BBQ Sides Even Dad Would Approve Of

BBQ Sides Even Dad Would Approve Of

Let him be the grill master. You bring the sides.

There’s a certain type of dad who treats the BBQ like a sacred calling.

You know the one.

He’s been standing over the grill for three hours, wearing an apron that says something questionable, holding tongs he keeps clicking for no reason. He refers to hamburgers as “patties,” takes temperatures very seriously, and suddenly becomes unavailable for all household tasks because he’s “monitoring the grill.”

As a food company owner—and a wife who has witnessed many a backyard BBQ performance—I’ve learned something important:

Dad may be the grill master, but the sides are what turn a BBQ into a meal.

Because while perfectly grilled burgers, steaks, chicken, or sausages are wonderful, nobody remembers the BBQ where the only thing on the plate was meat.

The best BBQ spreads have fresh salads, warm breads, cheesy dishes, crunchy vegetables, and a few recipes people keep sneaking back for when nobody’s looking.

So if Dad has the grill covered, here are eight easy BBQ side dishes that will earn you your own standing ovation.

Before we get to the sides, a quick mention of two local favourites that make BBQ season even better. When it comes to quality meat, I’m a big fan of Sanagan's Meat Locker. Their commitment to quality and sourcing has made them a trusted name for everything from burgers and steaks to sausages and brisket. And for seasonings, I always keep a few blends from Lex's Pantry on hand. Their all-natural spice blends make it easy to add big flavour without a cupboard full of ingredients. Great meat and great seasoning do half the work before the grill is even fired up.

 

 

1. Pull-Apart Garlic Cheese Biscuit Bread

This is one of my favourite ways to use our Lazy Daisy Bake-at-Home Buttermilk Biscuits.

Now, our biscuits are absolutely delicious all on their own. They bake up golden, fluffy, and buttery in less than 30 minutes in the oven or air fryer. They're made with real Canadian butter, contain no artificial colours or flavours, and come in six incredible flavours.

But they also happen to be recipe superheroes.

You'll Need:

  1. Cut each frozen biscuit into quarters.
  2. Toss with melted butter, garlic, and cheese.
  3. Place in a greased baking dish.
  4. Top with any remaining butter/garlic/cheese mixture.
  5. Bake according to package directions until golden.
  6. Sprinkle with parsley and serve warm.

The result is a gooey, cheesy, pull-apart biscuit “bread” that disappears faster than Dad can explain his grilling technique.

2. Creamy Dill Potato Salad

Every BBQ needs a potato salad. It's practically the law.

You'll Need:

  • 2 lbs baby potatoes
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • 2 tbsp fresh dill
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • Salt and pepper
  • Directions:
  1. Boil potatoes until fork-tender.
  2. Let cool slightly and cut into halves.
  3. Mix remaining ingredients.
  4. Toss together and chill.

It's creamy, tangy, and somehow always tastes even better the next day.

3. Grilled Corn with Spiced Herb Butter

Corn and BBQ belong together like dads and unsolicited grilling advice. This recipe is a classic but the twist here is adding a flavoured spice mix to your butter, taking your cobs to flavour town (think souvlaki or butter masala corn!!). 

You'll Need:

  • 6 ears corn
  • 4 tbsp softened butter
  • 1 tbsp chopped parsley
  • 1 tsp chives
  • 1 tsp of your favourite spice mix. I recommend one of Lex’s Pantry vegetable/vegan spice blends
  • Salt (omit if the spice mix has salt in it)

Directions:

Mix butter, herbs spices and salt (if using).

Grill corn until lightly charred.

Brush generously with spiced herb butter.

A flavourful kick to a BBQ side staple! Simple. Classic. Impossible to stop eating.

 

4. Savory Peach & Cucumber Salad

This feels like summer in a bowl.

You'll Need:

  • 3 ripe peaches, sliced
  • 1 cucumber, sliced
  • ¼ red onion, thinly sliced
  • Fresh basil
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp white balsamic or apple cider vinegar
  • Salt and pepper

Directions:

  1. Combine peaches, cucumber, onion, and basil.
  2. Drizzle with olive oil and vinegar.
  3. Season with salt and pepper.

