21 Bright and Savory Sides for Your Next Cookout

The right side dishes can turn great grilled beef into an unforgettable meal. This collection features fresh salads, hearty vegetables, flavorful potatoes, and other easy recipes that complement smoky, savory flavors, making every cookout or backyard barbecue even more satisfying.

Ensalada de Papa

Image Credit: Maricruz Avalos Flores.

This classic Mexican potato salad combines tender potatoes, pickled jalapeños, crema, mayonnaise, and eggs for a creamy, comforting side dish. Get the recipe.

Frijoles Maneados

Sonoran Frijoles Maneados in a bowl.
Image Credit: Maricruz Avalos Flores.

Frijoles maneados are creamy, cheesy beans from Sonora and Sinaloa. Perfect with totopos or alongside carne asada, this easy recipe is full of authentic flavor and great for parties or family meals. Get the recipe.

Roman-Style Chicory

Closeup of Italian chicory.
Image Credit: Maricruz Avalos Flores.

This Roman-style chicory is a simple and flavorful Italian side dish that makes an easy and delicious way to enjoy leafy greens. Get the recipe: Roman Chicory.

Mexican Tomato And Corn Salad

An overhead of Mexican tomato salad with corn in a bowl.
Photo Credit: Maricruz Avalos Flores.

This fresh, flavorful salad pairs perfectly with smoky grilled beef, combining juicy tomatoes, sweet corn, creamy avocado, crisp onions, and a touch of lettuce for a delicious balance of taste and texture. Get the recipe.

Potato Salad

Potato Salad topped with sliced boiled egg.
Photo Credit: the FOOD CHARLATAN

This potato salad is simple yet unforgettable. It’s made with tender potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, and a creamy dressing that ties it all together. A classic side dish perfect for picnics, barbecues, or family gatherings, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser every time. Get the recipe.

Nopales Asados

Mexican nopales asados with cheese.
Photo Credit: Maricruz Avalos Flores.

This Mexican delicacy offers a smoky, tangy, and chewy texture that’s perfect for adding a unique flavor profile to your dishes. Enjoy these grilled nopales as a side dish, salad ingredient, or filling for tacos and burritos. Get the recipe.

Mexican Caviar

Mexican caviar salad in a turquoise bowl with tortilla chips and lime wedges scattered around.
Photo Credit: Maricruz Avalos Flores.

This easy-to-make side dish is a delicious blend of black beans, sweet corn, and fresh vegetables. With its tangy dressing, it’s a crowd-pleaser at any gathering. Get the recipe: Mexican Caviar.

Cannellini Beans Salad

A bowl of cannellini beans salad with a lemon slice on top.
Photo Credit: Maricruz Avalos Flores.

Whip up this flavorful cannellini bean salad, brimming with Italian goodness, in under 10 minutes! Master this authentic recipe to serve as a delightful side during your al fresco dinners.

Grilled Corn on The Cob Foil Packets

Corn on the cob on a serving platter.
Image Credit: 31 Daily.

Enjoy the sweet and juicy flavor of grilled corn on the cob, wrapped in foil packets for a smoky, charred taste. It’s a simple and delicious side dish for your grilled beef. Get the recipe.

Black Eyed Pea Salad

A colorful black eyed pea salad in a white bowl.
Image Credit: JCP Eats.

This colorful salad is an explosion of freshness and flavor that will banish blandness forever. Packed with vibrant veggies and a delicious dressing, this salad is a light and colorful addition to grilled beef. Get the recipe.

Zucchini Gratinate

Zucchine gratinate on a plate with sauce on the side.
Photo Credit: Maricruz Avalos Flores.

Tender zucchini topped with a crispy bread, herbs, and parmesan mixture bursting with simple yet delicious Italian flavors. Get the recipe.

Cebollitas Asadas

Cebollitas asadas on a plate with slices of limes on the side.
Photo Credit: Maricruz Avalos Flores.

These Mexican green onions get a smoky makeover on the grill, and the char adds a delightful depth, making them the perfect partner for your juicy grilled beef. Get the recipe: Cebollitas Asadas.

Grilled Veggie Skewers

Grilled vegetable kebabs.
Image Credit: The Forked Spoon.

These skewers feature zucchini, red onion, and bell peppers, drizzled with tangy balsamic vinegar and brushed with a fresh garlic herb sauce. They’re perfect alongside grilled beef. Get the recipe: Grilled Veggie Skewers.

Bietola e Patate

Bietola e patate close-up.
Image Credit: Italian Easy Recipes.

Bietola e Patate is a classic Italian comfort dish made with tender Swiss chard and potatoes, gently cooked with garlic, olive oil, and tomato for simple, rustic flavor. Get the recipe.

Italian Fried Peppers

Italian fried peppers, aka Italian frying peppers fully cooked on a pan.
Image Credit: Maricruz Avalos Flores.

Spruce up your grilled beef with these tasty Italian fried peppers. They’re really easy to make and perfect for serving alongside grilled proteins during al fresco dinner on any weeknight. Get the recipe: Italian fried peppers.

Cucumber Onion Salad

Image Credit: Miss in the Kitchen.

This vibrant and flavorful salad is the perfect accompaniment to grilled beef, offering a refreshing and tangy contrast to the rich flavors of the meat. Enjoy the crisp cucumbers, sharp onions, and delicious dressing that make this side dish a must-have. Get the recipe.

Italian Zesty Pasta Salad

Close-up Italian zesty salad.
Image credit: Maricruz Avalos Flores.

This Italian pasta salad, brimming with Mediterranean freshness—peppers, tomatoes, cucumber, and olives—all coated in an incredible zesty dressing of olive oil, vinegar, and lemon. Get the recipe: Italian Zesty Pasta Salad.

Guacamole

Authentic guacamole in a molcajete with lime and chips on the side.
Photo Credit: Maricruz Avalos Flores.

Nothing beats a classic guacamole as the best pairing dish for grilled beef! This recipe is made in an authentic way using a molcajete and fresh ingredients. Get the recipe: Authentic Guacamole.

Verdure Gratinate

Italian verdure gratinate on a baking dish.
Image Credit: Maricruz Avalos Flores.

This classic Italian side dish pairs perfectly with grilled or roasted proteins, featuring tender vegetables topped with breadcrumbs, Parmigiano cheese, and fragrant herbs. Get the recipe: Verdure Gratinate.

Red Chimichurri Sauce

Chimichurri rojo in a white bowl.
Image Credit: Maricruz Avalos Flores.

This chunky grilled beef sauce blends tangy, slightly sweet, and spicy flavors for the perfect finishing touch to any grilled steak or beef dish. Get the recipe.

Country Potatoes

Close-up of country potatoes.
Image Credit: Sprinkled and Sprouts.

Enjoy these crispy and golden-brown potatoes, baked to perfection in the oven. They’re a crowd-pleasing side dish that’s perfect for serving alongside grilled beef. Get the recipe.

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