Do we call it barbecue or grilling out? Either way, these recipes are perfect for outdoor summertime get-togethers. Below, you’ll find a collection of my best summer side dishes for cookouts. You’ll find all kinds of salads, from pasta salad to potato salad to slaw, plus fun dips and appetizers.

All of these recipes are simple, fresh, and guaranteed to lighten up grilled main dishes. They’re meatless and relatively healthy, and their lively flavors will round out your meal. Many are vegan and/or gluten-free, so they’re well-suited to special diets.

You’ll surely find the perfect BBQ side dish idea in the list below. Invite your friends over and fire up the grill—it’s going to be a great summer.

1) Caprese Pasta Salad

Gluten free if you use gluten-free pasta and vegetarian

“What a great pasta! So easy to and quick to make. Great for a family dinner on a busy night.” – Shannon

2) Favorite Quinoa Salad

Gluten free and vegan

“This is a very good salad – great taste, nice textures, healthy. I added crumbled feta, which worked. It still tastes great the next day as well. Last summer it was farro salad. This summer, quinoa salad!” – Tim

3) Green Goddess Hummus

Gluten free and vegan

“I’ve made this twice in a matter of days. So addictively delicious and far better than my favorite recipe I’ve used for several years. And I can’t believe I haven’t come across the blending of tahini/lemon juice before now. Ultra happy you shared that with us as well as this recipe. Thanks!” – Maria

4) Cowboy Caviar

Gluten free and vegan

“I just made this for a friend’s housewarming party last night and it was a HUGE hit! I couldn’t find black beans, so used all black-eyed peas for this round, and added an extra red pepper just because. Will definitely be making again!” – Becky

5) Fresh Mango Salsa

Gluten free and vegan

“I made this mango salsa for a Royals tailgate a couple of weeks ago and it was gobbled up in minutes! This was so good, simple and fresh! Thanks for another amazing recipe!” – Stephanie

6) Simple Healthy Slaw

Gluten free and vegetarian

“This was a big hit, everyone loved it. My husband said it was the best coleslaw he ever had.” – Janis

7) Mediterranean Couscous Salad with Raw Squash and Feta

Vegetarian and easily vegan

“Made this last night and loved it for a refreshing dinner on a hot summer day. I added a finely diced bell pepper and subbed in a cucumber for the zucchini, because that is what the garden had to offer. I love the way the dressing marinated the thinly sliced veggies while we let it settle in the fridge. I look forward to making this one a regular in our house! Thanks Kate!” – Heather

8) Mediterranean Bean Salad

Gluten free and vegan

“I made this bean salad last night for my fiance and I to have as a quick thing to grab for lunch in the morning and it is SO GOOD. I even forgot to put in the red pepper flakes and the garlic and it was still nuts. I made it in a hurry before we were supposed to meet a friend for dinner and we ended up huddled over the bowl with an open box of pita chips anyway haha. The lemon and dill flavors are phenomenal together. Thank you so much for this recipe!” – Claire

9) Best Grilled Corn on the Cob

Gluten free

“Grilled farm fresh corn on the grill last night in Columbus, Ohio. Followed your instructions, and our corn looked exactly like yours! Plump kernels with a beautiful charred finish. Slathered in butter and salt! Perfect grilled corn! All of your recipes I’ve tried have been spot on! Thanks Cookie (and Kate, of course)! :)” – Pam

10) Herbed Potato Salad (no mayo!)

Gluten free and vegan

“I love your recipes and have made many! This is another winner!! We had 10 people here, yesterday, for a Father’s Day BBQ. I made this potato salad and it was a HUGE hit! Even with the “die hard mayo potato salad” fans. Well done! Thank you so much!” – Heidi

11) Erin’s Peach & Avocado Green Salad

Gluten free

“This salad was amazing! Will be making 10 more times before the end of peach season lol.” – Lauren

12) Dill Pickle Dip

Gluten free

“Yummy and so easy! Very tasty with chips and cut up veggies. I didn’t have fresh dill or chives so used dried. Comes together quickly and will be consumed just as fast! Even my husband who likes pickles fine but isn’t as fanatical about them as my son and me, loved it! This is a keeper – thank you!!” – Anna

13) Best Tabbouleh

Vegan

“Oh my goodness, this was definitely THE BEST TABBOULEH salad I’ve ever had! I’m even more amazed that even I was able to make it. All ingredients listed were easily available from local stores (nothing exotic or expensive required) and the directions were well organized and VERY easy to follow. I’m a klutz in the kitchen, but this dish was pretty easy to prepare and oh so delicious. I will be making this again and again. Thanks for making this recipe available to the masses.” – Dave

14) Summertime Fruit Salad

Gluten free and vegan

“This was soooooo good! I was pleasantly surprised with the balsamic vinegar and mint flavors.” – Jennifer

15) Layered Panzanella

Vegetarian

“So fresh and delicious! I had it as an appetizer for a family gathering, and I shared with the recipe with several others at their request, and now they have been making it too. It is a keeper!” – Megan

16) Spicy Red Pepper & Feta Dip

Gluten free

“Thank you for this super easy and delicious recipe. I served with raw veggies and home made pita wedges as one of the appetizers for 9 of us for a birthday bbq. First time gathering as a family in 16 months. I was too busy to get a photo of the presentation. The guests all raved about it, so sharing the recipe with them and hopefully they too will become fans of Cookie & Kate. DELICIOUS!” – Beth

17) Fresh Black Bean Salad

Gluten free and vegan

“My boyfriend and I made this for dinner this week, and it was a huge hit! It’s super flavorful, comes together quickly, and is so versatile. I had mine over some leftover quinoa, and he had his with corn tortillas and a dollop of sour cream. The leftovers made for an excellent lunch, too! This is a perfectly summery, week-night salad. Thanks, Kate!” – Arianna

More resources you might appreciate: 23 make-ahead breakfast recipes, 45 recipes that pack well for lunch and 20 simple weeknight dinners.