✔ Updated · list grown from 11 to 35 sides, grouped by type, with make-ahead tips
These are my 35 favorite sides for burgers, from crispy fries and onion rings to tangy slaws and fresh summer salads. Pick one crunchy, one fresh and you've got a cookout plate that never gets boring.
The best sides for burgers are French fries, onion rings, coleslaw, potato salad, corn on the cob, baked beans, mac and cheese and a crisp green or cucumber salad. For balance, pair one crispy or starchy side with one cool, tangy one: fries with coleslaw, onion rings with a cucumber salad, or grilled corn with pasta salad.
- Classic: fries, tater tots, onion rings
- Cookout: coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans, corn on the cob
- Lighter: cucumber salad, grilled vegetables, watermelon, a green salad
How to Pick the Right Side
A burger is rich, salty and soft, so the best sides bring either crunch or something cool and tangy. My rule of thumb: one crispy side, one fresh side. If the burger is loaded with cheese and bacon, lean lighter; a simple grilled patty can handle mac and cheese.
These sides work with beef, turkey, chicken and plant-based patties, including my veggie burgers with avocado green harissa. Need the burger itself? Start with my hamburger recipes and the best toppings for burgers.
Fries and Potato Sides
1. Classic French Fries
The undefeated burger side. Double-fry thin-cut russets for crisp outsides and fluffy middles, then salt them while hot.
Get the recipe →2. Cajun Fries
Boardwalk-style fries tossed in a smoky, peppery Cajun seasoning. Great with a plain cheeseburger that needs a little kick.
Get the recipe →3. Animal-Style Fries
Fries loaded with melted cheese, caramelized onions and tangy spread. Basically a burger topping on a plate of fries.
Get the recipe →4. Sweet Potato Fries
Sweet, slightly caramelized and crisp from a hot oven. A pinch of smoked paprika plays beautifully against a salty patty.
5. Tater Tots
Crunchy little potato nuggets that go straight from freezer to oven or air fryer. Kids and grown-ups both fight over these.
6. Potato Wedges
Thick, seasoned wedges with crisp edges and soft centers. Sturdier than fries, so they hold up well to dipping.
Get the recipe →7. Potato Salad
Creamy, tangy and best made a day ahead. The cool, soft texture is a classic match for a hot grilled burger.
Get the recipe →8. Potato Skins
Crispy potato shells loaded with cheddar, bacon and green onion. Ideal for game-day burger nights.
Get the recipe →9. Hasselback Potatoes
Thinly sliced, butter-basted potatoes with crisp, fanned edges. A dressed-up side when burgers are for company.
Get the recipe →10. Kettle Chips and Dip
The no-cook option: a bowl of crunchy kettle chips with French onion dip. Honestly, sometimes this is all you need.
Crispy and Fried Sides
11. Onion Rings
Sweet onion in a crunchy golden coating. The salty-sweet bite makes them the second-most popular burger side for good reason.
Get the recipe →12. Fried Pickles
Tangy dill pickle chips in a crisp breading, served with ranch. The acidity cuts right through a rich burger.
Get the recipe →13. Jalapeño Poppers
Cream cheese-stuffed jalapeños, breaded and fried or baked. Mild heat and creamy filling in every bite.
Get the recipe →14. Fried Mozzarella Sticks
Gooey cheese in a crisp crumb coating with warm marinara. A crowd-pleaser for burger and movie nights.
15. Fried Mushrooms
Button mushrooms in a light, crisp batter. Earthy, juicy and very good dunked in garlic aioli.
Slaws and Salads
16. Creamy Coleslaw
Finely chopped cabbage in a sweet, tangy mayo dressing. The crunch and chill are exactly what a burger plate needs.
Get the recipe →17. Buttermilk Coleslaw
A sweeter, softer slaw with buttermilk and lemon in the dressing. Great piled right onto the burger, too.
Get the recipe →18. Vinegar Coleslaw
No mayo, just cabbage, carrot and a sharp sweet-sour dressing. Lighter, and it holds up for hours at a picnic.
19. Macaroni Salad
Elbow pasta in a creamy dressing with celery, onion and a little sweet pickle. A cookout must for many families.
20. Italian Pasta Salad
Rotini with salami, mozzarella, olives and tomatoes in Italian dressing. Make it the night before and it only gets better.
