Some dishes show up at a cookout and quietly take over the whole table. These are the ones that don’t need much explaining—just a serving spoon. Whether it’s something grilled, chilled, or somewhere in between, they hold their own without trying too hard. People come for the burgers but end up talking about these. If you’re bringing one of these, bring extra.
Japanese Cucumber Salad or Sunomono
Japanese Cucumber Salad, or Sunomono, is cold, crisp, and just sharp enough to cut through the rest of the cookout spread. It’s made with thin-sliced cucumbers, rice vinegar, and a pinch of sugar—nothing fancy, but it hits every time. It works next to grilled meat or on its own when you need a break from heavy sides. Nobody expects it to be memorable, but it always is. There’s never any left in the bowl.
Get the Recipe: Japanese Cucumber Salad or Sunomono
Deviled Egg Potato Salad
Deviled Egg Potato Salad doesn’t care about subtlety. It’s creamy, mustardy, and hits with just enough tang to make it stand out on a crowded table. The eggs give it some richness while the potatoes keep it grounded. It’s familiar, but not basic. People take one bite and immediately ask who made it.
Get the Recipe: Deviled Egg Potato Salad
Best Cookout Coleslaw
Best Cookout Coleslaw keeps the cabbage crunchy, skips the sugar overload, and holds up even after hours outside. It’s creamy without being gloopy and has just enough vinegar bite to balance out anything coming off the grill. It works on its own or stuffed into sandwiches, and it doesn’t try to steal the show—but sometimes does anyway. This is the kind of slaw that makes people rethink what slaw should be. It’s the reliable side that earns more compliments than the main dish.
Get the Recipe: Best Cookout Coleslaw
Chipotle Turkey Burgers with Cilantro-Lime Crema
Chipotle Turkey Burgers with Cilantro-Lime Crema don’t try to be beef—they just show up with their own thing and nail it. The patties are juicy with a smoky kick, and the crema brings it all together with a hit of tang and herbs. They hold up on the grill and don’t fall apart when you build the bun. These aren’t your backup burgers. People take one bite and stop looking for the usual.
Get the Recipe: Chipotle Turkey Burgers with Cilantro-Lime Crema
Chickpea Burgers
Chickpea Burgers aren’t pretending to be meat—and that’s exactly why they work. They’ve got crunch around the edges, a soft center, and enough spice to hold their own. Serve them with slaw, sauce, or just throw them on a bun and let them speak for themselves. Even the skeptics circle back for seconds. It’s the plant-based option that doesn’t feel like a compromise.
Get the Recipe: Chickpea Burgers
Grilled Flank Steak with Chile Butter
Grilled Flank Steak with Chile Butter is fast, bold, and hits the table with a smell that makes people stop talking. The steak gets a good char while staying tender enough to slice thin, and the chile butter melts into every cut. It’s not showy, but it makes an impression. You don’t need a marinade, a sauce, or even a plan. Just cook it right and step back.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Flank Steak with Chile Butter
Bacon and Egg Salad
Bacon and Egg Salad isn’t fussy—it’s creamy, salty, and built to sit next to something grilled. The eggs give it some heft, the bacon adds crunch, and a sharp mustard dressing ties it all together. It feels like picnic food in the best way, and it holds its own even when the ribs hit the table. You don’t need to dress it up. It’s already good enough to get people talking.
Get the Recipe: Bacon and Egg Salad
Watermelon and Feta Salad
Watermelon and Feta Salad shows up cold and sweet, then surprises everyone with the salty edge of feta and maybe a splash of lime. It’s fast, it’s fresh, and it breaks up the heavier stuff without feeling like rabbit food. This is the dish people didn’t know they needed. You won’t take any home. And you’ll wish you made more.
Get the Recipe: Watermelon and Feta Salad
Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce
Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce are the first to go and the most talked about after. The meat is marinated and grilled just long enough to get some char, but it’s the peanut sauce that pulls people in. It’s creamy, nutty, and makes everyone start dipping everything else on their plate. These skewers don’t mess around. They’re the kind of cookout food that makes people forget about the burgers.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce