40 Sides for Hot Dogs to Serve at a Summer Cookout
Poor hot dogs. They wait for their big moment on the grill all summer long, from the Memorial Day cookout to the July 4th potluck to the Labor Day picnic. So why do we always repay their loyalty with broken potato chips and watermelon wedges? This year, we’re making it up to ’em with 40 sides for hot dogs to whip up for every al fresco dinner of the season. We’re talking cauliflower potato salad, jalapeño mac and cheese and everything in between. (And in case you’re wondering which hot dog brands are actually worth buying, we ranked ’em.)
10 Hot Dog Toppings That Aren’t Ketchup and Mustard
1. Classic Macaroni Salad
Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 25 minutes (plus chilling time)
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, beginner-friendly
You can't go wrong with this picnic must-have, which is equal parts tangy, crunchy and comforting. Macaroni salad is easy enough to prepare right before a picnic, but it'll actually taste better if you make it a day ahead.
2. Ranch Potato Salad
Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, vegetarian
You love dipping fries in ranch dressing, so it's no surprise that it's a drool-worthy pairing for tender boiled potatoes. Better yet, this homemade version boasts tangy buttermilk, zingy vinegar and four types of fresh herbs, so the bottled stuff doesn't come close.
3. Sweet Chili Peach Napa Slaw
Deborah Whitlaw Llewellyn/Egg Rolls & Sweet Tea
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, make ahead, no cook
Try this ten-minute slaw once and you'll never lean on the store-bought kind again. The napa cabbage soaks up the duck sauce-inspired dressing like a charm, so every bite is bursting with sweet-and-spicy summer flavor.
4. Latke-Style Smashed Potatoes with Dilly Crème Fraîche
Alana Kysar/Dinner Party Project
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 25 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, special occasion-worthy
Tangy crème fraîche may sound too fancy a pairing, but it's actually a stellar foil for sweet, smoky hot dogs. It's loaded with dill, chives and horseradish for an herbaceous, slightly spicy spin.
5. Spicy, Crunchy Sesame Cucumber Salad
Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, <10 ingredients, vegan
This crisp, refreshing salad is inspired by pai huang gua, a Chinese dish made with cukes, rice vinegar, chili oil and soy sauce. Slice them thinly using a vegetable peeler or mandoline for an Insta-worthy presentation.
6. Corn Fritter Caprese with Peaches and Tomatoes
Photo: Mark Weinberg/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, special occasion-worthy
Corn and peaches are two of summer’s sweetest gifts, so it only makes sense to combine them into one BBQ-friendly side. Substitute fresh mozz for burrata for a creamier take, or crown it with strips of frizzled prosciutto.
7. Roasted Mediterranean Vegetables
Karen Tedesco/Family Style
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: vegan, crowd-pleaser, one pan
Pick and choose your favorite veggies for this one—whatever looks best at the farmers market (or whatever your kids will actually eat). We're partial to tomatoes, bell peppers and eggplant.
8. Zesty Chargrilled Broccolini
Simon Pask/The Happy Balance
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegan
If the grill is already hot, why not cook the entire meal on it? This side takes ten minutes to prepare, so the broccolini will be ready just as the hot dogs are sizzling.
9. Corn and Tomato Salad with Feta and Lime
Photo: Tyler Mauk/Styling: Anne Mauk
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, <30 minutes
Corn on the cob is delicious and all, but sometimes we don’t want to deal with butter and salt dribbling down our chin (or corn kernels stuck in our teeth). This summer salad is for those times.
10. Summer Millet Salad
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, make ahead
Lettuce need not apply. The best part about a grain salad like this one is that it can be made ahead—we’d argue it tastes better that way.
11. Avocado and Black Bean Pasta Salad
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian, crowd-pleaser
Buttery avocado, spiced black beans, al dente pasta. What more could you ask for? Add minced jalapeños for heat or crumbled cotija for creaminess.
12. Minty-Fresh Zucchini Salad with Marinated Feta
Aubrie Pick/Kitchen Remix
Time Commitment: 15 minutes (plus marinating time)
Why We Love It: no cook, make ahead, vegetarian
Summer is undoubtedly zucchini season, but we quickly get tired of sautéed coins. Enter this cold, crunchy salad, which will class up any hot dog dinner.
