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Vegetable, Slaw, Salad, And Dressing Recipes (50 Recipes, 3 Articles)

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What parent hasn’t thrown up their hands at a child’s reluctance to eat vegetables. Brussels sprouts, lima beans, broccoli, even asparagus all experience the same rejection. But sometimes, a simple change in cooking technique can quickly elevate their status at the dinner table and turn those frowns upside-down.

Grilled asparagus spears topped with cheese shavings

Grill The Best Asparagus Ever. Here’s How.

By:

Meathead, BBQ Hall of Famer

This tested recipe for grilled asparagus develops rich flavors you just can't get by boiling or steaming. Seasoned, grilled, drizzled with good olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and topped with curls of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, this is by far my favorite prep. Asparagus is freshest, sweetest, and crispiest in spring.
Parmesan cheese and basil leaves adorn red tomato slices

Capture The Essence of August With This Caprese Tomato Salad Recipe

By:

Meathead, BBQ Hall of Famer

Caprese salad is the world's best use of tomatoes and possibly the world's best salad but should only be made with the best and freshest components because there is no place to hide subpar ingredients. This classic summer dish from the Island of Capri off the west coast of Italy is the essence of August on a plate.
tomatos and onions smoking

Sexy Smoked Cream of Tomato Soup Recipe

By:

Meathead, BBQ Hall of Famer

Smoked tomatoes are the key to the most flavorful tomato soup you have ever experienced. Ordinary tomato soup, especially canned versions, can be rather one dimensional. By grilling the ingredients in this smoked tomato soup recipe, you are able to reach a depth of flavor that is sure to make it an instant classic.
Modern Gazpacho Soup

Celebrate Summer’s Freshest Produce with This Refreshing Gazpacho

By:

Meathead, BBQ Hall of Famer

Perfect for a warm weather cookout, this flavorful Gazpacho recipe is a modern twist of this classic Spanish cold raw vegetable soup. Sometimes called liquid salad, this well rounded Gazpacho recipe features tomatoes, cucumber, garlic, jalapenos, croutons, yogurt, scallions, honey, and more for farm fresh flavor.
Smoked, wizened cherry tomatoes

Cherry Tomatoes: Smoke ’Em If You Got ’Em

By:

Meathead, BBQ Hall of Famer

Smoked Tomato Raisins are the single best thing you can do with cherry tomatoes and here is the recipe for creating them. They are superb for snacking, on salads, on a pizza, in pasta, baked into breads, stuffed into chicken breasts or pork chops, or anything you would do with raisins or sun dried tomatoes.
barbecue Ribs beans and coleslaw

The Science of Slawsome Slaw

By:

Meathead, BBQ Hall of Famer

No backyard cookout would be complete with a side of slaw, whether it is a creamy coleslaw with mayonnaise, sweet-and-sour vinegar law, or a custom creation. Begin putting together the one that is right for you with this extensive tutorial.
coleslaw

Make This Easy Deli-Style Coleslaw At Home

By:

Meathead, BBQ Hall of Famer

Here's the recipe for that great creamy cole slaw they sell in the delis, and the secret ingredient is sour cream mixed with mayonnaise.
sweet and sour cole slaw

Sweet And Sour Coleslaw, The Perfect BBQ Side

By:

Meathead, BBQ Hall of Famer

Looking to step up your coleslaw game? Here is a simple recipe that is sure to impress your guests. In the South there are two kinds of slaw: Sweet-sour and creamy. Sweet-sour is vinegar and sugar based. Creamy is mayo or sour cream or buttermilk based (or a blend of them). This sweet-sour recipe is super easy to make.
grated carrot and cabbage make coleslaw

The Best Basic Creamy Southern Coleslaw Ever

By:

Meathead, BBQ Hall of Famer

Just say no to bland store bought coleslaw and hello to this delicious homemade recipe. This classic simple creamy Southern coleslaw recipe is not only the perfect side dish for your next BBQ and grilling cookout but is also amazing on a Memphis and South Carolina style pulled pork sandwich or on a West Virginia style hot dog.
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Waldorf salad as coleslaw

Classic Waldorf Salad Reimagined As A Flavorful Slaw

By:

Meathead, BBQ Hall of Famer

No BBQ or grilling party is complete without coleslaw but unfortunately this beloved side dish can be lacking in flavor. This recipe for a great slaw borrows from the famous Waldorf Salad, replacing lettuce with cabbage before adding apples and walnuts for a crisp, delicate, crunchy, sweet, and sour coleslaw.

