideal for a summer BBQ.
Hummus labneh with slow-roasted tomatoes and pine nuts
Try out this fresh hummus labneh recipe with roasted juicy tomatoes and crunchy pine nuts, topped with fresh herbs – an easy veggie side dish to serve this summer.
Apple som tum
An exotic summer side dish to impress your friends. Traditionally this flavour-packed, low-cal Thai salad uses green papaya but it can be hard to find. Swap with apple, like here, instead and serve alongside smoky BBQ’d chicken. Try our favourite Asian salads for summer here…
Smacked buffalo cucumbers
Check out our recipe for buffalo smacked cucumbers. ‘Smacking’ cucumbers is a Chinese technique allowing them to absorb more flavour. Their cool crunch tempers the hot buffalo sauce. Serve alongside chicken from the BBQ.
Fried courgette flowers with honey and vinegar
Packed with a sweet and tangy flavour these courgette flowers with honey and vinegar are a great starter for any summer party. What’s more, they look impressive and are quick and easy to make. Get more inspiration for vegetarian entertaining here…
Grilled nectarines with burrata, chilli and mint
We love this simple but impressive summer side dish. Creamy soft burrata works perfectly with the smooth succulence of nectarines. Chilli adds a slight kick and the mint keeps it fresh.
Jersey Royals with wild garlic
Make the most of two great seasonal ingredients while you can with this recipe for Jersey Royal potatoes with wild garlic. It’s vegan, easy and ready in just 15 minutes. Try our favourite Jersey Royals recipes here…
Szechuan dry-fried green beans
We love the zing of szechaun peppercorns – this is one of the most popular takeaways among our team, but only takes minutes to recreate. Pair with our smoky steak recipe.
Thai watermelon salad
Looking for refreshing summer side dish? Watermelon is this year’s trendy ingredient and stands in for green papaya in this update of a Thai classic. It’s best to buy a whole watermelon and use the flesh closest to the skin as this tends to be a bit firmer.
Spring onion bhajis with mint and coriander chutney
Check out our crispy spring onion bhajis with a fresh and vibrant mint and coriander chutney. Make these bhajis for an impressive way to start your summer BBQ.
Halloumi salt and vinegar fries with tartare sauce
Try these quick, easy and moreish halloumi fries. Deep-fried for extra crunch, they’re an absolute cheese sensation. Dip them into our homemade tartare sauce for the ultimate weekend snack. For lots of alternative halloumi recipes see here.
Teriyaki aubergine
A fab dish for the BBQ. Try our teriyaki aubergine recipe, it’s easy, serves 4 as a side and has only 105 calories. This vegan recipe is sticky, sweet and perfect for brushing over grilled or roasted veggies.
Blistered runner beans with bagna cauda
Want to cater to vegetarians at your summer BBQ with a show-stopping side dish? Revamp your runner beans this summer with our pan-fried recipe, matched with a super fresh and zesty dip called bang caudal.
Salt-baked beetroot with herby yogurt dressing
This hearty, rugged salad is inspired by the Bar Tartine cookbook. Salt baking will intensify the taste of earthy beetroot. This recipe is perfect for a midweek salad or a sharing starter for any summer meal.
Queso blanco with grilled chillies and cumin, with homemade tortilla chips
Queso blanco is a very simple cheese to make that takes flavours from herbs and spices really well. It’s a fresh cheese that tastes best and has the creamiest texture the day you make it. Make in the morning to serve as a snacking starter when your guests arrive.
Green beans with confit garlic and tahini dressing
This recipe for green beans with confit garlic and tahini dressing makes a quick and easy veggie side that will liven up any summer meal. Carry on the tahini theme with one of our versatile recipes.
Tender spring onions with charred romesco
Looking for easy summer side dishes? This recipe for tender spring onions with charred romesco makes a great vegan alternative for the BBQ.
Super storecupboard salad
Our super storecupboard salad is perfect for a speedy summer side dish. It’s ready in just 15 minutes, under 300 calories and vegetarian. It serves 4, but you can always have leftovers for lunch.
Greens and beans salad
Our greens and beans salad is a quick and easy vegan salad to serve as part of a summer party spread. It’s under 300 calories so is a good recipe for a lighter side and the crunchy textures marry nicely with slow cooked meat.
Celeriac remoulade
Celeriac remoulade is quick and easy to make and perfect served with classic meat in a bun.
Grilled peas
These grilled peas are so easy to make, and so addictively good, that you’ll want them as a snack as often as you can. Grill these on the BBQ for 15 minutes to eat as a snack while you’re waiting for everything else to be ready!
