25+ Sides For Burgers That Pair Perfectly

Grilling out for the weekend and can’t think of the perfect side for your burgers? This list of sides for burgers has everything, from the classics to the unique and different.

We all love French fries with hamburgers, and onion rings are pretty tasty, too. However, if you’re serving hamburgers and want to get creative, we’ve got you covered with some delicious side dishes for hamburgers. Whether you want something simple like a salad or a hot side dish, you’ll love these options.

Making the perfect burger takes time and effort to cook right, season, well, and make it juicy enough with every bite. When something takes this much care to make correctly, you want a side that does it justice.

Delicious burgers with beef, tomato, cheese and lettuce

A juicy, mouthwatering burger often takes center stage at any barbecue or cookout. However, what truly elevates the burger experience is having an array of delicious sides to pair with it. Choosing the right side dishes not only complements the main course but also brings a sense of balance and variety to the meal, making it more enjoyable for everyone.

There is a diverse selection of sides available, ranging from creamy coleslaw to crisp, seasoned fries. Some side dishes are classic, time-tested favorites, while others take an innovative approach to flavors and textures. This article will explore an assortment of sides-for-burgers, offering suggestions and inspiration for your next burger night.

When selecting sides for your menu, it is important to consider the burger’s flavors, as well as your guests’ preferences and dietary needs. Once you make a choice, be prepared for a memorable meal that showcases your culinary creativity and satisfies all taste buds.

We’ve all tried the classic french fries with a burger, but when you’ve done that a million times you just need something different.

We guarantee some of these hamburger sides will surprise your tastebuds and might even become your next favorite.

So, whether you’re cooking for the family or for some guests, use these side dishes for burgers to create an unforgettable experience.

Source: kleinworthco.com

1. Garlic Parmesan Steak Fries

Tired of having the same old french fries every time you cook up a burger?

Try adding a bit of parmesan cheese, parsley, and garlic and these fries won’t even resemble the classic kind.

This is the best way to level up your fry game and try something different with your burgers.

Source: therecipecritic.com

2. Barbecue Baked Beans

The savory and smoky flavor of your burger pairs perfectly with some rich baked beans.

You might be tempted to get some canned beans but kick it up a notch with some homemade bbq sauce baked beans.

Source: ladyandtheblog.com

3. Watermelon Cucumber Salad

Instead of using a melon like cantaloupe or honeydew, replace it with watermelon for the perfect summer fruit salad to go with your burger.

Every bite will be bursting with refreshing flavors and it will pair beautifully with your perfectly cooked burger.

Source: crunchycreamysweet.com

4. Pasta Salad

The rich and dense flavors of the burger combine really nicely with the light and healthy side of pasta salad.

With a combination of tangy and refreshing flavors, your burger will have the perfect pairing. This side even goes well with a veggie burger!

Make a big bowl of pasta salad so that everyone has a chance to get some, because this salad tends to go fast.

The best part is that it takes no cooking at all! Just mix in all the ingredients and refrigerate to cool down before serving your burgers.

Source: liveeatlearn.com

5. Pickled Veggies

This side dish will take some time to prepare ahead of time, but if you do, it’s the best way to elevate your meal without spending a ton of money.

You can pickle pretty much any vegetable and when you do it, it completely transforms the flavor. Some people might not enjoy the vinegar flavor, but those that do won’t be able to stop.

Source: cookieandkate.com

6. Quinoa Salad

Looking for something a little healthier to go with your barbecue burger?

Try this quinoa salad recipe for size and see how well it goes with the savory flavors of your beef burger.

Put all the healthy veggies you want, but don’t forget the red wine vinaigrette because it really completes the salad.

Source: runningtothekitchen.com

7. Melon and Cucumber Salad

You can make a salad with almost anything and this melon and cucumber salad is a perfect mix for those hot summer days.

The melons are soft but the cucumber is crunchy so you get the best of both worlds. With a bit of olive oil, salt, and pepper on top, you can really make this salad sing.

Source: gimmesomeoven.com

8. Sweet Potato Fries

We’ve all tried french fries with our burgers before, but next time you grill out try to make some sweet potato fries and you’ll love the difference.

The sweet flavor of the fries goes well with the savory and rich flavors of your beef burger.

You can even throw on a little garlic powder and rosemary to show that you really know what you’re doing.

Source: the-girl-who-ate-everything.com

9. Corn, Avocado, and Tomato Salad

Take that corn on the cob idea and cut off some corn to add to this delicious salad.

What better way to eat a rich and flavor-packed burger than with an equally tasty corn salad?

It’s a colorful, fun, and delicious way to liven up your burger sides.

Source: cdkitchen.com

10. Onion Rings

If french fries are the classic burger side, then onion rings have to be a close second.

Even if you don’t like onions, it will be hard not to enjoy a deep-fried ring as your side.

You can even get crazy and throw in a remoulade sauce to dip your onion rings in.

Source: itisakeeper.com

11. Corn on the Cob

It wouldn’t be a proper barbecue with some corn on the cob.

