In the summer, my grandma always had a bowl of sliced cucumbers in a sweet vinegar. I think she poured a cup of white sugar in white vinegar and then poured it over the cucumbers. Refrigerate.

What about a cold garlic kale salad?

Grill (or roast) some greenbeans. Slow roast some halved cherry tomatoes. Throw a splash of balsamic on and toss. Chill overnight.

Your menu is traditional bbq. Go with southern style green beans oike they would serve at any reall bbq joint.

The how to cook green beans thread has a few great sounding recipes.

You also need coleslaw, baked beans, corn bread and cobbler for the perfect bbq menu.

OP, what about also doing cold green beans in a really light vinaigrette? Or a 3-bean salad? Those are easy to make but you can even buy them in jars or at the deli counter.

I'm also a big fan of the crunchy broccoli salad with bacon bits and stuff. I think a PP posted broccoli salad.

I'll probably get flamed for being gauche, but nothing screams summer barbecue for me more than a big iceberg based, classic chopped salad. Something about the crunch and coolness just offsets the hot weather perfectly.

My very favorite is the Texas salad -- just chopped iceberg, chopped tomatoes, ranch dressing, and nothing else.

Doesn't satisfy the "green vegetable" requirement, technically, but it's the best salad ever, esp. in summertime.

Just sliced cucumbers drizzled with vinegar, salt and pepper is another one. Or for that matter, just sliced cucumbers and sliced tomatoes, period.

OP here- thanks for all the great ideas, everyone!

I like a cucumber salad with a simple dressing (oil, vinegar, salt, slight amount of mustard) with BBQ and mac 'n cheese because it cuts the flabbiness of the rest of the meal (in the same way that tiny pickle slice on the Chik-Fil-A sandwich is a worthwhile addition). Also it seems to be popular with kids.

Grill some veggies - peppers, tomato, squash, zucchini, asparagus, mushrooms. Marinate is oil and vinegar and a few spices (can do overnight).

I'll probably get flamed for being gauche, but nothing screams summer barbecue for me more than a big iceberg based, classic chopped salad. Something about the crunch and coolness just offsets the hot weather perfectly.

Coleslaw goes nicely with BBQ!

I agree that a simple salad with tomatoes and cucumbers is pretty universal. I happen to like steamed green beans with salt and pepper. If you can get fresh green beans at a farmer's market they are even better. It also works hot or room temp. You could also do some grilled asparagus.

I really like this broccoli salad: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Alysons-Broccoli-Salad-2/

You could also just do a regular green salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, etc.

What about some kind of simple green bean salad?

We're hosting some neighbors for a BBQ and we're going for a very traditional, crowd-pleasing menu- we've got a lot of small children and adult picky eaters on the guest list! We're thinking BBQ chicken, mac-n-cheese, grilled corn on the cob, watermelon and a variety of dips with veggies and chips. I would like to add some kind of green vegetable salad-type side to the menu. Any great ideas? Please keep in mind we need simple, easy to like dishes. Thanks!!!