The sweetness of the peaches works beautifully with smoky BBQ flavours.

5. Loaded Biscuit Sliders

This is another fun way to use our Lazy Daisy Bake-at-Home Buttermilk Biscuits and an even better way for Dad to show-off his grilled meats (and you just know how much Dad loves that!). Instead of serving regular buns, bake the biscuits and turn them into mini BBQ sliders.

You'll Need:

  • 1 package baked Lazy Daisy Buttermilk Biscuits
  • Pulled pork, brisket, or shredded grilled chicken.
  • Coleslaw
  • BBQ sauce

Directions:

  1. Bake biscuits according to package directions.
  2. Slice in half.
  3. Fill with your favourite BBQ meat.
  4. Top with coleslaw and a drizzle of sauce.

These are technically a side dish, but don't be surprised if people build an entire meal around them.

And honestly? I support that decision.

By the way, I always get my meats from Sanagan’s Meat Locker for guaranteed freshness sourced from local Ontario farms. Psst…they also have a nice selection of sauces, pre-made sides, pickles and preserves! 

6. Warm Green Bean & Toasted Almond Salad

A little more elevated, but still easy and a definite crowd pleaser.

You'll Need:

  • 1 lb green beans
  • ⅓ cup sliced almonds, toasted
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • Salt and pepper

Directions:

  1. Blanch green beans for 3–4 minutes.
  2. Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon, salt, and pepper.
  3. Toss with green beans and almonds.

Fresh, crunchy, and perfect alongside grilled steak or chicken.

7. Crunchy Broccoli Apple Slaw

This one adds colour, crunch, and a little freshness to balance all that glorious BBQ.

You'll Need:

  • 4 cups broccoli slaw
  • 1 apple, diced
  • ¼ cup dried cranberries
  • ¼ cup sunflower seeds
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

Directions:

  1. Combine slaw, apple, cranberries, and seeds.
  2. Mix mayonnaise and vinegar.
  3. Toss together and chill.

It's crisp, slightly sweet, and surprisingly addictive.

8. Cucumber & Tomato Summer Salad

Sometimes the simplest dishes are the best.

You'll Need:

  • 2 cucumbers, sliced
  • 3 tomatoes, chopped
  • ¼ red onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • Salt and pepper

Directions:

  1. Combine vegetables.
  2. Drizzle with oil and vinegar.
  3. Season to taste.

That's it.

No complicated ingredients. No special equipment. Just fresh summer goodness.

Why I Always Keep Lazy Daisy Biscuits in the Freezer

As much as I love cooking from scratch, there are days when I need a little help. Though Dad is often the grill master, let’s be honest, he usually has a side-kick (aka Mom) who preps all the sides, seasons the meats and makes sure that the BBQ actually goes according to plan. On those days, we could all use a little extra help. 

What I love most about Lazy Daisy Biscuits (aside from their all-natural goodness!) is the convenience. They go straight from freezer to oven or air fryer and are ready in 30 minutes or less, making them perfect for last-minute guests, busy weeknights, cottage weekends, and backyard BBQs. We make them with real ingredients you'd recognize from your own kitchen, and they're available in six incredible flavours, so there's always one that pairs perfectly with whatever's coming off the grill.

I also love how versatile they are. Of course they're delicious served warm with butter, but they're equally at home transformed into cheesy pull-apart bread, mini sliders, breakfast sandwiches, or creative appetizers for entertaining.

Need more side ideas? Check out our Summertime Eats blog!

Lazy Daisy Foods’ Award Winning Bake-at-Home Buttermilk Biscuits are available online, at retailers across Ontario, and at Whole Foods locations in Vancouver. Made with real Canadian butter, all-natural ingredients, and no artificial colours or flavours. They go frozen to fabulous in 30 minutes or less and are ready to make your next BBQ just a little bit easier and so much tastier!  

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