12 Tasty Sides to Serve with Burgers (Other Than Fries!)
You love a burger, but you're not always in the mood to enjoy one with a pile of fries. Are they your only side option? We think the simplicity of a classic burger makes it an ideal canvas for pairing with all manner of easy dishes. These are our favorite ideas.
Hosting a barbecue this summer? There's a very good chance that burgers will be on the menu—but what you should serve alongside your grilled beef, turkey, fish, or veggie patty isn't always so clear. Sure, fries are a classic pairing, but who wants to deep fry in the summer? Plus, there are so many delicious, fresh, and crunchy options that are healthier, too—recipes that come together in the same amount of time it takes to grill burgers. From crunchy slaw and pasta salads to full-bodied pickled veggies, we've gathered the best companions to any burger you're cooking on the grill.
The most obvious companion to a grilled burger is probably the humble potato, but and there are many options that go beyond French fries. You can slice potatoes and grill them alongside your burgers, or, for a super-hearty side, you can bake them and serve with a batch of warm, peppery baked beans. Spice things up by choosing a sweet potato recipe, or pick another vegetable entirely to create an even more unique batch of french fries. We're particularly fond of zucchini, which can be tossed in panko crumbs and baked in a flash.
When we're making burgers in the summertime, we like to enjoy them with a side of the freshest, most seasonal produce. We also give bonus points to those sides that don't require any cooking, such as vegetable-based summer slaws and make-ahead salads, which are chock full of colorful ingredients and zesty summer flavors. If you only have a handful of vegetables from the garden, try making a quick pickled side for a piquant touch to your cheeseburger dinner. Keep these easy sides in mind the next time you fire up the grill.
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Corn-and-Avocado Salad with Goddess Dressing
A fresh salad of romaine, radishes, and corn with a creamy dressing cuts right through the heft of a burger-centric meal. Bonus: The avocado is in the dressing so you can make this salad ahead and not worry about it browning while you're tending the grill.
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Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Buttermilk
A tangy dill dipping sauce is the perfect foil for these burger-worthy wedges—the sauce can do double-duty as a patty condiment, too.
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Tomato and Avocado Salad
Add color and fresh flavor to your meal with this vibrant salad. You can even slip a few slices in as a burger topping if you like!
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Simple Coleslaw
Crunchy and refreshing, slaw might just be the ultimate summer side for meaty mains like a burger. This tangle of cabbage and carrot is dressed with a balance of tangy mustard, mayonnaise, and sour cream to create the standard slaw.
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Seasoned Roasted-Corn Salad Cups
Corn is a natural partner for a summer burger, whether on the cob or off. This tasty recipe call for charring the corn and tossing with jicama, chiles, cilatro, oil, lime juice, and queso fresco. It's sweet, juicy, and a little bit spicy.
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Melon and Cucumber Salad
If you're looking for something sweet and refreshing to serve on the side of a burger, you've found it in this gorgeous, couldn't-be-easier salad.
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Grilled Potato Slices with Salt and Vinegar
This might be a more healthful take on salt-and-vinegar chips, but we promise that it's just as satisfying.
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Garlic-Ginger Cucumbers
Crisp, refreshing, and with a one-two punch from the garlic and ginger, these lively cucumbers might steal the show.
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Crisp Zucchini-Panko Fries
Mix it up with these vegetable (not the usual potato) fries. These panko-crusted wonders transform the ubiquitous zucchini into an irresistible side.
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Shaved Fennel, Zucchini, and Celery Salad
Try this for a crunchy, fresh, and substantial side to that meaty patty. Shavings of fennel, zucchini, and celery pair well with butter beans and almonds in a white-wine vinegar and olive oil dressing.
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Cucumbers with Lemon and Basil
Toss this quick, fresh, and healthy summer side together—it's ideal for noshing alongside a juicy burger. You can make this fast dish up to eight hours in advance of your cookout.
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Pickled Vegetables
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Turn gorgeous summer vegetables into a zesty pickle using our quick, easy recipe—you only need to simmer these veggies in a vinegar solution for 10 minutes.