Behold our newly updated sides for burgers—an epic list jammed full of the traditional and the unusual, from the classic to the contemporary.
Grilled, fried, stacked, topped and slung, the hamburger, America’s culinary icon, and its trusty sidekick, the cheeseburger—here’s our trusty list of what to serve with burgers!
These two gastronomic superheroes have captured the hearts and stomachs of millions across the nation, soaring to mouthwatering heights of popularity.
Of course not every burger is going to be made from ground beef.
From black bean burgers, salmon burgers, turkey burgers and even pumfu, you may be surprised at the variety and flavors of burgers in the world.
Whether they’re served in a swanky restaurant or at a backyard barbecue, these mighty meat marvels deliver a scrumptious symphony of flavors that can only be described as pure Americana.
The delicious diversity of hamburgers and cheeseburgers extends to the infinite ways they can be cooked.
Grilled to perfection over an open flame, sizzled on a flattop, or pan-seared to a mouthwatering crisp, these irresistible delights cater to any palate.
The stage is set for toppings galore, from the classic trifecta of lettuce, tomato, and onion to the more adventurous concoctions featuring avocado, bacon, a fried egg, or even pineapple!
But what’s a hero without a sidekick?
Fear not, for the perfect burger companions are here to save the day!
Crispy, golden fries and piping-hot onion rings, valiantly conquering hunger one bite at a time.
Coleslaw and pickles, those stealthy flavor warriors, add a touch of tang and crunch that no meal is complete without.
And let’s not forget the myriad of sauces, from ketchup and mustard to barbecue and ranch, providing the finishing flourish to an unforgettable experience.
So, gather ’round, fellow burger enthusiasts, and let us cast our eyes toward Christmas time in burger land: CookingChew.com Sides For Burgers!
This recipe for Corn and Bacon in a Bowl is the epitome of comfort food!
The all-too-familiar combination of sweet corn kernels and butter gets a facelift with the addition of salty, savory, and crunchy bacon.
It’s a meal in its own right, but will also serve nicely as a side dish for meats.
Ingredients include: Butter, corn on the cob, bacon, and black pepper.
Steak Fries belong to the class of food where you would go out of your way just to get ahold of them.
They’re that good!
But it can be frustrating when you go out to get some but when you get your order they turn out to be all but what you were expecting.
But the solution to that’s real simple: you just need to make your own!
And here’s the recipe for Garlic Parmesan Baked Steak Fries to get you started.
Ingredients include: Russet potatoes, olive oil, parmesan cheese, kosher salt, and parsley.
If I had to eat salad every day for the rest of my life, then Caesar Pasta Salad would be it!
Who could say no to Rotini al dente pasta drenched in that delicious dressing surrounded by fresh, crunchy veggies?
All it needs at this point is some meat to complete the meal; but that’s where your burgers come in.
Ingredients include: Rotini pasta, olive oil, avocado, cherry tomatoes, and chickpeas.
Are you grilling some burgers, and already have the best wagyu beef patties available with the freshest burger buns, but are just planning to slather ketchup over them?
Stop!
Check out this recipe first before you do that.
You’ll thank me later!
Ingredients include: Mayo, roasted red pepper, and red pepper flakes.
Green bean fries baked in the oven are a great way to get your kids (and adult kids) to eat their vegetables!
Here are a few fun facts about green bean fries:
- They are a good source of fiber and vitamins A and C.
- Panko provides the best crunch.
- They can be made with a variety of different seasonings, so you can find a flavor that everyone will love.
- They are easy to make and can be on the table in under 30 minutes.
So next time you’re looking for a healthy and delicious snack or side dish, give green bean fries baked in the oven a try.
Ingredients include: Green beans, all-purpose flour, panko breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and salt.
Scalloped corn is a creamy, cheesy baked casserole that is similar to scalloped potatoes, made with corn, eggs, milk, butter, and cracker crumbs.
The corn is layered with the other ingredients and then baked until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Here are some tips for making Scalloped Corn Casserole:
- You can use fresh corn instead of canned corn.
- You can use any type of cheese you like in this casserole. Some good options include cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Gruyère.
- You can also add other ingredients to this casserole, such as diced ham, bacon, or green onions.
- Scalloped corn can be made ahead of time and then baked later. Just assemble the casserole and then cover and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake it, let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking.
Ingredients include: Corn, sharp cheddar cheese, Ritz crackers, milk, and butter.
Essentially the homemade version of French’s Fried Onions that you’d bake on top of a green bean casserole, this recipe really does make it look easy.
If you’ve ever spent a few minutes “taste-testing” a new canister of the store-bought kind, better prepare a double batch of these so everyone gets some.
Ingredients include: Sweet onion, buttermilk, all-purpose flour, blackened seasoning, and vegetable oil.
Everyone likes to talk about what to do with their bumper crops of zook, but I don’t have my own garden and I buy it year round from the store.
So what will I do with my weeknight batch of zucchini?
I’m going to simply get it golden brown and toss it with fresh basil (my favorite herb).
I learned something new too—salt zucchini before cooking it to help it stay firm.
Ingredients include: Zucchini, garlic, basil, olive oil, and white wine vinegar.
9. Bacon Aioli
This “ay-oh-lee” is a luscious spread made with decadent but simple ingredients.
Add it to a BLT for double bacon flavor, a grilled panini, a salad, or the bottom flavor of a cucumber sandwich.
The smoked paprika is a nice touch.
Ingredients include: Turkey bacon, garlic powder, lemon juice, mayo, and smoked paprika.
10. Sauerkraut Salad
I have been eating my whole life and I have never heard of sauerkraut salad until this very moment.
As a lover of sauerkraut, German, homemade, canned, whichever, I can get behind this cold and crisp, sweet, and tangy version.
It has lots of different veggies, and I think this would be as delicious on a burger as off to the side of one.
Ingredients include: Sauerkraut, celery, bell peppers, sweet onion, and carrots.
