If You Ask Me: Seriously, A BBQ Is Just Not A BBQ Without The Side Dishes
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a blogumn by Travis Randall
Sides are an essential (and often overlooked) part of a successful BBQ. I was recently at a “BBQ” and the so-called “host” was kind enough to have a grill filled with delicious meats but as I plated up I realized there was nothing to accompany the meats. For a hardcore carnivore (like me) this is fine, but as a party host even I realize the importance of sides and appetizers.
Seriously, no bbq is complete without side dishs. Click on the pic to get EZ Rock and Roll BBQ recipes for Root Beer Baked Beans, Mac & Cheese, Spaghetti & Corn, and much more
The first, and most important, side dish is good music. We will get into that in a few weeks but for now let’s explore some easy food options for you to provide to your friends at your next BBQ:
First let’s explore your options. Your cooking technique will help narrow down your options so your most obvious preparation technique is your grill. Your grill is an easy option since everything can be prepared in one location. Grilled vegetables are easy and tasty and they require very little prep and seasoning. Fruits are also amazing on the grill, the natural sugars react great to intense heat. Grilled watermelon is amazing!
The crockpot is another great way to make your sides. It allows you to do the work before your guests arrive and have the sides hot and ready to eat whenever. Your crockpot can also be easily moved around to accommodate your serving location. It’s great for bbq beans, sweet potatoes, green beans, cabbage, chili, and dips.
Cold sides are great too. In many cases they can be made the day ahead and refrigerated until ready to serve. The two most traditional and easy to prepare sides are potato salad and coleslaw. Other great cold sides are black bean & corn salad, cucumber salad, deviled eggs, dips, salsas, cornbread, and veggies.
If your timing in the kitchen is good (or you have a helper) the oven is a great way to make your sides. Many sides can be prepped before your BBQ and covered and chilled until the time to bake arrives. You can’t go wrong with beans, macaroni, cornbread, or a corn casserole. The oven is also a great place to cook a cobbler for a dessert.
CLICK HERE for some side dish recipes I put together exclusively for Fierce and Nerdy.
:::Side Note to the Side Dish Post:::
This was written a day after I found out I broke my foot in a bizarre drumming accident [I wish I was kidding]. So the drugs are having on effect on my brain. It’s all very “Rock and Roll” wouldn’t you say?
First of all, you're right. A bbq is not a bbq without beans and hushpuppies, corn bread, slaw and potato salad…AT LEAST. But I must say, "a grill filled with delicious meats" IS NOT a BBQ where I [and most southerners (where bbq was invented…)] am from. A bbq is pork. A whole pig or pork ribs or pulled pork. Meat on a grill is just grilling…
First of all, you're right. A bbq is not a bbq without beans and hushpuppies, corn bread, slaw and potato salad…AT LEAST. But I must say, "a grill filled with delicious meats" IS NOT a BBQ where I [and most southerners (where bbq was invented…)] am from. A bbq is pork. A whole pig or pork ribs or pulled pork. Meat on a grill is just grilling…
I could be very snobby here and say a "grill" actually has no place in BBQ but I am trying to be all inclusive. If you read my last article you will see I agreed south eastern bbq is best. They may have invented it but it was invented as a biproduct of slavery so it's the a small silver lining to what the southern man did. Soooo, if you are white (like this guy) you have to admit it is another thing we took from the Africans southerners "displaced".
I could be very snobby here and say a "grill" actually has no place in BBQ but I am trying to be all inclusive. If you read my last article you will see I agreed south eastern bbq is best. They may have invented it but it was invented as a biproduct of slavery so it's the a small silver lining to what the southern man did. Soooo, if you are white (like this guy) you have to admit it is another thing we took from the Africans southerners "displaced".
thank you for the recipes! can't wait to try the spaghetti and corn. i haven't seen anything like that before.
thank you for the recipes! can't wait to try the spaghetti and corn. i haven't seen anything like that before.