The 45 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? Presenting the 45 best sides for burgers—from pasta salads to roasted vegetables—that will satisfy your craving. Looking for more ideas on what to serve with your favorite summertime foods? Check out these unexpected sides for hot dogs and these barbecue sides the whole family will love.
1. Caesar Pasta Salad
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, less than 500 calories, beginner-friendly
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
3. Green Beans with Garlicky Pistachio Vinaigrette
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: make ahead, beginner-friendly, less than 500 calories
4. Crispy Halloumi ‘Fries’ with Roasted Tomato Dip
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: kid-friendly, high protein
5. Spicy Broccoli Sauté
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, less than 500 calories, <10 ingredients
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
7. Zesty Chargrilled Broccolini
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, ready in <15 minutes, low carb
8. Roasted Mediterranean Vegetables
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: low carb, less than 500 calories, crowd-pleaser
9. Avocado and Black Bean Pasta Salad
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
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
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
12. Pearl Couscous with Chickpeas, Eggplant and Peaches
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: make ahead, vegetarian
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
14. 20-Minute Burrata Salad with Stone Fruit and Asparagus
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser
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
16. Black Bean Salad
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <15 minutes, no cook, make ahead, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
17. Watermelon Feta Skewers
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: kid-friendly, <10 ingredients, low carb
18. Zucchini “Fries”
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
19. Slow Cooker Baked Beans
- Time Commitment: 6 hours, 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
RELATED: 17 Surprising Potato Salad Recipes That Will Win the Summer Barbecue
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
21. Melon Caprese Skewers
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: no cook, ready in <15 minutes, kid-friendly
22. Crispy Mushrooms
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, low carb
23. Grilled Peach and Halloumi Salad with Lemon-Pesto Dressing
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser
24. Zoodles with Summer Vegetables
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: less than 500 calories, ready in <30 minutes, gluten free
25. Grilled Watermelon Steaks
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: special occasion–worthy, beginner-friendly
26. Loaded Baked Potato ‘Chips’
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 5 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, low sugar
27. Make-Ahead Farro and Brussels Sprout Salad
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: make ahead, less than 500 calories
28. Roasted Peach and Arugula Salad
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, <10 ingredients
29. Turnip Fries
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: low carb, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
30. Pimento Cheese Stuffed Shishito Peppers
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, special occasion–worthy, low carb
31. Mexican Street Corn Dip
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, less than 500 calories
32. Summer Grain Salad
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead
33. Grilled Corn with Spicy Aioli
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser
34. Light and Tangy Coleslaw
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, no cook, make ahead, dairy free
35. Chilled Cucumber Salad
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: dairy free, gluten free, make ahead, no cook
36. Roasted Asparagus with Lemon, Feta and Pistachios
- Time Commitment: 27 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, <10 ingredients
37. Mexican Corn and Quinoa Salad
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
38. Cauliflower ‘Tater’ Tots
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, less than 500 calories
39. Baked Sweet Potato Fries
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: kid-friendly, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
40. BLT Pasta Salad
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: kid-friendly, make ahead, crowd-pleaser
41. Jalapeño Avocado Mac and Cheese
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, <10 ingredients
42. Avocado Potato Salad
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, kid-friendly
43. Creamy Broccoli Salad
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <15 minutes, no cook, make ahead
RELATED: 15 Veggie Side Dishes You Can Make in 15 Minutes or Less
44. Homemade Potato Chips
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
45. Roasted Cauliflower Macaroni and Cheese
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, kid-friendly
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