Our version of sweet potato fries in the oven is almost as good as the one in the air fryer, but you have to remember not to stack the fries and to turn them halfway through baking.
The paprika adds a really nice savory balance to the concentrated sweetness of the potatoes.
Ingredients include: Sweet potatoes, smoked paprika, sea salt, and olive oil.
Ooo, a yummy stovetop-style mac n cheese that features simple, economical cheese, corkscrew pasta (or any kind you have on hand), and lots of fresh spinach.
Add your favorite cheese, some proteins, or more vegetables.
The sturdy sauce can handle anything you throw at it.
Ingredients include: Spinach, cavatappi pasta, flour, cream cheese, and parmesan cheese.
13. Cowboy Caviar
I have always liked the name of this recipe.
It’s not real caviar of course, but it has all the “fixins” to be a highly sought after meal for those heading home on the range.
Canned ingredients make this easy and fast to put together, too.
The Greek or Italian dressing ties together all the yummy freshness, and you eat it with pita chips, tortilla chips, a spoon, or slathered onto the plate as a side for burgers.
Ingredients include: Canned black beans, canned sweet corn, red bell pepper, cilantro, and avocado.
14. Bang Bang Sauce
Your fries will be falling over themselves to be dipped in this sauce.
This sweet and spicy sauce is perfect for dipping or drizzling.
The sauce is smooth and creamy, with a hint of heat from the sriracha sauce.
It’s best served chilled but not required.
Ingredients include: Garlic, sweet Thai chili, mayonnaise, sriracha sauce, and rice vinegar.
This sauce is creamy and has a kick to it!
You can top your burgers with this Cajun sauce or you can dip your tots in it.
Be bold and do both!
It will only take you five minutes to put it together and it doesn’t require many ingredients.
Ingredients include: Cajun seasoning, sour cream, mayo, hot sauce, and lemon juice.
These oven baked onion rings are a better-for-you alternative to the deep fried version.
They are made with a light and crispy coating (thank you, panko!) that still gives them all the flavor and crunch you would expect.
They are perfect for a side dish with burgers or as a snack.
You will need large onions for this, but you can use any of your favorite seasoning blends.
Ingredients include: Onion, eggs, flour, panko breadcrumbs, and cajun seasoning.
This grilled zucchini corn salad is a simple, yet delicious mix of grilled zucchini, corn, cherry tomatoes, scallions, and Parmesan cheese.
It’s perfect as a side dish for any meal, but it’s also great for a potluck or as sides for burgers.
The garlic vinaigrette adds a touch of flavor that really takes this salad to the next level.
Ingredients include: Zucchini, cherry tomatoes, olive oil, corn, and scallions.
This plant-based option is an interesting twist on both kimchi and mac n cheese.
Spicy, deep-fried, and classic comfort-food resplendent, this one’s best eaten hot.
Line them up on paper towels to drain then serve them with our bang bang sauce.
Ingredients include: Elbow macaroni, kimchi, gochujang, panko breadcrumbs, and vegetable oil.
Rosemary is such a prolific herb.
It smells really nice and tastes fresh and piney.
It goes great with potatoes of all kinds but it’s going to make these garlic fries sing.
Ask me about the time I’ve eaten dark chocolate with rosemary oil.
Ingredients include: Russet potatoes, rosemary, garlic, olive oil, and salt.
I admit that I thought my daughter loved her beans n’ weenies so much that I’d send a little thermos of them to school with her.
A year later, she politely asked me to stop, and she said she liked the beans but wanted the hot dogs kept separate.
Noted. And this recipe makes sure the hot dogs stay far and away.
Use up one or two cans of your Bush’s baked beans and doctor them up like crazy with this easy recipe.
Ingredients include: Canned baked beans, bacon, chipotle chili, ketchup, and BBQ sauce.
We had a lot of fun making these, plus this recipe will make quite a few of these appetizers that are as attractive as they are delicious.
Remember to get blocks of feta, since the crumbled kind won’t work for these on skewers.
Ingredients include: Cherry tomatoes, English cucumbers, black olives, Greek seasoning, and block feta cheese.
Baked potatoes are good! Heck, I would say they are AHmazing but the aren’t spectacular.
Hasselback potatoes add a touch of WOW to any dinner.
They are tasty and delightful when plated.
Also, they are delicious and easy to make.
First, slice a potato thinly while leaving a half-inch base at the bottom.
Tip: Be extra careful not to slice the potato all the way through.
Then, brush the potato with a flavorful mixture of butter, garlic, and herbs.
Once prepped, simply air fry the potato until it turns crispy and golden brown.
The cook time will vary based upon the size of the potato.
Ingredients include: Russet potatoes, garlic, butter, parmesan cheese, and salt.
This recipe is guaranteed to make you hungry, so click at your own risk.
Now, you can do one of two things with this recipe.
Wait!
Honestly, I recommend that you do both.
First, whip up a double topping of this recipe, it is easy to do, and then turn it into an appetizer.
Serve it on top of some softened cream cheese with some lovely crackers.
Then surprise your guests, who will be raving about this recipe, and put it on top of your burgers too.
One hot tip, consider switching out the yellow onion for vidalia onions for a slightly sweeter flavor.
Ingredients include: Bacon, yellow onion, garlic, brown sugar, and raisins.
Now, I am a Texan so I think that I am legally required to say this but fried green tomatoes are better than french fries as a side for a burger.
Yep, I said it and I stand behind it.
Fried green tomatoes provide the perfect combo of flavor and texture.
The fried green tomatoes are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with a slightly tart flavor from the tomatoes and a savory taste from the breading.
Ingredients include: Buttermilk, cornmeal, flour, breadcrumbs, and egg.
This side dish takes a bit of planning and prep but the flavor is so worth it.
Don’t stress though, it is easy to do.
First, you grill the peppers for a couple of minutes on each side.
Then, you marinate them in the fridge overnight.
And you are done!
Easy peasy!
