25 Healthy Barbecue Sides Everyone Will Love

Barbecues are all about friends, family, and great food-but they can also turn into a marathon of indulgence. Adding one or two healthy barbecue sides to the spread is an easy way to keep things balanced without missing out on the fun.

Whenever I'm headed to a cookout, I like to bring a fresh, wholesome option. Not everyone wants to pile their plate sky-high with ribs and potato salad, and I think it's important to respect that. Some people are watching their health, others feel better when they don't overdo it, and a few are just craving something crisp and refreshing. Over time, I've become "the salad person"-the one guests know will show up with a lighter dish they can happily fill their plates with, while still saving room for all the smoky classics (in moderation).

Here's the thing: healthy BBQ sides don't have to be plain or predictable. The 25 barbecue side ideas in this roundup are colorful, flavorful, and filling-proof that healthy can taste just as good as indulgent. Think beans and whole grains for fiber, leafy greens and salads for nutrients, and smoky grilled vegetables for that irresistible char. These recipes strike a balance between healthy and delicious, and will fit right into your backyard barbecue spread.

Leafy Green Salads

1

Grilled Bell Pepper Salad With Arugula and Feta

Peppery arugula and smoky-sweet roasted peppers are a match made in Mediterranean heaven. Light, fresh, and bursting with flavor, this is the side everyone will fight over.

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2

Kale Tahini Caesar Salad With Harissa Roasted Chickpeas

A tahini-based Caesar dressing makes this kale salad rich, tangy, and full of flavor. And since crunchy roasted chickpeas stand in for croutons, it holds up beautifully from kitchen to cookout.

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3

Lettuce Munch Lettuce

Kale Crunch Salad

Crisp kale, nuts, and a zippy dressing come together in this hearty Chick-fil-A copycat salad. It's crunchy, colorful, and sturdy enough to hold up at any backyard BBQ.

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4

Japanese Summer Salad

Cool, refreshing, and packed with seasonal veggies, this Japanese summer salad is a crisp contrast to smoky grilled mains. If you are a veggie gardener, this is the perfect recipe to use up the extras from your summer harvest.

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Grilled vegetables

5

Grilled Broccolini with Herbed Yogurt Sauce

This is one of those recipes that takes hardly any time or effort, but feels fancy and disappears fast. Don't miss that sauce! It's lemony, herby goodness that's the perfect foil for tender charred broccolini.

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6

Sprinkled With Balance

Grilled Vegetable Medley

Remember that grill basket your cousin got you for Christmas? It's calling your name! Dig it out of the hall closet to make this simple, wholesome, and endlessly adaptable barbecue side-it's summer on a platter.

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7

Maplevine Kitchen

Grilled Summer Squash and Zucchini with Lemon Basil Drizzle

Tender squash and zucchini get a quick char that makes them sweet, smoky, and irresistible. Light, flavorful, and proof that the best BBQ sides are often the simplest.

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8

In the Kitch

Grilled Stuffed Avocado - In the Kitch

I couldn't resist including this one...it's absolutely amazing and so unique! Yes, you can grill avocado-and once you try it, you'll wonder why you waited. Smoky, creamy, and downright addictive, it's a BBQ side with wow factor.

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9

The Forked Spoon

Easy Grilled Veggie Skewers

Colorful veggies on a stick? Always a crowd-pleaser. These skewers are smoky, fun to eat, and make the perfect healthy side for any barbecue spread.

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Chop salads & slaws

10

Easy Mediterranean Chopped Salad with Fresh Herbs

This healthy barbecue side is basically summer in a bowl; a rainbow of crunch and herbs. One quick toss in the easiest dressing ever and it's suddenly the star of the cookout!

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11

Green Heart Love

Easy Spicy Cucumber Salad Recipe

You'll be fully up on the cucumber salad recipe trend with this one! Cool cucumbers meet a zesty chili kick in this light, refreshing salad that balances out all the smoky richness on the grill.

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12

The Wholesome Spoon

Cabbage Slaw

It's hard to beat a good old fashioned coleslaw when it comes to backyard barbecue sides. This one is something special...with crunchy cabbage tossed in a bright dressing-this classic slaw is light, refreshing, and made to be piled high on your plate.

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13

Loaded Greek Salad

A hearty but healthy revved-up take on the classic Greek salad

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14

Cowgirl Caviar

Mangos and strawberries make a surprise appearance in this sweet & spicy, take on cowboy caviar. Perfect for your next summer BBQ!

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15

The Feathered Nester

Cucumber Slaw

This refreshing cucumber slaw is light, creamy, and perfect for tacos or BBQ! Try this easy shredded cucumber salad recipe today.

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Pasta salads & grains

16

Walnut Pesto Pasta Salad With Roasted Vegetables

A delightful, summery walnut pesto coats roasted veggies and pasta for a side that's hearty yet wholesome. It's colorful, nutty, and delicious warm or chilled.

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17

Kristina Cadelina

Cauliflower Tabbouleh

If you love tabbouleh (like me), you'll love this grain-free take too. Fresh, herby, and lemony, it's a light side that brightens up any BBQ spread.

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18

Veggie Ideas

Roast vegetable salad with quinoa

Protein-rich quinoa, black beans, corn, and zesty lime dressing make this salad hearty yet refreshing. And it's as pretty as it is healthy!

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19

A Cedar Spoon

Summer Orzo Pasta Salad

Orzo has been having a moment this summer, so you'll be right on trend with this delicious orzo pasta salad! It's got a bold, tangy kick from Italian dressing and plenty of fresh veggies. It's the kind of side dish that always gets scooped up first.

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Beans

20

Italian Butter Beans With Cherry Tomato Confit

These aren't your average beans-pancetta, garlic, rosemary, and cherry tomato confit turn them into the kind of side you'll 'accidentally' eat as a main. They are rich and creamy, with big flavor and a surprise finish that will knock everybody's socks off.

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21

Thermospoons

High Protein Butter Beans Salad

Don't let the 'salad' label fool you-this butter bean dish packs serious protein and flavor. It's bold, filling, and still light enough to share space with the burgers.

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22

The Cooking Foodie

Healthy Chickpea Salad Recipe

Fresh, crunchy, and full of protein-this chickpea salad is a quick, healthy BBQ side that comes together in minutes and disappears just as fast. The vegetarians in the crowd will love you for this one (and honestly, so will the meat eaters).

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23

Mary's Whole Life

Healthy Baked Beans

Smoky, sweet, and satisfying-these baked beans are a healthier spin on the classic BBQ side. Make them in the oven or dig out your slow cooker for easy, portable prep.

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Let's keep the cookout inspiration going!

I hope this list of barbecue sides sparks plenty of ideas for your next summer gathering. If you have your own healthy side dish you like to bring to cookouts, I'd love to hear about it in the comments section below.

Have a question about one of the recipes? Want help adapting a dish to your dietary needs? I'm always happy to chat, so feel free to leave a comment or reach out. And if you have a go-to BBQ side dish that's on the lighter, healthier side, I'd love to hear about it!

Bookmark this post for those "what should I bring?" moments-so you'll always have a stash of healthy BBQ sides ready to share, whether you're hosting or headed to a friend's backyard.

Did you try one of these recipes?

If you tried one of these healthy barbecue sides, I'd love to hear what you think! Leave a comment below and let me know how it went.

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