21. Cucumber Salad
Thin cucumbers and red onion in a quick vinegar dressing. Cool, crunchy and ready in 10 minutes.
22. Classic Wedge Salad
A cold iceberg wedge with blue cheese dressing, bacon and tomatoes. Steakhouse vibes next to a big burger.
23. Caesar Salad
Crisp romaine, crunchy croutons, parmesan and a garlicky dressing. A simple, sharp contrast to a cheesy patty.
24. Caprese Salad
Ripe tomato, fresh mozzarella and basil with olive oil. Best in late summer when tomatoes are at their peak.
25. Broccoli Salad
Raw broccoli florets with bacon, cheddar, red onion and a sweet creamy dressing. Crunchy and great made ahead.
26. Three-Bean Salad
Green beans, kidney beans and chickpeas in a tangy sweet vinaigrette. Cheap, colorful and keeps for days.
27. Chickpea Salad
Chickpeas, cucumber, tomato, olives and feta with lemon and olive oil. A fresh, filling side for lighter burgers.
Get the recipe →Grilled and Vegetable Sides
28. Corn on the Cob
Sweet summer corn, grilled or boiled, then rolled in butter and salt. Charred kernels are the best part.
Get the recipe →29. Mexican Street Corn
Grilled corn slathered with creamy lime sauce, cotija and chili powder. Smoky, tangy and a little messy, in the best way.
30. Grilled Vegetables
Zucchini, peppers, onions and mushrooms charred on the grill next to the burgers. One heat source, two dishes.
Get the recipe →31. Southern Green Beans
Green beans slow-simmered with bacon and onion until tender and savory. A comfort-food side for a diner-style plate.
Get the recipe →32. Watermelon Wedges
Ice-cold, juicy and zero effort. Sprinkle with a little flaky salt and lime for a sweet-salty bite after a burger.
Beans, Mac and Breads
33. Baked Beans
Sweet, smoky beans baked with bacon, brown sugar and mustard. A barbecue classic that loves a grilled burger.
34. Mac and Cheese
Creamy, cheesy and rich. Serve small portions with a simple burger, or bake it in ramekins for a crispy top.
Get the recipe →35. Cornbread
Buttery, slightly sweet cornbread baked in a skillet. Perfect next to a smoky barbecue burger and baked beans.
Get the recipe →Make-Ahead Tips for Cookouts
- Day before: potato salad, pasta salad, macaroni salad, broccoli salad and bean salads all taste better after a night in the fridge.
- A few hours ahead: coleslaw and cucumber salad. Dress them 1 to 2 hours before serving so they stay crunchy.
- Last minute: fries, tots, onion rings and anything fried. Crunch fades fast, so cook them while the burgers rest.
- Food safety: keep mayo-based salads cold and don't leave them out more than 2 hours (1 hour above 90°F). Set the bowl inside a bigger bowl of ice outdoors.
- Burger safety: cook ground beef burgers to 160°F in the center. Here's more on how long coleslaw lasts and how long potato salad lasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular side dish with burgers?
French fries are by far the most popular side with burgers, followed by onion rings, potato chips, coleslaw and potato salad. At backyard cookouts, baked beans and corn on the cob are also very common.
What is a healthy side for burgers?
Lighter options include a green salad, cucumber salad, vinegar coleslaw, grilled vegetables, corn on the cob, watermelon or oven-baked sweet potato fries. Pairing a burger with one fresh, vegetable-based side keeps the meal balanced.
What sides go with burgers for a party or BBQ?
Choose sides that can be made ahead and served cold or at room temperature, such as potato salad, pasta salad, coleslaw, baked beans and bean salads. Add one hot crunchy side like fries or onion rings if you can cook it at the last minute.
What can I serve with burgers instead of fries?
Try tater tots, potato wedges, onion rings, sweet potato fries, kettle chips, fried pickles or corn on the cob for something crunchy. For a lighter swap, a crisp salad or grilled vegetables work well.
How many sides should I serve with burgers?
For a weeknight dinner, one or two sides is plenty: usually one starchy or crispy side and one fresh side. For a cookout or party, plan three to four sides so there is something for everyone, including a vegetarian-friendly option.
