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The summer will be here before you know it, meaning it is almost grilling season. When you consider the most popular foods you can make on this appliance, you likely think of burgers. Almost everyone loves this entree option, and it is delicious with hotdogs and sausages.
You know what meats go with burgers, but you may wonder about side dishes you can prepare. The available options range from onion rings to pasta salad to roasted tomatoes. To learn more about what to serve with burgers, continue reading the information below.
Table of Contents
Sides for Burgers
1. Garlic Parmesan Fries
When you think of burgers, you probably immediately imagine a large side of french fries. Dip these delicious potato slices in ketchup to add a sweet and tangy flavor. If you want to take this side dish up a notch, consider garlic parmesan fries.
You will mix the sliced potatoes with chopped garlic, parsley, and parmesan cheese to make these fries. You will appreciate the rich flavors that help to accentuate the seasoning you use on the burgers. Bring a taste of Italy to your quintessential American meal with these garlic parmesan fries.
2. Pasta Salad
Pasta salad is one of the most versatile side dishes that you can make for burgers. Serve a cold variant on a warm summer’s day. You can make the pasta salad ahead of time, keeping it in the refrigerator until the cookout or get-together.
Pasta salad is typically light and healthy, meaning it will provide the perfect balance to a greasy burger. Consider ingredients like onions, olives, peppers, or tomatoes to start. When you mix the vegetables and pasta, add a vinaigrette or a creamy sauce of some variety.
3. Sweet Potato Fries
Try the sweet potato fries if you want a healthier alternative to traditional potato ones. This side dish has rich flavors that pair directly with your burger. Sweet potato fries have a sweeter taste that goes well with the savory flavor of the meat.
If you want the flavors of the sweet potatoes to shine, put your fries on a pan on a grill. They will absorb the taste of the charcoal or smoke. If you want to take your fries a step further, mix the sweet potato slices with rosemary, garlic, or cinnamon sugar.
4. Onion Rings
Onion rings are another in-demand side idea for burgers. This food is easy to make, and it only takes a few minutes to finish cooking. Slice a large onion in rings, dip it in a batter of your choice, and put it in a deep fryer until it turns golden brown.
Take your onion rings to the next level by creating a dipping sauce to go with them. Most individuals enjoy a remoulade that will add a sense of creaminess. Add zesty flavors to the sauce to bring some tanginess similar in taste to the burger.
5. Corn on the Cob
Corn on the cob is the perfect side if you want to grill your hamburgers. You can put this vegetable, wrapped in foil, right on the racks. Make sure to spread butter on the corn so that you can better enhance its flavors.
Consider making Mexican street corn to bring some international flair to this vegetable. Combine cojita cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic, lime juice, cilantro, and other seasonings of your choice first. Spread the mixture directly on the corn cob, and wrap it in the foil aforementioned, placing it on the grill after.
6. Macaroni and Cheese
Macaroni and cheese are just as sought-after as fries as a side dish for burgers. You can cook this paste on the stove or place it in the oven, covering it with breadcrumbs. Some individuals even choose to add chunks of vegetables or meat, including tomatoes or bacon.
If you want to make your burger unique with this side dish, consider putting macaroni and cheese on your burger. Treat it just as you would any other topping. Your first bit is sure to be an overload of flavors that you will be unable to resist.
7. Asparagus
Asparagus is one of the healthiest side dishes you can make to serve with hamburgers. Throw the vegetable on the grill, or place it on a baking sheet to roast it. If you want the healthiest cooking method, steam the asparagus in a pot of water.
To bring flavor to the asparagus, you should cover it in melted butter. Season it to your liking with salt and pepper to give it a bit of a bite. If you want to get creative, consider wrapping the asparagus in bacon to get more protein in your meal.
8. Roasted Tomatoes
When you serve hamburgers, you likely slice tomatoes to put directly on the sandwich. You can also use this vegetable as a side for your meal! Roast the tomatoes in the oven or in a pan on the grill to achieve the perfect results.
You will need to add specific ingredients to give the roasted tomatoes some flavor. Sprinkle them with balsamic vinegar or olive oil, and add spices like basic or thyme. Rather than using full-sized tomatoes, you can opt for cherry tomatoes, which naturally have a sweeter flavor.
9. Potato Packets
If you want a side that will limit how many dishes you dirty, make potato packets. You will put the vegetables in a foil packet and place them directly on the grill. Flip it after six or seven minutes to ensure the potatoes finish cooking.
