Summer Sides: Classics We Love & Fresh Twists

When it comes to summer side dishes, the possibilities are as endless as the sunny days ahead—fresh corn on the cob, crisp coleslaw, creamy potato salad, tangy pasta salads, and zesty dips that keep the picnic table buzzing. With so many delicious options to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start. That’s why we’ve narrowed it down to a curated mix of favorites and a few creative twists that will elevate any barbecue, potluck, or weeknight dinner.

Garlic and Herb Grilled Sweet Potato Fries

Bobby Flay’s Garlic recipe is a flavorful twist on a classic side dish, perfect for summer grilling. This recipe combines tender sweet potato wedges with a savory blend of garlic, fresh thyme, and a hint of red chili flakes, all grilled to perfection and finished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley. Recipe: Garlic and Herb Grilled Sweet Potato Fries

Ramen Noodle Salad

From picnics to potlucks, this salad will be the sunny surprise everyone craves! It combines crunchy toasted ramen noodles, cashews, and coleslaw mix with juicy mandarin orange slices. The homemade dressing adds a sweet and tangy taste, too. Recipe: Ramen Noodle Salad

Grilled Mushrooms

Coated in a mouthwatering soy-garlic butter mixture and paired with green onions, these mushrooms are then threaded on skewers for easy grilling that gives a wonderfully smoky flavor. Just be sure to sprinkle them with thyme before serving. Recipe: Grilled Mushrooms

Watermelon Caprese

This Watermelon Caprese combines slices of juicy, sweet watermelon, mozzarella, fresh basil, and a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic glaze to top it all off. The result is a simple, sweet-salty snack ready in 15 minutes (and isn’t that what summer is all about?). Recipe: Watermelon Caprese

Baked Beans

Baked beans are sweet, tangy, savory, and the best part, surprisingly easy to make—they’re a one pot wonder. Throw in the fact that one batch feeds a small crowd and that most of the cooking is done unattended in the oven, and you have a winning dish. Recipe: Baked Beans

Classic Coleslaw

This coleslaw recipe (our way of preparing it) is ridiculously easy with cabbage, carrot, and onions gently mixed and coated with mayonnaise, a dab of yellow mustard, vinegar, and black pepper. Coleslaw originated from the Dutch in New York in the late 1700s. Since then it has been a featured side dish at almost every picnic or barbecue in America. Recipe: Classic Coleslaw

Creamed Corn

By itself it is pure heaven, but you could vary it by adding some spicy jalapeños or chopped poblano peppers; other additions that come to mind are chopped basil, sliced cherry tomatoes, and cooked bacon crumbles. Recipe: Creamed Corn

Cherry Tomato Couscous Salad

Bite-sized cherry tomatoes are in season from summer to early fall, making them a must for your summer salads. One way to really harness their flavor is with this Cherry Tomato Couscous Salad recipe. Mixed with chickpeas, cucumbers, thyme, and feta, it’s a flavorful dish that’s light yet satisfying. Recipe: Cherry Tomato Couscous Salad

Peach Salad with Arugula, Basil, and Goat Cheese

Peaches practically dripping with sunshine yield to creamy goat cheese and the subtle bite of a Dijon vinaigrette in this peach salad recipe that embraces summer in every single bite! This colorful peach salad comes together in minutes and is certain to be a fan favorite in your home. Recipe: Peach Salad with Arugula, Basil, and Goat Cheese

Greek Pasta Salad

This Greek pasta salad recipe is packed with fresh veggies, feta, olives and a bright dressing. It’s perfect for warm-weather potlucks and barbecues. Recipe: Greek Pasta Salad

Old Fashioned Potato Salad

This potato salad recipe is for the traditional creamy type of potato salad, with eggs, celery, and relish. It’s perfect for making ahead to let the flavors develop. Recipe: Old Fashioned Potato Salad

Spicy Cajun Potato Salad

Here’s a spicy twist on the old favorite. Turn up the heat with these fiery potatoes that everyone will love. The Cajun seasoning adds the perfect amount of spice to the classic potato salad dish. Recipe: Spicy Cajun Potato Salad

Final Thoughts

Summer sides are the unsung heroes of warm-weather meals—bringing color, crunch, and big flavor to every plate. Whether you stick to tried-and-true classics or love to experiment with fresh, seasonal twists, the correct side dish can turn an ordinary meal into something memorable. We hope this roundup inspires you to try something new or rediscover an old favorite. What’s your go-to summer side dish? Leave a comment below—we’d love to hear what’s always on your table when the weather heats up.

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