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    Home » Summer Recipes

    20 Summer Sides That Outshine the Main Dish

    Published: Jul 17, 2026 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    Summer is the perfect time to enjoy fresh, vibrant flavors that complement any meal. These 20 easy side dishes are not only simple to prepare but also bring a burst of color and freshness to your table. Whether you're hosting a barbecue or enjoying a picnic, these sides are sure to impress your guests and make your summer gatherings even more enjoyable.

    Avocado Mango Salad

    Avocado mango salad.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Avocado mango salad is a great addition to salmon tacos or any grilled meat, adding a fresh and vibrant touch to your meal. It's simple to prepare and brings a nice balance of flavors that can really enhance your dining experience. This salad is perfect for summer gatherings or casual dinners, making your plate look and taste better.

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    Caulislaw - Raw Cauliflower Salad

    Caulislaw - Raw Cauliflower Salad
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Caulislaw mixes cauliflower, carrots, and red onions with a tasty mayo dressing. It's a perfect side dish for summer barbecues or to add on top of burgers. Quick to prepare, it's a healthy and low-carb option that everyone will enjoy.

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    Ranch Coleslaw

    Ranch coleslaw.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This ranch coleslaw is a simple and tasty addition to your next BBQ. With just a few ingredients, including store-bought mayo and ranch dressing, it comes together quickly and easily. It's a great way to add some crunch and flavor to your summer meals.

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    Sweet Potato Biscuits

    Sweet Potato Biscuits.
    Photo Credit: Chef Savvy.

    Sweet Potato Biscuits are a great addition to any meal. By mixing sweet potatoes into a classic biscuit recipe, they become flavorful, colorful, and soft. These biscuits pair wonderfully with anything grilled, making them a delightful side for all your summer barbecues.

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    Air Fryer Carrot Fries

    Carrot fries on a blue plate with a dip sauce.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air Fryer Carrot Fries are a great way to enhance your summer meals. They are easy to make and only take about 12-14 minutes to cook. The result is a crispy and flavorful side dish that goes well with any dipping sauce you like.

    Get the recipe

    Pineapple Fried Rice

    Pineapple Fried Rice
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Pineapple rice is a simple and tasty dish loaded with veggies, bacon, cashews, and crushed pineapple. It comes together in less than 20 minutes, making it a great choice for a quick dinner. This dish adds a fun twist to your summer meals and is sure to please everyone at the table.

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    Easy Baked Beans

    Easy Baked Beans.
    Photo Credit: The Cookin' Chicks.

    Easy BBQ Baked Beans are a simple and popular choice for gatherings. With just a few common ingredients and some extra touches, this dish brings a warm and hearty flavor to your summer meals. It's a great side to have at barbecues, potlucks, or family dinners.

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    Roasted Lemon Tahini Cauliflower

    Photo credit: Katie Trant.

    This summer side is a favorite of mine that I often whip up. It's an easy dish that brings a tasty addition to any meal when the weather is warm.

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    Blue Cheese Coleslaw

    Blue cheese coleslaw.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Blue Cheese Coleslaw is a quick and easy side that you can prepare in just 15 minutes. It goes great with summer favorites like steak and barbecue. With its rich blue cheese flavor and a nice mix of seasonings, this coleslaw is sure to become a regular on your table.

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    Air Fryer Baby Potatoes

    Baby potatoes in a bowl.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Crispy potatoes are a fantastic side dish that pairs well with any meat. Seasoned simply with salt, they draw inspiration from the traditional Canarian dish known as "Papas Arrugadas." These potatoes add a delightful crunch and flavor to your summer meals.

    Get the recipe

    Watermelon Caprese Salad

    Watermelon Caprese Salad.
    Photo credit: Foodess.

    Watermelon and basil salad is a simple and refreshing dish that's perfect for summer. Combining juicy watermelon, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant basil, it brings a burst of flavor to any meal. Drizzling it with a homemade balsamic glaze adds a nice touch, making it a delightful side that everyone will enjoy.

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    Air Fryer Asparagus

    Image credit: Sarah Cook.

    Asparagus cooked in the air fryer is a quick and easy side dish that can really enhance your summer meals. This method gives you tender and crispy asparagus that's hard to resist. Once you experience this simple way of preparing it, you might not want to go back to your old cooking methods.

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    Arugula Salad with Honey Lemon Vinaigrette

    Arugula salad.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salad is a fantastic side for summer meals, bringing together a blend of sweet, salty, and tangy flavors that pair nicely with salmon or steak. It adds a refreshing touch to your table and enhances your meals throughout the season.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad

    Pasta salad.
    Photo credit: Nutmeg and Vinegar.

    Chicken pesto pasta salad is a fantastic dish for the warmer months. It's simple to prepare and works well for BBQs or casual gatherings. This salad combines fresh flavors and is a great option when you want something light and delicious.

    Get the recipe

    Cornbread

    Air fryer cornbread.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    Air fryer cornbread is simple to whip up with ingredients you likely have on hand. It's a delicious side dish that the whole family will love. Perfect for summer meals, this cornbread adds a nice touch to any dinner.

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    Greek Potatoes with Lemon & Feta Cheese

    Greek potatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Lemon Feta Roasted Potatoes are a great addition to your summer meals. The mix of zesty lemon and creamy feta adds a refreshing twist that pairs well with any dish. These potatoes are easy to prepare and bring a burst of flavor to your table, making them a perfect side for warm weather gatherings.

    Get the recipe

    Grandma's Coleslaw

    Grandma's Coleslaw.
    Photo Credit: Dana's Table.

    Creamy coleslaw is a great side dish for summer gatherings like picnics, potlucks, and barbecues. This version is inspired by my grandmother's recipe and features a blend of green cabbage and carrots mixed with a zesty, creamy dressing. It's a refreshing addition to any meal and perfect for warm weather.

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    Greek Yogurt Mashed Potatoes

    Greek Yogurt Mashed Potatoes
    Photo Credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    These Greek Yogurt Mashed Potatoes are a great addition to your summer meals. They're creamy and light, making them a perfect side dish that won't weigh you down. Plus, they're simple to prepare ahead of time, so you can enjoy more time with family and friends.

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    Goat Cheese Mac and Cheese

    Goat Cheese Mac and Cheese.
    Photo credit: The Littlest Crumb.

    Creamy goat cheese mac and cheese offers a tasty twist on the classic comfort dish. The macaroni is enveloped in a rich goat cheese sauce, enhanced with herbs, and finished with a crunchy layer of bread crumbs and parmesan. This dish is perfect for adding a little extra flavor to your meal.

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    French Potato Salad

    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This homemade potato salad is a great addition to your summer meals. With a creamy Dijon mustard dressing, it's perfect for picnics and barbecues. Plus, it's vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free, making it a versatile choice for everyone.

    Get the recipe

    More Summer Recipes

    • Baked lamb chops with veggies.
      18 Dump-And-Go Summer Dinners for Busy Evenings
    • Watermelon margaritas.
      14 Summer Drinks That Bring the Vacation Feeling Home
    • Zucchini casserole.
      20 Zucchini Recipes That Win Over Veggie Skeptics
    • Baked bbq chicken.
      22 Easy Set It and Forget It Dinners You’ll Be Making All Summer Long
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    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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