The Science of Corn

By:

Meathead, BBQ Hall of Famer

Fresh sweet corn is a seasonal pleasure you should enjoy every year! Here's what you need to know about different types of fresh corn, including varieties such as yellow, white, bi-color, Silver queen, and supersweet. Learn how to buy them, store them, grill them, savor them, and cook the best corn on the cob.
grilled sweet corn

The Best Grilled Corn You’ve Ever Eaten

By:

Meathead, BBQ Hall of Famer

You will never look at corn the same way again after trying this recipe for the ultimate grill roasted corn on the cob recipe. While boiling and steaming are popular methods of cooking corn, the smokiness and caramelization achieved by grilling it directly over live fire. Butter and tarragon help round out the flavor.
bacon wrapped corn

Griddle Grilled Bacon Jalapeño Wrapped Corn

By:

Paul Sidoriak

This griddle grilled corn dish makes a perfect accompanying act to almost any recipe, but it could star as a lunch all by itself. The sweetness of the corn works great with the saltiness of the bacon, and the punch of heat from the jalapenos is tempered by the cream cheese.
Big bowl of corn and red peppers make a salad

Make the Most of Sweet Corn with Sever’s Grilled Country Corn Casserole

By:

Dave Joachim

Highlight the flavor of sweet summer corn, fresh tomatoes, and herbs in this simple vegetable casserole recipe. It makes a fantastic side dish for any barbecue.
Plated griddle corn cakes

Griddle Grilled Corn Cakes, Fresh Corn At Its Finest

By:

Clint Cantwell, Champion Pitmaster

This griddle grilled corn cakes recipe is the perfect side dish for any backyard cookout. The recipe begins with fire roasting fresh ears of corn. The kernels are then removed and added to a light and airy batter that is grilled on a griddle until fluffy and golden brown. You can even customize your corn cakes!
pickles

The Science Of Pickles

By:

Meathead, BBQ Hall of Famer

What is the difference between Kosher Dill and Genuine Dill pickles? Here's your guide to everything you need to know about fermented pickles, refrigerator pickles, quick pickles, pickling liquids, pickling spices, gherkins, bread and butter pickles, half sours, and other pickled foods besides cucumbers.
pickles

Quick and Easy Kosher Dill Pickles And Pickled Tomatoes

By:

Meathead, BBQ Hall of Famer

If you're a fan of tangy deli pickles and pickled tomatoes then you'll be ready to dive in to this recipe for classic deli-style Kosher sour dill pickles. Even better is the fact that they can be made in one day! This recipe is also perfect for pickled tomatoes, a great way to utilize end of season green tomatoes.
pickle slices arranged on red squares of checkerboard

Sweet and Sour Sandwich Pickle Chips Recipe

By:

Meathead, BBQ Hall of Famer

Here's a quick way to make pickles in 30 minutes. This quick and simple recipe makes sweet and sour pickle slices for sandwiches perfect for mounding on hamburgers, deli meats, pulled pork sandwiches, and more. This recipe is for making sandwich sized slices, but you can also use it to make spears or whole pickles.
slender green ramps with liquid and whole spices in mason jar

Pickled Chicago (Pickled Ramps) Recipe

By:

Meathead, BBQ Hall of Famer

Sweet, sour, tangy pickled onions or ramps are a great relish on the side, or topping on BBQ and grilled foods. Ramps are much smaller than leeks, more like scallions, and are most tender and tasty in spring. Like scallions, served raw, they add a pungent bite to many dishes but they truly shine when pickled.
Jarred Giardiniera

Italian Giardiniera, A Celebration Of The Season’s Best Vegetables

By:

Meathead, BBQ Hall of Famer

Here's a go-to recipe for Italian Giardiniera, a condiment made from fresh vegetables, chopped into small bits and used to top sandwiches and other foods. Giardiniera can be found in every grocery and in the door of every Italian American fridge in Chicago but you've never truly enjoyed its freshness until this recipe.
Deep fried pickles in a serving platter

Fried Pickles Are An Addictive Appetizer, Especially When Prepared On The Grill

By:

