7 Delicious Grilled Side Dishes

April 22, 2025

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When you picture a charcoal flame roaring out of a kettle or smoke seeping from a nearby grill, you probably imagine steaks, burgers and chicken.

Think again.

While those main proteins seared or smoked on a grill make for delicious dinners, they’re not the only part of the meal you can cook over a flame. For your next barbecue, simplify the cooking experience and skip dashing back and forth from the patio to the oven by grilling your sides, too.

Here are some of our favorites:

  • Corn on the cob: Keep the husk on for slower cooking off to the side or shuck the cobs and quickly cook directly over the flame.
  • Asparagus: Toss with salt, pepper and olive oil then grill directly on the grates or arrange on a bed of foil.
  • Veggie skewers: Soak wooden skewers in water for a few minutes (or use metal) then load up with diced peppers, onions, zucchini, mushrooms, tomatoes and peppers. Grill over direct heat.
  • Garlic bread: Butter up thick slices of bread and baste with oil and garlic. Grill over direct heat but watch closely!
  • Beans: Open the lid and set canned beans on the grates. Indirect heat works best.
  • Potatoes: Dice potatoes, toss with seasonings and olive oil then place in a foil pack. Cook over indirect heat while grilling proteins over direct heat.
  • Jalapeno poppers: Halve jalapenos lengthwise then core and deseed. Load each with a mixture of cream cheese, shredded cheese and diced, cooked bacon.

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