We have the ultimate guide on the Best Sides for Burgers (What To Serve With Burgers)! The aroma of freshly grilled burgers will have you drooling in no time. Paired with these incredible side dishes, you’ll have a meal made for a king.
When it comes to classic hamburgers, the focus tends to be on the patty itself.
The bigger focus for cookouts are making sure you have the best bbq side dish ideas to wow your guests! Baked beans go without saying. You just need to decide if you’re serving a classic burger side of Guinness Baked Beans or Grilled Bourbon Peach Baked Beans.
A great burger can truly shine when paired with the best burger sides. Now the hard part is to decide which one you want to try first.
Spoiler alert: Grilled Sweet Potatoes in Foil or Grilled Baby Potatoes that we dip in a big ol’ dollop of ketchup.
🍔 Cooking Burgers
There are a couple of ways to cook burgers on the grill, but my favorite is to smoke them. Smoked Hamburgers are insanely good and very easy to make! If you’re in a rush (like I am half the time), learn the best way to cook Frozen Burgers or make the super fast Travis Scott Burgers.
When I entertain for a cookout, I love to make the Kobe Beef Kebabs as they are about two bites each and everyone loves them so they can eat all the burger sides they want while still having the taste of the beef.
You’re not going to go wrong with whichever choice, and it really depends on how much time you have and ingredients you want to try out.
Burger Toppings
Best Onions for Burgers – I am a huge fan of adding the fried and crispy onions or the sautéed ones to the burger, but there are several varieties to choose from. You will love putting thick slices of grilled sweet onion on the grill to pile on to your thick burger.
Best Lettuce for Burgers – There is a fine art to choosing the best lettuce. From the easy-to-find iceberg to more eclectic artisan varieties, choose a mix that works best for your event.
Best Buns for Burgers – I had no idea there were so many varieties until I really started to do the research. We have a large list of options that will give you a ton to choose from. I highly recommend the pretzel buns if you are looking for something different!
Best Sides for Burgers
Grilled Parmesan Sweet Potatoes
Here’s a recipe that is great for all of you potato lovers. Grilled Parmesan Cheese Sweet Potatoes are easy and a family favorite. Grilled parmesan potatoes are a delicious side with burgers and steaks and can be added to any summertime BBQ menu. Mix it up by substituting feta cheese or goat cheese on top.
These savory potatoes were so delicious I knew I needed to share them!
Air Fryer Seasoned Steak Fries
These Air Fryer Seasoned Steak Fries are crisp on the outside, soft on the inside, and seasoned beautifully! These are healthier in the air fryer because they only use a very small amount of oil.
Whether you serve it as a side dish, appetizer, or a light meal, you’ll find they are delicious. Best of all, you can whip out the air fryer and cook these at the same time as the burgers.
Crispy Hassleback Potatoes
Super thin slices of potatoes that are crisp in minutes, thanks to an air fryer. This air fryer potato recipe is an easy and impressive side dish for any meal, such as a hearty grilled burger. It’s a fun way to dress up a classic baked potato.
Plus, you can add all your favorite toppings including salt and pepper, sour cream, and shredded cheese. Can’t you just picture these with a big ol’ burger at your next family meal?
Grilled Vegetable Platter
If you’re looking for a side dish that’s quick and easy to make and is a summer favorite, consider grilling vegetables. Grilled vegetables add color and texture that really complement burgers and other main dishes. Plus, arranging the veggies on a platter looks gorgeous! Carrots, peppers, red onions, asparaugs, zucchini and drizzled with fresh herbs. Opt for a drizzle of lemon juice for a fresh citrus flavor or minced garlic.
You’ve already got the grill going for the burgers, so add on these vegetables to turn the meal into a real feast!
Creamy Southwestern Pasta Salad
This creamy Southwestern pasta salad is a total crowd-pleaser. It’s so deliciously creamy, with a hint of spicy tang from chili powder & ancho powder. Fresh chunks of avocado and chipotle ranch dressing round out the flavors.