Clint Cantwell, Champion Pitmaster

Why fry inside? Your outdoor grill handles the job better and makes incomparable fried pickles. Coated in a light and airy tempura batter, this delicious fried pickle recipe is a novel appetizer for your next cookout. Be prepared to make multiple batches, as everyone will be clamoring for more.
peeling red onion

Quick Pickled Onions: Bold And Zesty And Fast

By:

Meathead, BBQ Hall of Famer

Add a zesty bite to sandwiches, burgers, salads, and more with this simple recipe for crisp and flavorful pickled red onions. The recipe, which can be made in only 30 minutes, also serves as a great base for countless other types of pickles including cucumbers, scallions, ramps, leeks, sweet peppers, and green beans.
Thai cucumber salad

Cool As A Cucumber Salad, Thai Style

By:

Meathead, BBQ Hall of Famer

Add a touch of Thai to your next backyard cookout with this recipe for sweet and tangy cold cucumber salad. One of the simple pleasures of dining in a Thai restaurant is the lovely delicate cucumber salad they serve as an appetizer and now you can replicate it at home with this simple to prepare recipe.
eggplant peeled

Grilling Takes Eggplant Caponata To New Heights

By:

Meathead, BBQ Hall of Famer

Grilling the ingredients adds a layer of complexity to caponata, a traditional eggplant based recipe that is especially popular in southern Italy. Grilled caponata is perfect as a sandwich; as an appetizer on crusty bread; as a sauce for grilled seafood, pork chops, or chicken; in pasta; and even on pizza.
Grilled ratatouille over pasta

Ratatouille Tastes Better Grilled

By:

Meathead, BBQ Hall of Famer

Grilled ratatouille takes it up a notch. You may never make ratatouille the old way again! Serve it over pasta, couscous, or rice.
Discs of eggplant topped with tomato sauce and mozarella

Feast on This Grilled Eggplant Parm, A Bold Take On An Italian Classic

By:

Meathead, BBQ Hall of Famer

If you like bland restaurant eggplant parmesan then our grilled version will blow you away. By skipping the deep fryer and hitting the grill, the eggplant's natural flavor remains intact while also adding a nuttiness and sweetness. Add to that real Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and fresh tomatoes and you've got a hit.
green beans in a white dish

Make These Crunchy French-Style Green Beans Even The Kids Will Love

By:

Meathead, BBQ Hall of Famer

You've heard of French fries, well here are French beans, and they're just as good. Nothing fancy about this great recipe other than the taste. In France they use a variety of bean called haricots vert that is longer and thinner than the typical string bean grown in the US, but you can use plain fresh green beans.
Grilled romain quarters sprinkled with Parmesan cheese

Grilled Romaine Salad Recipe Takes Vegetable Grilling to the Next Level

By:

Dave Joachim

This salad will change the way you think about grilled vegetables. The grill keeps the lettuce juicy and crunchy but also imparts smoky, meaty flavors to the salad. Serve this one with a fork and a knife.
Charred red bell peppers

How To Grill Fire Roasted Red Bell Peppers (Pimentos)

By:

Meathead, BBQ Hall of Famer

Don't buy roasted peppers or pimientos when you can make stellar ones at home. Take your pimento cheese, potato salad, harissa, Italian sausage sandwiches, Italian beef sandwiches, omelets, risotto, and so many more over the top with this pimento recipe. The recipe also works for any number of peppers.
grilled salsa

Grilled Salsa Is Your New Go-To Condiment

By:

Meathead, BBQ Hall of Famer

Skip the store bought salsa and opt for these two flavorful home made Mexican salsas: Pico de Gallo and a Grilled Salsa Roja. Known in the US as tomato salsa, salsa roja is an important building block in Mexican cuisine. Fresh quality ingredients are essential, especially fresh tomatoes, when making salsa at home.
tomatoes

Fresh Pico De Gallo Adds Zip To Countless Dishes

By:

Meathead, BBQ Hall of Famer

Fresh tomatoes, scallions, jalapeno, and cilantro are the cornerstones of our addictively delicious recipe for homemade pico de gallo. Add a touch of brightness to tacos, quesadillas, and other Mexican dishes; a bold bite to scrambled eggs and omelets; a vibrant twist to salsa and chips; and so much more.
salsa verde

This Salsa Verde Recipe Beats the Jarred and Canned Stuff Hands Down

By:

