Grill Masters, Meet 19 Smokin' Hot Unexpected Sidekicks Worth Firing Up The Grill For

For the 4th of July, a spread of easy BBQ side dishes is a must-have to complement the grilled delights. But why settle for the ordinary when you can elevate your celebration with 19 unusual and creative sides, stepping away from the traditional fare? From unexpected flavor combinations to innovative twists on classics, these sides offer a delightful departure from the norm. Imagine tangy pickled watermelon rind salad, smoky roasted sweet potato salad, or zesty Mexican street corn salad gracing your table, adding a burst of excitement to the festivities.

Crispy Ottolenghi’s Air Fryer Asparagus. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Easy Samosas

A plate of fried samosas on a marble table. — easy gluten free samosas. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

These tasty samosas offer an unexpected but delightful Indian-inspired twist for your BBQ spread in just 30 minutes. The crispy veggie-filled pastries provide a flavorful and dietary-friendly side option.
Get the Recipe: Easy Gluten Free Samosas

Colombian Fruit Salad

An easy breakfast of a pineapple filled with fruit and bananas. — Lazy Morning Fruit Medley. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

A vibrant tropical fruit medley like this Colombian salad makes for a refreshingly unique accompaniment to smoky BBQ fare in just 15 minutes of prep.
Get the Recipe: Colombian Fruit Salad

Roasted Beet, Apple, and Goat Cheese Salad

A healthy and flavorful salad recipe featuring the delicious combination of apples, walnuts, and feta cheese. — Roasted Beet, Apple, and Goat Cheese Salad. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

The sweet earthiness of roasted beets paired with tart apples and creamy goat cheese creates an unconventional yet flavor-packed salad to complement your BBQ mains after just an hour.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Beet, Apple, and Goat Cheese Salad

Halloumi Tacos

Grilled halloumi cheese lends a delightfully salty, chewy texture to these unique vegetarian tacos with a Cypriot twist – an unexpected but tasty option for your BBQ in 15 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Halloumi Tacos

Lime, Chili, and Ginger-Dressed Broccoli

A plate of broccoli with sesame seeds and sesame oil. — Lime, chili and ginger-dressed broccoli. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Elevate your greens from standard BBQ fare with this zesty 20-minute broccoli dish. The tangy lime, chili, and ginger dressing adds an invigorating flavor punch.
Get the Recipe: Lime, Chili, and Ginger-Dressed Broccoli

Fried Halloumi Salad

Tofu salad on a plate with sesame seeds. — Fried Halloumi Salad. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

This Mediterranean-inspired salad with fried halloumi cheese offers an unconventional but hearty accompaniment to BBQ mains in just 20 minutes thanks to its fresh greens and salty, chewy cheese bites.
Get the Recipe: Fried Halloumi Salad

Mediterranean White Bean Salad with Feta

Side view of white bean salad in bowl with tongs. — Mediterranean White Bean Salad with Feta. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

A light but protein-packed bean salad like this tasty Mediterranean version makes for an untraditional but satisfying BBQ side, ready in 15 minutes with bright flavors from feta and herbs.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean White Bean Salad with Feta

Marinated Tofu Spring Rolls

Fresh spring rolls with tofu and vegetables on a plate. — marinated tofu spring rolls. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Fresh veggies and marinated tofu wrapped in rice paper provide a healthy, crunchy, and surprisingly flavorful veggie option for your BBQ spread in under 25 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Marinated Tofu Spring Rolls

Crispy Ottolenghi’s Air Fryer Asparagus

A plate with asparagus, nuts and lemon wedges. — Crispy Ottolenghi’s Air Fryer Asparagus. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

This simple yet elegant air-fried asparagus from Ottolenghi offers an unexpected but delightful crispy-tender texture as an upscale BBQ side dish in just 10 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Ottolenghi’s Air Fryer Asparagus

Colombian Baked Plantains with Guava and Cheese

Food on a tray with a knife. — Colombian baked plantains recipe with guava and cheese. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Baked plantains with guava paste and cheese bring rich sweet and savory Colombian flavors to the BBQ in an indulgent, creamy 25-minute side unlike traditional options.
Get the Recipe: Colombian Baked Plantains with Guava and Cheese

German Roasted Cauliflower with Curry Cashew Crust

Roasting gives this German cauliflower its satisfying crunch from the nutty curry cashew coating – a hearty, inventive veggie side for your BBQ after 25 minutes.
Get the Recipe: German Roasted Cauliflower with Curry Cashew Crust

Marinated Tomatoes

Closeup of marinated heirloom tomatoes in a yellow and white pie dish. — Marinated Tomatoes. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Celebrate summer BBQs in just 10 minutes with these vibrant marinated tomatoes. Their bold olive oil, vinegar, garlic, and oregano marinade offers a flavorful twist on standard veggie sides.
Get the Recipe: Marinated Tomatoes

Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebab

A plate with chicken skewers and sauce on it. — Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebab. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

With warm Middle Eastern spices, these flavorful ground chicken skewers provide a distinctly aromatic and smoky main course option for the grill after 20 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebab

Middle Eastern Roasted Carrots

Oven-roasted carrots topped with crumbled cheese and mixed nuts, served on a white platter. — Middle Eastern roasted carrots. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Unlock the natural sweetness of carrots through 30 minutes of roasting with fragrant Middle Eastern spices for a simple yet flavorful, caramelized veggie side unlike typical BBQ fare.
Get the Recipe: Middle Eastern Roasted Carrots

Crispy Plantain Chips

A bowl filled with banana chips and tomato sauce. — Crispy Plantain Chips. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Ditch the potato chips and opt for these crispy, lightly sweet plantain chips air-fried in under 15 minutes to bring a tropical, healthy crunch to your BBQ spread.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Plantain Chips

Argentinian Empanadas

Hands pulling two halves of a cheese empanada. — Argentinian Empanadas. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

These classic South American savory pastry pockets filled with veggies offer a delicious, portable, hand-held option to round out your BBQ after baking or frying for 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Argentinian Empanadas

Black Bean Tacos with Sweet Pepper Salsa

Two black bean tacos on wooden board. — Black Bean Tacos with Sweet Pepper Salsa. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Hearty black beans and a vibrant sweet pepper salsa star in these nutritious and textured vegetarian tacos, ready in 20 minutes for an unexpected but tasty BBQ option.
Get the Recipe: Black Bean Tacos with Sweet Pepper Salsa

Goat Cheese Salad

Close-up of a fresh salad featuring mixed greens, sliced red grapes, cucumbers, red onion, and dried cranberries. — Goat Cheese Salad. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

This elegant salad with creamy, tangy goat cheese over fresh greens makes for a simple yet flavor-packed accompaniment to BBQ mains in just 20 minutes of prep.
Get the Recipe: Goat Cheese Salad

Colombian Cheese Arepas

A plate with chicken and vegetables on it. — Colombian Cheese Arepas. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Swap the burger buns for these warm, comforting arepas stuffed with gooey cheese after just 15 minutes for a unique, doughy Colombian addition to your BBQ spread.
Get the Recipe: Colombian Cheese Arepas

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Grill Masters, Meet 19 Smokin’ Hot Unexpected Sidekicks Worth Firing Up The Grill For