It’s easy to make, perfect for picnics or potlucks, and always a hit. We love bringing it to barbecues because it holds up great and everyone devours it. And who doesn’t love a good pasta salad on their plate with their freshly grilled burger?
Honey Sriracha Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are a delicious, nutritious vegetable. Add Sriracha and honey for a perfect blend of spiciness and sweetness. They’re irresistible, addictive, and sure to be your new favorite side dish. This is one recipe you won’t want to pass up.
This is made in the oven in 20-25 minutes and is perfect for cooking while the burgers are being cooked.
Follow the recipe as is or make it using a batch of your own Honey Sriracha Sauce to jazz up the recipe to a whole new level.
Hearty BLT Salad
Need a hearty, easy side dish for your next cookout? This BLT salad is simple and fresh—perfect for serving alongside burgers and smoked hot dogs. The perfect complement to bacon, lettuce, and tomato is creamy buttermilk ranch dressing, cheddar cheese, and crunchy cucumbers. Trust me on this one!
Crispy Parmesan Onion Rings
Crunchy, flavorful, and easy these homemade onion rings are amazing! Panko bread crumbs are used to coat the onion rings and then they are pan fried to perfection. The homemade sriracha sauce is the right amount of spicy goodness too.
Imagine biting into a fat juicy burger and enjoying some homemade onion rings alongside! You could pop these in your air fryer and cook for 8-11 minutes indoors while the burgers are finishing on the grill.
Smoked Potato Salad
This creamy potato salad has a mayo and sour cream base that is filled with tender potatoes, cheese and bacon. The base is similar to Grandma’s Macaroni Salad.
This recipe takes a few extra minutes to smoke the potatoes, but the results are well worth it. Plus, you already have the grill going for the burgers!
Chipotle Coleslaw
Don’t host a barbecue without making some sort of coleslaw! This chipotle coleslaw is beautifully spicy and has the best tangy flavors. It’s fast to make and comes together in as little as 10 minutes, even faster if you buy the pre-sliced cabbage. You aren’t going to want to miss this coleslaw recipe.
Spinach Artichoke Dip
I don’t think there is a more rewarding dish than homemade spinach artichoke dip! Seriously, that creamy, cheesy goodness is irresistible. It can be made in the slow cooker or baked in the oven.
Take it with you to the next party or serve it with a batch of hot and juicy burgers!
Fried Okra
There’s a reason why grandma used to make fried okra…it’s delicious! It’s been around forever and once you taste it, you’ll understand why. Drizzled in ranch dressing or eaten by itself, it’s bound to become a new favorite.
Hatch Green Chile Mac and Cheese
This isn’t a traditional classic mac and cheese recipe. In fact, it’s extraordinary! Every bite is filled with creamy cheese, elbow macaroni, and green chile peppers. Oh, and the best part is…BACON! Try this mac and cheese next time your make burgers.
Air Fryer Corn On The Cob
Corn on the cob is always a favorite among kids and adults, but did you know you could make it in your air fryer? Yep, and it’s so juicy and delicious every time. The corn is ready to devour in just 20 minutes.
Serve with your favorite burgers, potatoes or french fries, and some fresh veggies to complete the dinner.
Fried Pickles
There you have it. A slew of recipes to make the perfect side dish at your next cookout or block party.
Drop us a line or comment below which ones you used and how much you loved them.
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Ginny Collins is a passionate foodie and recipe creator of Savor and Savvy and Kitchenlaughter. Indoors she focuses on easy, quick recipes for busy families and kitchen basics. Outdoors, she focuses on backyard grilling and smoking to bring family and friends together. She is a lifelong learner who is always taking cooking classes on her travels overseas and stateside. Her work has been featured on MSN, Parade, Fox News, Yahoo, Cosmopolitan, Elle, and many local news outlets. She lives in Florida where you will find her outside on the water in her kayak, riding her bike on trails, and planning her next overseas adventure.
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