Every backyard gathering needs a rotation of go-to hits, and these cookout eats are built for the job. The flavors land hard, the steps stay easy, and nobody’s left babysitting a marinade. They work for picky eaters, distracted grillers, and people who think side dishes count as main events. Keep the playlist going, because the food’s already figured out.
Panzanella Salad
No one ever calls dibs on bread salad, and that’s the mistake. Panzanella Salad quietly takes over the plate and somehow makes everything else taste better. It’s the kind of cookout wildcard that surprises people in the best way. Not soggy, not fussy—just solid, reliable, and way better than expected. Don’t act shocked when it’s the first empty bowl on the table.
Get the Recipe: Panzanella Salad
Summer Squash Casserole
When something is this easy to throw together, it better show up with flavor. Summer Squash Casserole understands the assignment and keeps the oven working while the grill takes a break. It’s warm, filling, and just laid-back enough to be invited to every cookout. It never competes with the meat but still gets remembered. A rare side dish that doesn’t need to shout.
Get the Recipe: Summer Squash Casserole
The Backyard Table
Get it NOW and level up your outdoor dining! The Backyard Table - Recipes for Summer Cookouts features 34 of Chef Jenn's BEST recipes for outdoor eating and entertaining.
You'll get ad-free recipes like:
- Grilled Corn Guacamole
- Grilled French Onion Burgers
- Deviled Egg Pasta Salad
- Blueberry Grunt
- and so many more!
Every recipe is created, tested and loved by Chef Jenn and her family - there's no AI here!
Get it now, at a special introductory price of $7.99. That's over 50 pages of foodie love at your fingertips!
Buy Now!Dairy-Free Radish Salad
Dairy-Free Radish Salad doesn’t try to please everyone—it just shows up sharp, clean, and bold. It’s not pretending to be something it’s not, which makes it exactly right next to heavy mains and smoky everything. It doesn’t weigh down the plate or ask for attention. Somehow, that’s what makes it stick. Don’t be surprised when it becomes a regular fixture.
Get the Recipe: Dairy-Free Radish Salad
Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans
When the grill’s working overtime, it helps to have a side that runs itself. Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans bring all the slow-cooked flavor without the last-minute panic. It’s the kind of dish that holds its own against ribs, wings, or whatever else is stealing the spotlight. No stress, no fuss, just dependable backup every single time. People ask for seconds, not the recipe.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans
Smashed Cucumber Salad
This one’s a cookout favorite that’s all about crunch and chill. Smashed Cucumber Salad keeps things simple, cold, and unexpectedly bold. It handles the heat without losing its cool and somehow still disappears before the burgers are even ready. No one asks how it’s made—they just keep piling it higher. If it’s not already on repeat, it will be after one round.
Get the Recipe: Smashed Cucumber Salad
Classic Corn Pudding Casserole
It’s not flashy, but Classic Corn Pudding Casserole never misses. Soft, a little sweet, and always in the mix no matter what else is on the table. It plays nice with everything but isn’t just background filler. It’s the kind of thing people didn’t know they needed until it’s gone. Then they ask if there’s more, even when they know the answer.
Get the Recipe: Classic Corn Pudding Casserole
BLT Pasta Salad – With Bacon!
If there’s one thing that disappears faster than chips, it’s BLT Pasta Salad – With Bacon!. It’s got the kind of crunch and salt that makes everyone hover near the bowl, pretending they’re “just checking on it.” It fits in at every cookout like it’s been there all along. No need for introductions—just bring a big spoon. And maybe make a double batch.
Get the Recipe: BLT Pasta Salad – With Bacon!