13. Cold Soba Noodle Salad with Strawberries
Gentl and Hyers/Open Kitchen
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: vegan, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
Putting strawberries in a savory noodle side dish sounds like a wild idea, but it totally works. Their tart-sweet flavor complements the salty miso dressing just right.
14. Pearl Couscous with Chickpeas, Eggplant and Peaches
Eleisa Johnson/The Peach Truck Cookbook
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegan, special occasion-worthy, make ahead
Honestly, we’ll use any excuse to eat peaches while they’re in season. This dish is great cold, warm or at room temperature, plus you can prepare it up to one day ahead so there's one less task on your to-do list the day of the barbecue.
15. 20-Minute Burrata Salad with Stone Fruit and Asparagus
Photo: Jon Cospito/Styling: Heath Goldman
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian
You had us at “burrata” and again at “stone fruit.” Try to use the ripest peaches, plums and cherries you can get your hands on (bonus points for buying them at the local farmers market).
16. Grilled Watermelon-Feta Skewers
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
Tomato and fresh mozzarella? We don’t know them. The watermelon holds up great against the tangy cheese, and don’t even get us started on those smoky char marks.
17. Chilled Cucumber Salad
Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 35 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, vegan, crowd-pleaser
Even picky kids won’t mind cooling off with a bowl on a blazing hot day. And with only five ingredients, it’s as easy to make as, well, a hot dog. Did we mention it pairs wonderfully with pinot grigio?
18. Cauliflower ‘Potato’ Salad
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, vegetarian
Cauliflower stars in this light take on a summer staple. We traded mayo for Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard and sour cream, plus added a bunch of crunchy surprises like celery, scallions and cornichons.
19. Rainbow Vegetable Skewers
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 55 minutes
Why We Love It: vegan, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
We’re big fans of skewer season. You will be too, once you taste these fresh off the grill. Each skewer has a different veggie, so you won’t have to worry about the smaller ingredients cooking faster than the rest. Color Roy G. Biv impressed.
20. Slow Cooker Baked Beans
Photo: Eric Moran/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 6 hours and 10 minutes
Why We Love It: one pot, slow cooker recipe, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
One cookout essential, coming right up. A pound of navy beans turns soft, savory and sweet after six hours in the Crockpot. It wouldn’t be a BBQ without them.
21. Grilled Corn with Spicy Aioli
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
Make some space on the grill, husk a few cobs and whip up a delectable spicy mayo you’ll want to slather on everything. Those hot dogs are in good company, promise.
22. BLT Pasta Salad
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, <10 ingredients
Here’s a side even salad haters can get behind. That’s what happens when you dress tomato, romaine and avocado up with crispy black pepper bacon and mayo-mustard dressing. You won’t miss the bread, friend.
23. Zucchini Caprese Salad
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegetarian
The combo of mozzarella, tomato, basil and balsamic vinaigrette is traditional for a reason. Assemble it atop grilled zucchini with a sprinkle of salt and pepper, and you’ve got an app for the books.
24. Loaded Baked Potato Chips
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, one pan
Mashed, roasted, fried: We’ll take taters however they come. But this ingenious starter is at the top of our list because it gives us all the fixings—bacon! cheddar! sour cream!—while still leaving room for everything else on the table.
25. Light and Tangy Coleslaw
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, make ahead, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian
No cookout is complete without a batch. Shred your own cabbage and carrot, or save time by using a pre-shredded mix. Then, substitute mayo for rice vinegar, Dijon mustard and Greek yogurt.
26. Roasted Cauliflower Sliders
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 50 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, vegetarian
For us, hot dogs are usually an appetizer for our cheeseburger. Save more room for dessert (and cocktails) by trading beef and cheese for golden-brown cauliflower steaks, sandwiched between layers of spicy yogurt and your favorite hummus.
27. Jalapeño-Avocado Mac and Cheese
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, one pot
She’s spicy. She’s buttery. She’s super cheesy. What’s not to love about pretty gemelli pasta, swimming in ooey-gooey white cheddar sauce? That’s right, nothing.
28. Portobello and Avocado Quesadillas with Magic Green Sauce
David Frenkiel/Little Green Kitchen
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, make ahead, kid-friendly
Is there a better way to get your daily veggies? We think not. These are filled with mushrooms, black beans, avocado, cheddar cheese and Greek yogurt. Just wait until you taste the citrusy sauce, which is rich with herbs, capers and lime juice.
