What Goes Well with Barbecue?

The best pairing for barbecue is something fresh and tangy that balances its smoky, oily flavor: grilled vegetables, a leafy salad and a tangy sauce complete the table.

Since grilled meat is usually heavily seasoned and oily, the side dishes should both add freshness and lighten the grill's overall richness.

Which type of meat is on the grill also shapes the pairing somewhat; lamb is fattier and calls for a tangier side, while leaner meats like chicken can take a slightly richer sauce.

Grilled vegetable pairings

Peppers, eggplant and zucchini can be grilled alongside the meat, giving the barbecue a natural garnish. Grilled tomato also sweetens slightly and adds a tangy balance next to the meat.

Salads and tangy sauces

A simple leafy salad lightens the grill's oily texture; a pomegranate-molasses or lemon-based sauce serves a similar purpose. An onion salad is also a classic side for grilled meat.

How can raw and cooked meat be handled safely together?

The plate and tongs used for raw meat should never be shared with cooked meat; doing so creates a real risk of food poisoning through cross-contamination. Using a separate plate and separate tongs for cooked meat largely eliminates this risk.

Bread and grain pairings

Lavash or flatbread is a practical way to soak up the meat's juices and sauce. Bulgur pilaf is also a filling addition alongside the grill.

How does marinated meat change the barbecue table?

Meat marinated in vinegar, lemon or yogurt already carries some acidity by the time it hits the grill, so a more neutral salad may suit it better than adding another tangy sauce. Plain, unmarinated meat, on the other hand, benefits more clearly from a tangy sauce or a squeeze of lemon.

Leftover marinade that touched raw meat should never be poured over the cooked meat afterward — that's another cross-contamination risk to watch for.

What dessert suits a barbecue table?

A light, refreshing dessert is usually preferred at the end of a barbecue meal; grilled fruit or a simple fruit plate doesn't overwhelm the palate after a heavy grilled meal. Rich, creamy or chocolate desserts can feel like too much on an already full table.

Juicy fruits like watermelon are a classic way to close out a summer barbecue, offering a practical way to lighten the meal's overall richness.

Charcoal or gas grill?

Charcoal grilling gives meat a more pronounced smoky flavor, in which case keeping the side dishes light and simple lets that flavor stand out. Meat cooked on a gas grill has a more neutral taste, so a slightly bolder sauce alongside it may work better.

Whichever method is chosen, thoroughly preheating the grill helps sear the outside of the meat properly and cook the inside safely. Meat grilled on an uncleaned grate can pick up an unwanted taste from burnt residue left by the previous use.