Must-Try Barbeque Dishes and Sides to Kick Off Your Summer

Ah summer. Long pool or lake days. Sitting in the sun for hours. Eating delicious foods surrounded by loved ones. What more could you ask for?

While everyone enjoys summer in different ways, usually, summer is all about barbequing and spending as much time outside as possible. If this is what you're interested in, you'll want to know the best BBQ main and side dishes to try on your grill.

For this slideshow, 24/7 Tempo consulted various food and recipe websites like All Recipes, the Kitchn, and Serious Eats for ideas. We also drew on our own summertime barbeque experiences.

Click through the slideshow for some must-try delicious barbeque dishes and sides.

Barbeque isn't all about BBQ sauce. Sometimes, a simple burger will do. But when you're tired of eating plain old burgers, why not craft a pineapple one? You can do this by using pineapple juice within the burger or simply pairing a burger patty with a grilled pineapple slice. Either way, you can't go wrong with savory and sweet.

It's hard to find a brisket that doesn't taste good. Still, there is a clear winner in how to prepare it. Texas-style brisket is the perfect summer dish to share amongst friends. It's smoky and charred on the outside but tender on the inside. Don't try this dish, though, if you are low on time. It's a slow-cooked meat that can easily take over 12 hours.

Another sweet and savory barbeque dish to try is the honey-glazed grilled chicken. All you have to do is season it with your favorite seasonings, but add honey before grilling. It's best to choose a juicy cut of chicken. This dish pairs well with freshly-squeezed lime.

We've left this idea/recipe vague. You can skewer just about anything. Since we all have different tastes, this one is all about you. Add your favorite vegetables (or fruit) and desired protein (shrimp, sausage, chicken, steak, pork, tofu, etc. You can then grill it.

Although Korean fried chicken is double-fried, that doesn't mean you can make it in a barbeque-style. Plenty of people season, coat, and grill/fry Korean fried chicken outside. It's sticky, sweet, and spicy!

Although dry rubs are popular across the world, there are those who prefer a saucier dish. If this is you, consider trying to make smothered baby back ribs. So they are tender enough to fall off the bone, the process can take more than four hours.

What other dish screams summer than pulled pork sandwiches? This BBQ meat is delicious, sweet, and perfect for leftovers. You'll be eating pulled pork for days!

Pork belly is perfect for grilling and frying because it's so fatty. The best way to make this dish is by slicing the pork belly into small sections and marinating for at least one night in a sweet and spicy glaze.

Now that we've gotten some ideas for the best barbeque dishes, how about sides? The sides are what really make the meal perfect.

We aren't sure why, but in almost every southern barbeque, there are always baked beans. This sweet bean pairs well with savory meats. It's also commonly eaten with bread, like Texas toast or sweet Hawaiian rolls.

Summer barbeques are full of intense flavors, which is why it's nice to have something sweet or veggie-filled to help. Homemade coleslaw does the trick. It's fresh enough and a perfect break from the constant savoriness.

Carbs during barbeque days are so worth it, especially homemade jalapeno cornbread. Cornbread alone is really good, so when you add a little bit of spice (jalapeno) and crunch (cheese), it blows people away!

Potato salad can really hit the spot on a hot day while barbecuing. The best part is you get to choose how you make it. The only real requirement is that it needs to use potatoes. Some people add raisins, apples, ham, or pasta.

While you can make corn on the cob by boiling it or in the oven, nothing beats grilled corn. Add some butter, sea salt, or whatever seasoning you like, and you have the perfect barbeque dish.

Is a barbeque really a barbeque without mac and cheese? Although you can make this delicious dish in a liquid sauce, it's even better baked with a layer of toasty breadcrumbs on top.

Another barbeque side to try is buttermilk biscuits. These buttery, flaky breads take less than an hour to make. You can find recipes all throughout the internet, including on All Recipes, the Cozy Cook, and Preppy Kitchen.

Last on our list is hush puppies. It's an underrated BBQ side dish that deserves a lot more love and is simpler to make than you'd think. The process only takes about 15 to 20 minutes. You can even make them in the air fryer.