When it comes to summer cookouts, burgers and grilled corn on the cob often steal the show. But, let us tell you that these treats wouldn’t taste the same if they hadn’t side dishes to up the ante. From refreshing and colorful veggies to easy-to-chew legumes, sides help add a little variety to the mix by introducing various flavors and textures to your menu. So, if you are ready to give your backyard party a tasty makeover, these five delicious BBQ side dish recipes will definitely hit the spot. Happy summer, everyone!
1. Baked Beans With Bacon Bits
Usually stationed next to grilled corn, baked beans are a summer cookout staple. However, this recipe goes way beyond the classic version by adding various drool-worthy ingredients to the mix, from bacon and Worcestershire sauce to feta cheese and molasses.
Ingredients:
1 ¼ cup dehydrated red beans
3/4 cup TVP bacon bits
1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
2 tbsp dehydrated garlic
2/3 cup fresh tomato puree
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
½ cup molasses
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
1 tsp cayenne pepper
½ cup Feta cheese, crumbled
1 tbsp olive oil
Directions:
- In a small pan, add 2 ½ cups of water and the red beans. Simmer for about 10-15 or until they are fork-tender. Remove from water and set aside.
- Meanwhile, add 1 ½ cups of warm water and the TVP Bacon Bits to a bowl. Let them sit for about 15 minutes until the hydrate, and then remove the water. If needed, squeeze the Bacon Bits with your hands and pat them dry with a paper towel. This will remove all excess water.
- In a saucepan, heat the olive oil over low-medium heat.
- Then, add the onion and cook for a couple of minutes until they turn golden.
- Add the rest of the ingredients (besides the Feta cheese), turn the heat to low and place a lid on top of the saucepan.
- Let the dish cook on the stove for about an hour or alternatively, transfer to a baking dish and bake to 350F until the sauce is thickened.
- Once it does, remove from heat and sprinkle with Feta cheese. Serve.
2. Cucumber, Peppers and Fried Halloumi Salad
Let’s be honest: Everything tastes better with cheese. But, mozzarella sticks and melted Parmesan are not exactly grill- friendly. That’s why you need to break out the halloumi. This Greek cheese has an abnormally high melting point, which means you can fry it to your heart’s content. So, are you ready to impress your guests?
Ingredients:
1 cup freeze dried cucumber dices
½ cup freeze dried red bell peppers
½ onion, peeled and chopped
5oz halloumi cheese
¼ cup olive oil
¾ cup balsamic vinegar
¾ tsp red pepper flakes
Salt, for seasoning
Directions:
- Add 1 cup of water and the bell peppers in a saucepan and simmer for 10-20 minutes until they hydrate. Remove them from water and squeeze out the excess water.
- Then, add 1 cup of water and the cucumber in a bowl and set aside for about 10 minutes.
- While the cucumber rehydrates, grill the halloumi in a grill pan until it turns golden on both sides.
- By now, the cucumber is rehydrated, so remove the excess water and add it along with the remaining ingredients in a salad bowl. Make sure you mix them well and season with more salt if needed.
- Chill for 15-20 minutes and serve.
3. Sweet Corn Fritters
Despite looking fancy, fritters are one of the simplest summer side dishes to make, and this recipe is no exception. Featuring sweet corn as the main ingredient, this variation is the epitome of summer in one bite. The best part? You can serve these fritters with just about any dipping sauce, from guacamole to queso.
Ingredients:
1 cup freeze dried sweet corn
1/3 cup semolina flour
¼ cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup milk
½ tsp baking powder
½-1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
A handful of cilantro, finely chopped
Directions:
- In a pan, add 1 cup of water and the sweet corn and simmer for 10-20 minutes or until they hydrate. Once hydrated, remove from water and squeeze away all remaining liquid. Set aside.
- In a bowl, add the semolina and all-purpose flours, salt, pepper, cilantro, and baking powder. Whisk together.
- Pour the milk gradually while stirring and combine the ingredients even more.
- Stir in the sweet corn until the kernels are coated.
- Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add 1-2 tablespoons of vegetable oil.
- Using your hands, form balls with the mixture while pressing the mound until it’s flattened.
- Cook each ball for about 5 minutes or until it’s brown on both sides. Serve immediately.
4. Parmesan Potato and Tomato Bake
If you are looking for an easy and yummy way to balance out the meat-to-veggies ratio of your summer cookout menu, this bake is a no-brainer. Containing various earthy ingredients such as potatoes, tomato, and zucchini, this BBQ side dish will undoubtedly make everyone smile out of contentment.
Ingredients:
½ cup freeze dried potatoes
½ cup dehydrated zucchini
2 tsp dehydrated garlic
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
3-4 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper, for seasoning
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350F.
- In a bowl, combine the all the ingredients and mix well until they are evenly combined.
- Transfer to a baking dish along with 2 cups of water and bake for about 40 minutes or until they turn golden.
- Once cooked through, remove from the oven and set aside to cool. You can sprinkle the veggies with more cheese if you want.
5. Mango Salsa
It’s not every day that we see a tropical fruit making it into a salsa recipe, but we’re totally digging it. Featuring basic ingredients, this Sriracha-infused salsa is also very easy to whip up, minimizing your time in the kitchen. Friendly tip: This dip may even work as an out-of-the-box topping for your baked pitas. So, get as creative as possible.
Ingredients:
½ cup freeze dried mangoes
1 tomato, seeded and diced
1 red onion, peeled and diced
2 tbsp cilantro, finely chopped
The juice of 2 limes
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp Sriracha sauce
Directions:
- In a bowl add 1 cup of water and the mangoes and let them sit until they hydrate.
- Once they do, remove them from the water and get rid of excess fluids.
- In a Ziploc bag, add the lime juice, salt, and red onion. Let it marinate for 10-15 minutes.
- Add all the remaining ingredients in a large bowl and mix them well.
- Chill for about an hour and serve with tortilla chips, grilled meat or oven-baked pitas.
Final Thoughts
Newsflash: Steaks and hot dogs are not the only way to enjoy a BBQ feast. Truth is there’s a wide variety of side dishes which can be even tastier than the usual culprits. So, gather your squad and get cooking ’cause another moment without these flavors is another moment wasted. Don’t forget the drinks! #foodphilosophy
