29 Healthy BBQ Sides You'll Love
- Summer BBQ season is the perfect time to enjoy healthy side dishes like grilled vegetable skewers, purple Parisian potato salad, and garlic parmesan green beans.
Memorial Day may be the unofficial start of the summer season, and Labor Day may be the end, but there are so many other summer weekends, holidays and get-togethers worthy of a BBQ ! There's no time like the present to start planning your summer BBQ menus for delicious outdoor parties with friends and family.
All these healthy BBQ side dishesare easy to make ahead and take with you wherever you go. While some should stay chilled for best results, many can be enjoyed at room temperature, giving you plenty of time to fire up the grill once all of the sides are prepared.
Related: 60 Easy Grilling Recipes to Make This Summer
What Healthy Sides Go With BBQ Chicken, Steak & Fish?
Healthy BBQ Side Dishes
Make-ahead side dishes like these are great if you're preparing sides for a crowd because they leave plenty of time to enjoy the barbecue and not stress about the food. Salads make great sides and many of the best sides are finger foods that encourage mingling. Finish off your cookout menus with these stunning red, white and blue desserts to truly wow your guests.
Grilled Vegetable Skewers
These simple, colorful veggie skewers are a beautiful way to showcase summer produce and you can change up the mix of vegetables as you like.
Get the recipe: Al Roker's Grilled Vegetable Skewers
Purple Parisian Potato Salad
This mayo-free potato salad recipe delightfully highlights the beauty of purple potatoes, but the entire dish comes together in just 20 minutes of prep time.
Get the recipe: Purple Parisian Potato Salad
Oven-Fried Garlic Parmesan Green Beans
A flavorful and unique finger food perfect for BBQs!
Get the recipe: Garlic Parmesan Green Beans
Grilled Zucchini With Lemon
Grill up some yummy marinated zucchini at your next cookout!
Get the recipe: Grilled Zucchini With Lemon
Oven-Fried Ranch Cauliflower Bites
These ranch cauliflower bites will fly off the table at your next BBQ!
Get the recipe: Oven-Fried Ranch Cauliflower Bites
Ratatouille
Ratatouille combines the freshest summer vegetables into one delicious dish!
Get the recipe: Ratatouille Recipe
Cucumber Dill Salad
This cucumber dill salad can be made in little time and is ready when you are for the next BBQ!
Get the recipe: Cucumber Dill Salad
Italian-Style Coleslaw
A lighter style of coleslaw with the perfect amount of crunch!
Get the recipe: Italian-Style Coleslaw
Quinoa Tabbouleh
This summery Middle Eastern dish gets a makeover with quinoa!
Get the recipe: Quinoa Tabbouleh
Gluten-Free Zucchini Fritters
With only 5 ingredients, these fritters are a quick and easy finger food!
Get the recipe: Gluten-Free Zucchini Fritters
Jicama Arugula Herb Salad
A refreshing and easy summer side dish with a fabulous lime vinaigrette dressing!
Get the recipe: Jicama Arugula Herb Salad
Grilled Caprese-Style Portobellos
Portobello mushroom caps topped with fresh tomato and mozzarella will melt in your mouth!
Get the recipe: Grilled Caprese-Style Portobellos
Balsamic Green Bean Salad
A fresh and delicious alternative to pasta salad!
Get the recipe: Balsamic Green Bean Salad
Related: 38 Salad Dressings To Elevate Your Greens
Cheddar Cauliflower Bacon Bites
A delicious, cheesy appetizer with veggies hiding inside!
Get the recipe: Cheddar Cauliflower Bacon Bites
Greek Summer Salad
A super-easy and healthy Greek-inspired summer salad!
Get the recipe: Greek Summer Salad
Mayo-Free Avocado Coleslaw
Forget the mayo and try this easy, bright avocado coleslaw!
Get the recipe: Mayo-Free Avocado Coleslaw
Mexican Chopped Salad
This fresh, healthy and summery salad has fabulous Southwest flavor!
Get the recipe: Mexican Chopped Salad
Broccoli Cauliflower Quinoa Bites
A perfect picky-eater-friendly finger food, without the guilt!
Get the recipe: Broccoli Cauliflower Quinoa Bites
Skinny Mexican Corn
Try this lightened-up Mexican corn at your next BBQ!
Get the recipe: Mexican Grilled Corn
Cilantro Lime Cucumber Salad
This fast-and-fresh cucumber salad has a bit of kick!
Get the recipe: Cilantro Lime Cucumber Salad
Spiralized Waldorf Salad
A tangy and refreshing take on a Waldorf salad!
Get the recipe: Spiralized Waldorf Salad
Related: 15 Seafood Salads
Lightened Up 7-Layer Dip
A healthier version of the classic 7-Layer Dip that takes guacamole to a whole new level!
Get the recipe: Lightened Up 7-Layer Dip
Low Carb Portobello Pizzas
Hearty and unique, these low-carb portobello pizzas are sure to please!
Get the recipe: Low-Carb Portobello Pizzas
Peach and Strawberry Salad with Lime & Basil
A gorgeous and grown-up fruit salad!
Get the recipe: Peach Strawberry Fruit Salad
Cheesy Tomato Basil Cups
Stuffed with fresh basil and mozzarella, this pretty dish epitomizes summer caprese salads!
Get the recipe: Cheesy Tomato Basil Cups
Cheesy Sweet Pepper Poppers
Cheesy Sweet Pepper Poppers are a perfect finger food for any summer cookout!
Get the recipe: Cheesy Sweet Pepper Poppers
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Related: The Ina Garten Summer Pasta Recipe You Should Have Memorized
29 Healthy BBQ Sides You'll Love first appeared on Parade on May 23, 2025