Ingredients include: Bell peppers, dill, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and parsley.
26. Shoestring Fries
These are fun to eat!
Why is it that those “tiny fries” are just more fun?
Maybe it is because they are thin, crispy and fun to dip in ketchup!
Ketchup or Catsup? Welp, whichever you prefer.
The trick to making shoestring fries is cutting them thin enough but the good news is that you can use a mandoline slicer.
One of the tips that you will learn from this recipe is to cut the potato into thin strips and then soak the fries in cold water before cooking them.
Soaking them before cooking them, will make them crispier when it is time to fry them up.
Ingredients include: Russet potatoes, canola oil, salt, and pepper.
Everything my family ever did during the late spring and summer included macaroni salad.
Playing Frisbee? Macaroni salad. Going for a walk? Macaroni salad.
So if there was an actual potluck or cookout and we were having cheeseburgers on the grill, everyone came with their own version of it, so multiply macaroni salad times FIVE.
Classic (and classy) this recipe sure is, and you can count on it to deliver a taste of home every time.
Ingredients include: Elbow macaroni, celery, red onion, mustard, mayo, and green bell pepper.
What is it about grill marks that look so sexy?
And of course the smoky, rich flavor that goes along with it.
These have both liquid smoke and grilling awesomeness, but if you don’t have a grill, you can still have the flavor.
No grapeseed oil? Any mild oil will do, like vegetable oil.
Ingredients include: Large portobello mushrooms, liquid smoke, tamari, balsamic vinegar, and grapeseed oil.
“Loaded” in this case means slathered in cheese, butter, chives, and bacon, not drunk off its butt.
Unless you’d count “drunk on delicious butter and bacon” as loaded, cuz then yes, it’s that kind of loaded.
Ingredients include: Russet potatoes, bacon, chives, cheddar cheese, and butter.
30. Corn Nuggets
Deep fry me anything, and I’m in heaven.
Homemade corn nuggets are so fresh-tasting and simple.
Get a friend to help with cleaning up, but this recipe is going to wow the fam and make for one happy belly all around.
Ingredients include: Canned corn, shortening, oil, milk, and flour.
The Soju Cape Cod Cocktail is a delicious and refreshing twist on the classic Cape Cod.
It is made with soju, cranberry juice, simple syrup, and lime juice.
The soju gives the cocktail a slightly sweet and tangy flavor, while the cranberry juice adds a tartness that is balanced out by the sweetness of the simple syrup.
The lime juice adds a touch of acidity that makes the cocktail taste bright and refreshing.
To make this cocktail, simply combine all of the ingredients in a shaker with ice.
Shake well and strain into a chilled glass.
Garnish with a lime wedge and enjoy!
Ingredients include: Soju, cranberry juice, simple syrup, lime, and ice.
Roasted green beans are a delicious and versatile vegetable that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways.
They are easy to prepare and cook, and they have a wonderful flavor that is enhanced by roasting.
To make roasted green beans, simply preheat your oven to 400F and toss the green beans with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Then, spread the green beans out on a baking sheet and roast for 15-20 minutes, or until they are tender and slightly browned.
Roasted green beans can be served as a side dish for burgers or as a light main course.
They are also a great addition to salads, wraps, and sandwiches.
Ingredients include: Green beans, garlic powder, olive oil, salt, and parmesan cheese.
I love that this is not the classic goopy pea salad we Gen-Xers grew up with.
It’s a true layered salad, with lots of fresh vegetables that look gorgeous in a glass trifle bowl.
Add whatever of your favorite vegetables you want (just don’t cook the peas).
The creole seasoning seems to be the secret to a flavorful dressing that pulls it all together, but you can also pull out a packet of Hidden Valley Ranch too, and the visual presentation of this eye-popping fresh salad still rocks.
Ingredients include: Grape tomatoes, frozen green peas, green onions, cheddar cheese, and sour cream.
34. Fried Okra
Fried okra is a delicious and popular dish that is enjoyed by people all over the world, but especially in the Southern United States.
It is often served as a side dish with barbecue meats, burgers, or fried chicken.
If you’re looking for a fun and delicious way to enjoy okra, be sure to try fried okra.
Slimy yet satisfying, this one’s sure to become a new favorite!
Ingredients include: Okra, cornmeal, buttermilk, oil, and all-purpose flour.
So the first time I had sweet heat pickles, it was at a catfish restaurant in East Texas called Vaughn’s, where I learned that catfish prepared correctly is simply amazing and that the delicious sides on the table brought out the flavor of everything.
Add this recipe to your favorites; these sweet heat pickles are some kind of wonderful.
Ingredients include: Dill pickles, sugar, jalapeno, garlic, and red pepper flakes.
Are you already grilling those hamburgers?
Of course you are.
If you’ve got it nice and hot, this is a simple side that adds a nice green vegetable and a crisped prosciutto to the table.
Ingredients include: Asparagus, prosciutto, ground black pepper, and olive oil.
Ooo, buffalo the sauce and not the animal or the place, these tasty potato wedges are going to have that famous spicy kick we all know and love.
Ingredients include: Potatoes, olive oil, hot pepper sauce, salt, and pepper.
I love roasted carrots.
In fact, I’ve come to love most of my veg roasted in a dry heat now.
While there’s a time and place for steaming, the flavor of fresh thyme (or dried) is released in the oven heat and really adds to the roasted flavor of the carrots.
Plenty of times I’m not interested in turning on my big oven so I’ll set up my toaster oven and set it to bake.
Works just fine.
Ingredients include: Carrots, thyme, salt, pepper, and olive oil.
You just don’t have to bake every single thing, especially during the summer.
This one is a hearty skillet/stove-top mac and cheese, laced beautifully with earthy truffle oil, decadent gruyere, mushrooms, and all the other accoutrement you’d suspect in a darn tasty, leveled-up mac.
Ingredients include: White truffle oil, pasta, milk, gruyere cheese, and baby bella mushrooms.
