The 50 Best Sides for Burgers That Will Complete Your Meal
There's nothing more classic than a big, juicy burger with a side of fries. But let's shake things up a little, shall we? There are other options out there, after all, and some are lighter, more refreshing or easier to make ahead than standard frites. If you're looking for more ideas on what to serve with your favorite summertime foods, we're here to present the 50 best sides for burgers—from pasta salads to roasted vegetables—that will not only satisfy your craving, but also save you time, impress your guests and make hosting even easier.
90 Easy Summer Dinners That Everyone Will Love
Katherine Gillen
1. Grilled Sweet Potatoes with a Dilly Dip
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian, kid-friendly, <10 ingredients
Made mostly of sweet potatoes and Greek yogurt, this quick recipe is way more elegant and impressive than regular spuds. (Just look at those char marks.) If you don't like dill, substitute parsley, cilantro or any other soft herb you prefer.
Katherine Gillen
2. Corn Fritters with Elote Dip
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, vegetarian, kid-friendly
Skip hum-drum corn on the cob with butter in favor of these crispy, zesty fritters that are just as easy to make (and they taste like all the best parts of an elote to boot). Make a second batch of the citrusy dip for taco night.
Katherine Gillen
3. Cacio e Pepe Zucchini
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients, vegetarian
When in doubt, you can't go wrong with the black pepper-Parmesan treatment, whether it's on meat, pasta or cacio e pepe zucchini. This recipe makes for a great way to use up your farmers market haul of summer zucchini. Feel free to swap in broccoli or yellow squash if those are more your speed.
Robert Bredvad/The Secret Ingredient Cookbook
4. Caesar Pasta Salad
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, less than 500 calories, beginner-friendly
Crisp, cool lettuce salad or creamy pasta salad? You shouldn’t have to choose, and now you don’t.
Katherine Gillen
5. Strawberry, Basil and Arugula Salad with Lots of Black Pepper
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: ready in <15 minutes, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
This dressing practically makes itself, no bottles or blenders needed. The secret is letting the vinegar and strawberries macerate while you prepare the greens.
Taylor Peden and Jen Munk/Cook This Book
6. Green Beans with Garlicky Pistachio Vinaigrette
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: make ahead, beginner-friendly, less than 500 calories
These are not the mushy green beans you’re used to. A quick blanch followed by a dip in ice water, and they’ll be crisp, crunchy and satisfying.
Yum Creative/I Heart Cheese
7. Crispy Halloumi ‘Fries’ with Roasted Tomato Dip
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, high protein
This takes the meaning of “cheeseburger” to a new level. Think mozzarella sticks, but with the volume turned up.
Eva Kolenko/Bread Toast Crumbs
8. Spicy Broccoli Sauté
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, less than 500 calories, <10 ingredients
A juicy burger in one hand and a forkful of crisp-tender broccoli in the other: You could say we’re all about balance.
Emily Dorio/The Saltwater Table
9. Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Horseradish and Sea Salt
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, less than 500 calories, special occasion–worthy
French fries are always a hit, but you can do better than a bag of frozen spuds. The creamy horseradish sauce really takes things over the top.
Simon Pask/The Happy Balance
10. Zesty Chargrilled Broccolini
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, ready in <15 minutes, low carb
Toss them on the grill just as the burgers are finishing up, and they’ll be perfectly al dente when they reach the table.
Karen Tedesco/Family Style
11. Roasted Mediterranean Vegetables
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: low carb, less than 500 calories, crowd-pleaser
A big old burger can feel heavy with all those fried, creamy, carb-y sides, so add some veggies to balance things out.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
12. Avocado and Black Bean Pasta Salad
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
Pasta salad is to burgers as peanut butter is to jelly. This version combines all our favorite Tex-Mex flavors.
Photo: Tyler Mauk/Styling: Anne Mauk
13. Corn and Tomato Salad with Feta and Lime
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, kid-friendly
It’s time to take things off the cob. We love the way the corn caramelizes in the pan, and a hint of fresh lime juice brightens everything up at the end.