29. Zucchini “Fries”
Photo: Eric Moran/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
Fries are a no-brainer, but these have a twist. Not only do we use zucchini in place of potatoes, but we also skip messy frying and cook them in the oven instead. The kids may turn up their noses at first, but it’ll only take one bite to convert them.
30. Chopped Italian Salad Pizza
Photo: Erin McDowell/Styling: Liz Andrew
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser. vegetarian, beginner-friendly
How do we like our greens, you ask? On golden-brown pizza crust, of course. It’s thin and crispy, so you can double-fist a hot dog and a slice without getting too full. We’ll take extra pepperoncini, please.
31. Zucchini Salad with Lemon and Parmesan
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, <10 ingredients, vegetarian, <30 minutes
Three words: No. Cooking. Required. This beauty comes together in minutes, and all you need is a peeler (because zucchini just tastes better in ribbons), fresh herbs and a few pantry staples. Don’t skimp on the Parm.
32. Salami, Artichoke and Ricotta Pasta Salad
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
Red sauce wasn’t invited to the picnic. Instead, we’re bringing bowties with briny artichoke hearts, salami, dollops of ricotta and a ridiculously simple mustard vinaigrette.
33. One-Ingredient Watermelon Sorbet
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 4 hours (includes freezing time)
Why We Love It: vegan, <10 ingredients, make ahead, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
We’re picturing you in the pool with a hot dog in one hand and a cup of this in the other. It’s so sweet and refreshing that no one will guess it’s just straight-up watermelon. We won’t tell if you let it melt and drink it with a straw...or spike it with vodka.
34. Crunchy Ramen Noodle Salad
Gimme Some Oven
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, <30 minutes, beginner-friendly
Liven up your picnic spread with a sweet, tangy and crispy salad doused in a simple sesame vinaigrette. You won't need to boil water to prepare the ramen noodles; simply toast them in the oven until golden and crispy.
35. Peach, Tomato, Corn and Arugula Pasta Salad
Ambitious Kitchen
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian, special occasion-worthy
Juicy stone fruit, zippy tomatoes and peppery arugula will make this inspired vegetarian pasta salad a hit at your next summer potluck. Sub nectarines or plums for peaches if you'd prefer.
36. Caesar Pasta Salad
Robert Bredvad/The Secret Ingredient Cookbook
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <30 minutes, beginner-friendly
The dressing uses buttery, creamy avocado in place of traditional egg yolks. Make a second batch for dipping vegetables, pita bread and pretzels in before the grilled dogs hit the table.
37. Caramelized Kimchi Baked Potatoes
Jenny Huang/Korean American
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, kid-friendly
Sugar, sesame oil and a hot pan curb the intense zing of kimchi, turning it fragrant and slightly sweet. Even picky eaters may enjoy this savory, inventive take on baked spuds.
38. Celery Salad with Walnuts and Pecorino
Nicole Franzen/To The Last Bite
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, special occasion-worthy, <30 minutes
This simple side proves that celery deserves a spot in the limelight. Once the walnuts are toasted, most of your work is done—the rest is all assembly.
39. Kale and Brussels Sprout Caesar Slaw
Ana Cuba/The Modern Cook's Year
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian, crowd-pleaser, no cook
Thanks to sunflower seeds and blanched almonds, the dressing is totally vegan. Feel free to skip the blue cheese if you want the dish to be dairy-free to boot.
40. Cauliflower “Tater” Tots
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
Trust us: Your kids will have no idea that these tots are totally devoid of potatoes. Cauliflower rice and gooey cheddar cheese will keep them happy nonetheless.
45 Pasta Recipes to Bring to Every Picnic and Potluck This Summer
Taryn Pire is PureWow’s associate food editor. A former bartender and barista, she’s been writing about all things delicious since 2016, developing recipes, reviewing restaurants and investigating food trends at Food52, New Jersey Family Magazine and Taste Talks. When she isn’t testing TikTok’s latest viral recipe, she’s having popcorn for dinner and posting about it on Instagram @cookingwithpire.
Katherine Gillen is PureWow’s senior food editor. She’s a writer, recipe developer and food stylist with a degree in culinary arts and professional experience in New York City restaurants. She used to sling sugary desserts in a pastry kitchen, but now she’s an avid home cook and fanatic baker.