What makes corn on the cob excellent with burgers is not just the taste but also how long it takes to prep.

Slather some butter, throw it on the grill, and you’ll have perfect grilled corn in no time.

Source: barefeetinthekitchen.com

12. Coleslaw

If you want a true balance of flavors with your delicious barbecued burger, then you will want to consider this refreshing and creamy coleslaw recipe.

The crunchy texture and creamy sauce really take off when paired with your rich burger.

The best part is there isn’t any cooking either! Just take your cabbage and carrots and give them a nice sauce mixed with mayo, lemon, and apple cider vinegar.

Allow your slaw to chill in the fridge for a couple of hours so it can soak up the sauce.

Source: insidebrucrewlife.com

13. Mac and Cheese

Maybe you and your guests don’t care about balancing the flavors at all and want to go full-tilt into pure deliciousness.

If that’s the case, you can’t go wrong with the classic mac and cheese as your side dish for burgers.

Throw a little bacon in the mac and cheese too while you’re at it.

Source: delish.com

14. Asparagus

Another healthy option to pair with your savory burger is some steamed asparagus.

Sure, you could grill or even roast your asparagus, but when you want to go for the healthiest option you can, steaming is the way to go.

Of course, you can throw a little butter or some salt and pepper too.

Source: thestayathomechef.com

15. Roasted Tomatoes

You might normally think of tomatoes as needing to go on the burger itself, but roasting some tomatoes as your burger side is even better!

The best part is you can add a few ingredients to them like olive oil, basil, or even balsamic vinaigrette to make them taste delicious.

These won’t take you much time at all to prep, so having them as your side for your burger is a no-brainer.

Source: eatingonadime.com

16. Grilled Potatoes

French fries, potato wedges, and now grilled potatoes. When you’re making burgers, you can’t go wrong with a potato.

Since you have the grill fired up anyway, you might as well take advantage and throw your potatoes in there to get the same great smoky flavor.

Serve them up with some chives, sour cream, bacon, and butter to really put your stamp of excellence on everything.

You can even eventually make some mashed potatoes but they’ll still have that great smoky flavor.

Source: frugallivingmom.com

17. Zucchini Chips

Not many people go after zucchinis very often when thinking about sides for burgers, but that’s probably because they haven’t even tried it yet.

Slice up your zucchini into thin slices and then add some seasoning on top with a little olive oil and parmesan cheese.

Once they come out, you might never go back to normal chips with your burger again.

Source: thespruceeats.com

18. Fried Pickles

You might have had some fried pickles as an appetizer at a restaurant, but have you ever had them as a side to your burgers?

The tangy pickle mixed with the rich batter flavor makes these an instant favorite in any family and when served with a side of ranch, you’ll never be able to make enough.

Source: easyweeknightrecipes.com

19. Creamed Spinach

Having trouble getting your kids to eat their veggies?

Sometimes you need to pull out all the stops and drench your spinach in cheese, butter, and rich creamy sauce to get your kids fawning over this dip.

Serve it up with some crackers or healthy celery on the side or you could even put a little on the burger itself.

Source: skinnytaste.com

20. Potato Salad

This is another classic served with burgers that pair well because of the creamy and rich flavor profile.

Make a big bowl so that you can have extras throughout the week, because when grill day comes this side will go fast.

Source: skinnytaste.com

21. Avocado Salad

This light and refreshing dish is the perfect balance for your savory and rich burger.

Avocado is creamy like mayo so mixing it in with a bunch of other veggies and throwing some dressing on top makes it irresistible.

This is exactly what to serve with burgers if you are trying to keep a little healthy side to go with your meal.

Source: northsouthblonde.com

22. Potato Wedges

These are basically thick french fries, so you can’t go wrong when serving them with burgers.

The best part is all you have to do is prep and season them and throw them in the oven to finish.

Simple and easy, so you can focus on enjoying your time with your guests.

Delicious burgers with beef, tomato, cheese and lettuce

25+ Sides For Burgers That Pair Perfectly (+Watermelon Cucumber Salad)

These recipes are sure to please. So, gather your family and friends and enjoy. Let us know your thoughts!
5 from 6 votes
Total Time 24 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 190 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 6-8 cups cubed watermelon
  • 2 chopped cucumbers
  • 1 cup crumbled feat cheese
  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
  • 1 basil leaves
  • 1/4 cup onion
  • Dash of salt
  • Balsamic glaze

Instructions
 

  • Combine ingredients.
  • Top with crumbled feta cheese.
  • Sprinkle with salt and lime juice.
  • Cover the top lightly with balsamic glaze.

Notes

Select your favorite recipe.
Organize all the required ingredients.
Enjoy the food.

Nutrition

Calories: 190kcal
Keyword sides for burgers, watermelon cucumber salad
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Cassie brings decades of experience to the Kitchen Community. She is a noted chef and avid gardener. Her new book "Healthy Eating Through the Garden" will be released shortly. When not writing or speaking about food and gardens Cassie can be found puttering around farmer's markets and greenhouses looking for the next great idea.
Cassie Marshall
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