5 Superior Cookout Side Dishes

You have just a couple of days to figure out what side to bring to your July 4th cookout! Skip the store-bought potato salad and check out these superior side dishes.

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Asian Coleslaw

Your friends and family will be raving about this amazingly easy Asian-inspired coleslaw dish! 

Ingredients :

• 1 (16 oz) package coleslaw mix

• 5 green onions, thinly sliced

• 1 (3 oz) package chicken-flavored ramen noodles, broken up

• ½ cup slivered almonds, toasted

• ½ cup shelled sunflower seeds

• ½ cup oil

• ⅓ cup vinegar

• 1 tablespoon sugar

• ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper

• Sliced green onion (optional)

Directions : 

1. Combine coleslaw mix, green onions, ramen noodles (set aside seasoning packet for the dressing), almonds, and sunflower nuts in a salad bowl. Chill, covered, until serving time, up to 1 hour.

2. For the dressing: In a screw-top jar, combine oil, vinegar, sugar, pepper, and seasoning from the package of noodles. Cover and shake. Chill until serving time.

3. Before serving, shake dressing; pour over salad, and toss to coat. If you like, garnish the salad with additional sliced green onion.

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Smoked Jalapeno Mac and Cheese

This recipe is more of a commitment than most, but it’s DEFINITELY worth it! This recipe is perfect to make up for all the calories spent in the pool this weekend!

Ingredients: 

• 1 - 16 oz box macaroni noodles

• 1 lb bacon 

• 1 jalapeno 

• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

• 1 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese

• ¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese

• 4 tbsp butter 

• 4 tbsp all-purpose flour

• 1 cup milk 

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream

• Salt and pepper to taste 

• Recommended wood chips: Apple 

Directions: 

1. Preheat smoker to 350 degrees 

2. Boil noodles in a large pot, drain, and set aside

3. Dice and brown the bacon and set aside

4. In the same large pot, on medium heat, melt the butter then stir in flour. Add salt and pepper to taste. 

5. Keep whisking to keep the roux from clumping. Whisk in milk, when combined with the roux, whisk in heavy whipping cream

6. Keep whisking and adding cheese one at a time as they start to melt completely. 

7. Remove from heat and add bacon, jalapenos, and noodles and stir. 

8. Put the mac and cheese in a 9x13 tray and smoke for 45 minutes. 

9. Enjoy! 

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Bacon-Wrapped Little Smokies

A crowd favorite. These brown sugar and bacon-coated mini weenies are the perfect appetizers for the weekend!

Ingredients: 

• 1 pound bacon  

• 1 (16 ounces) package little smokie sausages

• 1 cup brown sugar, or to taste

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees 

2. Cut bacon into thirds and wrap each strip around a little sausage. Place the wrapped sausages on wooden skewers, several to a skewer. Arrange the skewers on a baking sheet and sprinkle them liberally with brown sugar.

3. Bake until bacon is crisp and the brown sugar melted.

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Strawberry Pretzel Dessert 

Ingredients : 

• 2 cups crushed pretzels (about 8 ounces)

• 3/4 cup butter, melted

• 3 tablespoons sugar

Filling:

• 2 cups whipped topping

• 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened

• 1 cup sugar

Topping:

• 2 packages (3 oz) strawberry gelatin

• 2 cups boiling water

• 2 packages (16 oz) frozen sweetened sliced strawberries, thawed

• Optional: Additional whipped topping and pretzels

Directions: 

1. In a bowl, combine the pretzels, butter, and sugar. Press into an ungreased 13x9-in. baking dish. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

2. For the filling, in a small bowl, beat whipped topping, cream cheese, and sugar until smooth. Spread over the pretzel crust. Refrigerate until chilled.

3. For the topping, dissolve gelatin in boiling water in a large bowl. Stir in sweetened strawberries; chill until partially set. Carefully spoon over the filling. Chill until firm, 4-6 hours. Cut into squares; if desired, serve with additional whipped topping and pretzel.

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Corn Casserole 

Truly a Hoosier dish. This corn casserole is a favorite of my family and is one of the first things gone at our cookouts!

Ingredients:

• 1 can of corn, drained

• 1 can of creamed corn

• 1 cup of sour cream

• 1 stick of melted butter (1/2 cup)

• 1 box of Jiffy Corn Muffin mix

Directions: 

1. Throw all of those ingredients in a bowl and mix them up.

2. Transfer the mixture to a greased 8×8 baking pan and bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes. (The exact baking time will depend on the exact size pan you use, so just be sure to watch the casserole closely.) 

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What is your go-to side dish for holiday weekend cookouts? Did your favorite make the list? Let us know in the comments!