Tomato Bruschetta
Sometimes the food you barely notice ends up being the first thing gone. That’s the deal with Tomato Bruschetta, which pulls people in with zero effort. You won’t catch anyone politely waiting around—it’s grab, crunch, gone. Great with drinks, better with smoke in the air, and perfect when you need one less thing to babysit. It’s all gone before anyone says grace.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Bruschetta
Thai Noodle Salad with Mango and Spicy Peanut Dressing
Some dishes look too calm for what they’re actually doing. Thai Noodle Salad with Mango and Spicy Peanut Dressing hits way harder than it looks. It’s cool, sweet, spicy, and somehow feels just right even when the sun is making everyone sweat. It’s not a background dish—it’s the one that makes people pause mid-bite and ask who brought it. Then they act surprised when you say you barely did anything.
Get the Recipe: Thai Noodle Salad with Mango and Spicy Peanut Dressing
Classic Hoppin’ John
This one’s been around forever for a reason. Classic Hoppin’ John isn’t about surprises—it’s about showing up solid and never needing a glow-up. It fills out the plate without taking it over, and somehow still makes everything taste more complete. It’s not fancy, it’s not flashy, it’s just always right. Keep it warm and watch it disappear.
Get the Recipe: Classic Hoppin’ John
Grilled Cauliflower Steaks
Grilled mains are great, but Grilled Cauliflower Steaks still manage to steal attention. They’ve got presence, they’ve got crunch, and nobody feels bad going back for more. They hold up well on the plate and somehow work for everyone at the table. No one’s asking for substitutions here. Just a sharp knife and some space on the grill.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Cauliflower Steaks
Cucumber Salad with Feta
Cucumber Salad with Feta hits that perfect spot between refreshing and unexpectedly satisfying. It’s not here to impress—it’s just cool, sharp, and ready to stand up to everything else. No one talks about it until it’s gone. Then everyone acts like it was their idea to bring it. Let them believe it if it means it shows up again.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Salad with Feta
Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies
These don’t need an oven and somehow still disappear faster than anything else on the table. Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies walk the line between sweet treat and full-on bribe. They hold their shape in the heat and come through when dessert needs to be low effort but high reward. No one eats just one, even when they promise to. Pack extra or prepare for complaints.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies
White Bean Salad
White Bean Salad is the kind of dish that doesn’t need any fixing. It’s simple, smart, and somehow always works even when it doesn’t look like much. People take a little out of politeness and end up coming back with a bigger plate. It’s not loud, but it definitely holds its ground. The cookout table’s quiet MVP every time.
Get the Recipe: White Bean Salad
Parmesan Garlic Corn Ribs
You’re not imagining things—people are definitely talking about Parmesan Garlic Corn Ribs before they’re done chewing. It’s one of those things that looks kind of ridiculous and still gets eaten immediately. They’re messy, fast, and disappear way too quickly. No need to explain what they are, just keep putting them out. These barely make it off the grill before someone grabs one.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Garlic Corn Ribs
Deviled Egg Pasta Salad
It looks like it’s trying too hard, but Deviled Egg Pasta Salad earns its spot in the first bite. There’s something about the combo that makes people stop mid-conversation. It’s nostalgic, rich, and somehow better than either version alone. Nobody’s ever really ready for it, and that’s the point. Serve it once and it’ll follow you to every party after.
Get the Recipe: Deviled Egg Pasta Salad
Classic Red Potato Salad with Pickles
It wouldn’t be a cookout without Classic Red Potato Salad with Pickles, and everyone knows it. Cold, chunky, and sharper than expected, it doesn’t waste time being delicate. It cuts right through the ribs and hot dogs without apologizing. Nobody’s mad when it shows up for the third weekend in a row. In fact, they’d be confused if it didn’t.
Get the Recipe: Classic Red Potato Salad with Pickles
Pickled Shrimp Egg Shooters
These shouldn’t work, but Pickled Shrimp Egg Shooters absolutely do. They’re bold, weird, and completely devoured before you’ve finished setting them down. People act skeptical, then go back for a second like it was their idea. There’s always one guest who calls it their new favorite. You’ll never make a regular deviled egg again.
Get the Recipe: Pickled Shrimp Egg Shooters
Wild Rice Salad
This is the one people pretend they’ve had before, but you know better. Wild Rice Salad doesn’t look like much until it hits the plate. Then it gets scooped up by the people who said they weren’t hungry. It’s chewy, earthy, and just different enough to feel smart without being fussy. Serve it cold and watch it get demolished.
