9 Ridiculously Tasty Side Dishes for Your BBQ (That Just So Happen to Be Healthy, Too)

By Marnie Soman Schwartz
Updated October 10, 2019
You deserve better than plain ol' potato chips. Make these healthy side dishes for you're next barbecue and you'll be so satisfied, you won't even need a main course.
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Sweet Potato Fries with Ginger and Cilantro

Credit: Marcella Thompkins
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What's a burger without fries? These baked sweet potato fries are low in fat and high in flavor, thanks to Asian-inspired seasonings including cilantro, ginger, and sesame. (For even more healthy side dishes for BBQs, add these non-potato baked fry recipes to your menu.)

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Grilled Carrots with Yogurt, Everything Spice, and Pea Tendrils

Credit: Maple Block Meat Co .
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Sesame seeds, poppy seeds, and garlic bring your favorite bagel seasonings to the barbecue. (Steering clear of meat? Pair this healthy side dish for BBQs with one of these crazy-good vegetarian burger ideas.)

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Grilled Maitake Mushrooms with Smoked Sea Salt and Green Onions

Credit: Evan Sung
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Give mushrooms a deep, smoky flavor from the grill and smoked sea salt with this easy, yet beautiful recipe for a healthy side dish for BBQs. (Related: 10 Mushroom Recipes That Give the Fungi a Starring Role)

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Caribbean Cabbage Mango Slaw

Credit: Feasting at Home
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Sweet and spicy come together in this super-healthy slaw. Cabbage is packed with anti-cancer compounds, and it gets a flavorful kick from mango, jalapeno, and more. (Discover more fruits and veggies that might help slash your risk for cancer.)

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Mediterranean White Bean Salad

Credit: Yalla Mediterranean
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Thanks to canned beans and store-bought pesto, this healthy side dish for BBQs could not be any easier. Serve it alongside burgers, steak, and chicken, or pack it up for a protein-rich vegetarian lunch.

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Grilled Watermelon with Togarashi and Shiso

Credit: Orchids at Palm Court
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Sweet watermelon gets a savory and spicy twist with this far-more-exciting-than-fruit-salad option. Shichimi togarashi is a Japanese spice blend that works on anything from soup to popcorn, and you're going to adore it on grilled fruit.

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Grilled Artichokes with Rémoulade

Credit: Danielle Walker
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Simple grilled artichoke halves get a seemingly fancy upgrade with a homemade rémoulade sauce that's surprisingly easy to make. (Related: 5 Ways to Make Vegetable Steaks)

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Greek Potato Salad

Credit: Yalla Mediterranean
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Ditch the mayo-based traditional potato salad and whip up a batch of this light and summery version instead. (Be sure to by extra spuds for these gluten-free "toast" recipes.)

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Grilled Radicchio with Goat Cheese and Herbed Tomato Dressing

Credit: Stephanie Meyer
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Some healthy side dishes for BBQs can be one-note, but not this dish. It hits every flavor note—from sour to salty to bitter to sweet—and pairs amazingly well with crusty bread or grilled chicken. (Up Next: 3 Vegetarian Recipes That Will Convince You to Grill Produce This Summer)

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By Marnie Soman Schwartz