Love BBQ but watching your carbs? You’re in luck! Barbecue itself is naturally low-carb, focusing on delicious meats. The problem? Traditional sides like pasta salad and buns can send your carb count soaring.
Fear not, fellow grill masters! Here are 14 amazing low-carb BBQ sides that are flavorful, keeping your meal balanced and delicious.
Ditch the guilt, not the taste! Everything from refreshing salads to smoky veggies ensures your next BBQ is a carb-conscious delight.
Are you craving some smoky goodness? Check out our bonus section for a few healthy grilling and smoking recipes to complement your perfectly grilled meats!
So don’t worry, you won’t be sacrificing taste! I picked the bloody best-tasting recipes!
Smoked Broccoli
Broccoli is another delicious vegetable that needs a spice rub and time in the smoker to become a delicious side dish.
Smoked Cauliflower
Recipe: Smoked Caulfilower
Smoked Zucchini With Feta and Olives
Smoking your zucchini is a quick and easy way to add flavor and whip up an easy side!
Recipe: Smoked Zucchini
Smoked Carrots in Brown Butter
Take the humble carrots and smoke it! You won’t believe how carrots are smoked! All you need is some butter and seasoning, and you will have an epic side!
Recipe: Smoked Carrots
Prosciutto Wrapped Smoked Brie
Recipe: Prosciutto-Wrapped Smoked Brie
Grilled Onions with Pesto
Smoky, delicious grilled onions are easy to make and topped with fresh pesto! They’re a healthy side dish perfect for your summer barbecue. Thread the onion slices onto wooden skewers; they’ll never fall through the grates!
Veggie Skewers
Veggie Skewers featuring zucchini, red onion, and bell peppers are expertly grilled until just right, enhanced with a drizzle of tangy balsamic vinegar, and brushed with fresh garlic herb sauce.
Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Bacon-fried cabbage is a side dish that always disappears fast at a barbecue! Tender cabbage is quick-fried with savory bacon and finished with a dash of garlic for a side dish everyone loves.
Smoked Corn on The Cob
There is nothing like the classic corn on the cob at a cookout! But why not take the flavor to the next level and smoke your corn? It’s delicious and healthy!
Recipe: Smoked Corn on The Cob
Cheddar Bacon Ranch Keto Broccoli Salad
This cheddar bacon broccoli salad is one of my favorite sides to bring to a summer BBQ. It travels well and is easy to prepare ahead of time!!
Smoked Pickles
These fried pickles are like crack! My kids can’t get enough of them. This recipe has become a staple in our house—it’s great for game snacks or as a side with a weeknight dinner.
Carrot Salad (With Hemp Hearts, Parsley, and Mint)
While it offers all the benefits of raw carrots, this salad is also packed with plant-based complete protein, healthy fats, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Plus, it’s flavorful, vibrant, and incredibly versatile
Caprese Salad
Are you looking for ways to use your fresh garden tomatoes this year? Wait until you see how easy this caprese salad recipe is to make!
Edamame Cucumber Salad
This quick and easy salad is crisp, cool, and incredibly flavorful. Versatile enough for any main, it’s an easy last minute addition.
Smoked Brussel Sprouts
If you don’t like Brussels sprouts, maybe it’s because you’ve never had them smoked. Smoking makes them tender inside, with crisp skin on the outside. To season, combine olive oil, salt, and black pepper and top with bacon bits.
Recipe: Traeger Brussel Sprouts
Spicy Coleslaw
The best cole slaw you’ve ever made is one recipe away! Try this spicy cole slaw and make it as mild or spicy as you like for your next barbecue, and enjoy the accolades!
Hibachi Vegetables
Packed with fresh veggies and a simple flavoring sauce, these veggies are the perfect side dish for any BBQ recipe. They’re easy to make on a Blackstone or Stovetop.
Cauliflower Potato Salad
You will love this Southern Cauliflower Potato Salad if you love potato salad. This low carb salad has all your favorite flavors as the traditional version with a little added crunch.
