Got the burgers planned but still deciding what goes beside them? These cookout side dish ideas give you plenty to choose from, including creamy macaroni salad, colorful vegetable skewers and corn with all those pretty toppings. There’s a little fruit in the mix too!
You can stick with the classics or try something a little different. I especially love the individual fruit cups and the bacon-topped deviled eggs.
Pick a few that fit your menu rather than feeling like you need the whole spread.
Cookout sides worth saving
classic macaroni salad
We’re starting off strong with this creamy macaroni salad. The little pieces of celery and red onion stand out between the elbow noodles, with dark seasoning specks scattered over the top.
If you want a familiar side to go beside your burgers, this is a lovely place to start.
corn with all the toppings
How good does this corn look? I love the browned kernels with the white crumbles, chopped herbs and reddish seasoning.
The lime wedges tucked beside the cobs make the platter even prettier.
For your own spread, set out extra lime wedges so everyone can add a squeeze.
red potato salad
If you are looking for a classic potato side, this one is for you. The red skins show through the creamy coating, with little pieces of onion and feathery dill scattered throughout.
I’d keep that extra sprinkle of dill on top.
colorful cabbage slaw
I love this mix of purple cabbage, pale cabbage and thin carrot strips. The dressing coats the ribbons without hiding all those pretty colors.
You could serve a bowl beside pulled pork sandwiches, or let everyone tuck a little slaw inside their buns.
bacon-topped beans
Don’t want another cold salad on the menu? These saucy beans give you a different direction.
The big strip of bacon on top is hard to miss, with red and green vegetable pieces showing between the beans.
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I’d pair a side like this with the cabbage slaw for a little variety.
watermelon and mint
This watermelon platter may just be one of my favorites here. I love the pink cubes with the white cheese crumbles and bright mint leaves.
If you want to try this combination yourself, feta would be a lovely choice. Keep a few whole mint sprigs for the top like the ones shown here.
caprese pasta salad
The tomato fans are going to love this! Spiral pasta, halved tomatoes and little mozzarella balls fill the bowl, with basil leaves tucked throughout.
This is a pretty option if you want pasta salad without the thick white coating of the macaroni version.
colorful vegetable skewers
I am obsessed with how colorful these skewers look. There are thick zucchini rounds, yellow squash, mushrooms, red onion and bright red tomatoes, all with visible seasoning and browned patches.
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Try alternating the vegetables as you assemble your own so you get a little variety along each skewer.
bacon deviled eggs
How cute are these little loaded eggs? Not gonna lie, the bacon pieces piled over the yellow filling are my favorite part.
Chopped chives and a dusting of reddish seasoning finish the tops.
Line yours up on a long platter like this if you want to give each egg a little room.
golden cornbread muffins
Don’t want every side to need a serving spoon? These golden cornbread muffins are a lovely alternative.
I love the browned edges and the split muffin showing off its yellow center.
You could offer honey on the side, taking a little inspiration from the honey dipper in the bowl.
three bean salad jars
This is such a cute way to serve bean salad. Chickpeas, kidney beans and green bean pieces fill the little jar, with red pepper and onion mixed in.
Try individual jars if you like the portioned look, or use one big serving bowl for the same salad idea.
creamy broccoli salad
If you like a salad with lots of little extras, this one is for you. The broccoli florets are mixed with bacon, shredded cheese and dark red pieces, all coated in a creamy dressing.
There’s plenty going on in just that one spoonful!
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loaded potato salad
This is another potato salad idea, but it’s a little different from the dill-covered one above. I love the shredded cheese, bacon pieces and sliced green onions over those chunky potatoes.
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Choose this version if you want to take your potato side in a loaded-baked-potato direction.
tomato cucumber and onion
Don’t want to go all out with creamy dressings and toppings? No problem!
This platter keeps things simple with cucumber rounds, halved tomatoes and thin red onion rings. The little dill sprigs are such a pretty finishing touch.
street corn pasta salad
I love this twist on pasta salad. The spirals are mixed with corn, black beans and chopped greens, with lime wedges sitting right on top.
If you’re choosing between corn and pasta for your cookout, this gives you an idea that brings both into the same bowl.
browned watermelon wedges
Watermelon doesn’t have to stay in the fruit bowl! These thick wedges have irregular browned patches on their cut surfaces, plus a scattering of seasoning and little mint leaves.
Save this one if you want a different way to serve watermelon. I’d keep the lime wedges alongside it too.
street corn dip
If you’re looking for something to scoop up with chips, go with a corn dip like this one. The yellow kernels sit in a thick, pale mixture with little green flecks.
The lime slice and cilantro on top are worth keeping for your own serving bowl. Don’t forget a separate bowl of chips.
little caprese skewers
How pretty is this platter? The tomatoes, basil leaves and white mozzarella balls are lined up on small skewers, with dark drizzle running over the cheese.
You could use a balsamic glaze for a similar finish. This is a lovely alternative to the caprese pasta salad if you’d rather skip the noodles.
parmesan potato packets
These potatoes look so good with their golden edges and little cheese shavings. The skins are left on, with chopped herbs scattered over the chunky pieces inside the open foil.
I’d choose this potato idea if there’s already a creamy salad on your menu.
individual fruit cups
Last but definitely not least, we have these adorable little fruit cups. I love the orange and pale green melon with kiwi slices and berries.
Little forks and picks are tucked into the cups.
Try this serving idea instead of one large fruit platter. Keep the cups chilled until you’re ready to bring them out.