Dave Joachim

Grill roast some peppers, puree them with aromatics, and boom! You have salsa verde, a.k.a. green enchilada sauce. This staple of Mexican cuisine is simple to make and extremely versatile. Make this recipe, then use it on enchiladas, carne asada tacos, or with your morning eggs.
Green chile cheeseburger

New Mexico Green Chile Salsa For The Ultimate Burger

By:

Meathead, BBQ Hall of Famer

Green chile salsa takes ordinary burgers and makes them extraordinary. Green chile cheeseburgers can be found throughout New Mexico, featuring a serious dollop of a green chile salsa and slice of melted cheese to hold it in place. Here's an amazing recipe for making a delicious multipurpose green chile salsa.
Grilled guacamole and tortilla chips

Hitting The Grill Takes Guacamole To Epic New Heights

By:

Clint Cantwell, Champion Pitmaster

Add a delicious smokiness to your favorite party dip with this recipe for grilled guacamole. Grilled avocados, limes, and onion are the key.
Cooked artichoke with breadcrumb topping

Yes, You Can Cook Artichokes On Your Grill

If you like steamed or boiled whole artichokes, try them stuffed with a simple herbed bread crumb stuffing. The secret ingredient in this stuffed artichoke recipe is "Roman mint." But any kind of mint will do. You can even cook these artichokes on your grill!
barbecue maitake steak on stone cutting board

Barbecued Maitake Steaks Will Change the Way You Think About Mushrooms

By:

Dave Joachim

Yes, you can smoke mushrooms on the grill the same way you smoke brisket. The key is a revolutionary new press-and-sear technique that creates a dense, meaty texture and satisfying browned flavor. This smoked maitake mushrooms recipe is a deeply satisfying barbecue dish—truly eye-opening for hardcore meat eaters.
grilled sweet potato fries

Grilled Sweet Potato Fries Put Some Smoke Into A Favorite Side Dish

By:

Meathead, BBQ Hall of Famer

Elevate ordinary fries by grilling them. In this easy recipe, sweet potatoes are cut into sticks and seasoned with a sweet and spicy blend of brown sugar, chipotle powder, herbs, and spices. Then they are grilled until smoky, golden brown, and crisp. Yum.
Grilled apple slices and red grapes on a bed of lettuce

No More Ordinary Salad: Grilled Apples Take Green Salads Over The Top

By:

Meathead, BBQ Hall of Famer

This Autumn green salad with grilled apples recipe is certain to be a hit at Thanksgiving or any backyard get together. Autumn is apple time, and apples are great on a salad. Grilling them just adds excitement. You can prepare this recipe well in advance and assemble it at the last minute.
Grill marks stripe the sides of cabbage wedges

How Sweet It Is: Smoky Grilled Honey Butter Cabbage

By:

Meathead, BBQ Hall of Famer

Make boring cabbage extraordinary by hitting the grill, resulting in a crisp, sweet and smoky BBQ side dish. There's something transformative about grilling vegetables and this recipe for honey roasted cabbage is no different, elevating its flavors far above its traditional boring (and odiferous) boiled cousin.
Hasselback sweet potato with maple pecan butter on a plate

Grilled Hasselback Sweet Potatoes with Maple Pecan Butter Recipe

By:

Clint Cantwell, Champion Pitmaster

If your side dishes seem a bit tired, try a new twist with grilled hasselback sweet potatoes. Sliced partially through, the sweet potatoes begin to open up like an accordion, making for a stunning presentation. A flavorful blend of butter, pecans, and maple syrup makes the dish even more impressive for guests.
Sweet potato fries with spicy honey

Insanely Addictive Sweet Potato Fries, The Grill Frying Method

By:

Clint Cantwell, Champion Pitmaster

If you’re a fan of sweet potato fries then you’ll do backflips over this grill fried recipe featuring perfectly deep fried sweet potato sticks coated with smoked honey and garnished with deep fried sage. Even better, deep frying is done on the grill, doing away with the mess and lingering odor of deep frying indoors.
Mashed sweet potatoes

Smoked Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Maple and Sriracha Will Up Your Side Dish Game

By:

Clint Cantwell, Champion Pitmaster

Sweet maple syrup and spicy sriracha make a fantastic combination in this recipe for smoked mashed sweet potatoes. Grilled until tender, the smoked mashed sweet potatoes are combined with butter for richness, maple syrup for sweetness, and just enough Sriracha to bring a touch of heat. It's sweet potato bliss!
Smoked butternut squash soup in a bowl

