Memorial Day always sounds far away until the cookout texts start coming in. These 11 cookout sides cover the kind of dishes people expect next to grilled mains, from creamy salads and baked beans to corn, potatoes, and crunchy bowls. Some are chilled, some are baked, and a few can be made ahead, so the day itself does not feel so rushed. Use this list to test what works now, then keep the winners ready when the long weekend gets close.
Coleslaw
Made with shredded green cabbage, red cabbage, carrot, and a creamy apple cider vinegar dressing, Coleslaw gives you a classic cookout side that can sit in the fridge before serving. The recipe serves 6 and needs 20 minutes of prep, plus chill time. It works well with burgers, sandwiches, or anything grilled because it brings crunch without needing last-minute cooking. Keep it cold in an insulated bag if you are bringing it somewhere.
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Baked Beans
Slow-baked with navy beans, bacon, brown sugar, ketchup, molasses, mustard, and smoked paprika, Baked Beans bring the kind of saucy side people expect at a backyard table. The recipe serves 6 and takes 1 hour 20 minutes total, with 45 to 60 minutes in the oven. It is a solid one to test early because the sauce thickens as it bakes. Serve it with grilled chicken, burgers, sausage, or pulled pork.
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Macaroni Salad
Tossed with elbow macaroni, mayo or Greek yogurt, shredded cheese, bell peppers, red onion, celery, green onions, and herbs, Macaroni Salad keeps things familiar without being plain. The recipe serves 4 and takes 27 minutes total, including 12 minutes of cook time. It chills before serving, which makes it useful when you want a side that can be handled before guests arrive. Bring it out cold with grilled mains or sandwiches.
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Charred Mexican Street Corn
Finished with sour cream or crema, mayonnaise, lime, garlic, cotija cheese, cilantro, and Tajín, Charred Mexican Street Corn turns sweet corn into something worth testing before the cookout. The recipe serves 6 and takes 30 minutes total, with the corn boiled first and then grilled until charred. It is best when served warm, so it helps to know the timing ahead of Memorial Day. Set it on a platter so people can grab a cob easily.
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Italian Pasta Salad
With bow tie pasta, pesto, cherry tomatoes, baby bocconcini, mixed greens, and balsamic glaze, Italian Pasta Salad brings a cooler side that still has enough going on. The recipe serves 4 and takes 18 minutes total, using 8 minutes of cook time for the pasta. It can be served chilled or at room temperature, which helps when the grill is taking up most of the day. Pack it in a lidded container for a picnic or cookout table.
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Cowboy Caviar
Packed with bell peppers, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, jalapeño, corn, chickpeas, black beans, feta, cilantro, and lime honey dressing, Cowboy Caviar works as both a side and a scoopable dip. The recipe serves 10 and takes 15 minutes total, with no cooking required. That makes it one of the easier ones to test when you want something fresh besides heavier grill food. Serve it chilled or at room temperature with tortilla chips.
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Red Cabbage Coleslaw
Built with shredded red cabbage, carrots, red onion, cilantro, dill, apple cider vinegar, and either olive oil or mayo, Red Cabbage Coleslaw gives you a brighter slaw option. The recipe serves 8 and takes 10 minutes total, then rests in the fridge for at least an hour if you want the flavors to settle. It is useful for cookouts because it keeps its crunch and color. Try it with barbecue, sandwiches, or grilled mains.
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Mexican Street Corn Salad
Charred corn, sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, chili powder, cotija, cilantro, Fritos, and red onion make Mexican Street Corn Salad a good test run before the holiday rush. The recipe serves 4 and takes 25 minutes total, with about 10 minutes of cook time. Since the Fritos are added at the end, you can prep the creamy corn mixture ahead and keep the crunch fresh. Serve it with tacos, grilled chicken, steak, or tortilla chips.
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Hawaiian Baked Beans
Baked with pork and beans, bacon, red onion, green bell pepper, brown sugar, smoked paprika, liquid smoke, BBQ sauce, and crushed pineapple, Hawaiian Baked Beans lean sweet, smoky, and hearty. The recipe serves 10 and takes 1 hour 35 minutes total, with most of that time in the oven. It is a good one to test early because it uses a 9×13 baking dish and needs time to thicken. Serve it warm beside ribs, chicken, or pulled pork.
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Garlic Parmesan Smashed Potatoes
Boiled, smashed, baked, flipped, and finished with butter, garlic powder, black pepper, Parmesan, and parsley, Garlic Parmesan Smashed Potatoes bring a warm potato side with crisp edges. The recipe serves 6 and takes 1 hour total. Since the potatoes go through a boil and two baking rounds, a trial run helps you get the timing right before a busier cookout day. Serve them warm while the edges still have texture.
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Southern Potato Salad
Mixed with russet potatoes, mayonnaise, sweet pickles, yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, celery, green onions, hard-boiled eggs, and paprika, Southern Potato Salad is the kind of chilled side that belongs on a cookout table. The recipe serves 6 and takes 35 minutes total, including 15 minutes of cook time. It can be made ahead and kept covered in the fridge. Keep it cold during travel, then serve it with burgers, ribs, fried chicken, or grilled sausage.
Get the Recipe: Southern Potato Salad