The Best Simple Sides for Hot Dogs (Besides Potato Chips)
Hot dogs are some of the easiest foods to throw on the grill. The best thing to do with all the time you just freed up? Make a slew of simple sides for hot dogs. There are plenty of classic barbecue sides to choose from, and summery seasonal options like salads, too. But when it comes to the ideal sides for hot dogs, we recommend sticking with iconic favorites that feel just right alongside your dogs and buns. From classic coleslaw to terrific grilled corn on the cob, here are our favorite simple sides to serve with hot dogs.
Grilled Corn on the Cob with Calamansi Mayo
Victor Protasio
The classic grilled corn on the cob slathered in a creamy, cheesy calamansi mayonnaise is sure to pair well with your franks.
Smoky Coleslaw
© Todd Porter & Diane Cu
Coleslaw gets a smoky twist with chipotle and smoked paprika, plus a hint of spice from brown mustard.
Pasta Salad with Grilled Vegetables, Parsley, and Feta
© Fredrika Stjärne
Grilled asparagus, zucchini, and eggplant star in this easy vegetarian dish.
Classic Potato Salad
Photo by Antonis Achilleos / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Thom Driver
Baby potatoes, which have a naturally sweet flavor and creamy texture, are excellent in this quick salad.
Gina Mae's Baked Beans
Photo by Caitlin Bensel / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Lydia Pursell
Scholar Regina Bradley added a few special touches to her husband's baked beans recipe to make it her own. "A cookout's DNA is found in the sides and who made them. This task is not for the faint of heart or the thin-skinned," she says.
Homemade Veggie Chips
© Emily Tylman
Turn vegetable scraps into crunchy chips with olive oil and seasoning in 20 minutes.
Tomato Salad with Red Onion, Dill, and Feta
© Chris Court
A simple, herb-packed tomato salad is the perfect partner for smoky, savory hot dogs.
Crispy Baked Zucchini Fries
Jen Causey
A quick dusting of flour followed by a dunk in beaten egg helps lock the panko-and-Parmesan coating in place during broiling, making these zucchini fries perfect for dipping.
Kwame's Waffle Fries
Kyle Schmitz
2019 F&W Best New Chef Kwame Onwuachi coats these waffle fries with berbere salt. The Ethiopian spice blend brings a citrusy sweet heat to the fried spuds.
