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The best BBQ sides that are better than the main event, from loaded dips to buttery corn on the cob
Save room for these standout BBQ sides
Tested by Joanna AnastasiouFood and Drinks Tester
No BBQ is complete without a few choice side dishes. From the quintessential potato salad to slaw, loaded dips and charred veggies, it’s not enough to let the meat do all the heavy lifting. The right sides can turn a summer soiree into something truly spectacular.
Our experts sampled 15 products this year – from sweetcorn to spuds – to find the perfect accompaniments for your summer spread. These are the ones we’ll be stocking up on.
Best BBQ side dishes 2026
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The Ginger Pig New Potato, Bacon and Spring Onion Salad
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How we test BBQ sides
Our experts sampled all the standout sides for summer, looking for top-notch ingredients and exciting new recipes. Each product was blinded to avoid brand bias, and testers considered aroma, taste and texture. These are our must-buys for summer.
Waitrose Sweetcorn with Garlic Butter 245g
Waitrose Sweetcorn with Garlic Butter 245g
Score: 89/100
Classic corn on the cob is the ultimate summer side dish, and Waitrose has elevated the humble ingredient with the addition of creamy garlic butter. It heats up in the microwave in minutes, coating the sweet, juicy “cobettes” beautifully. Great for hosting.
Tesco Finest Four Cheese Potato Salad 270g
Tesco Finest Four Cheese Potato Salad 270g
Score: 88/100
Potato salad, but not as you know it. Tesco has successfully made the quintessentially British side “salad” even more indulgent with the addition of a four-cheese dressing. You’ll find mildly nutty slices of Provolone, juicy, slow-roasted tomatoes and pine nuts for extra crunch.
The Ginger Pig New Potato, Bacon and Spring Onion Salad
The Ginger Pig New Potato, Bacon and Spring Onion Salad
Score: 83/100
For a meatier proposition, look to renowned butcher The Ginger Pig. Incredibly fresh – it tastes homemade – this flavourful salad combines new potatoes with crispy, smoked bacon and spring onions, coated in a light mayonnaise and mustard dressing, and seasoned with salt, lemon and plenty of dill. Serve it with BBQ chicken or prawns.
Co-op Irresistible Pesto & Pecorino Slaw 250g
Co-op Irresistible Pesto & Pecorino Slaw 250g
Score: 81/100
Every BBQ deserves a great slaw, and we think Co-op's pesto and pecorino version is the ideal summery side for a chicken burger. The creamy mayonnaise makes each bite feel rich and decadent, with plenty of crunchy veggies, fragrant basil and nutty cheese.
Lidl Deluxe Smoked Salmon Loaded Dip 170g
Lidl Deluxe Smoked Salmon Loaded Dip 170g
Score: 79/100
Lidl’s well-priced loaded dip is an easy win – just add tortillas. Made with soft cheese and sour cream, it’s rich yet light, with smoked salmon adding a subtle “meaty” bite. Shavings of Parmigiano Reggiano add a nutty edge, while fresh dill lifts the whole thing. A simple starter or side that feels special.
Aldi Specially Selected Caesar Potato Salad 250g
Aldi Specially Selected Caesar Potato Salad 250g
Score: 72/100
Make your money go further with Aldi’s spruced-up potato salad. The spuds are coated in a creamy Caesar dressing, delivering plenty of garlic and slices of Parmesan. A great accompaniment to classic BBQ meats.
Looking for more barbecue inspiration? Read on for more winners
Stacey looks after all food and drink reviews — from coffee pods and veg boxes, to natural wine and tequila. Stacey is also founder of Crummbs, where she’s written nearly 2,000 restaurant and hotel reviews since 2013. Prior to this, Stacey wrote hundreds of in-depth buying guides for the Independent, i newspaper and BBC Good Food, as well as reviewing restaurants and interviewing celebrities in her column at Balance Magazine. Stacey has also appeared in BAFTA-nominated BBC documentary Blood, Sweat & Takeaways, where she investigated South East Asia's food production industry, appearing on both Newsnight and BBC World Service to share her findings. Regularly checking out the latest restaurants, bars and product launches, Stacey also loves experimenting with recipes at home, and is a WSET-certified wine and spirits expert, with over 10 years of experience in the business. You can follow Stacey on Instagram @crummbs_uk
Joanna Anastasiou is our Food and Drinks Tester, and has completed certifications in Sensory Foundation and WSET Wine Level 2 training. Prior to this she studied geography with conservation biology at the University of Exeter and trained at Ballymaloe Cookery School in Ireland. Through this she has developed a passion for sustainability within the food and agricultural sectors. Joanna also volunteers in kitchens with FoodCycle, as well as on multiple wildlife conservation projects, where she formed a particular love for bees!
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