Crowd-Pleasing Side Dishes for a Cookout

Alexandra F.:  This is, without a doubt, the best guacamole I have ever tried - and I eat guacamole frequently and any chance I get. I never think twice about what to bring as my side dish for a cookout anymore because it's always this. And it is ALWAYS a hit, and one of the first things to get eaten up. Put plastic wrap directly on top of the guacamole when you cover it to minimize air coming in contact and turning it brown before you get to the party. Bring a bag of tortilla chips, too, and get ready for the compliments to roll in! From Barefoot Contessa

Cook a pound of orzo according to the package directions, and set aside. Meanwhile, chop and sauté together a purple onion, a red or yellow bell pepper, and about a half cup of sun dried tomatoes. Add about a cup of diced kalamata olives and season to taste with salt and pepper. Add the veggie mixture to the orzo, then stir in 1-2 cups of baby spinach cut into strips. Add a cup of crumbled feta cheese, and enjoy hot or cold!

Alexandra F.:  Easy, refreshing and delicious, you really can't go wrong bringing fresh fruit or veggies to share at any gathering. Slice up some watermelon, make a fruit salad from whatever is in season, or cut some carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers, or other favorite raw veggies and you are good to go!

Alexandra F.:  When I need a quick and easy veggie side dish for a cookout (or dinner!), I will often make cucumber, tomato and feta salad, since cucumbers are one of the few veggies my kids all eat without complaint. I usually just mix olive oil with a bit of balsamic vinegar and call it a day, but there are plenty of easy DIY balsamic vinaigrette recipes you can use, too. This recipe adds some sliced red onion for extra flavor, and is as easy to put together as it is delicious! From Taste of Home

Alexandra F.:  Though there are plenty of variations on potato salad out there, this classic, creamy version is probably what first comes to mind when you think about potato salad, and is a staple among cookout sides. From Gimme Some Oven

Alexandra F.:  One of my favorite summer meals to make for the family is also one of my go-to side dishes for potlucks. Salads tend to be a popular side dish, and this one brings together generally well-liked mix-ins like grilled chicken, bacon, hard boiled eggs and avocado. The best part, however, is the delicious Citrus Lime Vinaigrette! From Key Ingredient

Alexandra F.:  We're not really a coleslaw family, but we got a strong urge for it one day while we were making fried chicken for dinner. Fortunately, this super easy recipe for coleslaw dressing only called for ingredients we already had on hand, so it was a cinch to pull together. And, it was delicious!! Another one of those classic side dishes for cookouts for when you're not quite sure what to bring. You can shred your own cabbage and carrots, or buy a pre-shredded bag to make life easier. From All Recipes

Kelly R:  This beautiful "salsa" is equally delicious scooped up with chips or eaten as a salad. It's a more veggie-forward version of Cowboy Caviar, and keeps really well if you want to make it in advance. And since it's gluten free, dairy free and vegan, it is a pretty safe bet if you're not sure about the food preferences or allergies of the other guests. From Gimme Some Oven