Most individuals choose to use baby potatoes as they naturally have significantly more flavor. Add a couple of pieces of butter to the packet, and sprinkle the vegetables with salt and pepper. To add additional flavors, you can chop up an onion, slice some parsley, or sprinkle kernels of corn.
10. Zucchini Chips
When you consider simple side dishes for hamburgers, you likely think of buying a bag of potato chips. These snacks are notoriously unhealthy, which you should think about if you have guests with dietary restrictions. If you want a healthier option, consider making zucchini chips.
You will need to purchase at least three or four zucchinis, cutting them into thin slices. Before putting the vegetables in the oven, you should add seasoning like salt and pepper. Add olive oil and parmesan cheese to bring out Italian flavors that will ensure you never want a potato chip again.
11. Fried Pickles
You either love or hate pickles, but the fried variety is a side dish that anyone will love. You may immediately think of the appetizer variety when you hear about this option. Fried pickles can be the perfect side for hamburgers as they bring flavor and tang.
Make sure to prepare a side of ranch to serve with your fried pickles. Purchase the pre-made variety from a grocery store and pour it into a bowl. You can also learn to make your own. To create homemade ranch, you will need sour cream, buttermilk, mayonnaise, chives, garlic, lemon juice, dill, and parsley.
12. Potato Salad
Potato salad is a delicious side for hamburgers if you want an option that you can make ahead of time. Boil the vegetables and mix the ingredients, placing them in a bowl at least 24 hours before your cookout or get-together.
Potato salad is a customizable side dish for your meal of hamburgers. Add mustard if you want a tangy variety, or put eggs in the mixture if you want an option rich in protein. Potato salad is perfect when served on a hot summer’s day as it will fill you up and keep you cool in the warm weather.
13. Avocado Salad
Avocado salad is another healthy side dish option that you can serve with hamburgers. It is light and refreshing and can keep you cool on a hot day. Avocados are rich in healthy fats, bringing you the Omega-3s you need for your cardiovascular and immune health.
Avocado salad is another side dish you can prepare a day or two in advance. The fruit has a natural creaminess, meaning you can mash and mix it as a sauce. Chop up any other fruits or vegetables you want in your salad, and consider a dressing to make the salad irresistible.
14. Coleslaw
Typically, you may find coleslaw with barbecue or on top of hotdogs. This side dish is also perfect for hamburgers. There will be the perfect balance of savory meat and sweet and rich coleslaw.
Coleslaw will bring a texture change to your meal, as the cabbage and carrots have a natural crunch to them. Plus, this side dish is easy to make as you only need to combine the vegetables with lemon juice, mayonnaise, or apple cider vinegar. Make sure you give the coleslaw time to get cold before serving it.
What to Serve with Hamburgers
Hamburgers are some of the most popular entree options for the summer. You can place them right on the grill or cook them in a pan on the stovetop. Prepare the perfect toppings, including sliced onions, tomatoes, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, and any other creative options you can consider.
Now that you have everything you need for your hamburgers, you need to determine the perfect side dish. Consider fun options like onion rings or sweet potato fries, or opt for something classic like potato salad or french fries. IF you want a healthier option, consider roasted asparagus or avocado salads.
FAQs
What Goes With Burgers Instead of Chips?
Chips are a popular side dish for hamburgers, especially since you only need to buy a bag from a store. If you want an alternative to this popular option, consider the zucchini variety. These chips are healthier and will surprise you at how easy they are to make.
If you want to stick with potatoes, consider french fries. You can also place these vegetables in a foil packet, with butter, spices, onions, and corn kernels, right on the grill. If you want another healthier alternative, cook sweet potato fries, incorporating seasonings like cinnamon sugar, parsley, and more.
What Sides Go With Hamburgers and Hotdogs?
When you think of a summer cookout, images of hamburgers and hotdogs are likely to pop into your mind. Though the entrees are delicious, you need to prepare the perfect sides. Available options range from deep-fried foods to salads and everything in between.
If you want a quick and hot option, cook french fries, fried pickles, onion rings, mac and cheese, or potato packets. Healthier options include roasted asparagus, roasted tomatoes, corn on the cob, and sweet potato fries. Finally, there are side dishes you can prepare ahead of time, including pasta salad, potato salad, coleslaw, and avocado salad.
