Every year I get asked the same question before a cookout: what sides should I bring that aren’t just chips? This list is my answer. It’s the rotation I actually use, pulled from years of bringing something to a potluck at the last minute and needing it to travel well and not need the grill.
Why You’ll Love This List
- Every recipe travels well, since most of these are served cold or at room temperature
- A mix of classic and slightly updated options
- Nothing here needs the grill or oven, which frees those up for the main course
The Sides
- Old Fashioned Macaroni Salad, the one that disappears first at almost every cookout I’ve been to.
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts, if you have grill or oven space to spare.
- A simple three bean salad, dressed the night before so the flavors have time to sit.
- Classic coleslaw with a vinegar based dressing, which holds up better in the heat than mayo heavy versions.
- Garlic Parmesan Grilled Eggplant, a good option if you want something warm on the table.
- Corn salad with lime and cotija cheese, best made the same day if you can manage it.
Tips for Building a Cookout Spread
What works:
- Pick at least one mayo based side and one vinegar based side, so there’s an option that holds up better if the food sits out longer than planned.
- Bring sides in the dish you plan to serve them in. One less thing to wash and transfer at the party.
What to avoid:
- Leaving mayo based dishes out in direct sun for hours. The USDA recommends refrigerating perishable food within two hours, or within one hour if it’s above 90 degrees outside.
- Bringing only cold dishes. A cookout table with nothing warm on it feels a little flat.
What to Serve With These Sides
Pair two or three of these with grilled burgers, chicken, or ribs, and you’ve got a full spread without needing to plan a whole separate menu around them.
How to Store & Reheat Leftovers
Storage: most of these keep for 3 to 5 days in the fridge in a sealed container.
Reheating: the cold salads don’t need it. The eggplant reheats fine in a skillet or toaster oven.
Freezing: mayo based salads don’t freeze well. The eggplant can be frozen, though the texture softens once thawed.
FAQs
How many sides should I bring to a cookout?
One or two per person attending is usually plenty, assuming there are also mains and desserts on the table.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, all of these are better made the day before or at least a few hours ahead, which also means less to do the day of.
Final Thoughts
This list gets rotated depending on what’s actually in season, but macaroni salad and coleslaw are the two constants I never skip.
Bookmark this one before your next cookout invite shows up.
