Selecting side dishes for your barbecue depends on the type of barbecue you plan to serve. It ranges from simple garden salads to grilled vegetables depending on what you want. Most people prefer grilled vegetables as side dishes such as squash, potatoes, mushrooms, peppers, onions, okra or even eggplant. It is so easy to cook because while cooking, you only need to brush the vegetables with olive oil.
Herbs such as rosemary and thyme are also great as side dishes. To add flavor simply sprinkle them with lemon or brush with mustard. A grilled corn cob is also a good example of a side dish that goes well with barbecues. Just parboil the cleaned corn cob with sugar water and wrap it with aluminum foil before grilling it, or you can even grill it straight with their husks. Here are easy steps to decide on how to choose side dishes for a barbecue, those that will work for you.
Step 1: Decide what side dishes you want.
This will mean thinking about all other factors such as the preparation time between the day before or on the day itself. You have to consider the number of guests too because time constraints will contribute to this decision.
Step 2: Choose side dishes that are easy to cook.
This will include potato salad, coleslaw, tossed salad or baked beans. This is for you to save time on the day you barbecue the meat. After all, you don’t want your guests to go hungry waiting for the food. These dishes are manageable too for guests to pick up and eat while standing, talking and mingling around.
Step 3: Cook the side dish on a grill.
If time will allow you, it is better to cook side dishes on the grill in the grill basket the same day you cook the meat. Besides, nothing can beat freshly cooked food and it also reduces your time in cleaning up the kitchen.
side dishes for a barbecue
Step 4: Try grill bread.
This classic barbecue side dish needs no topping to worry about and you can purchase them readymade if you don’t have time for huge preparations. But if you also want to make it by yourself, you can buy French loaves and prepare it at home. You have to do this before the barbecue day and just refrigerate it. Cook this by just putting it over the grill for a few minutes on the day itself. Be extra careful not to overdo the cooking for it will easily burnt to a crisp.
Step 5: Experiment when you choose a barbecue side dish.
Raisins with grated pineapple and carrot can also make a great colorful combination to your barbecue. All you need to do is mix the raisins, grated raw carrots together and add pineapple chunks. Add a little amount of pineapple juice to enhance the flavor and raisins should be softened in hot water before adding it to the salad.
Don’t make your barbecue day boring. Try these easy to make side dishes for your guests to enjoy. All meat and no side dishes could make it so unappetizing. Just remember to choose the freshest vegetables that you could find and what your guests prefer to have. So, the next time you plan to have a barbecue party, make it a hit by trying these delicious and healthy side dishes. Enjoy!
