The Best Sides For Burgers To Serve At Your Next Cookout

Quick Pickled Slaw
Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Tina Stamos

Once you've decided burgers are on the menu, the next decision to make is what side dishes you'll prepare to accompany them. While the possibilities for side dishes are practically endless, these are our favorite sides to serve alongside burgers. You'll find a variety of recipes on our list. From classics like baked beans and corn on the cob to new favorites like broccoli slaw and air fryer French fries, you can't go wrong with any of these side dishes for burgers.

Whether you're having burger night for dinner at home with your family or need a side dish to take along to a cookout with friends, we're here to provide plenty of inspiration for your menu. After scrolling through this list of sides for burgers, we bet the hardest decision will be narrowing the list down to just a couple of recipes to make the next time you fire up the grill.

01 of 32

Homemade Baked Beans

a casserole dish of baked beans
Photographer: Fred Hardy II, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Props Stylist: Christina Brockman

Canned beans help this classic cookout side come together with just 15 minutes of hands-on time. It's the bacon and sorghum or molasses that bring that homemade touch. Let the beans bake in the oven while you cook the burgers.

02 of 32

Air Fryer French Fries

Air Fryer French Fries
Caitlin Bensel

We think these homemade fries rival restaurant ones. They aren't hard to pull together; just make sure you allow the fries to sit in cold water for an hour before you start the cooking process. This will help them crisp up.

03 of 32

Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe in a dark casserole pan
Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese

While sometimes boxed mac and cheese will do, we think this homemade version is the best choice when burgers are on the menu. This dish is familiar comfort food at its finest. Choose your favorite cheese or try our top choice, Cracker Barrel's Extra-Sharp Cheddar Cheese.

04 of 32

Potato Salad With Sweet Pickles

Potato Salad with Sweet Pickles
Southern Living

As classic as it gets. this potato salad is made with boiled eggs, sweet pickles, and of course plenty of mayonnaise. Serve warm or chilled according to your family's tastes.

05 of 32

Classic Deviled Eggs

Devilish Spins on Deviled Eggs
Hector Sanchez

If you're looking to whip up another simple side at the last minute, you probably already have all of the ingredients to make classic deviled eggs in your refrigerator. This basic recipe uses a touch of sweet pickle relish and a sprinkle of paprika.

06 of 32

Creamy Broccoli Slaw

Creamy Broccoli Slaw
Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Save yourself time with bagged broccoli slaw mix or use up leftover broccoli stems from your cooking. We've embellished this colorful slaw with a tart and creamy dressing, toasted pecans, and golden raisins.

07 of 32

Oven-Roasted Corn On The Cob

Oven Roasted Corn on the Cob
Photographer: Fred Hardy II, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Props Stylist: Christina Brockman

Make the most of fresh corn any time of the year with this easy technique for corn on the cob that is bursting with flavor. We recommend slathering the ears with butter and fresh herbs before wrapping them in foil to roast. You can swap in your own favorite seasonings.

08 of 32

Potato Salad With Dijon And Scallions

Potato Salad with Dijon and Scallions
Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Multicolored potatoes in this lighter version of potato salad create a pretty finish. The ingredient list doesn't include mayonnaise, relying on mustard, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, and honey for loads of flavor. Scallions and pickled red onions dress up the dish.

09 of 32

Lemon Vinaigrette Pasta Salad With Field Peas

Lemon Vinaigrette Pasta Salad with Field Peas
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

Here's a pasta salad for celebrating all that summer produce from the farmer's market. Our recipe calls for basil, chives, parsley, and dill, but you can adjust accordingly based on what fresh herbs you may already have on hand. With so many options, this one stays fresh all summer long.

10 of 32

Best-Ever Succotash

Best-Ever Succotash
Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

This colorful summer side is almost too pretty to eat. Sliced tomatoes, okra, and corn create a rainbow of color while bacon and fresh basil pack in the flavor. We're betting you'll clean your plate.

11 of 32

Macaroni Corn Casserole

Macaroni Corn Casserole
Will Dickey; Prop Styling: Christina Daley; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

You don't have to choose between serving corn or mac and cheese thanks to this 9x13 casserole recipe. White Cheddar and Gruyère pair up to create a gooey, melty base for the dish, while mustard, garlic, and cayenne add a kick.

12 of 32

Homemade Potato Chips With Fried Herbs

Homemade Potato Chips with Fried Herbs
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Christina Daley

Instead of reaching for bagged chips, make this homemade recipe that just requires five ingredients. Use a mandoline to achieve just the right thickness for crispy chips. Toss with fried herbs for an elegant touch.

13 of 32

Easy Grilled Asparagus

Easy Grilled Asparagus
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

This asparagus recipe will allow you to prepare the whole meal on the grill. Make the sherry vinaigrette ahead of time, as the asparagus cooks up very quickly. After charring your jumbo asparagus, you'll dress it with the vinaigrette and crumbled bacon.

14 of 32

Broccoli, Grape, And Pasta Salad

Broccoli, Grape, and Pasta Salad
Jennifer Davick

When burgers are on the menu for lunch, pasta salad is the perfect pairing. Especially one that satisfies all of your taste buds with sweet grapes, salty bacon and pecans, and a tart dressing.

15 of 32

Simple Roasted Okra

Simple Roasted Okra
Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Melissa Gray

Roasting okra softens and chars the skin to perfection. All you need for this recipe in addition to fresh okra is olive oil and some spices. Use smaller pods or slice larger ones through the middle.

