Did you know nearly half of Americans enjoy celebrating Father’s Day with a barbeque? And there’s few better ways to do it than with a mesquite-smoked brisket.
Brisket is delicious on its own, but without a few thoughtfully chosen side dishes, the meal can feel incomplete. Need some inspiration? We’ve got you covered.
Before we show you our favorite side dishes for brisket, know that your goal is to balance flavors and textures. Brisket is a rich and fatty meat, so you need to pair it with sides that cut through the heaviness and refresh the palate.
Here are our recommendations of sides to make the perfect Father’s Day BBQ menu:
The Best Brisket Sides According to Goode Co. Shop
Creamy mac and cheese
Velvety and creamy mac and cheese is a crowd pleaser for all ages and makes for a great side dish for brisket. Yeah, it’s not the healthiest side in the world, but Father’s Day is about indulging, so go for it!
We recommended prepping it the night before to save time, but it’s relatively simple to put together. You can throw in some bacon or breadcrumb toppings to mix it up.
Tangy coleslaw
A staple of southern barbeques, coleslaw brings a balance to the rest of the barbeque flavors, with a clean and zesty taste. It’ll cut through those fatty dishes, like brisket, and refresh your mouth for the next bite.
Potato salad with a kick
Potato salad with a seasoning of Dijon mustard or jalapeños adds a bold contrast to your tender, smoky Brisket. The creamy texture will stand out from the rest of the servings, and it’s generally a popular Texas BBQ side dish.
Seasonal Twists for Father’s Day Barbeque Sides
Grilled street corn with cotija
Juicy, grilled corn makes for a great late spring and early summer side in Texas, but just be sure to slather it in seasoning such as Cotija cheese, butter, mayo, or chili powder.
Refried beans
Refried beans are a hearty side dish made from mashed and slow-cooked pinto or black beans, smothered in spices, garlic, and oil. They’re a true comfort dish and go very well with smoked meats due to their earthy tastes.
Texas Caviar
Also known as ‘black-eyed pea salad’, Texas caviar is a refreshing cold side that will work well on a hot Father’s Day. Using fresh summer vegetables like bell peppers, tomatoes, and onions, it’s a light balance to heavy barbeque meats.
Seasonal veggie skewers
Likewise, you can use summer vegetables such as bell peppers, zucchini, tomatoes, and even mushrooms on skewers for an alternative sweet side.
Don’t Forget the BBQ Extras!
Sauces
That brisket will hit extra hard with some classic juicy Texan sauces. We recommend gifting your Dad one of our Goode Co. Shop’s Original Sauce gift boxes.
He’ll get three long-neck bottles, brimming with our scratch-made Goode's Original, Jalapeño Garlic, and Heavy Garlic sauces!
Rubs
Alternatively (or additionally, depending on how much you want to treat your Dad), you could give him our gift box of Jim Goode’s special dry spice blends.
Our gift box contains four larger bottles, including Poultry Rubs, Rib Rub, Mesquite Mix, and Brisket Rub (essential for that big brisket)!
Drinks
Finally, most Dads will love the gift of cracking open a cold one while they’re grilling that brisket. So get a crate of crisp lagers, hoppy IPAs, or smoky porters, which all pair well with grilled brisket. If you’re thinking non-alcoholic, then ginger beers, iced tea, grapefruit, and some sodas are the way to go. If you want to make it Texan, then go for Ranch Water.
Build a Full BBQ Spread Dad Will Brag About
So, here’s a quick run-down on how to put that Father’s Day barbeque together so it’s one for the books:
1. Don’t hold back on the meat
While the smoked brisket is the centrepiece, you can go the extra mile with a selection of barbeque meats such as Jalapeño pork sausage, smoked chicken breast, or mesquite-grilled ribs.
We recommend a Goode Co. Shop BBQ bundles that fit your crowd size and appetite. Each box is delivered fresh and ready to heat and serve!
2. Prepare the accessories
Now’s also a chance to upgrade your Dad’s grilling status, with all the essential accessories such as a basting brush, fireproof gloves, grill tongs, and a Meat thermometer.
Read our guide on Father’s Day Grilling Gifts for BBQ Lovers here.
3. Pre-prepare the sides
Dads love standing over the grill. Being the grill master is always fun. But if he’s preparing sides too, the task list is starting to get overwhelming. So, take the pressure off him by preparing the sides the night before!
You can serve hot sides in cast iron or enamel dishes, with colder ones in chilled ceramic or metal dishes to maintain temperature.
4. Don’t forget the dessert
Who doesn’t want dessert? If you want something Texan and typically Dad-approved, then consider Goode Co. Shop’s Brazos Bottom Pecan Pie. Rich, buttery, and a Southern crowd pleaser.
5. Presentation and Serving
Putting effort into your Father’s Day BBQ presentation will wow the family and show some extra love to your old man.
You can use wooden boards or paper-lined trays to give an authentic smokehouse feel, and carefully spread sides around the table in multiple dishes. We also recommend a healthy dose of garnishes such as fresh herbs, lime wedges, sliced jalapeños, and those all-important sauces. Labeled cards will bring a sense of festivity to the event and let everyone know what’s what!
And then bring it all together with your Dad’s favorite music, whether it’s country, blues, or rock, it’s his day, so make it fit!
Pre-Order Your Smoked Brisket for Father’s Day Today
Goode Co. Shop can deliver a freshly smoked and delicious brisket and gift sets straight to your door - with a guarantee it gets there on Father’s Day.
Father’s Day is always a busy period, so advance orders are highly advised. As Father’s Day is a Sunday in 2025, we recommend placing your order by Tuesday, June 10th, to ensure it arrives by Friday (via FedEx).