45 Best Sides for Burgers to Complete Your Meal

Robert Bredvad/The Secret Ingredient Cookbook

1. 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.

2. 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

No bottles or blenders needed—this dressing practically makes itself. The secret is letting the vinegar and strawberries macerate while you prepare the greens.

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Taylor Peden and Jen Munk/Cook This Book

3. 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’re crisp, crunchy and satisfying.

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Yum Creative/I Heart Cheese

4. 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.

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Eva Kolenko/Bread Toast Crumbs

5. 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.

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Emily Dorio/The Saltwater Table

6. 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.

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Simon Pask/The Happy Balance

7. 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.

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Karen Tedesco/Family Style

8. Roasted Mediterranean Vegetables

Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: low carb, less than 500 calories, crowd-pleaser

A big ol’ burger can feel heavy with all those fried, creamy, carb-y sides, so add some veggies to balance things out.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

9. 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.

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Photo: Tyler Mauk/Styling: Anne Mauk

10. 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.

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Gentl and Hyers/Open Kitchen

11. 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.

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Eleisha Johnson/The Peach Truck Cookbook

12. 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.

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Ana Cuba/The Modern Cook's Year

13. 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.

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Photo: Jon Cospito/Styling: Heath Goldman

14. 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.

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Amy Neunsinger/The Magnolia Table

15. 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.

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Two Peas and Their Pod

16. 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.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

17. 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.

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Photo: Eric Moran/Styling: Erin McDowell

18. 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.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

19. 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 it in the Crockpot before lunch, then get back to the pool. By dinnertime, these beans have baked themselves.

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Healthfully Ever After

20. 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.

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What's Gaby Cooking

21. 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.

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Erin McDowell

22. 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.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

23. 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.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

24. 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.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

25. 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.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

26. 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.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

27. 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.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

28. 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 in to your backyard barbecue menu.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

29. 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.

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PHOTO: JON COSPITO/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL

30. 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.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

31. 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.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

32. Summer Grain 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 and they’ll never wilt.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

33. 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.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

34. 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.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

35. 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).

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Two Peas and Their Pod

36. 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.

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What's Gaby Cooking

37. 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.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

38. 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?

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

39. 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?

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

40. 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?

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

41. 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.

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Gimme Some Oven

42. 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.

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Damn Delicious

43. 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.

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Erin McDowell

44. 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.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

45. 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).

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The 45 Best Sides for Burgers That Will Complete Your Meal

1. Caesar Pasta Salad

2. Strawberry, Basil and Arugula Salad with Lots of Black Pepper

3. Green Beans with Garlicky Pistachio Vinaigrette

4. Crispy Halloumi ‘Fries’ with Roasted Tomato Dip

5. Spicy Broccoli Sauté

6. Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Horseradish and Sea Salt

7. Zesty Chargrilled Broccolini

8. Roasted Mediterranean Vegetables

9. Avocado and Black Bean Pasta Salad

10. Corn and Tomato Salad with Feta and Lime

11. Cold Soba Noodle Salad with Strawberries

12. Pearl Couscous with Chickpeas, Eggplant and Peaches

13. Kale and Brussels Sprout Caesar Slaw

14. 20-Minute Burrata Salad with Stone Fruit and Asparagus

15. Joanna Gaines’s Peach Caprese Salad

16. Black Bean Salad

17. Watermelon Feta Skewers

18. Zucchini “Fries”

19. Slow Cooker Baked Beans

20. Sweet Corn, Tomato and Zucchini Grain Salad with Peach-Dijon Vinaigrette

21. Melon Caprese Skewers

22. Crispy Mushrooms

23. Grilled Peach and Halloumi Salad with Lemon-Pesto Dressing

24. Zoodles with Summer Vegetables

25. Grilled Watermelon Steaks

26. Loaded Baked Potato ‘Chips’

27. Make-Ahead Farro and Brussels Sprout Salad

28. Roasted Peach and Arugula Salad

29. Turnip Fries

30. Pimento Cheese Stuffed Shishito Peppers

31. Mexican Street Corn Dip

32. Summer Grain Salad

33. Grilled Corn with Spicy Aioli

34. Light and Tangy Coleslaw

35. Chilled Cucumber Salad

36. Roasted Asparagus with Lemon, Feta and Pistachios

37. Mexican Corn and Quinoa Salad

38. Cauliflower ‘Tater’ Tots

39. Baked Sweet Potato Fries

40. BLT Pasta Salad

41. Jalapeño Avocado Mac and Cheese

42. Avocado Potato Salad

43. Creamy Broccoli Salad

44. Homemade Potato Chips

45. Roasted Cauliflower Macaroni and Cheese

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