If you’re like us, Labor Day means inviting a bunch of friends over and spending an afternoon laboring over the grill. So, as you round up enough charcoal to grill a woolly mammoth, we want to remind you that whether you’re an avid carnivore or a vehement vegetarian, there are lots of delicious veggie side dishes to savor at your next cookout. Here are some of our favorites:
Grilled Zucchini Caprese
Why we love it: This recipe manages to elevate the humble zucchini while also redefining a classic summer salad. It’s a great way to use your grill, put your zucchinis to delicious use, and savor any heirloom tomatoes and basil that you have around. If you’re looking for a healthy, delicious, and approachable side dish, stop reading now and fire up the grill!
Difficulty: Easy
Corn Salad
Why we love it: It’s no secret that grilled corn with a few choice spices is an easy crowd pleaser, and this recipe will not disappoint. We encourage you to experiment with your favorite spices on this one. We’d recommend cumin, smoked paprika, and chipotle chile powder!
Difficulty: Very Easy
Grilled Cabbage with Tangy Lime Dressing
Why we love it: Cabbage is one of those vegetables that is often overlooked or dismissed as too fibrous or funky. We love this veggie side dish because of how it flips this stereotype on its head. The heat of the grill mellows out the cabbage flavor and gets it deliciously crisp on the edges. The tangy, bold dressing provides wonderful contrast and will have you grilling heads of cabbage all summer long.
Difficulty: Medium
Chilled Cucumber Noodle Salad with Sesame Seeds
Why we love it: Cucumbers are such a straightforward vegetable that sometimes we find ourselves taking them for granted or even forgetting that we’ve got a stray one rolling around in our crisper drawer. Veggie side dishes like this one rescue the humble cucumber from being forgotten and let its cooling flavor and crunchy texture shine. It’s also a great way to let your friends know that, yes, you own a veggie spiralizer and you know how to use it. This salad is the perfect contrast to whatever bold dish you pull off the grill.
Difficulty: Medium
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The recipe for Grilled Cabbage seems to be missing!?
Thanks a ton for letting us know that link was missing, Miriam! We’ve gotten that fixed now, hope you enjoy the recipe!