16 of 32

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Photography, and Food Styling: Karen Rankin

If you usually serve regular fries on burger night, swap it up by serving sweet potato fries instead. The air fryer cooks them until they are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Use flaky sea salt for an extra crunch.

17 of 32

Southern Fried Corn

Southern Fried Corn
Caitlin Bensel

We think this recipe makes the shucking worth the hassle. Corn niblets sautee in a sizzling skillet with butter, onion, and garlic, releasing all their savory aromas. Choose the freshest corn cobs for the best flavor.

18 of 32

Easy Cauliflower Casserole

Easy Cauliflower Casserole
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

While this casserole makes use of a whole head of cauliflower, we've also included plenty of cheese, butter, and breadcrumbs. Both kids and adults will love eating their veggies in this form.

19 of 32

Fried Skillet Potatoes

Fried Skillet Potatoes
Caitlin Bensel

No peeling is necessary with this potato recipe. We parboil the potatoes before crisping in a skillet. This reduces cooking time and amps up the flavor.

20 of 32

Marinated Tomato-And-Herb Salad

Marinated Tomato-and-Herb Salad
Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Anna Hampton; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch

Fresh summer tomatoes shine in this herby salad. We recommend using full-flavored heirloom tomatoes or really juicy beefsteak ones. You can toss in cherry tomatoes too for a range of colors and textures.

21 of 32

Zucchini, Squash, And Corn Casserole

Zucchini, Squash, and Corn Casserole
Hector Sanchez

Celebrate summer's bounty with a mix of zucchini, yellow squash, and corn. You'll know this casserole is ready to come out of the oven once the top is golden brown. Just make sure to let it stand for 15 minutes before serving.

22 of 32

Grilled Endive-And-Halloumi Salad With Strawberries

Grilled Endive-and-Halloumi Salad with Strawberries
Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

We love the chance to throw something unexpected on the grill, like endive hearts and a firm Greek cheese. Combined with peppery arugula, juicy strawberries, and a vinaigrette, this dish will make any hamburger-eating occasion feel more special.

23 of 32

Crispy Fried Pickle Spears With Ranch Dipping Sauce

crispy fried pickles in a basket with ranch dipping sauce
Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Christine Keely

Serve the state fair favorite alongside your burgers with this simple recipe for fried pickle spears. We dredge them in a cornmeal mixture before frying in a Dutch oven. Then we serve them with a buttermilk ranch dipping sauce that keeps you coming back for more.

24 of 32

Watermelon, Cucumber, And Feta Salad

Watermelon, Cucumber, and Feta Salad
Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Toni Brogan

This refreshing salad is just what you need at a sweltering barbecue. But it's more than a thirst quencher: Onion, lemon juice, and freshly torn mint leaves give the dish plenty of pizzazz.

25 of 32

Baked Zucchini Fries

Southern Living Baked Zucchini Fries on a platter with marinara sauce

Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey

Kids and adults alike will devour tender zucchini coated in crisped panko breadcrumbs. If your last attempt turned out soggy, we have a few tips for you to follow. We like serving them with marinara sauce, but standard ketchup or a creamy ranch make great dippers too.

26 of 32

Grilled Bell Pepper Caprese

Grilled Bell Pepper Caprese
Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch; Food Styling: Anna Hampton

We substituted grilled bell peppers here, which adds a sweet smokiness you don't usually find in a Caprese salad. Squeezed lime juice instead of vinegar makes it ultra-fresh. Provide crusty bread for soaking up the juices.

27 of 32

Classic Macaroni Salad With Ham

How to Make Classic Macaroni Salad with Ham

This macaroni salad has a longer ingredient list than some, but that's what makes it so good. All you have to do is toss the ingredients with cooked macaroni elbows. Prepare a couple of hours ahead of time so it can chill in the fridge.

28 of 32

Creamy Cucumber Salad

Creamy Cucumber Salad With Dill
Hannah Zimmerman/Southern Living

You can't go wrong with this Eastern European classic: cucumber, fresh dill, and onions dressed with tangy sour cream. We recommend using English cucumbers, which are slightly sweeter and have a thinner skin. But this is also a great way to use cucumbers from your kitchen garden.

29 of 32

Pineapple-Pepper Slaw

Pineapple-Pepper Slaw
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Bring a tropical flair to your cook-out with this sweet and spicy slaw. This side dish is popping with flavor and color from the pineapple, bell pepper, jalapeño, red and green cabbage, and cilantro tossed in lime juice and honey.

30 of 32

Tomato, Peach, And Corn Salad

Tomato, Peach, and Corn Salad
Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele

This one-step recipe may be simple, but the unexpected combination of tomatoes, peaches, and corn is anything but boring. The flavors marry well in a sweet and tangy honey vinaigrette. Make this salad right as you're plating your burgers so that the tomatoes stay firm.

31 of 32

Crispy Onion Rings With Kickin' Ranch

Crispy Onion Rings with Kickin’ Ranch
Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Christine Keely

Getting the oil to the right temperature is the secret to crispy onion rings. We also use panko bread crumbs for an extra crispy coating. But the best part could be the homemade Kickin' Ranch, which just may bring a tear to your eye.

32 of 32

Quick Pickled Slaw

Quick Pickled Slaw
Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Tina Stamos

From start to finish, you need just 15 minutes to make this quick slaw recipe. Healthy veggies soak in a vinegar mixture in order to soften slightly, but still retain a crunch. Adventurous eaters might even enjoy this side on their burgers.

Was this page helpful?
Related Articles