An expert home entertainer knows that it’s the well-thought-out details that transform ordinary dinners into memorable gatherings. This grilling season, create a beautiful, flavorful palette of culinary delights on the plate to entice your guests.
Coyote will help you find the perfect complement to a classic main dish as well as help you discover grilled vegetables and fruit that make a gourmet statement. Sometimes a lighter side salad will work for a hearty main dish. For others, a baked potato or Mexican street corn with spices will add boldness to a meal.
Grilled Steak Sides
A classic steak is always a favorite option for both grilling entertainers and backyard party guests. Steak has a robust flavor profile that will spark your own inner flame and
passion for grilling. Start by learning how to grill the perfect steak and choose side pairings that are also well-loved comfort foods. Some of our favorite grilled sides for steak are:
- Baked or scalloped potatoes
- Corn on the cob, asparagus, or sweet peppers
- French fries or a grilled blooming onion
Sweet Potato and Bacon Skewers
If your guests love grilled potatoes, try these unique Sweet Potato and Bacon Skewers, that perfectly complement steak. Skewers are particularly party-friendly because your guests will have a free hand for holding drinks or mingling while they eat. Sweet potatoes are a sweeter starch, and marrying them with bacon enhances the rich flavor of your steak entree.
Grilled Salmon Sides
If your guests prefer salmon, let your sides complement its buttery flavor. If you’ve always wanted to serve salmon as your main dish but aren’t sure how to make it party-perfect,
check out our blog on how to grill salmon first. Once you’ve got your technique down, it’s time for you to consider your side dishes.
Because salmon’s texture is light, slightly heavier sides, like herbed potatoes or pasta Aglio e olio, work well. Conversely, you might want to play up your fish’s flavor and choose something with a citrus or lemon profile. Some other top salmon sides are:
- Rice, quinoa, or any of your favorite starches
- Cauliflower, asparagus, corn, or other tender juicy vegetables
- Salads like grilled wedges or a grilled lemon and kale salad
- Fruit chutneys and grilled pineapple
Grilled Pineapple
Consider this recipe for grilled pineapple for a side dish that is unique as well as delicious when paired with salmon. Pineapple is an acidic, summery fruit and a flavor that truly
shines when grilled. Its juicy, super-sweetness balances the taste of the salmon. We recommend using a pellet or gas grill to give your pineapple a charred look to match the
grilled flavor. Parties are supposed to be fun, so branch out with a side as creative as grilled pineapple!
Sides for Grilled Chicken
Grilled chicken is another healthy and delicious option for your main dish. The flavors you choose for seasonings and marinades you use on your chicken inspire your choice of a
side dish. If you’re looking for tips to grill chicken, check out Coyote Outdoor Living’s tips on How to Grill Chicken. For example, if you go with a spicier grilled chicken, you might opt for a simpler side like a light salad. However, if you are grilling your chicken with more traditional herbs and seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic, or onion powder, you might want to try a more flavor-packed side like pasta with pesto sauce. Removing the fat and serving grilled chicken breast and choosing brown rice and grilled vegetables make for an extremely healthy meal. Some other great accompaniments for chicken are:
- Grilled broccoli, peppers, or any rich, green vegetable
- Summer salads with grilled watermelon or strawberries
- Quinoa salad with grilled feta, tomatoes, and red onion
- Baked potatoes or a grilled potato salad
Grilled Southwestern Potato Salad
Try this Grilled Southwestern Potato Salad recipe for a heartier grilled chicken side. Giving your potato salad a Southwestern flare is a fun way to spice up an old-school side
dish. Potato salad is great for parties because it’s easy to make a large batch which will satisfy many guests. This side is flavor-packed and balances the chicken by offering
some southern-style heartiness.
Sides for Any Occasion
If you’re skipping the main dish for your backyard party and serving up small dishes buffet-style, have them make a statement! These sides are stand-alone stars that do not
need to be paired with anything else. Impress partygoers by mixing and matching some classic American party foods like chips and dips with more unique sides such as grilled
watermelon. All the side dishes below can be prepared on any Coyote cooking product and are sure to be crowd-pleasers.
- Buffalo chicken dip and grilled pita
- Grilled vegetable trays served with hummus
- Kebabs or bacon and scallop skewers
- Grilled gyoza with a soy dipping sauce
Stuffed Portobellos on the Grill
For a satisfying and flavorful entree for your vegetarian friends, try this recipe for Grilled Stuffed Portobellos. You can easily make this recipe your own by infusing, mixing up, or adding new seasonings and flavors. Grilled stuffed portobellos are an excellent dish to cook on your Coyote Outdoor Living Pellet Grill. Your guests will enjoy these delightful mushroom treats that are as easy to grab and as flavorful as hamburgers.
Smoky Glazed Asparagus
If your guests are grazing on side dishes at your backyard party, include this recipe for Smoky Glazed Asparagus so that they have a savory, healthy vegetable option. Grilling asparagus with this smoky glaze gives it even more flavor. This dish is versatile enough for you to add the flavors that reflect your fire inside for grilling. Cooking this dish on your Coyote Outdoor Living Flat Top Grill ensures no pieces are lost through the grates while grilling. Trust us; you’ll want as much of this asparagus dish on your plate as possible!
These grilled sides are not only ideal for large parties, but they can also be the perfect accompaniment to any family dinner. Follow us on Instagram or bookmark our blog for more regularly shared recipes.