Gentl and Hyers/Open Kitchen
14. Cold Soba Noodle Salad with Strawberries
Time Commitment: 21 minutes
Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, make ahead, less than 500 calories
Think of this as fancy pasta salad. The strawberries sound out of place, but they actually complement the miso dressing really well.
Eleisha Johnson/The Peach Truck Cookbook
15. Pearl Couscous with Chickpeas, Eggplant and Peaches
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: make ahead, vegetarian
What to do with a surplus of summer peaches? Serve them at every dinner possible. This dish strikes just the right balance between sweet and savory, and it’s great served cold, warm or room temp. Talk about versatile.
Ana Cuba/The Modern Cook's Year
16. Kale and Brussels Sprout Caesar Slaw
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: low carb, less than 500 calories, no cook, ready in <30 minutes
It’s like coleslaw but elevated. It’s hard to believe, but the dressing is actually completely plant-based.
Photo: Jon Cospito/Styling: Heath Goldman
17. 20-Minute Burrata Salad with Stone Fruit and Asparagus
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser
This salad combines all our favorite seasonal produce into one bountiful side dish (lettuce need not apply).
Amy Neunsinger/The Magnolia Table
18. Joanna Gaines’s Peach Caprese Salad
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: ready in <15 minutes, no cook, less than 500 calories
We have nothing against ripe summer tomatoes, but sometimes it’s nice to switch things up with your salads.
Two Peas and Their Pod
19. Black Bean Salad
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: ready in <15 minutes, no cook, make ahead, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
This dreamy salad works great as a dip, so feel free to break out a bag of tortilla chips on the side.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
20. Grilled Watermelon Feta Skewers
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, <10 ingredients, low carb
Sweet watermelon and tangy feta cheese is the new tomato and mozzarella. Just think of it as a deconstructed salad.
Photo: Eric Moran/Styling: Erin McDowell
21. Zucchini ‘Fries’
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
Fact: You’re never going to make french fries as good as your favorite fast food joint does. Instead, try this recipe for zucchini “fries,” which hits all the salty, crispy, savory notes you crave.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
22. Slow Cooker Baked Beans
Time Commitment: 6 hours, 10 minutes
Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
A classic cookout side, without any of the fuss. Throw them in the Crockpot before lunch, then get back to the pool. By dinnertime, these beans will have baked themselves.
Healthfully Ever After
23. Sweet Corn, Tomato and Zucchini Grain Salad with Peach-Dijon Vinaigrette
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, ready in <15 minutes, less than 500 caloriies
It takes only a few minutes to whip up this beauty, and it uses plenty of fresh, ripe produce.
What's Gaby Cooking
24. Melon Caprese Skewers
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, ready in <15 minutes, kid-friendly
You'll want to make this melon, prosciutto and mozzarella side all summer long.
Erin McDowell
25. Crispy Mushrooms
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, low carb
We toss cremini mushrooms in olive oil, garlic salt and a little vinegar, and then slow roast them in the oven. The ’shrooms get nice and crispy, making them the ideal side to munch before you dive into that burger.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
26. Grilled Peach and Halloumi Salad with Lemon-Pesto Dressing
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser
Spread it out on a big platter, and it’ll wow everyone at your next backyard party.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
27. Zoodles with Summer Vegetables
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: less than 500 calories, ready in <30 minutes, gluten free
Give guests a lightened-up “pasta” salad option at your Fourth of July cookout. You can buy pre-cut zoodles in the produce or frozen food section of most major grocery stores, or cut them yourself using a spiralizer.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
28. Grilled Watermelon Steaks
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: special occasion–worthy, beginner-friendly
These grilled watermelon steaks are hefty, smoky and perfectly seasoned.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
29. Loaded Baked Potato ‘Chips’
Time Commitment: 1 hour, 5 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, low sugar
Mini, bite-size baked-potato slices topped with all the fixings will be a hit with the whole family.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
30. Make-Ahead Farro and Brussels Sprout Salad
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: make ahead, less than 500 calories
Buh-bye, lettuce. Brussels sprout leaves win out for their irresistible crunch and magical ability to never wilt, even when they’re dressed ahead of time.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
31. Roasted Peach and Arugula Salad
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, <10 ingredients
This tangy summer salad fits right into your backyard barbecue menu.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
32. Turnip Fries
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: low carb, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
Two things we love: 1) Turning other vegetables into fries and 2) Baking them in the oven instead of, well, frying them.
