25 Grandma's Favorite BBQ Side Dishes

When summer rolls around, I always find myself reaching for a few old fashioned side dishes for BBQ that everyone will love. This roundup brings together classic recipes that are simple to make and perfect for BBQs, holidays, and family gatherings.

Old fashioned potato salad and creamy coleslaw have always been favorites in my kitchen, especially during summer BBQs. These dishes are perfect for weeknight meals, holiday cookouts, and family picnics, bringing a sense of nostalgia and comfort.

I’ve gathered some of the best old fashioned side dish recipes here, including classic dishes that home cooks make time and time again. These comforting, easy-to-serve sides are perfect for any BBQ or potluck gathering.

1

Original Broccoli Salad (Grandmas 70’s Recipe)

This original broccoli salad recipe is a 1970s classic! Made with raw broccoli, bacon, cheddar, and a creamy dressing — perfect for potlucks and BBQs.

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2

Good Old Fashioned Mac and Cheese (Creamy & Easy!)

Grandma’s old fashioned mac and cheese is baked to creamy perfection with sharp cheddar, gruyere, and a golden bubbly top. Easy, cozy, and delicious!

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3

Grandma's Old Fashioned Carrot Salad (with Raisins)

This old fashioned carrot raisin salad is creamy, sweet, and full of fresh crunch. Made with shredded carrots, apples, raisins, and a simple mayonnaise dressing, it’s a classic grandma-style side dish.

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4

Classic Macaroni Salad (Easy Traditional Recipe)

This traditional macaroni salad recipe is creamy, classic, and easy to make. A grandma-style macaroni salad perfect for potlucks, BBQs, and cold side dishes.

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5

Old Fashioned Classic Deviled Eggs

These classic deviled eggs are creamy, smooth, and made the old fashioned way with simple ingredients. A timeless appetizer perfect for holidays, potlucks, and family gatherings.

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6

Easy Strawberry Jello Pretzel Salad (Grandmas Recipe)

This old fashioned strawberry Jello pretzel salad is a retro favorite layered with a salty pretzel crust, creamy Cool Whip and cream cheese filling, and sweet strawberry Jello topping. A nostalgic treat for holidays and potlucks.

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7

Loaded Potato Salad (Easy Recipe)

Loaded potato salad recipe that’s easy, creamy, and packed with bacon, cheese, and flavor. The best cozy side dish for parties.

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8

Simple Pea Salad Recipe (Old Fashioned Recipe)

This old fashioned pea salad recipe with bacon is creamy, easy, and made with frozen peas. A classic grandma-style side dish perfect for spring, potlucks, and family dinners.

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9

Grandma’s Classic Potato Salad Recipe

This traditional potato salad is creamy, classic, and easy to make. A grandma-style old fashioned potato salad perfect for potlucks, BBQs, and family dinners.

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10

Classic Greek Pasta Salad

This easy Greek pasta salad combines tender pasta, fresh vegetables, feta cheese, olives, and a simple homemade dressing. It's the perfect summer side dish for potlucks, BBQs, and family meals.

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11

Old Fashioned Southern Baked Beans Recipe From Scratch

These old fashioned southern baked beans are rich, sweet, and smoky with bacon. A classic grandma’s recipe made from scratch and perfect for BBQs, potlucks, and family dinners.

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12

Ambrosia Salad with Cool Whip - Pass Me a Spoon

This classic ambrosia salad is made with Cool Whip, fruit, and marshmallows for a tasty dessert, perfect for a party! Enjoy this deliciously creamy fruit salad for a simple sweet treat!

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13

Amish Potato Salad (Better Than Walmart) - Homemade In The Kitchen

Sweet and creamy Amish Potato Salad is similar to Walmart’s Amish Potato Salad with a tangy dressing made of mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, sugar, and smoked paprika.

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14

Buttery baked corn on the cob

The taste of warm, buttery corn on the cob is hard to beat on a summer day, and it makes a great side dish to spicy chicken

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15

Easy Coleslaw Recipe

This easy coleslaw recipe is great for just about any occasion—a weeknight dinner, a summer BBQ, or a fun picnic lunch.

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16

The Fruit Salad Everyone Devours at Any Potluck

A crowd-favorite fruit salad for BBQs and potlucks! It’s incredibly simple with juicy seasonal fruit tossed in a honey lime dressing.

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17

Classic Pasta Salad

This classic pasta salad is made with tri-color rotini, vegetables, cheese, and a homemade vinaigrette. Enough to feed a crowd!

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18

Cottage Cheese Salad

This cottage cheese salad combines fresh veggies and herbs with cottage cheese for a simple, yet flavorful salad that’s low in calories, but packed with 29 grams of protein.

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19

Cream Corn Like No Other

Creamed corn made from scratch beats any canned variety! A rich, creamy sauce with Parmesan turns frozen corn kernels into something extraordinary.

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20

Creamy Cucumber Salad

Easy cucumber salad in a creamy sour cream dill dressing. Made with just a few ingredients and with red onion for a little oomph!

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21

French Green Bean Salad - The Jam Jar Kitchen

This delicious French Green Bean Salad with shallots and a tasty garlic and mustard vinaigrette is quick to whip up and packed with flavor.

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22

Canned and Refrigerator Pickled Beets Recipe

This Icelandic pickled beets recipe is easy and has a sweet and unapologetic beet flavor. Both canned and refrigerator pickled beet versions.

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23

Seven Layer Salad

Bright, crunchy, and tasty, this classic dish is always a hit

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24

Three Bean Salad

This three bean salad is a blend of kidney beans, green beans and garbanzo beans, all tossed in a sweet and savory dressing.

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25

Tomato Cucumber Salad - Tastes Better From Scratch

The ultimate fresh and healthy side dish is this Tomato Cucumber Salad, that goes well with anything! It’s garnished with red onion and fresh basil.

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26

Healthy No Mayo Coleslaw | Two Healthy Kitchens

This Healthy No Mayo Coleslaw recipe is a perfect blend of creamy slaw and tangy vinegar slaw. Delicious with BBQ! Just 5 minutes & very simple ingredients!

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