Cookouts are as essential to summer as sunscreen and flip-flops. But it’s not just the entrées that steal the show—they must be accompanied by spectacular sides. Not only do they add a bit of flair when the main course consists of traditional burgers and hot dogs, but the more of them the merrier. Diners love variety and color on the picnic table! So the next time a guest asks, “What can we bring?” point them to our top six most-loved cookout side dishes here.
Summer Pasta Salad with Chicken and Grilled Peaches
Goodtaste elevates pasta salad from traditional to sensational with this original recipe that works beautifully as a side, but is hearty enough to serve as a meal. Color and crunch come in the form of red onion, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber, while juicy grilled peaches add a seasonal flair. Mix in herbs and mozzarella pearls, toss with homemade dressing, and top with grilled chicken strips, and you’ve got the liveliest bowl on the block!
The ULTIMATE Potato Salad
This Goodtaste recipe takes a classic cookout side and turns it up a notch … or three. Sure, it takes a bit more work, but it’s so worth it to achieve this “ultimate” taste. From the zippy mustard dressing to the fresh herbs and crushed potato chips, our potato salad will have everyone digging back in for seconds!
Layered Picnic Salad
You will definitely make an entrance with this beautiful Goodtaste dish in hand. What makes it even better is that it’s a healthier option for a cookout side, featuring yogurt ranch dressing and crunchy vegetables. Pro tip: Layer herbs and lettuces on the bottom with sturdier veggies on top to keep the salad from getting soggy until you’re ready to toss.
Green Goddess Grand Aioli
Goodtaste recipes are known to stand out, and this cookout side is no exception. It features a green goddess–inspired dipping sauce and a glorious platter of seasonal vegetables, chilled seafood, and hard-boiled eggs. Add some crisp wine and graze away the summer day (or night).
Four-Bean Salad
This dish from Goya Foods is not your traditional cookout “salad,” but we think that’s what makes it so great. Well, that and the tangy dressing, plus the fact that it only takes 15 minutes to prepare. And be sure to bring the recipe with you, because everyone will want it!
Pimento Cheese
Nothing says summer in the South like pimento cheese. Mayonnaise and cream cheese make this Goodtaste recipe creamy and spreadable, and while pimento cheese is usually made with pimento peppers, we use pickled cherry peppers to add a bit of tang. Pro tip: Serve with cut-up crudités and buttery crackers or make mini tea sandwiches.
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