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The Best Cold Side Dishes for BBQ

By: Author Smart Savvy Food

Posted on

Here in the south, it can be so hot and humid during the summer that the last thing you want to do is eat hot food, nevertheless cook it.

These are some of the best cold dishes you can serve at your BBQ, cookout, family reunion, or everyday dinner.

Some, like the creamy cucumber salad, don't even require cooking.

Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

Bowl of prepared Hawaiian mac salad garnished with green onion.
Image Credit: Smart Savvy Food

A basic creamy sweet and tangy macaroni salad with carrots and onion. This Hawaiian mac salad is traditionally served with things like Kalua Pork but goes well with most summer meals.

Get the recipe: Hawaiian Mac Salad

Baked Potato Salad

Overhead view of prepared baked potato salad garnishted with green onion, bacon, and shredded cheese.
Image Credit: Smart Savvy Food

A loaded baked potato is such a delicious side dish but who wants to bake potatoes and eat it piping hot during the summer? This loaded baked potato salad is the perfect alternative.

Get the recipe: Baked Potato Salad

Broccoli Cauliflower Salad

Overhead view of serving bowl of prepared broccoli and cauliflower salad.
Image Credit: Smart Savvy Food

A delicious way to eat broccoli and cauliflower with no steaming involved. Covered with a tangy dressing and includes other veggies like peppers and onions with a sprinkle of bacon.

Get the recipe: Broccoli Cauliflower Salad

Southern Deviled Eggs

Prepared southern deviled eggs topped with cayenne pepper on a white deviled egg platter.
Image Credit: Smart Savvy Food

These basic deviled eggs are made with a Southern touch of pickle relish.

Get the recipe: Southern Deviled Eggs

Cucumber Radish Macaroni Salad

Prepared cucumber radish macaroni salad in a blue and black bowl.
Image Credit: Smart Savvy Food

Use of some of your favorite summer produce like cucumber and radishes in this macaroni salad. Peppers, green onions, and more are also delicious additions.

Get the recipe: Cucumber Radish Macaroni Salad

Southern Potato Salad

A serving of Southern potato salad on a white round plaet
Image Credit: Smart Savvy Food

This super creamy potato salad features hard-boiled eggs, mustard, and pickle relish for Southern deliciousness.

Get the recipe: Southern Potato Salad

Creamy Cucumber Salad

Creamy cucumber salad garnished with chive and dill in a white round bowl.
Image Credit: Smart Savvy Food

This German-style cucumber salad uses such simple ingredients but is oh-so refreshing and delicious and packed full of fresh herbs.

Get the recipe: Creamy Cucumber Salad

Ham and Pea Pasta Salad

Prepared ham and pea pasta salad in a white round bowl.
Image Credit: Smart Savvy Food

If you don't have leftover ham, you can use deli ham or ham steaks to make this pasta salad even easier to make. With protein and veggies, it even makes a tasty main dish.

Get the recipe: Ham and Pea Pasta Salad

Bacon Broccoli Salad

Prepared broccoli salad in a white round bowl.
Image Credit: Smart Savvy Food

Even those that don't overly like broccoli love this creamy sweet and tangy broccoli salad with additions like bacon, cheese, and red onion.

Get the recipe: Bacon Broccoli Salad

Carolina Coleslaw

Prepared coleslaw in a large round glass bowl.
Image Credit: Smart Savvy Food

Carolina coleslaw is a simple slaw made with buttermilk, vinegar, and a touch of sugar. Great piled on sandwiches or a side dish.

Get the recipe: Carolina Coleslaw

Marinated Cucumber and Tomato Salad

Prepared marinated cucumber and tomato salad in a large round glass bowl.
Image Credit: Smart Savvy Food

If you have a garden and no idea what to do with all those cucumbers and tomatoes, this simple marinated salad is perfect to make.

Get the recipe: Marinated Cucumber and Tomato Salad

Bacon Deviled Eggs

Prepared bacon deviled eggs garnished with green onion on a white round plate.
Image Credit: Smart Savvy Food

Bacon and eggs are a delicious pairing that is so good in deviled egg form.

Get the recipe: Bacon Deviled Eggs