Decadently Delicious Smoked Butternut Squash Soup

By:

Clint Cantwell, Champion Pitmaster

Rich and creamy with a delicate kiss of smoke, this recipe for grill roasted butternut squash soup is a wonderful way to kick off any fall or winter meal. The soup features smoked butternut squash, vegetable broth, heavy cream, and a touch of maple syrup, then it is served warm with a garnish of sour cream and pepitas!
Charred carrots on a cutting board

Crunchy And Lightly Charred Carrots, Sous-Vide-Que Style

By:

Clint Cantwell, Champion Pitmaster

Grilling carrots can be a challenge but the addition of sous vide ensures that they are cooked to perfection before being grilled. A temperature controlled water bath cooks the carrots until fork tender. Once perfectly cooked, the carrots a grilled over high heat just long enough to give them a nice char and smoke.
Fire roasting brussels sprouts

Grill Roast Brussels Sprouts with Fennel and Prosciutto For Unbelievable Flavor

By:

Clint Cantwell, Champion Pitmaster

Fire roasting elevates Brussels sprouts to new heights in this recipe for grilled brussels sprouts, fennel, and prosciutto. Marinated Brussels sprouts and shaved fennel are grilled until lightly charred before being combined with the meaty goodness of prosciutto to create a side dish perfect for cookouts and holidays.
sliced fennel

How to Make Grill Roasted Fennel

By:

Dave Joachim

Grill roasted fennel makes a fantastic addition to sausage pizza. Or just serve it as a side dish. Or mix it into pasta. Do whatever you like with this easy, versatile recipe.
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grilled asparagus and scallions on a white plate

Grilled Scallions With Romesco Sauce: A Fresh Twist On Calcots

By:

Meathead, BBQ Hall of Famer

Grilled calcots, similar to green onions or scallions, with romesco sauce, are a delicious rite of spring in Spain. As calcots aren't readily available in the US, this recipe features scallions that are grilled over high heat until charred and the tops get crispy, and they are seasoned by smoke.
Green vegetable soup

Green Meanie Soup Packs A Punch of Veggies

Here’s a fun way to get your kids to eat their vegetables and help cook them! Creamy leek and cauliflower soup is good for the whole family and easy to make. The recipe is also flexible enough to include your favorite proteins like shredded chicken or bacon. To take it a step further, try smoking the cauliflower first.
Tomatoes and spinach in a couscous salad

Israeli Couscous Salad, A Fresh And Vibrant Side Dish

By:

Dave Joachim

The light and fresh flavors of this Israeli couscous salad, make it the perfect side salad recipe for any backyard cookout. Try it in place of a more traditional pasta salad at your next gathering.
caramelized onion pizza

How To Make Caramelized Onions

By:

Meathead, BBQ Hall of Famer

Here's our simple recipe for the best way to make sweet caramelized onions for pizza and other dishes.
pickled jalapeno on a cracker

Candied Pickled Jalapeños: Champion’s Cowboy Candy Recipe

By:

Meathead, BBQ Hall of Famer

Add some sweet heat to sandwiches, favorite side dishes, cornbread, and much more for this recipe for Cowboy Candy, a.k.a. candied jalapenos. This recipe is a refrigerator pickle, so all jars must be stored in the fridge. When you are done, save the syrup for us in DC Mumbo sauce, barbecue sauce, cocktails, and more.
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Plated grilled avocados with fruit salsa

Grilled Avocados with Strawberry-Mango Salsa Recipe

By:

Rick Browne, Ph.B.

Say goodbye to traditional desserts and surprise your guests with this delicious recipe for fruit salsa stuffed grilled avocados. Rich and creamy with the perfect touch of smoke, the avocados match perfectly with the sweet strawberry and mango salsa to create the perfect addition to your next backyard BBQ bash.
Slices of zucchini and chunks of mushrooms coated in sour cream

Zucchini Stroganoff, A Delicious Meatless Take On A Classic

By:

Meathead, BBQ Hall of Famer

While traditionally made with beef, this unique zucchini twist on Stroganoff is a great way to mix up your traditional weeknight dinner menu. While the recipe is meat-free, the other flavorful components of classic Stroganov remain the same including mushrooms and onions sautéd in butter with a sour cream sauce.

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Published On: 5/3/2019 Last Modified: 4/19/2021

 

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