6 Classic Side Dishes To Serve With BBQ Beef

bbq beef side dish

Beef is a type of meat that cannot be ignored at a BBQ party.

Why trust me?

I'm an experienced food writer and passionate cook. My website, Cookindocs.com, features accessible, informative, and engaging content with quality recipes and articles that are thoroughly researched and enjoyable to read. You can trust my expertise with 8 years of experience in the field. Learn more about me and my work on this website, and check out my featured articles on TastingTable, Mashed, and 5-Minute Crafts. Read more about me HERE.

How about serving it up with some delicious sides?

In this blog post, we will give you some ideas for what to serve with BBQ beef to have a hearty and appetizing meal.

Read on to find out more!

What is BBQ beef?

Heinz Kansas City Style Sweet & Smoky BBQ Barbecue Sauce (6 ct Pack,...

Check Current Price

BBQ beef is a dish that can be made from any cut of beef and is cooked slowly over indirect heat from charcoal or mesquite wood.

The cooking process gives the meat a smoky flavor and charred crust that is uniquely barbecue.

The meat is often marinated in a homemade or premade BBQ sauce that is sold in most grocery stores before being cooked.

BBQ beef can be served as the main dish, sandwich filler, pizza topping, or in many other recipes.

What to consider when choosing a side dish to serve with BBQ beef?

When you’re planning a BBQ, one of the most important decisions you have to make is what side dish to serve with your beef.

There are lots of different options out there, so it can be tough to decide which one is right for you.

We’ll now discuss some things to consider to make sure that the side dish you have chosen will complement your BBQ beef:

Balance the flavors and textures

First, you should ensure that the flavors and textures of all the dishes at your BBQ party will complement each other.

For example, BBQ beef has a complex flavor that is sweet, tangy, spicy, and salty at the same time.

Therefore, it can work with a refreshing, mildly sweet, or citrusy-flavored accompaniment.

Moreover, there should be both crunchy and soft dishes to give you more satisfying eating experiences.

Make food ahead if possible

There are particular dishes that can be made ahead of time.

A BBQ party will be quite busy, so you can save time and make sure that all the food is served on time by making them in advance.

However, the quality of these dishes should remain even though being made ahead.

6 best side dishes to serve with BBQ beef

Now, let’s check the six best side dishes that go perfectly with BBQ beef:

1.    Baked beans

Bush's Best Baked Beans, 3 Original Baked Beans, 3 Country Style Baked...

Check Current Price

Baked beans are one of the Southern staples that you should try with BBQ beef.

This filling dish is often made from black beans that are packed with many essential nutrients while being very affordable.

Baked beans have a tender texture and an earthy sweet taste, but they take time.

So make sure to cook your beans in advance so that they are served on time at your BBQ party.

2.    Mac and cheese

Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, Original Flavor, 7.25 oz, 18 Boxes

Check Current Price

The second option that you can try with your BBQ beef is mac and cheese.

Mac and cheese is also a very classic side dish that is enjoyed throughout America.

This comfort food can be made from scratch or bought from a grocery store that only requires to be microwaved.

The cheesy and salty taste of cheese sauce makes this dish so satisfying and can literally boost your mood.

3.    Smoked sausages

Hillshire Farm Beef Smoked Sausage, 12 oz.

Check Current Price

Sausages are another indispensable item at a BBQ party.

Smoked sausages are great to be served with your BBQ beef.

Either pork, beef, chicken, or even vegan sausages can work in this case.

Sausages are a favorite of people of all ages, from adults to children, therefore, everyone will beg you for more.

4.    Coleslaw

365 by Whole Foods Market, Organic Coleslaw Mix, 12 Ounce

Check Current Price

You can also serve your BBQ beef with coleslaw, a true Southern dish.

Coleslaw is made of shredded cabbage and carrot that are mixed with a creamy tangy dressing (normally mayonnaise).

The crunchy texture and refreshing flavor of this side dish can perfectly offset all the savory taste of BBQ beef.

5.    Potato salad

Reser's, Deviled Egg Potato Salad, 16 oz

Check Current Price

Potato salad will be a great combination between starchy root veggies and other regular salad items like hard-boiled eggs, celery stalks, or vinegar.

This makes sure that you will feel completely full after eating this salad with BBQ beef, but it won’t upset your stomach because of being too heavy.

6.    Grilled corn

Bi-color Corn, 1 Ear

Check Current Price

Our last suggestion is to serve your BBQ beef with grilled corn.

Corn is an affordable and year-round-available ingredient that can be found anywhere in the world.

You can have grilled corn cooked on the same grill with BBQ beef, which helps save a lot of cooking time.

The bottom line

It can be tough to come up with only the best side dish recipe to serve with BBQ beef.

Therefore, it is great if you can try all of our suggestions before deciding what you are going to stick with at the next barbecue party.

Thanks for reading!