Big gatherings call for food that gets everyone excited, and the best BBQ side recipes for a crowd always deliver. They’re hearty, shareable, and perfect for keeping people around the table longer. No one wants complicated prep when feeding a group, so these ideas keep things simple without skimping on flavor. They also work across different occasions, from family reunions to casual weekends with friends. With the best BBQ recipes for a crowd, you can expect empty plates and plenty of happy eaters.
Potato Salad
This potato salad sticks to the classics with creamy dressing, crunchy celery, and hard-boiled eggs. It’s the side dish that everyone expects at a picnic or BBQ. You can prep it ahead of time, and it only gets better as it chills.
Get the Recipe: Potato Salad
Deviled Egg Pasta Salad
This pasta salad blends the tang of deviled eggs with tender noodles in a creamy dressing. It’s easy to scoop and share, which makes it perfect for parties. Add it to your table when you want something familiar with a little kick.
Get the Recipe: Deviled Egg Pasta Salad
Street Corn Coleslaw
Street corn coleslaw packs a punch with jalapeños, bell peppers, and a creamy chili-lime dressing. It adds crunch and spice without being too heavy. Bring it along to any summer cookout for a refreshing change from regular slaw.
Get the Recipe: Street Corn Coleslaw
Chickpea Avocado Salad
This salad layers chickpeas, avocado, and bell peppers with lime and cilantro for a fresh, light dish. It works as a quick lunch, or you can serve it as a side at your next BBQ. Either way, it’s hearty enough to hold its own.
Get the Recipe: Chickpea Avocado Salad
Street Corn Pasta Salad
This pasta salad has the bold flavors of Mexican street corn mixed with noodles and a spiced dressing. Cotija cheese and lime brighten every bite. It’s one of the Best BBQ recipes for a crowd because it’s simple to prep and always goes fast.
Get the Recipe: Street Corn Pasta Salad
Corn and Black Bean Salsa
Corn and black bean salsa brings together sweet corn, beans, and lime for a fresh side or dip. It’s quick to mix up and great for serving with chips. For a lighter BBQ spread, this is one of the Best BBQ recipes for a crowd.
Get the Recipe: Corn and Black Bean Salsa
Greek Pasta Salad
This Greek pasta salad is loaded with tomatoes, olives, and feta tossed in a light dressing. It pairs easily with grilled meats or works as a meal on its own. Leftovers store well, so you’ll be glad to have extra for lunch the next day.
Get the Recipe: Greek Pasta Salad
Smashed Potato Salad
This version of potato salad uses roasted potatoes that are crisp on the outside and soft inside. Tossed with herbs and tangy dressing, it’s warm and flavorful. Try it when you want something different from the usual chilled version.
Get the Recipe: Smashed Potato Salad
Smoked Baked Beans
Smoked baked beans bring a deep, rich flavor that fits perfectly at any barbecue. They’re slow-cooked with simple ingredients, which keeps them hearty and filling. This dish easily ranks among the Best BBQ recipes for a crowd since it can feed plenty without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Baked Beans
Mexican Coleslaw
This crunchy coleslaw packs cabbage, carrots, cilantro, and jalapeños into one bowl of flavor. The lime dressing keeps it bright and creamy without being heavy. It’s the perfect topper for tacos, but honestly, it works just as well as a quick side for grilled meats.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Coleslaw
Grinder Salad
All the bold layers of an Italian sub come together in this hearty salad. Crisp lettuce, deli meats, provolone, and a tangy dressing make it far from boring. It’s a low-carb swap that still feels like a full-on meal, and it looks just as good as it tastes.
Get the Recipe: Grinder Salad
Cabbage Slaw
This slaw brings crunch from cabbage and radish with just the right hit of garlic and lime. Cilantro keeps it fresh, and the texture makes it great for piling on sandwiches or tacos. It’s the kind of side that disappears fast at a summer cookout.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Slaw
Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
Rotini pasta, sharp cheddar, and plenty of dill pickles come together in a creamy, tangy mix. The ranch and pickle juice dressing clings to every bite, so you don’t get a bland forkful. It’s a no-fuss side that works for BBQs, picnics, or even next-day lunches.
Get the Recipe: Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
Macaroni Pasta Salad with Chicken
This pasta salad leans into comfort with tender macaroni, chicken, and a creamy dressing that’s slightly sweet. It takes inspiration from Hawaiian mac salad but adds a little extra heartiness with protein. Serve it cold on the patio and you’ll have zero leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Macaroni Pasta Salad with Chicken
BBQ Chicken Pizza
Store-bought dough gets a major glow-up with shredded chicken, barbecue sauce, and skillet-charred corn. A blanket of melted cheese ties it all together in the oven. It’s a weeknight pizza that feels fun without taking all evening to pull off.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Chicken Pizza
Chipotle Corn Salsa
Juicy corn, diced onion, jalapeños, and a squeeze of lime come together in this quick salsa. It has a little kick without being too fiery, so it works for everyone at the table. Toss it over tacos, burrito bowls, or just scoop it up with chips.
Get the Recipe: Chipotle Corn Salsa
Barbeque Chicken Sliders
Soft rolls stuffed with saucy chicken turn into the kind of sliders you’ll keep reaching for. They’re ready in under 30 minutes, which makes them perfect for last-minute parties or casual dinners. Serve them with a pile of napkins and watch them vanish.
Get the Recipe: Barbeque Chicken Sliders
Corn and Black Bean Salad
Grilled corn and zucchini bring smoky flavor to this fresh summer salad. Black beans add some heft, and the crumbled feta on top balances everything with a salty finish. It’s the kind of dish that fits just as well at a BBQ as it does for lunch meal prep.
Get the Recipe: Corn and Black Bean Salad
Couscous Salad
Pearl couscous gets tossed with crisp veggies, briny olives, and a lemon garlic dressing that keeps it bright. It’s light enough for lunch but still filling thanks to the hearty grain. Bring it to a picnic or pack it for work, either way, it stays fresh and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Couscous Salad
