Summertime means a lot of things but most importantly it means that BBQ season is in full swing! Grilling, whether it’s for a casual family dinner or for a festive gathering with friends, is probably the easiest and most flexible way to feed a crowd. Beyond the usual meats on the grill however, we often have a hard time planning the best side dishes and meat alternatives for our vegetarian diners.
I’ve curated some of my favorite BBQ side dishes to serve when you next fire up that grill. When preparing for a crowd, I like to always think about what can be made ahead like all the salad dressings and all the chopping and prepping so that when you’re friends arrive you can be busy sipping a sangria outdoors instead of chopping an onion while crying in the kitchen.
Raw cauliflower tabouli
Introducing my absolute favorite salad, raw cauliflower tabouli! With a nutritious twist on this classic recipe, I combined white cauliflower and my latest obsession, purple cauliflower, and a vibrant medley of other vegetables. Plus, you get the freshness and color from the mint and parsley, while a satisfying and unexpected nuttiness comes from adding pine nuts.
Perfect oven French fries
When it comes to the pursuit of the ultimate oven-baked French fries, there’s a definite contrast between limp and greasy fries and the tantalizingly crispy and salt-kissed perfection of pomme frite!
My recipe for creating perfect oven French fries will make your mouth water. And I have a sneaky suspicion your family will ask for seconds, so make a big batch!
Roasted chickpeas and cauliflower
The inspiration behind this dish comes from Gwyneth Paltrow’s wonderful cookbook, “It’s All Good.” And it really is!
Gwyneth’s method involves roasting the cauliflower and chickpeas and drizzling her dressing before serving. I prefer marinating the flavors to achieve a little crunch and crispiness.
Honestly, I love this roasted chickpeas and cauliflower dish so much, I could eat it every day and never get bored.
Fresh corn and roasted cauliflower hash
Oh, here we go again with another cauliflower recipe! But hey, I can’t help it—I absolutely love this veggie! It’s not just delicious; it’s also packed with incredible goodness. You see, cauliflower belongs to the cruciferous family, and it’s loaded with these fantastic compounds called glucosinolates. They’re like little superheroes that help protect against cancer and work their magic to detoxify our bodies. So, next time you enjoy cauliflower, know you’re indulging in something special and beneficial for your health!
I’ve combined this hash with fresh corn, a beloved summer staple in my family. Adding onions, garlic, chives, basil, and a touch of lime takes a humble dish based around cauliflower from ordinary to extraordinary.
Shaved Brussels sprouts slaw salad
Be amazed by raw sprouts, bringing out their incredible flavour and maintaining their high nutritional value. Packed with cancer-fighting phytonutrients, vitamin C, and vitamin K, Brussels sprouts are true superstars.
This slaw combines sprouts, radicchio and Parmesan, serving a satisfying coleslaw-like texture and a robust flavour that will keep you coming back for more.
Enjoy the versatility and goodness of this remarkable Brussels sprout creation! This slaw is so good on its own as a fantastic side dish, and no chicken is needed. Watch the video below and read the full recipe here.
Have you tried these recipes?
I love to see your flexible creations! If you’ve made the recipes featured here—or any of my easily adaptable dishes—share a photo on Instagram and tag me @TheFlexibleChef.