Chipotle Cole Slaw with Lime
This coleslaw recipe is the king of all BBQ side dishes. Ready in just 10 minutes, it has a little kick provided by the chipotle powder.
Easy Spicy Cucumber Salad
Made with all fresh ingredients, this spicy cucumber salad is perfect for any BBQ side. So crunchy and flavorful!
Bacon Wrapped Asparagus On The Grill
Bacon Wrapped Asparagus on the grill delivers a mouthwatering combination of smoky bacon and tender asparagus spears. Elevate your barbecue game with this easy and flavorful side dish that’s perfect for outdoor cooking.
Miso Glazed Carrots
These miso-gazed carrots will liven up any meal with their tastiest flavor-packed combination. They come out of the oven perfectly roasted with a caramelized glaze that is zesty, subtly sweet, and filled with umami flavor!
Zucchini Ribbon Salad
This easy zucchini ribbon salad with lemon and fresh mint is the perfect low carb side dish.
Cherry Tomato Salad
Cherry tomato salad. The perfect summer side dish for your BBQ. Made even more delicious with a sweet and tangy dressing!
Roasted Asparagus With Parmesan Topping
Fresh-roasted asparagus is a quick and easy yet delicious side dish. It’s low-carb, cheese-crusted, and delicious!
Asian Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe
Tender, crispy broccoli tossed with ginger, garlic, and a beautiful sauce glaze is an easy, light, and totally delicious recipe that takes just 25 minutes to prepare.
Marinated Grilled Portobello Mushrooms
This mushroom side dish is loaded with delicious Asian flavors and is lovely alongside almost anything you throw on the grill.
Smoked Baked Beans with Bacon
Smoked baked beans are a perfect dish for the cooler months. This hearty and filling recipe is also great for serving larger groups, using up tinned foods, and using up leftovers.
This recipe is jam-packed with spices and sauces, but adjust the ingredients to your liking.
Recipe: Smoked Baked Beans
Low Carb Onion Rings
Incredible Low-Carb Onion Rings that are guilt-free! Flavorful and tender, they are better than any fast-food onion rings, and they are good for you!
Lemon Herb Roasted Asparagus
Roasted asparagus is tossed with a tangy dressing made with fresh lemon, herbs and garlic. This is an easy and quick side that’s a huge upgrade over plain roasted asparagus!
Smoked Deviled Eggs
These are not your typical smoked eggs. They are tasty, simple, and require minimal effort. Smoking the eggs gives them incredible flavors. This recipe uses bacon as a topping, but feel free to play around with toppings for extra flavor.
Recipe: Smoked Devilled Eggs
Smoked Sweet Potatoes
Smoking sweet potatoes is the perfect way to add flavor without calories. Plus, it’s super easy! Just throw them on when you’re cooking your mains.
Whole Smoked Cabbage
Want an easy way to make vegetables taste delicious?
Throw them in the smoker, Cabbage is yummy when you throw in the smoker whole. Plus its super easy!
Smoked Asparagus
Drenched in oil and smoked to perfection. This is the perfect low-carb side for your BBQ.
Smoke On!
Charlie
Author: Charlie Reeves
Hi, I’m Charlie, I have been meat-smoking and grilling for the past 15 years. I have an array of different smokers, thermometers, and have a love for finding the right wood and charcoal combo My favourite recipes are my EXTRA CRISPY smoked pork belly, juicy pulled pork, smoked brisket, duck poppers, and ANY SEAFOOD I grill).
I loves sharing his tips with beginners, helping them navigate the world of smoking. I find it’s not just about cooking; it’s a quest for that perfect smoky flavor.
You will usually find me playing with the kids, perfecting my brisket bark, or sipping beers with boys around the fire. Can’t wait to share all my delicious smoking and grilling recipes with you!
You can read more about me on our About Us page.
Hungry For More?
I love all the recipes on this list! They all look so easy to make and they are delicious. Thank you for putting together this list.
thank you!!! I cant wait to cook up these sides as well, hopefully its warm enough to bbq this weekend!