Get the Recipe: Wild Rice Salad
Asian Noodle Salad with Ginger-Sesame Dressing
It doesn’t scream for attention, but Asian Noodle Salad with Ginger-Sesame Dressing ends up front and center anyway. Cool, chewy, and loud in the best way, it sneaks in as a side and leaves as a headline. It works next to anything hot off the grill and somehow still tastes good straight from the fridge the next day. That is, if you even have leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Asian Noodle Salad with Ginger-Sesame Dressing
Southern Style Pickled Shrimp
Southern Style Pickled Shrimp is sharp, chilled, and moves fast the second it hits the table. People who weren’t even hungry start “just trying one” and somehow don’t stop. It balances out the heavy stuff without feeling like an afterthought. There’s no small talk—just straight to the cooler to find more. Bring a second bowl or don’t bother bringing it at all.
Get the Recipe: Southern Style Pickled Shrimp
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel—it’s just making sure everyone gets seconds. Creamy, smooth, and weirdly addictive, it handles grill smoke and sun like it was made for backyard weather. Nobody asks what’s in it, they just know it belongs next to everything else. It’s not fancy, just necessary. Skip it once and people will notice.
Get the Recipe: Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Chinese Smashed Cucumber Salad
If one cold dish can cut through a hot grill day, Chinese Smashed Cucumber Salad is it. It’s crisp, briny, and oddly powerful for something that never even touches heat. People take one bite and suddenly remember they’re supposed to be pacing themselves. This one never lasts past the first round of burgers. Probably smart to make more than you think you need.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Smashed Cucumber Salad
Epic Nacho Snack Board
Nobody’s waiting for the main dish once Epic Nacho Snack Board lands. It’s messy, loud, and requires absolutely zero explanation. People crowd around like it’s a limited-time offer and grab fast before the good parts are gone. There’s no room for plates—just hands and maybe a napkin. Be warned: it sets the tone and steals the show.
Get the Recipe: Epic Nacho Snack Board
Pizza Pasta Salad
There’s always one dish that confuses people—Pizza Pasta Salad is that dish. They ask why it exists, then they try it, then they can’t stop. It’s cold, hearty, and wildly satisfying in a way that makes zero sense and works anyway. Somehow it fits in at every cookout and still feels like a party trick. Don’t explain it. Just serve it.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Pasta Salad
Yellow Bean & Potato Salad
It looks like something grandma made, but Yellow Bean & Potato Salad comes through harder than expected. It’s starchy, briny, and cool in all the right ways. Doesn’t get mushy, doesn’t get ignored, and definitely doesn’t get left behind. Feels old school in a good way. People who said they weren’t into potato salad change their minds pretty quick.
Get the Recipe: Yellow Bean & Potato Salad
Roasted Tomatillo Salsa
Nothing gets people hovering near the chips like Roasted Tomatillo Salsa. It’s not subtle, not sweet, and never ignored. Pile it on grilled meat or spoon it straight into your mouth—it doesn’t judge. It’s loud in a good way and disappears before the second round of drinks. Don’t bother with store-bought once this shows up.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Tomatillo Salsa
Grilled Asparagus and Potato Salad
It looks like a side but acts like a full meal. Grilled Asparagus and Potato Salad has crunch, heft, and enough attitude to hold its ground. It gets the same attention as the main course, especially from the people pretending they want something “lighter.” It’s not light. It’s just grilled and smart.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Asparagus and Potato Salad
Black Bean & Corn Salad
It’s cold, it’s colorful, and Black Bean & Corn Salad works with literally everything else on the table. It’s the kind of thing people load up “just to try” and end up circling back for more. Holds its own next to spice, smoke, or even soggy paper plates. It’s basically your most dependable summer backup. And it actually tastes better after it sits.
Get the Recipe: Black Bean & Corn Salad