These summer sides are perfect for any cookout. Most are make-ahead friendly, many are no-cook, and all are built on the Mediterranean flavors that sing in summertime.
Side Dishes to Steal the Show!
At a summer cookout, the sides are what people are really talking about. The burgers or the grilled chicken might be perfect, but the thing people will remember later is never the main. Instead, what usually disappears first, the thing for which people request a recipe, is always a side dish, that’s what makes the meal.
This list is my way of answering the eternal summer question: what should I make to serve alongside whatever’s coming off the grill? Think of these as my summer MVPs. Besides a simple platter of grilled vegetables, these are the dishes I serve up most often all summer long. Barbecues, potlucks, and weeknight dinners on the patio, these vibrant and crowd-pleasing dishes are perfect companions. If you’re looking for even more inspiration, don’t miss our collection of summer salad recipes, our favorite Mediterranean pasta salads, and this gorgeous lineup of summer cocktails and mocktails!
Colorful Summer Salads
Chickpea Salad
A vegan, gluten-free side that’s even better when made ahead of time; this chickpea salad is all three! Canned chickpeas, fresh vegetables, and a bold lemon-Dijon dressing take only about 10-minutes to assemble. I alternate between this one and my version of three-bean salad all summer.
Greek Potato Salad
You’ve gotta have a potato salad at a summer party, and this mayo-free version, punched up with salty Kalamata olives, loads of fresh herbs, and tangy Greek-style vinaigrette, is big on flavor. It works beautifully on a spread of burgers but is equally great in a Greek summer feast paired with juicy Greek salad and either Pork Souvlaki or grilled seafood.
Watermelon Feta Salad
A must at Fourth of July celebrations, this sweet and salty watermelon salad is one of my favorites! Juicy watermelon, cooling cucumber, and fresh mint make it super refreshing, so it’s perfect on a hot day and a great companion for spicy harissa-grilled chicken or kofta kebabs. One tip: If you’re bringing this to a gathering, pack the components separately and assemble them on arrival, so the watermelon doesn’t release too much of its juice into the dressing.
Panzanella
Chunks of crusty bread soak up ripe tomato juices and a garlicky olive oil dressing in this classic salad from Tuscany, while fresh basil, cucumber, and red onion add color and crunch. It’s a perfect side for a grilled steak. This is the recipe I wait all year to make with summer tomatoes.
Italian Pasta Salad
Don’t make an antipasto platter, make this salad! Rotini pasta soaks up loads of flavor from salami, tangy marinated artichokes, cherry tomatoes, olives, spicy pepperoncini, and sweet bell peppers. This is a great option to add substance to a meal of marinated grilled chicken. It’s also an ideal partner for a classic Caprese!
Grilled Vegetable Sides with a Kiss of Smoke
Grilled Zucchini Salad
Summer zucchini, plucked with still small and tender, has a subtle sweetness that intensifies on the smoky heat of the grill. Dressed with fresh herbs, a squeeze of lemon, and a generous pour of olive oil, it makes a delicious vegetable dish that you can serve warm, room-temperature, or chilled. Chef’s Tip: To get those nice grill marks, make sure your grill is very hot before the zucchini goes on!
Grilled Corn Salad
Corn is one of summer’s great gifts, and grilling it first adds a layer of smoky flavor to contrast its sweetness. You could stop there, or combine the kernels with ginger, garlic, dill, cilantro, and cumin for a colorful, confetti-style salad that’s make-ahead friendly. It’s a wonderful topping for Mediterranean Grilled Swordfish.
Grilled Romaine Salad
Yes, I’m telling you you should grill a head of lettuce! The outer leaves develop a slightly smoky, sweet, and charred flavor in just moments on the grill, while the inner core remains crisp. Topped with blistered corn, grape tomatoes, and a nutty Tahini Dressing, it’s so delicious with Grilled Chicken Wings and a big pitcher of Watermelon Sangria.
Bold Summer Vegetables
Italian Green Beans
My riff on the Ligurian classic fagiolini alla genovese, these tender green beans are tossed in a bold anchovy-lemon dressing. Crispy garlic chips add crunch and a deep, savory warmth to every bite. Don’t let the anchovies put you off; just like a classic Caesar salad, they melt into the dressing and add a depth of flavor that even anchovy skeptics love.
Greek Fries with Garlic and Feta (Patates Tiganites)
Everybody loves a few fries with their backyard burger, and these Greek-style potato wedges are tough to beat! They roast in extra virgin olive oil until golden and crisp, and I finish them with garlic, thyme, oregano, and a generous shower of crumbled feta. Add a bowl of tzatziki for dipping, and double the batch if you’re feeding a crowd!
Mediterranean Grilled Eggplant with Whipped Feta
Eggplant is so delicious grilled! I slice them thickly and let them get nice char marks on the outside, but they stay meltingly tender within. Serve them with creamy whipped feta; the combination of smoky, soft eggplant and tangy, fluffy feta is one of those things you’ll want to make every time the grill is hot. At the very least, make enough to make this Grilled Eggplant Salad with Za’atar Pita Crisps, too!
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