There’s nothing better than Grandma’s old-fashioned summer side dishes. And, we have all the recipes you need for a delicious summer cookout. You’ll find tried-and-true recipes for potato salad, pasta salad, fruit salad, cucumber salad, and all your other favorite dishes. They have stood the test of time, not because they’re trendy or fancy but because they’re good. These side dishes pair perfectly with your favorite grilled meat and always deserve a spot on the summer dinner table.
Southern Style Potato Salad
“I love a decent potato salad, especially during the summertime when all those BBQs happen. This is a BIG recipe since I only ever make it for big crowds. It can be reduced quite drastically.” – Kristin
Southern Sausage Baked Beans
“This is my mama’s recipe. It has always been a must-have side at all of our BBQs! Goes very well alongside potato salad, too. The sausage gives it such a great flavor. If you try this recipe, you’ll never wanna go back to plain baked beans.” – Leslie
Favorite Pasta Salad
“I get asked to bring this to all the cookouts and gatherings! This is the basic recipe, but it is easy to add or replace various ingredients. It’s fun to try different things, and it’s a pretty salad. It’s easy, delicious, and popular!” – Judith
Grandma Barbara’s Tuna Salad
“Our family gatherings would never be the same without a giant bowl of Grandma’s tuna salad! My favorite part is the green olives.” – Lindsey
Old-Fashioned Pea Salad
“This old-fashioned pea salad is just like grandma used to make. The sweet peas go so good with the savory cheese and bacon.” – Debbie
Fruit Salad to Die For!
“This is such an easy thing to make and the whole family will enjoy it. I try to keep it made all the time for my family.” – Betsy
German Cucumber Salad, a.k.a. Gurken Salat
“I got this recipe from my neighbor’s mother. She taught me how to make it. She was from Bavaria Province in Germany.” – Diane
Broccoli Crunch Salad With a Parmesan Twist
“Light, crisp, savory, and sweet are the words that come to mind when I describe this salad. Everybody wants to make it. There are so many versions, and I decided to change mine up a bit with Parmesan cheese” – Mary Kay
Fried Cream Corn
“This is one of my family’s favorite side dishes. My mother-in-law made this for me when I was pregnant with my first child, and I couldn’t stop eating it. I almost finished the entire skillet. It was so delicious.” – Dorothy
Sour Cream & Dill Cucumbers
“I grew up with your everyday sour cream, dill, and cucumber salad on our Polish table. But as I learned to cook, I took this common dish and spiced it up.” – Staci
Grape Salad
“My brother, who loves cooking as much as I do, served this recipe at one of our family get-togethers. It was an immediate hit.” – Deb
Watermelon Summer Salad
“A light, refreshing side dish for the heat of the summer! Goes great with chicken salad croissants. Our summers here in Texas routinely go over 100 degrees. My turn at Bunco fell on a 102-degree day. The last thing I wanted was to heat my kitchen so I came up with this dish by combining a few different recipes. It was a hit!” – Sheri
Best Macaroni Salad
“This is the best macaroni salad that I’ve tasted. (I also have a fantastic pasta salad recipe.) If you like Knorr’s Spinach dip recipe, you’re gonna love this!” – Anne
Better Than K.F.C Coleslaw
“I promise you if you make this coleslaw, you will like this. It has just the right mix of ingredients.” – Brenda-Lee
Marinated Cucumbers, Onions and Tomatoes
“I grew up marinating cucumbers, onions, and tomatoes every summer as a side dish. Always a great side to a summertime meal.” – Angie
Warm German Potato Salad
“A potato salad in a tangy vinegar and mustard sauce with bacon that’s best enjoyed while warm!” – Kevin