23 Side Dishes That Will Make Everyone Forget Traditional Potato Salad

Give your next cookout something new with easy summer side dishes that are made for sharing. These recipes make it simple to move beyond the usual rotation and bring something guests will actually be excited to try. Pick a few for your next barbecue, potluck, or family meal.

Arizona Chopped Salad for Summer Gatherings

A salad bowl with rows of grated cheese, dried cranberries, corn, smoked salmon, couscous, tomatoes, and seeds. — Arizona Chopped Salad. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

Crisp vegetables, creamy avocado, sweet corn, and savory toppings come together in a colorful salad packed with contrasting textures. It is fresh, satisfying, and just the thing to bring when you want a side dish that gets people excited about salad.
Get the Recipe: Arizona Chopped Salad for Summer Gatherings

Smoky Bourbon Baked Beans with Apples and Bacon

A close-up of baked beans in sauce, garnished with sliced green onions, with a spoon in the dish. — Smoky Bourbon Baked Beans with Apples and Bacon. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

Smoky baked beans get extra cozy with caramelized apples and savory bacon for a sweet-and-savory side. Bring this one to a cookout or family dinner when you want something hearty that feels right at home alongside grilled favorites.
Get the Recipe: Smoky Bourbon Baked Beans with Apples and Bacon

Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes with Heavy Cream

Oval dish of mashed potatoes topped with pats of butter and sprinkled with chopped chives. — Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

Silky, rich mashed potatoes make entertaining so much easier when you can prepare them ahead of time. The creamy texture and comforting flavor make them a welcome addition to holiday meals, family dinners, or any table full of hungry guests.
Get the Recipe: Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes with Heavy Cream

Grilled Eggplant with Feta and Harissa Oil

Roasted eggplant topped with crumbled cheese, nuts, herbs, and sauce on a white oval plate. — Grilled Eggplant with Feta and Harissa Oil. Photo credit: At The Immigrant's Table.

Smoky, tender eggplant pairs beautifully with creamy feta and a drizzle of spicy harissa oil. Once everything melts into those charred folds, you get a bold side dish that feels wonderfully rustic and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Eggplant with Feta and Harissa Oil

Warmly Spiced Mexican Wild Rice

wild rice topped with tomatoes — Spiced Mexican Wild Rice. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

Nutty wild rice gets a flavorful boost from warm Mexican-inspired spices while keeping its wonderfully chewy texture. Serve it alongside grilled meats or your favorite family dinner when plain rice just feels a little too ordinary.
Get the Recipe: Warmly Spiced Mexican Wild Rice

Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad for Easy Summer Meals

Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad. Photo credit: Food Folks and Fun.

Crisp cucumber, juicy tomatoes, and tangy feta make a refreshing combination that comes together in minutes. It is a bright, fuss-free side for summer dinners, cookouts, or those days when you want something cool and fresh.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad for Easy Summer Meals

Classic Rotini Pasta Salad for Potlucks

Rotini Pasta Salad. Photo credit: The Cozy Fork.

Colorful rotini and a flavorful dressing make this pasta salad an easy crowd-pleaser for casual meals. It is perfect for picnics, potlucks, or keeping in the fridge when you need a simple side ready to go.
Get the Recipe: Classic Rotini Pasta Salad for Potlucks

Easy Moroccan Rice Pilaf for Weeknight Dinners

Moroccan Rice Pilaf. Photo credit: Peel with Zeal.

Fragrant rice and warm spices create a flavorful pilaf that is simple enough for an everyday dinner but special enough for guests. It is a lovely way to add something aromatic and comforting to the table without making the meal complicated.
Get the Recipe: Easy Moroccan Rice Pilaf for Weeknight Dinners

Garlic Parmesan Hasselback Potatoes

Thinly sliced potatoes turn wonderfully crisp around the edges while staying soft and tender inside. Garlic and Parmesan add plenty of savory flavor, making these potatoes a fun upgrade when you want a side dish with a little extra personality.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Parmesan Hasselback Potatoes

Nectarine Salad with Crispy Halloumi

Juicy nectarines and crisp-edged halloumi create a delicious sweet-and-savory contrast in every bite. Fresh basil and honey vinaigrette bring everything together, making this a gorgeous choice for a warm-weather lunch or dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Nectarine Salad with Crispy Halloumi

Kale Crunch Salad with Dijon Dressing

Kale salad with shaved parmesan, slivered almonds, and serving utensils on a white plate. — Kale Crunch Salad with Dijon Dressing. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

Hearty kale and crisp cabbage come together with a tangy Dijon dressing for a salad that stays crunchy and satisfying. It is a great pick when you want something fresh and substantial enough to hold its own beside a hearty main course.
Get the Recipe: Kale Crunch Salad with Dijon Dressing

Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers

Mini stuffed peppers filled with melted cheese and herbs, arranged on a white platter with chopped chives. — Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers. Photo credit: The Feathered Nester.

