While BBQ may be the main event at your summer cookouts, no meal is complete without some tasty sides to pair it with. If you want some inspiration for your summer side dishes to enjoy in the Florida sunshine, we’ve outlined five of our favorite untraditional sides that your family will love!
Our Five Favorite Summer Side Dishes
1. Grilled Zucchini
Seasonal and delicious, zucchini is a top choice for your meals during the hot months. Technically a fruit, zucchini is a great way to introduce healthier alternatives to your family. Zucchini is easy to work with and doesn’t add stress to your meal prep. If you are grilling some delicious steaks or poultry, go ahead and throw some fresh, seasoned zucchini onto the grill. Grilled zucchini comes out crispy on the outside with a delicious inside and pairs perfectly with your cookout entrees. Check out a simple, tasty recipe to try here.
2. Jalapeño Poppers
Looking to turn up the heat even more than Florida’s 100-degree temperatures? Look no further than jalapeño poppers. Jalapeño peppers pack a lot of heat and are found flourishing in the late summer months, making this a great addition to your backyard meals.
Kick it up a notch with this Jalapeño Popper recipe that combines our favorite things, bacon and cheese, with sizzling jalapeño peppers. These are definitely not for the faint of heart!
3. Watermelon Strawberry Caprese Salad
There’s nothing like refreshing fruit to combat a hot summer’s day. Did you know that you can put a fun spin on the classic caprese salad using summer’s best fruits instead? That’s right! Swap the tomato and spinach for watermelons and strawberries. You’ll end up with a summer salad staple! This salad is both savory and sweet to go along with your favorite summertime meals. Bonus: this salad is quick and easy, taking less than 10 minutes to prepare. Try the recipe out for yourself here!
4. Magic Cornbread
We didn’t think cornbread could get any better, but then we found this recipe that makes this Southern favorite even more amazing. The creamy center of the cornbread takes this side dish from good to great. The best part? This cornbread is versatile and can be served alongside your delicious barbeque or choose to add some ice cream on top for a scrumptious dessert.
5. BLT Stuffed Avocados
Avocados, one of our favorite fruits, are packed with essential nutrients and healthy fats. But what if they were packed with even more goodness? These bacon lettuce tomato (BLT) stuffed avocados are everything you didn’t know that you needed. This simple recipe only requires you to combine the ingredients of a BLT and swap the bread for your avocados. This low-carb alternative is great on its own or alongside your main course.
Beat the Summer Heat with Ward’s
Whichever side dish you choose, you can’t go wrong with these delicious summertime recipes. For everything you need for your meals, rain or shine this summer, stop by Ward’s Supermarket in Gainesville. We have unique local goods and fresh products to fuel your summer fun!
