There’s a certain cast of characters that you can expect to see at every summer barbecue. You know the ones: corn on the cob, potato salad, baked beans, coleslaw… Those classic side dishes make frequent appearances for good reason – they’re tried and true and they’re delicious. But, variety is the spice of life, right? It’s nice to shake things up and taste something new alongside your ribs or grilled chicken. That’s why we’ve got 12 kicked up barbecue side dish recipes for you! These recipes all offer a twist on a classic: an unexpected ingredient, some added spice, a unique cooking method. They’re our favorites because they take the traditional and turn it up. Give them a try and you’ll be the star of the next summer party!

Jalapeño Popper Macaroni Salad

Everyone loves macaroni salad, but the subtle spice of jalapenos makes this one a home run. Creamy as can be with a little bit of crunch, we don’t know if you’ll go back to the original. Click here for the spicy recipe!

Sweet Corn Spoon Bread

>

Throughout the country, cornbread is a staple alongside barbecue because it provides a subtly sweet contrast to the star of the show (grilled meat!) but Sweet Corn Spoon Bread might steal the limelight itself. More moist and sweet than cornbread, it’s something you have to try at least once. Get the simple recipe here!

Root Beer Baked Beans

Baked beans are well loved because they are pretty much an expert example of how delicious the combination of sweet and savory flavors can be. But doctor them up by adding a few extra special ingredients… and you won’t believe how great they can be. Check out the recipe to see what we add.

Get the full recipe here!

Loaded Up Broccoli Salad

Broccoli salad is a virtuous summer party mainstay. Packed with nutrients and fiber, it also manages to taste totally wonderful. We’ve added one little fruit for a kick of sweetness that makes this recipe our new mainstay. It’ll be yours too!

Click here for the recipe!

Crispy Ranch Mac and Cheese

Mac and Cheese is one of our greatest loves, which means we also love experimenting with it. This version has an added tang that you never knew was missing. We can’t get enough! Get the tasty recipe here!

Thai Peanut Coleslaw

Crunchy cabbage? Check. Creamy dressing? Check. This easy coleslaw has a few original components we all know and love… with a completely different flavor. Give it a try! Get the fun recipe here!

Loaded Baked Potato Salad

<

This isn’t your grandma’s potato salad. Packed with crunchy bacon and a few other things you didn’t know you couldn’t live without, it’s bound to be your new go-to recipe. Click here for the recipe!

Creamy Macaroni Coleslaw Salad

Creamy coleslaw and irresistible macaroni salad. How do you improve two absolute classics? Mix ’em together! With a few other key ingredients, this hybrid salad is a smashing success.

Get the recipe here!

Cowboy Cornbread Trifle

Ooohhh boy, where do we even start with this one? Take a little cornbread and layer it with tons of beloved ingredients… and you’ve got a total winner. This Cowboy Trifle is aboslutely PACKED with flavor. Click here for the full recipe!

Milk and Honey Corn

We love a simple grilled ear of corn, we do. But this creamy, buttery, sweet coating gives corn on the cob an incredibly tasty makeover. Click on through to see how it’s done. Get the sweet recipe here!

Shout Hallelujah Potato Salad

This breathtaking recipe takes the humble potato salad and adds over a dozen tasty ingredients. That may be a long list, but we promise it’s so worth it – the flavor will make you shout hallelujah! You’ve never tasted potato salad like this before. Click here for the recipe!

Mexican Corn Coleslaw

We might have saved the best for last! This recipe uses a basic bag of coleslaw, but builds on it with layers of incredible flavor. Sweet, spicy, and SO tasty, this coleslaw is the stuff dreams are made of… and in all of ten minutes you can have it on the table! Get the quick recipe here.