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Tender mini peppers are filled with a creamy cheese mixture and baked until wonderfully soft. They make an easy little side or starter when you want something warm, colorful, and simple to pass around.
Get the Recipe: Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers

Crispy Parmesan Truffle Fries

Parmesan Truffle Fries. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

Golden fries are crisp on the outside and fluffy inside, with Parmesan and truffle flavor adding a savory finishing touch. They are a fun way to dress up an everyday side and make burgers, sandwiches, or grilled dinners feel a bit more special.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Parmesan Truffle Fries

Fresh Tex Mex Cowboy Salad for Potlucks

Tex Mex Cowboy Salad. Photo credit: The Feathered Nester.

Crunchy romaine, beans, corn, avocado, and lime come together in a colorful salad with plenty of fresh flavor. It is an easy side to bring to a potluck or serve alongside dinner when you want something bright and filling.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Tex Mex Cowboy Salad for Potlucks

Hawaiian Macadamia Fried Rice

Savory fried rice gets a delicious Hawaiian-inspired twist from crunchy macadamia nuts. It is easy enough for a family dinner but has that little something extra that makes guests think you spent much longer in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Hawaiian Macadamia Fried Rice

Snap Pea and Watermelon Radish Salad with Feta

Crisp snap peas and peppery watermelon radishes make this salad colorful, fresh, and full of crunch. Tangy feta adds a creamy contrast, making it a beautiful side for summer picnics, barbecues, or relaxed outdoor meals.
Get the Recipe: Snap Pea and Watermelon Radish Salad with Feta

5-Minute Kani Salad Spicy Crab Salad

Cool cucumber, shredded crab, and crisp carrots come together in a creamy Japanese-inspired salad with a gentle spicy kick. It takes just minutes to prepare, making it a handy side when you need something quick and refreshing.
Get the Recipe: 5-Minute Kani Salad Spicy Crab Salad

Asian Coleslaw with Thai Peanut Dressing in Wonton Cups

Crisp Asian-style slaw gets a creamy, nutty dressing before being tucked into crunchy wonton cups. The combination makes a fun side or appetizer for summer gatherings when you want something easy to serve and easy to enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Asian Coleslaw with Thai Peanut Dressing in Wonton Cups

Harissa Cauliflower with Whipped Feta

Roasted cauliflower gets a bold boost from spicy harissa, creamy whipped feta, and fresh herbs. The contrast of smoky heat and cool creaminess makes this a side dish that can easily become one of the most talked-about parts of dinner.
Get the Recipe: Harissa Cauliflower with Whipped Feta

Spiced Mexican Street Corn

Grilled corn gets a flavorful twist with sharp spices, tangy herbs, and creamy cheese inspired by street food traditions. It is smoky, colorful, and full of personality, making it a fun alternative to the usual corn side.
Get the Recipe: Spiced Mexican Street Corn

Roasted Maple Balsamic Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Brussels sprouts roast until caramelized and tender, with maple and balsamic bringing a lovely sweet-tangy balance. Crispy bacon adds savory richness, turning a simple vegetable side into something everyone will want to scoop up.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Maple Balsamic Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Tomato and Smashed Cucumber Salad for Summer

Tomato and Smashed Cucumber Salad Photo credit: At The Immigrant's Table.

Juicy tomatoes and crunchy smashed cucumbers make this salad wonderfully bright, refreshing, and easygoing. It is the kind of simple summer side you can throw together when you want something fresh without overthinking dinner.
Get the Recipe: Tomato and Smashed Cucumber Salad for Summer

Grilled Corn Ribs with Spicy Dipping Sauce

Smoky grilled corn is cut into playful rib-like pieces and served with a sweet and spicy dipping sauce. They are easy to share and make a lively addition to summer cookouts when you want a side that is a little more fun than ordinary corn.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Corn Ribs with Spicy Dipping Sauce