PHOTO: JON COSPITO/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
33. Pimento Cheese-Stuffed Shishito Peppers
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, special occasion–worthy, low carb
Presenting charred shishitos like you’ve never seen them before. Just think of these pimento-cheese-stuffed peppers as a trendy, classed-up version of jalapeño poppers. Finger food at its finest.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
34. Mexican Street Corn Dip
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, less than 500 calories
Mexican street corn, grilled and coated with creamy cotija cheese, is a summer delight. All you need are a few fresh cobs of corn and a handful of simple ingredients to whip up a dip that boasts street food flavor.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
35. Summer Millet Salad
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead
When it comes to summer cooking, grain salads certainly have an edge over green salads—you can make them ahead of time and they’ll never wilt.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
36. Grilled Corn with Spicy Aioli
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser
Forget butter: You’ll be sold on corn with spicy mayo for life. It's an easy—and absolutely delicious—upgrade.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
37. Light and Tangy Coleslaw
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, no cook, make ahead, dairy free
Never fear: This isn’t the gloppy, flavorless mush you grew up with. Crunchy with a vinegary kick, it’s—dare we say it?—the perfect summer side.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
38. Chilled Cucumber Salad
Time Commitment: 1 hour, 35 minutes
Why We Love It: dairy free, gluten free, make ahead, no cook
Add something light and fresh to your plate (you know, to balance out that double cheeseburger with fries).
Two Peas and Their Pod
39. Roasted Asparagus with Lemon, Feta and Pistachios
Time Commitment: 27 minutes
Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, <10 ingredients
The pistachios add crunch, the feta is creamy and the asparagus is just plain delicious.
What's Gaby Cooking
40. Mexican Corn and Quinoa Salad
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
If you’re lighting the grill for your burgers, throw some corn on the fire, too.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
41. Cauliflower ‘Tater’ Tots
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, less than 500 calories
Say goodbye to regular tater tots. These guys trade spuds for cauliflower and are just as ideal for dipping. What more could you ask for?
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
42. Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
Because sometimes you do need a side of fries. And did we mention there’s actually no frying involved?
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
43. BLT Pasta Salad
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, make ahead, crowd-pleaser
It combines all the crunchy, savory, creamy ingredients of the classic sandwich—plus pasta, because why not?
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
44. Jalapeño Avocado Mac and Cheese
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, <10 ingredients
Having mac and cheese and a burger is the epitome of summertime living. This is next-level comfort food.
Gimme Some Oven
45. Avocado Potato Salad
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, kid-friendly
This has everything we love about traditional potato salad but uses Greek yogurt instead of mayo to lighten things up.
Damn Delicious
46. Creamy Broccoli Salad
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: ready in <15 minutes, no cook, make ahead
This broccoli salad has it all: hunks of cheese, cashews, onion, dried cranberries and the most obsession-worthy creamy dressing.
15 Veggie Side Dishes You Can Make in 15 Minutes or Less
Erin McDowell
47. Homemade Potato Chips
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
Fun fact: You can make chips at home without a deep fryer (or a culinary degree). Just cook them in the broiler until they’re crispy and golden.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
48. Roasted Cauliflower Macaroni and Cheese
Time Commitment: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, kid-friendly
This is the picnic side everyone silently stands near the table for, waiting to dig in. Plus, the roasted cauliflower will make you feel semi-virtuous as you go back for seconds (and thirds).
Katherine Gillen
49. Ranch Potato Salad
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
Once you get a taste of from-scratch ranch dressing, you'll never want the bottled stuff again. This one is rich and creamy, thanks to a generous dose of buttermilk. (It sure beats boring, gloppy mayo, no?)
Katherine Gillen
50. Caprese Pasta Salad
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
This picnic-ready side, which consists of just nine ingredients (including cherry tomatoes, balsamic vinegar and all the mini mozz balls) is portable, satisfying and a breeze to prepare ahead. Just make it the night before your cookout and pop it in the fridge until dinnertime.
