Food
Summer Sides: 8 Barbecue-Ready Recipes With A Twist
Skip the tired potluck staples and serve up these bold, crowd-pleasing appetisers, salads, sides and desserts that are so good, they might just outshine the main course
Your summer cookout deserves way better than soggy pasta salads and mayo-drenched sides, and while burgers and ribs usually get the spotlight, what makes a barbecue memorable is often everything else on the table. From elegant appetisers to refreshing salads, reimagined sides and desserts that bring some sweetness to the season, these easy-to-make recipes will provide all the colour, crunch and flavour next time you’re feeding a crowd alfresco.
FOR THE FIRST BITE
Grilled Peach Crostini
If your grill has only ever seen burgers and ribs, it’s time to graduate to something a little fancier. Grilled peach crostini makes a strong case for fired-up fruit and proves your barbecue can multitask. The juicy peaches are lightly cooked to achieve a smoky, caramelised edge, then layered onto toasted bread with slices of salty prosciutto, creamy burrata and a glossy drizzle of honey, creating a sweet-and-savoury appetiser that’s equal parts indulgent and refreshing. Rich in vitamins, antioxidants and enough fat to satisfy, it’s a great intro to the grilled specialities to come.
Zucchini Butter
Zucchini butter is the under-the-radar spread that deserves a spot at every summer table. Think of it as the garden-fresh answer to hummus – lighter, greener and just as versatile. Made with grated zucchini, butter, herbs and spices, it comes together in one pan and transforms into a silky, savoury spread. Whether slathered on crusty bread, served as a chip dip, or tucked under grilled veggies, this recipe is packed with fibre and water content, making it both nourishing and light. Bonus tip: Save the leftovers to stir into warm pasta for a fast, no-fuss dinner.
FOR A FRESH FIX
Mediterranean Watermelon Salad
Ditch the cloying fruit salad, and use your farmers market haul to make a savoury one instead. For this recipe, juicy watermelon, crisp cucumber, salty feta and zesty herbs come together for a dish that’s as cooling as it is colourful. Toss it all with a honey-lime dressing, and voilà: a Mediterranean-inspired mix that’s practically made for hot days and charcoal smoke. It’s quick to prep, instantly hydrating, and a perfect match for everything from grilled meats to icy cocktails.
Mango Avocado Salad
This tropical-tasting salad hits all the right summer notes: sweet, creamy and perfectly crisp. While the mango brings the brightness, the avocado adds silky richness, and the fresh veggies offer the crunch for a heat-friendly dish that feels indulgent without weighing you down. And while the recipe includes shrimp, you can skewer those over the grill instead, as the salad holds its own beautifully when served sans protein on top.
FOR THE GRILL-MATES
Spicy-Sweet Corn Gazpacho
Corn is a barbecue essential bursting with peak-season sweetness, while gazpacho is the chilled soup that defines summer eating with its no-cook, endlessly versatile properties – so combining the two simply makes sense. This piquant recipe blends sweet corn with tomatoes, peppers, beans, spices and Greek yoghurt for a creamy, kicky cold soup that works as a side for grilled mains or as a palate cleanser between courses.
Crispy Smashed Potato Chips
If you’re tired of the same old potato salad, go for the crunchiness and creativity of these crispy smashed potato chips – boiled, mashed and roasted until golden and crackly on the outside, yet creamy on the inside. They’re simple to prep, hold their texture on the table, and double as a gluten-free canvas for toppings like charred corn, tangy pickled onions or a smoky chipotle cream. It’s comfort food intensified.
FOR A SWEET CONCLUSION
Grilled Apple Pie
Who says pies require an oven? This grilled apple pie delivers all the familiarity of the classic with none of the kitchen heat. For this backyard version, skip the full pie production and go individual with tart-sweet apples tossed in cinnamon and sugar, topped with a buttery, hand-woven crust, and sealed up in foil. Fifteen minutes on the grill and a scoop of vanilla ice cream later, and you’ve got a crowd-pleasing dessert – plus a clever use of the rest of the coals. For a fun alternative, skip the pie crust and make it with cinnamon roll dough instead.
No-Bake S’mores Parfaits
Setting up a tent, building a campfire and roasting marshmallows for s’mores is the quintessential summer experience. Why not import it to your barbecue party in the form of these no-bake s’mores parfaits? Just layer crushed crackers, melted chocolate bars and marshmallows in individual cups for a quick, mess-free take on the nostalgic dessert. If you want that signature char, hold the marshmallows over the grill coals before adding to the cups, for a bit of firelight flavour.
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