19 Crowd-Pleasing Cookout Sides That Always Steal the Show

When the grill’s fired up, the sides are what really bring the cookout together. These easy, crowd-pleasing recipes are the ones everyone reaches for first, no reheating, no fuss, and zero leftovers. They’re perfect for hot days, picky eaters, and anyone who wants to bring something to the party that actually gets eaten.

Parmesan Roasted Green Beans

Parmesan roasted green beans bring a crispy, cheesy upgrade to a classic veggie side. Tossed with garlic and seasoning, then roasted until golden, these come out of the oven crisp-tender and flavorful, making them a total win for cookouts or weeknight dinners. Everyone will be reaching for seconds, and maybe even skipping the main dish.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Roasted Green Beans

Popeyes Coleslaw

This creamy coleslaw is always the first side to vanish at cookouts. With its perfect balance of crunchy cabbage, shredded carrots, and a tangy-sweet dressing, it stays light, refreshing, and totally craveable. It pairs effortlessly with everything from grilled chicken to smoky ribs, and its simple prep and crowd-pleasing flavor make it a must-have summer staple.
Get the Recipe: Popeyes Coleslaw

Copycat Longhorn Steakhouse Rice

Copycat Longhorn rice packs a ton of flavor into every bite. Bell peppers, onions, and a rich chicken broth base give it that slightly sweet, slightly savory edge, a kind of side dish that feels just as exciting as the main, and it all happens in one pot. Perfect for rounding out a cookout plate with something hearty but unfussy.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Longhorn Steakhouse Rice

Potato Fritters

Potato fritters are the ultimate crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside side dish that never sticks around long. They’re made with grated potatoes, garlic, and onion, fried to golden perfection, and served with a cool dollop of yogurt or sour cream. Perfect for brunch cookouts or as a fun twist next to burgers and grilled meats.
Get the Recipe: Potato Fritters

Honey Glazed Carrots

These honey-glazed carrots add color, sweetness, and just the right amount of buttery richness to any cookout spread. Tossed in a simple glaze of honey and garlic, they’re tender, glossy, and bursting with flavor. It’s a reliable side that feels just a little upgraded without being fussy, and it only takes a few minutes to throw together.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Carrots

Parmesan Potatoes

Parmesan potatoes are the crispy, cheesy little bites everyone keeps reaching for. Baby potatoes get roasted in butter and coated in golden parmesan crust that’s totally irresistible. Serve them hot with sour cream or aioli and watch them vanish faster than anything else on the table. They’re that magical cookout side that somehow outshines the main dish.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Potatoes

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

Zucchini fries from the air fryer are everything a cookout side should be: crispy, fun, and ridiculously easy. A coating of parmesan and spices turns fresh zucchini into finger food gold without the oil and hassle of deep-frying. Great on their own or dunked in ranch, these fries are light enough to beat the heat but bold enough to stand out.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

Cauliflower mac and cheese delivers all the creamy, gooey comfort you crave, without the heaviness. Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s a light yet delicious side that’s perfect for summer cookouts. With its rich flavor and healthy twist, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that fits every plate.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

Parmesan and Garlic Wings

Parmesan garlic wings might technically be a side, but don’t be surprised if they steal the spotlight. Coated in a buttery garlic sauce and finished with parmesan, they’re crispy, juicy, and totally addictive. Great hot or room temp, these wings are the kind of summer cookout finger food that keeps people hovering near the tray.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan and Garlic Wings

Chipotle Rice

Chipotle rice brings a fresh, citrusy kick that cuts through heavier mains and balances out smoky grilled flavors. Cooked with lime, garlic, and a touch of cilantro, it’s light but still totally delicious. Use it to round out fajita plates, taco spreads, or just eat it straight, it’s quick, simple, and always a hit.
Get the Recipe: Chipotle Rice

Carrot Raisin Salad

Carrot raisin salad is sweet, tangy, and exactly the kind of chilled side you want on a hot day. It’s crunchy from the carrots, juicy from the raisins, and wrapped up in a creamy dressing that brings everything together. It comes together in minutes and adds a pop of color and flavor to any cookout plate; cool, creamy, and unexpectedly crave-worthy.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Raisin Salad

Coleslaw with Creamy Dressing

This creamy coleslaw is a guaranteed hit, simple, delicious, and just the right kind of tangy. The crisp cabbage and carrots stay crunchy, while the dairy-free dressing keeps things smooth and bright. It’s an easy make-ahead dish that fits with everything from grilled brats to BBQ ribs, because no cookout is complete without it.
Get the Recipe: Coleslaw with Creamy Dressing

Cauliflower Tortillas with Garlic and Oregano

Cauliflower tortillas are the kind of side that quietly takes over the cookout. They’re soft, flexible, and sturdy enough to handle everything from grilled carne asada to saucy taco fillings without falling apart. Made with garlic and oregano, they’re full of flavor on their own, whether stacked in a taco bar or set out for DIY wraps, they’re guaranteed to get plenty of attention.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Tortillas with Garlic and Oregano

Homemade Asparagus

This asparagus isn’t soggy, stringy, or forgettable; it’s the crisp-tender, perfectly seasoned kind that makes you rethink everything you thought you knew about vegetables. Cooked just right and tossed with olive oil, salt, and pepper, it’s a standout side that brings freshness and flavor to the table. It pairs beautifully with grilled meats, a must-have for any cookout spread.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Asparagus

Quick Pickled Fruits and Vegetables

Quick-pickled fruits and veggies bring zing, crunch, and color to every cookout plate. From cucumbers and carrots to berries and peaches, a quick soak in vinegar, salt, and spices turns everyday produce into something that pops. These tangy bites are perfect as a topping for burgers and hot dogs or as a punchy side all on their own.
Get the Recipe: Quick Pickled Fruits and Vegetables

Sweet Potato Fries

Sweet potato fries are a no-brainer crowd favorite during cookouts, and this version from the air fryer takes them to the next level. Seasoned with garlic powder, dill, and paprika, they come out crisp and golden on the outside while staying tender and fluffy inside. These fries are a better spin on a classic; serve them with burgers or sliders and watch them disappear faster than you can refill the tray.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Fries

Vegetable Noodles

Vegetable noodles are a fun, colorful way to bring something fresh and unexpected to the cookout table. Whether it’s zucchini, carrots, or beets, these spiralized veggies hold their own as a cold salad or simple side dish tossed in a light dressing. They’re easy to prep and make a vibrant addition that balances out heavier mains.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Noodles

Avocado Salad

This avocado salad checks all the boxes for a refreshing summer cookout side that doesn’t fade into the background. Creamy avocados, juicy tomatoes, and crisp cucumbers are tossed with a tangy homemade dressing that keeps everything bright and delicious. It’s the kind of salad that people scoop up by the spoonful, perfect alongside grilled meats or as a cool contrast to spicy dishes.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Salad

Homemade Sauerkraut

Homemade sauerkraut might sound old-school, but it’s a sleeper hit at any outdoor gathering and cookouts. Made with just cabbage and salt, this fermented side is tangy, crunchy, and loaded with gut-friendly benefits. It adds bold flavor to sausages, brats, and burgers, but can also hold its own on the side.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Sauerkraut