In my old age, I’ve found that a tasty compote or relish can really make a sandwich SING.
I think of tomato relish as a unique, homemade option that can replace ketchup.
Tomatoes, onions, vinegar, sugar and paprika are simmered together and then cooled, to then be made into something extraordinary, slathered on top of your burger, or your new favorite sides for burgers or next to chicken, or or or…
Ingredients include: Tomatoes, onion, Hungarian paprika, white vinegar, and sugar.
Potato salad in all its forms regales the picnic tables of families across the land.
This one is heavy on the dill but not on the mayo.
Dill goes really well with celery and potatoes and lemon, and while fresh is best, dried is just fine, too.
This recipe includes a nice list of tips and substitutions, too.
Ingredients include: Yukon gold potatoes, celery, dill, green onion, and lemon juice.
This is basically a piña colada without the blender or the freezing parts.
Tangy, sweet, with lots of rich tropical flavor, you sensitive-teeth types will also be pretty happy with this option without sending you over the edge from a frozen drink.
I’m a fan of garnish so don’t leave those out (please).
Ingredients include: Banana rum, cream of coconut, grenadine, pineapple juice, and pineapple chunks.
43. Chili Dip
Not even kidding, this Chili Dip doesn’t need a single other thing besides what you see on the ingredients list.
It doesn’t need chili powder or cream cheese or shredded cheese or anything.
No-bean chili, Rotel tomatoes, and Velveeta—that’s it.
I was surprised too.
Dip in or spread it on, this is an incredible side for burgers.
Ingredients include: Rotel tomatoes, canned chili, and Velveeta cheese.
While I am not a fan of intermingling the idea of a “guilty pleasure” or avoiding guilt into the foods that you and I eat, I get it.
This is a lovely recipe full of delicious fake-potatoey goodness made famous by the sturdy cauliflower.
Not like we are winning health awards with bacon and cheddar, but if you are trying to reduce your carb intake, this is a delicious rep as sides for burgers.
Ingredients include: Cauliflower, cheddar cheese, bacon, green onions, and olive oil.
Oh, yum! Ranch on everything is my motto.
These Grilled Ranch Potatoes are cooked in a foil packet on the grill for about 20 minutes on high total.
The cheese and crisp bacon gets added after cooking, so it becomes a yummy, cheesy side dish fit for KINGS (and queens).
Ingredients include: Red potatoes, vegetable oil, ranch dressing mix, bacon, and cheddar cheese.
I am happy to say I was there in the flesh when we were experimenting with this yummy spread.
I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of smoked cream cheese, but using a smoker is kind of a long process.
If you love the flavor of smoke, though, a few drops of liquid smoke is all you need to transform a few simple ingredients into a rich spread for burgers, sandwiches, a pretzel dip, and anything else you can think of.
Ingredients include: Liquid smoke, bbq rub, salt, cream cheese, and milk.
47. Giardiniera
A word I still can’t pronounce but I definitely enjoy eating, this jar of lovely seasonings and vegetables gets pulled out a few times a year at my grandmother’s house.
Picked vegetables might be another word for it, but regardless, delicious and filling is what this recipe stands for.
Ingredients include: Bay leaves, bell peppers, carrots, cauliflower, and canning salt.
48. Popcorn Salad
What a fascinating combination of flavors and textures this one is.
It’s a salad like a pizza pie is a pie, but it does have some colorful, crisp vegetables to make us all believe it.
But as a side for burgers, this is a unique and fun option that is pretty easy to whip up.
Ingredients include: Popcorn, arugula, red onion, baby carrots, and bacon.
49. Smashed Potatoes
Not quite a baked potato and not french fries, these Smashed Potatoes stay nice and crisp, while still being simple potato sides for burgers.
Don’t leave out the salt, though, potatoes really need it.
Here’s our version that uses red potatoes in the air fryer.
Ingredients include: Baby potatoes, olive oil, garlic, thyme, and salt.
We had a lot of fun experimenting with which chili cheese fries ingredients made a truly delicious plate of chili cheese fries.
Wolf brand chili or Hormel or something else?
Shredded cheese or canned cheese?
A little of this, and a little of that, and there is not a single thing in here that’s good for you, and that’s the way we like it.
(Sometimes.)
They go great with beef burgers, though, so add some of these to make everyone ecstatic.
Ingredients include: Frozen crinkle-cut french fries, nacho cheese sauce, canned chili, red onion, and sour cream.
51. Easy Taco Cups
While these do have ground beef in them, if you like the shape of these adorable taco cups, you can make them vegetarian instead.
The right size for the tortillas is definitely those super small ones marked “street taco,” otherwise they will be too large for the muffin cups.
These make great finger food and are really just too good to be true.
Ingredients include: Ground beef, taco seasoning, street taco flour tortillas, salsa, and sour cream.
Add some tasty fresh vegetables to the picnic table…and then stuff ‘em with something amazing.
Grab a bag of those mini bell peppers at the store the next time you go.
You can mix up the cheese in a snap.
Make them in advance, just keep them covered in the fridge until ready to serve with your burgs.
Ingredients include: Sweet mini bell peppers, parmesan cheese, ricotta cheese, bacon, and thyme.
This recipe is easy and elegant at the same time!
It only has a few ingredients but my recommendation, based upon experience, is to double the recipe.
When I made these, they were gone before I blinked.
To this day, these are still talked about at dinner parties.
Fresh herbs really do make an important difference in this simple side dish.
Ingredients include: Cherry tomatoes, goat cheese, basil, chives, and salt.
This isn’t your 1970s cheese ball, this one has lots of flavor and (if you wish) some firepower too.
Remember that any cheeseball needs to be served at room temp or people will be breaking their pretzels and chips all the livelong day.
These days if anyone shows up to my house with a cheeseball and dippers, I’m grateful.
Make new friends with our Cheese Ball With Bacon.
Ingredients include: Cream cheese, smoked paprika, Mexican cheese blend, chipotle powder, and bacon.
