Nothing says spring and summer more than an outdoor BBQ. Besides the meat, nothing is more important than getting the right side dishes. In this article, we’ll cover the best side dishes for BBQ season.

Are you preparing your grill for warm weather and longer days? There’s nothing like throwing a BBQ in spring and summer.

If you’re a fan of great BBQ, you already know how important it is to select the finest cuts of meat. You also know the best wood and cooking temperatures for smokey flavors.

However, no matter if you’re a pro or a beginner, choosing the right side dishes to pair with your meat can be tricky. It’s important to get the flavors right so your meal is balanced perfectly.

Below are a few tips for choosing the best side dishes for BBQ season. You’ll learn how to boost and balance flavors and impress even the pickiest guests.

Elevate Your Spread

When you grill the perfect cut of meat, you want the right flavors to pair with it. Would you ever pair a slice of chocolate cake with an expertly seared T-bone? We think not.

Elevate your spread by pairing premium meats with sides that match the same level of flavor and craftsmanship. If you’re smoking your meat, find sides such as smoked mac & cheese that combine smokiness with bold flavors.

If you’re grilling your meat to perfection, why not choose sides grilled to perfection as well? You can’t go wrong with grilled elote corn or perfectly seared eggplant.

If you need ideas for your spread, stop by the Flying Butcher today. Our experts can help you choose the best sides to pair with your BBQ styles.

Balance Bold Flavors

When meat is cooked on the grill, it absorbs tons of complex and smoky flavors. From the mouth-watering charred bits to the smoke-infused juices, it’s an explosion of flavor after every bite.

Side dishes should complement and balance these bold flavors without distracting from them. To do this, there’s one component every great side dish should have: acidity.

Acidity helps cut through the rich fats and juice of your meat. It refreshes your taste buds after each bite. Having the right balance of acidity, flavor, and complex textures makes each BBQ a unique and satisfying experience.

Choose sides such as tangy vinegar slaw or pickled vegetables for the ultimate balance. Combine your tangy sides and smoky meat with delicious sauces like chimichurri for a taste experience that’s out of this world.

Showcase Firepower

If you’ve got a beautiful flame and perfect heat going, why not use it for side dishes as well as your meat? Try grilling your favorite vegetables, like eggplant, tomatoes, peppers, onions, and garlic. Mix it up by grilling fruits like apples and pears or green onions.

Once your vegetables are nice and charred, you can blend them into sauces or serve them directly. Season them with lemon or a tangy mixture of vinegar, spices, and olive oil to bring out the complex flavors.

If you’re looking for a complete meal, try flame-roasting potatoes or wood-fired flatbreads. These staples will absorb the smoky flavors from your grill and cook thoroughly. You can create an entire meal on one flame!

Impress Away

Are you grilling to impress? You can leave important guests—or even judges—in awe of your BBQ skills. The secret: serving unique side dishes with perfectly cooked, high-quality cuts of meat.

Try flavorful dishes like bourbon-infused baked beans or BBQ-seasoned cornbread. Try pairing a beautiful steak with the Flying Butcher’s Burgundy Wine Mushrooms. Or, try pairing grilled chicken with our Cilantro Lime Asparagus.

If you’re making your own side dishes, get creative with your recipes. Choose fresh ingredients from your local market. Choose fresh herbs, vegetables, and seasonings. Prioritize good-quality oils and vinegar like extra virgin olive oil and apple cider vinegar.

Get Creative

For the ultimate BBQ experience, get creative with your recipes. Try going beyond your comfort zone by recreating your favorite international recipes.

If you’re doing a Mexican-style BBQ, try grilling tons of aromatic peppers, onions, and garlic. Create fresh salsas to complement the dishes. Grill fresh ears of corn or make homemade tortillas right on the grill!

For an Argentine-style BBQ, try pureeing potatoes and winter squash together for a multi-colored side. Grill up a variety of sausages and make homemade chimichurri and salsa criolla with chopped onions, peppers, and tomatoes.

Enjoy the Classics

If you’re sticking to a traditional, all-American BBQ, try pairing classic side dishes like potato salad, macaroni salad, and coleslaw. These simple side dishes are guest favorites and are always instant hits.

You can make your own at home with simple ingredients. Or, come into the Flying Butcher to enjoy our classics, made by our team of professionals. Below are a few favorites from our selection.

• Bacon Cheddar Potato Salad
• Red Bliss Potato Salad
• Garlic Pepper Potatoes
• Macaroni Salad
• Sundried Tomato Vegetable Medley
• Creamy Italian Pasta Salad
• Our Own Recipe Cole Slaw

Have Fun Pairing Drinks

Besides your side dishes, don’t forget to pick the right drinks to pair with your BBQ. If you’re grilling red meat and serving it with sides like potatoes and grilled vegetables, try a red wine. Wines like Burgundy, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Malbec work well with grilled meats.

If the weather is hot and so is the food, try serving ice-cold beers or white wines with plenty of racing acidity. For alcohol-free options, try making infusions like lemon and cucumber water or non-alcoholic sangria.

By combining flavor sides and expertly grilled meat with the right drinks, your guests will leave your BBQ in awe. They’ll be full, refreshed, and impressed by the amount of work you put into the experience.

Ready When You Are

If you’re looking to create a fantastic BBQ experience for you and your guests, stop into the Flying Butcher today. We’re a one-stop shop for high-quality meats and chef-prepared side dishes.

Our team of meat experts will answer all of your grilling questions and cut your meats to perfection, every time. We’ll help you pair the best side dishes with your grilling style for maximum flavors.

If you’re short on time, trust us to have the right side dishes. We have dozens of popular recipes, from American favorites like cole slaw to complex flavors like Creamy Italian Pasta Salad. Stop in today and we’ll set you up with all your BBQ needs.