This reminds me of Big H.
Ya’ll remember that stuff?
It was a packaged product from the 80s that basically tasted a lot like the sauce on a Big Mac.
Which is also a type of doctored up thousand island dressing.
If you are looking for a burger spread that is wildly different from the usual ketchup, get thee to the kitchen with just a few ingredients and love on this recipe.
Flavor for days.
Ingredients include: Mayonnaise, paprika, sweet pickle relish, white vinegar, and mustard.
We made this a couple of years ago now so the photos are TERRIBLE.
Terrible.
But the ingredients are spot on, and simple, too.
The roasted pears bring out their sweetness and dry them out so it’s not like eating a canned fruit salad or anything.
Don’t like balsamic so much? Try it with a simple lemon vinaigrette instead.
Ingredients include: Pears, spinach, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and salt.
57. Watergate Salad
I am not sure what it is about these kinds of Cool Whip / pudding mix combinations being called “salads” but …
No it’s fine, I’m here for it.
Mix up every possible canned and processed thing you can think of and call it good.
Try this “salad” on the side of your savory foods like hot sandwiches and burgers or literally any picnic food, but it’s also a fine potluck addition for dessert too.
Ingredients include: Pistachio pudding mix, Cool Whip, pecans, marshmallows, and canned pineapple.
This is so good, y’all.
It turns out that corn is delicious with cream cheese, and cream cheese is delicious with bacon, and both of them go great with bell pepper.
While this would be amazing alongside turkey or ham during the holidays, I am calling it good as sides for burgers too.
Rich, delicious, and easy, man, I love this stuff.
Ingredients include: Frozen corn, red onion, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, cream cheese, bacon, and butter.
And a-one, and a-two-a…
Once is sometimes not enough, and if we’re talking potatoes, twice is nice.
They aren’t quite potato skins, which is just a bit of potato “meat” – these are fully jammed with potato and all the other yummy stuff too.
Ingredients include: Russet potatoes, olive oil, salt, butter, and pepper.
Pretty in pink is what these are.
I love radishes when they are pickled, doused in lime or roasted, but not raw.
If you are looking for a nice change of pace away from the normal pickled pickles, try these for a colorful, crisp, and tasty addition alongside some burgers.
Ingredients include: Radishes, red onion, ginger, whole black peppercorns, and white vinegar.
It’s funny.
On one hand I feel like I’ve outgrown applesauce, and on the other, every time I have the opportunity to eat some, I am so happy.
Take this opportunity to make yourself happy too and cook up this easy homemade applesauce with no additional sugar added to it.
Applesauce just has that bit of sweet and bit of tangy that makes lots of foods really sing, and this recipe brings it all home.
Ingredients include: Apples, cinnamon, water, and lemon juice.
I was looking for recipes for latkes recently and it’s got me all kinds of jonesing for them pretty often now.
I like delicious, but I like fast and easy, too, sometimes.
These use a big bag of frozen Ore-Ida shredded potatoes that can easily be mixed and formed and lightly fried into great sides for burgers, especially if you are already pan-frying the burgers on the stove.
Ingredients include: Frozen shredded potatoes, onion, eggs, flour, and salt.
63. Grilled Tomatoes
This is one of my favorite recipes on our site.
The highlights? Here you go:
- There are many different types of tomatoes that can be grilled, including beefsteak tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes, and cherry tomatoes.
- Tomatoes can be grilled whole, halved, or sliced.
- To grill tomatoes, brush them with olive oil and season them with salt and pepper.
- Grill the tomatoes over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side, or until they are soft, juicy, and slightly charred.
- Serve the grilled tomatoes immediately with your favorite toppings, such as balsamic vinegar, olive oil, or fresh herbs, like rosemary (dried or fresh).
Ingredients include: Tomatoes, rosemary, balsamic vinegar, salt, and olive oil.
Here are a few reasons why you might want to share our link to this sour cream mashed potatoes recipe:
- The recipe is easy to follow and only requires a few simple ingredients.
- The mashed potatoes are creamy and flavorful, and they are sure to please everyone at the table.
- The recipe is versatile and can be easily adapted to your own taste.
– For example, you can add different herbs or spices
– Use different types of potatoes, whatever you have on hand - The recipe is a great way to use up leftover potatoes, too.
- Whoever said that mashed potatoes go better with meatloaf than hamburgers was only half right.
Ingredients include: Potatoes, salt, pepper, butter, milk, and sour cream.
If you’ve got tons of rich food on the patio table and you can already tell you’ll need a couple of refreshing salad options, I highly recommend this simple but delectable loaded wedge.
It’s a knife-and-fork salad for sure, and if you’ve already got triple-stacked burgers hot off the grill, you’ll need ‘em anyway.
Ingredients include: Iceberg lettuce, grape tomatoes, radishes, bacon, and balsamic glaze.
66. Cucumber Gimlet
This is kind of our go-to “refreshing summer cocktail” and we pair this one up a lot with “outdoorsy” foods.
Cucumber flavor may not be for everyone, but if you like it in your salads, in your water, or over your eyes, you’re sure to enjoy this Cucumber Gimlet.
Ingredients include: Cucumber infused gin, simple syrup, lime juice, cucumber, and blueberries.
Why wouldn’t you have meat on meat?
The marinade for this is -chef’s kiss- and you will positively make lots of friends by serving them a skewer of this Grilled Tequila Shrimp alongside a salmon burger or crab cakes.
Ingredients include: Raw shrimp, garlic, shallots, tequila, and lime juice.
One of the most luscious sides for burgers that you can throw on the grill is fresh pineapple.
This recipe does have rich ingredients like brown sugar and butter, so you can call it dessert if you want.
But it’s worth cutting into a fresh, whole pineapple and grilling it for your favorite people.
As you can see in our quick tip video below, the trick to that lovely char is to not move the pineapple.
Lower the heat if you must, but don’t move it.
Ingredients include: Pineapple, butter, brown sugar, lime juice, and cinnamon.
This recipe is a simple and delicious side dish that is perfect for any meal, but adds a crisp vegetable side for burgers.
The broccolini is roasted in a hot oven with olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, and salt until it is tender and slightly charred.
It is then served with a squeeze of lemon juice.
The recipe is easy to follow and only requires a few simple ingredients.
I love this broccolini, but you have to follow directions so that it doesn’t undercook and come out tough.
Ingredients include: Broccolini, garlic, chili oil, red pepper flakes, and sesame oil.
This list of great toppings that go perfectly on salmon burgers will really make your mouth water.
If you’ve got plans in the near future to add salmon patties to the menu, be sure to spice things up by having our list of toppings available for the occasion.
Everything from mango chutney, different cheeses, remoulade, greens, quick-pickled onions and more are at the jump.
Ingredients include: Cucumbers, apricots, mango, muenster cheese, and more.
This crisp, sweet slaw is as good on top of the burger as it is alongside it.
It’s a great vegetable side dish for rich meats like a backyard cookout
Ingredients include: Apples, carrots, coleslaw mix, mayonnaise, and apple cider vinegar.
Any mixed greens will work in this if you don’t LOVE arugula like Renee’ does.
It’s peppery and has a bitter edge to it, and the citrus definitely helps.
Overall, this is actually a really nice side of greens, and whether you have a bunless burger or not, you’ll get a nice flavor combination.
Ingredients include: Arugula, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Okay so this one is new to me, but it looks amazing.
Are you hoping to feed a crowd?
This creamy, cheesy, potatoey hashbrown casserole looks like comfort food to the max.
You combine some affordable ingredients like frozen hashbrowns and canned soup and then bake it.
Done!
Ingredients include: Frozen hash browns, condensed cream of chicken soup, onion, cheddar cheese, and sour cream.
I’ve made this kind of fruit salad a couple different times and a few ways and I love it every time.
There’s no wrong way, really.
This version uses a tangy yogurt and cheesecake pudding mix, and it turns a simple fruit mix into dessert (without the crust).
It’s good and it’s easy.
Use fresh fruit for this one, not canned like in the Watergate salad above (#57).
Ingredients include: Cheesecake pudding mix, strawberry yogurt, cool whip, raspberries, and banana.
The more I think about it, the more I realize that this is the world’s most perfect blue cheese dip.
Yes, I made it up, but I love things to stand up in my blue cheese dip.
Really make that dip count, you know?
So there’s not a thing that’s low-calorie about this rich and robust clingy dip, but I do hope you love it as much as I do.
Ingredients include: Blue cheese crumbles, cajun seasoning, lemon juice, mayonnaise, and cream cheese.
There just isn’t enough mozzarella cheese in the world, in my opinion.
While it goes great laid on top of every burger and fried into mozzarella sticks, buffalo mozzarella has a very special flavor that differs slightly from “regular” mozz.
If you have burgers galore and could really use some ideas for the buffalo mozzarella you have in the fridge, pull up this list of recipe ideas to help you see what’s in store.
Ingredients include: Prosciutto, zucchini, mushroom, pasta, and more.
You do need a mandolin slicer to make the perfect potato chips.
If you can’t get them thin enough, they turn out too thick, and then it’s like fried scalloped potatoes or something.
I love this recipe, because it’s simply potatoes, a true homemade addictive potato chip.
But the trick is a thin slice and not layering them in the air fryer basket, otherwise they just steam.
Ingredients include: Potatoes, salt, and olive oil.
This one looks really good to me and I’m not a huge fan of orzo.
But Greek flavors get me every time, and the fresh veg of spinach, cukes and olives spin me right round (baby, right round).
Yum. Especially if you’ve got a couple other mediterranean sides for burgers going, this is going to be a delicious addition!
Ingredients include: Baby spinach, english cucumber, kalamata olives, tahini, and orzo pasta.
It sounds simple and yet… IT IS!
This recipe calls for ripe peaches, preferably those that are juicy and not mealy, and a mild oil with some savory seasonings.
The combination of savory with the sweet peaches taking on the hot smoky grill flavor too is going to wow you, fo sho.
Ingredients include: Peaches, pepper, salt, and grapeseed oil.
80. Keto Snacks
If you’re eating that burger without a bun, you know that it can be tough to feel full and satisfied.
But here we have a large selection of keto snacks that you can put together quickly and easily while your burger is on the grill.
From the Shrimp Cucumber Bites to the Keto Air Fryer Fried Pickles and Stuffed Celery With Cream Cheese, you’ll find something simple and scrumptious as sides for burgers.
Ingredients include: Cucumber, cream cheese, Everything Bagel seasoning, cheddar cheese, and more.
I like almost anything cooked in the air fryer, and this vegetable side dish for burgers is no exception.
Sure, throw fries in for the kids, but for the grownups, this recipe is a simply seasoned, quickly cooked veggie symphony.
It’s very good, especially if your fresh zooks and tomatoes are looking kind of ready to head out.
Ingredients include: Tomatoes, zucchini, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and olive oil.
If you’re headed to a friend’s house and they’ve got the hot grill going for your burgers, then it’s time to pull up this list of even more meal inspiration just for this special occasion.
Take a look at our list of fair-weather potluck ideas so you can choose from a few awesome dishes and become the potluck hero.
Check out sides for burgers like antipasto skewers, watermelon gazpacho, easy fruit salad, and Aunt Kay’s Trash Mix.
Ingredients include: Shrimp, yellow squash, potatoes, chicken, and more.
If you live in Texas and have been here long enough to eat at a BBQ joint, you’ve probably eaten this Texas-style potato salad.
It’s got all the usual mustard-forward flavor, bit of tangy, little bit sweet, and the pronounced red onion bits…
But it looks like it came straight out of a blender and piled high onto plates with an ice cream scoop.
Traditional Texas Potato salad right here, and straight from the horse’s mouth, too.
Ingredients include: Yukon gold potatoes, red wine vinegar, red onion, mustard, and mayonnaise.
84. Sauteed Apples
I’ve been talking about these apples a lot lately.
They’re scrumptious, sweet, rich and go with anything, especially southern food.
But grilled/fried goods like burgers and dogs kind of demand a sweet touch like these, so they make an amazing side for burgers.
Do like I did and scavenge the old apples in the kitchen and just make something fast and delicious.
I promise, you’ll love them and start making them all the time for everything.
Ingredients include: Apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, cornstarch, and vanilla extract.
KFC evened the potato playing field when they introduced seasoned potato wedges.
Who needs fries when fluffy, super-seasoned potato wedges are stealing the show?
This easy recipe offers up a baked option for those wanting just a bit of oil instead of the whole 55-gallon drum.
Ingredients include: Russet potatoes, vegetable oil, cornstarch, chili powder, and paprika.
Ooo, yeah, a heavy comfort meal like the one you are about to throw down demands a refreshing, light cocktail.
This 21+ lemon vodka cocktail isn’t too sweet and isn’t pucker-up sour either, so it’s perfect for a warm day, and an even warmed plate of grilled burgers and sides.
Ingredients include: Vodka, orange liqueur, soda water, lemon juice, and sugar.
Another “salad” for you, this one is going to face-punch you with everything you love about childhood:
Apples? Check.
Pudding? Check.
Snickers candy bars? Check.
Cool Whip. Checkity check.
It’s so good, and nestled up against everything on that picnic plate, you are going to be one happy camper.
Ingredients include: Snickers candy bars, apples, vanilla instant pudding mix, milk, and cool whip.
Collard greens are a delicious and nutritious leafy green vegetable that is popular in Southern cuisine.
These collard greens are cooked with ham hocks, and can also be cooked with other vegetables, such as onions, garlic, and peppers.
Collard greens are a versatile vegetable that can be served as a side dish, soup, or stew.
They can also be added to salads, wraps, and sandwiches.
As for whether or not they taste good with burgers, that’s a matter of personal preference.
Some people love the combination of the savory burger and the slightly bitter greens, while others find it to be an acquired taste.
If you’re not sure if you’ll like it, I recommend trying it with a small amount of collard greens next to your next burger and see how you like it.
Ingredients include: Collard greens, ham hock, chicken broth, red pepper flakes, and apple cider vinegar.
Mmm, cinnamon and butter and smoky goodness.
You can add chipotle powder to this beautifully cooked acorn squash but you don’t have to.
I’m a fan of squash of all kinds because they are just so good for me.
But I gotta have the flavor and this recipe is doing it in spades.
Ingredients include: Acorn squash, chipotle, maple syrup, cinnamon, and butter.
The first time I had fried cabbage was actually at a soul food restaurant and man, it outshined almost everything else.
Lots of bacon so it’s smoky, chicken stock so it’s moist and flavorful, this recipe has it all.
Add this to everything, you guys. Yum.
Ingredients include: Cabbage, chicken stock, bacon, yellow onion, and paprika.
If you like your baked beans on the sweeter side, this one starts with canned beans and punches up the flavor with brown sugar, pineapple and honey.
This recipe borders on dessert beans (is that a thing? I’m here for it.) but this would be an outstanding side for a super savory blue cheese burger.
Ingredients include: Canned pork and beans, canned pineapple chunks, bbq sauce, brown sugar, and honey.
For the longest time I only had artichoke hearts that were in a jar, and they’re good, I like them.
But the first time I had them fresh, I was truly surprised at the difference in taste and especially in texture.
These are a bit high maintenance to prep, but if you want to have something a bit different, try this air fryer artichoke hearts recipe.
Ingredients include: Artichoke hearts, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, lemon pepper, and parmesan cheese.
93. Nacho Fries
Of course they’re my fries! And they’re nacho fries.
See what I did there?
Besides my hilarity, I also want to share this recipe for something pretty darn delicious.
This is more nacho-y than our chili cheese fries above, which are great, but if you love taco flavor, this easy recipe is going to make your family’s night.
Ingredients include: Frozen crinkle cut french fries, seasoning salt, ground beef, taco seasoning, and cheddar cheese.
Sometimes the most simple ingredients make the best side dish.
That is the case with this combo of sauteed mushrooms and onions.
You can get these started while burgers are grilling and they can slowly cook while you tend to other things.
In the end, you will had spectacular flavor that can be served on top of your burgers or on the side as a special treat.
Ingredients include: White onions, mushrooms, butter, and all purpose seasoning.
This is one of those side dishes that is a show stopper.
Grilled, whole carrots are gorgeous on the plate AND they taste AHmazing.
The carrots are sliced down the middle lengthwise and grilled with olive oil until slightly charred.
They are then glazed with a hot mixture of butter, brown sugar, honey, and salt.
Ingredients include: Carrots, honey, brown sugar, cinnamon, and olive oil.
This recipe is asparagus showing off with a bit of bacon on the side.
It is beautiful and bright and the taste is out of this world delicious.
This has everything that you could possibly want out of a side dish.
It has cheese!
It has bacon!
It has garlic!
And it even manages to bring in a good for you vegetable!
This is a rock star side dish for burgers.
Ingredients include: Asparagus, bacon, gruyere cheese, olive oil, and garlic.
97. Greek Fries
Of course, fries go with burgers but these aren’t just any fries.
Today, we bring you fries that are topped with fresh herbs and feta cheese.
Yep!
It is ok to be excited by this recipe.
I sure am.
Hot Tip: When prepping these fries be sure to dry them really well after cutting them. It really makes a difference.
Oh and, give them plenty of space in the pan. That is trick to baking crispy fries.
Ingredients include: Yukon gold potatoes, feta cheese, olive oil, oregano, and parsley.
Talk about a creative way to work in a veggie!
This recipe is quite the clever trick and it is bright and colorful at the same time.
They’re an irresistible, wholesome alternative to traditional tater tots, perfect for pleasing kids and adults alike.
These bite-sized gems are oven-baked to crispy perfection, making them a healthier choice for those seeking to satisfy their cravings.
I personally recommend that you sprinkle a bit of paprika on top of them right when you pull them from the oven for that extra bit of flavor.
Ingredients include: Russet potatoes, frozen broccoli, salt, and olive oil.
99. Cucumber Martini
Know what goes great as sides for burgers?
The right refreshing cocktail.
Make the important cucumber-infused gin first, and then once it’s ready, this martini has your name all over it.
Ingredients include: Cucumber, dry vermouth, cucumber infused gin, and ice.
Crispy parmesan garlic edamame is a delicious, easy side dish, which is a perfect option to add with your burgers.
Made by tossing tender edamame beans in a flavorful mixture of parmesan cheese, garlic powder, olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roasted to a beautiful golden brown.
This dish offers an irresistible combination of nutty, savory flavors and a satisfying crunch.
Have I piqued your interest?
I’d say it’s a definite must-try!
Ingredients include: Edamame, parmesan cheese, olive oil, garlic powder, and salt.
101. Veggie Fritters
Cleaning out your veggie drawer is now actually fun!
Start by shredding some zucchini and carrots, if you got them.
Then mix it with some flour, spices and herbs to create a batter.
Finally, pan fry them up and you have a tasty, crispy side dish made from veggies!
Ingredients include: Zucchini, potatoes, carrots, chickpea flour, and chili powder.
102. Disco Fries
AKA Jersey Gravy Mozzarella Cheese Fries, this is a gut-busting powerhouse Friday night post-night-out nosh, or a next-day brunch hangover cure.
These Disco Fries have all the delicious things you ever wanted in a potato side dish for burgers, so get to it.
Ingredients include: Frozen fries, beef broth, mustard powder, mozzarella cheese, and garlic powder.
The bottom line
Let us know in the comments or tag us in your Facebook post when you share this epic list of sides for burgers which of these are your favorites.
And could we possibly have missed a side or two?
Better share your recipes with us!
More About Burgers
102 BEST Sides For Burgers 🍔
From Cowboy Caviar, fresh 7-Layer Pea Salad, to Disco Fries and so much more, these 102 delish Sides For Burgers deserve a spot on your plate!
Ingredients
- Corn & Bacon Bowl
- Garlic Parmesan Baked Steak Fries
- Caesar Pasta Salad
- Best Burger & Fry Sauce
- Crispy Green Bean Fries
- Scalloped Corn Casserole
- Easy Onion Strings
- Pan-Seared Zucchini
- Bacon Aioli
- Sauerkraut Salad
- Baked Sweet Potato Fries
- Parmesan Spinach Mac & Cheese
- Cowboy Caviar
- Bang Bang Sauce
- Spicy Cajun Sauce
- Oven Baked Onion Rings
- Zucchini Corn Salad
- Kimchi Mac N’ Cheese Balls
- Rosemary Garlic Fries
- Smokey Baked Beans
- Greek Salad Skewers
- Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes
- Knock-Out Bacon Jam
- Fried Green Tomatoes
- Grilled Marinated Peppers
- Shoestring Fries
- Classic Macaroni Salad
- Grilled Portobello Mushroom Steaks
- Loaded Mashed Potatoes
- Corn Nuggets
- Soju Cape Cod Cocktail
- Roasted Parmesan Green Beans
- 7-Layer Pea Salad
- Fried Okra
- Sweet Heat Pickles
- Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus
- Buffalo Potato Wedges
- Roasted Carrots With Thyme
- Skillet Truffle Mac & Cheese
- Easy Tomato Relish
- Dill Potato Salad
- Banana Rum Cocktail
- Chili Dip
- Loaded Cauliflower Bites
- Grilled Ranch Potatoes
- Smoked Cream Cheese
- Giardiniera
- Popcorn Salad
- Smashed Potatoes
- Chili Cheese Fries
- Easy Taco Cups
- Mini Stuffed Peppers
- Goat Cheese Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes
- Cheese Ball With Bacon
- Copycat Big Mac Sauce
- Roasted Pear Salad
- Watergate Salad
- Skillet Confetti Corn
- Twice-Baked Potatoes
- Pickled Radishes & Onions
- Homemade Sugar Free Applesauce
- Easy Latkes With Frozen Potatoes
- Grilled Tomatoes
- Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes
- Loaded Wedge Salad
- Cucumber Gimlet
- Grilled Tequila Shrimp
- Grilled Pineapple
- Spicy Roasted Broccolini
- Salmon Burger Toppings
- Apple Carrot Slaw
- Easy Arugula Salad With Lemon
- Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole
- Fluffy Cheesecake Fruit Salad
- Thick & Clingy Blue Cheese Dip
- Buffalo Mozzarella Recipes
- Air Fryer Potato Chips
- Greek Orzo Pasta Salad
- Smoky Grilled Peaches
- Keto Snacks
- Air Fryer Roasted Zucchini & Tomatoes
- Summer Potluck Ideas
- Texas Potato Salad
- Sauteed Apples
- Seasoned Baked Potato Wedges
- Lemon Vodka Cocktail
- Snickers Caramel Apple Salad
- Southern Collard Greens
- Smoked Acorn Squash
- Southern Fried Cabbage
- Pineapple BBQ Beans
- Air Fryer Artichoke Hearts
- Nacho Fries
- Caramelized Mushrooms & Onions
- Grilled & Glazed Carrots
- Cheesy Baked Asparagus With Bacon
- Greek Fries
- Broccoli Tater Tots
- Cucumber Martini
- Crispy Parmesan Garlic Edamame
- Veggie Fritters
- Disco Fries
Instructions
- Pick one or more options from our list of Sides For Burgers here!
- Start creating your new favorite side dish.
- Did you make any changes to make it even better?
- Share this list with your friends and see what they think!
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 0Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 0g