What to Serve with Burgers: 15+ Tasty Sides
Looking for an easy recipe for veggies or a new pasta salad idea? I have recipes for sides that are perfect for every summer burger barbecue!
It’s almost summer, which means…burgers-on-the-barbecue season! And if you’re looking for some fresh and interesting easy sides to add to burger night this year, I’ve got you covered. In this post, we are going to cover the basics (there’s nothing wrong with classic French fries, after all), but we are also going to discuss my favourite side dishes that aren’t your typical summer cookout classic sides. Whether you’re looking for an easy recipe for homemade buns or a new twist on the usual pasta salad, I’ve got tasty side dish recipes for every summer barbecue!
Let’s get straight to the recipes!
The Perfect Summer Barbecue
Before we get to the tasty side dishes, let’s make sure you get the main course right! I’m going to give you my recipes for the building blocks of a yummy summer cookout, all handmade and all easy to put together.
Juicy & made from scratch
Best Ever Hamburgers
Let’s start with the classic choice of barbecue main dishes: a juicy burger, made from scratch. This is my go-to recipe for hamburgers. It’s an easy, reliable, and delicious burger recipe that everyone loves. They’re meaty, flavourful, and so delicious grilled on the barbecue. I like to dress this delicious burger with fried onions, fresh tomatoes and lettuce, melted cheese, pickles (for that satisfying crunch), and ketchup and mustard. These make for classic cheeseburgers that are sure to impress your backyard BBQ guests! And with just a few simple ingredients, you’ll wonder why you ever bought hamburger patties from the store.
More burger recipes:
The best Burger Bun
Homemade Hamburger Buns
This versatile recipe for fresh buns can be used to make dinner rolls, tray buns, and, of course, hamburger buns. Let your bread machine do all the mixing and kneading, and then shape them yourself and bake them in the oven! Make hamburger buns a bit flatter and wider than a dinner roll. Baking them the morning of (or even the day before) is a great way to ease your load when the actual cooking time comes!
Crispy, Delicious, & made From Scratch
Air Fryer Home Fries
This would not be a very good post about side dishes for burgers if I didn’t include my favourite recipe for crispy fries, made from scratch at home! These are so simple and have only three ingredients: potatoes, olive oil, salt + pepper. I like to make them thick and hearty, but you could cut them thinner for a fast food-inspired vibe. You could also easily change things up with your own favourite seasonings, like garlic, chili powder, or fresh herbs. Sometimes, simple sides are the best ones.
What is a good substitute for fries with burgers?
If you’re ready to stray away from the classic cookout sides, I have some other options for you! Sometimes it’s fun to be creative and experiment with something other than French fry recipes.
Perfect on the Barbecue or campfire
Roasted Potatoes on the Barbecue (or Campfire)
Roasted potatoes are one of the best sides to serve with burgers, and you don’t have to heat up your oven (or kitchen) to make them! This recipe works great for the barbecue OR an open campfire. They are so easy too: cut up potatoes, an onion, any other fresh veggies you want to add (mushrooms, bell peppers, sweet potatoes, or garlic work well), and season them with herbs, salt, and pepper. Put them in a tinfoil sheet pan and cook them on an open flame or barbecue grill.
Crunchy & Delicious
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
Want to try something different than the usual potato sides? Try these Air Fryer Zucchini Fries instead! They are SO easy to make: 10 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of cook time. The fries are coated in a bread crumb/Parmesan cheese mixture and popped straight into the air fryer, no extra oil necessary. Forget your deep fryer, it just isn’t necessary to make this perfectly crunchy, delicious non-potato burger side dish!
the perfect side dish
Orzo with Parmesan and Basil
This Orzo with Parmesan and Basil is a flavourful side dish that goes well with so many things (including burgers!). It’s easy to make, fresh and flavourful, and ready in about 25 minutes. Your whole family will love it!
What are good sides for burgers? Salads, of course!
Salads (green, pasta, or otherwise!) provide the perfect balance for a backyard barbecue. Nothing goes with a savoury burger quite like a good salad option! I’ve gathered some of my absolute favourites that are sure to please any palate.
the ultimate summer salad
Fresh Tomato Salad with Basil Balsamic Vinaigrette
This Fresh Tomato Salad with Basil Balsamic Vinaigrette can be made in 15 minutes, and it’s the perfect side dish for a healthy summer meal. It’s fresh, light, and the combined flavours really make the whole dish pop! Fresh basil is the ultimate summer taste in my house!
A homemade classic
Caesar Salad Recipe
If you’re looking for a homemade Caesar salad dressing that’s creamy, garlicky, lemony, and delicious, this is it! This simple recipe is a classic. It’s made with a couple of tablespoons of mayonnaise instead of raw egg, which makes a creamy dressing without the fuss. Chop up some romaine lettuce, add some croutons, and you have a perfect homemade salad side dish.
Oh So Simple
Creamy Cheddar Macaroni Salad
This Creamy Cheddar Macaroni Salad is the perfect summer pasta salad. It’s loaded with peppers, celery, onions, chunks of cheddar cheese, and elbow noodles, all covered in a tangy sour cream dressing. Simple, quick, and so delicious!
Try Something Different
Dill Pickle Potato Salad
If you’re looking for an easy recipe for potato salad that’s a little different and a whole lot delicious, then try this Dill Pickle Potato Salad! Roasted potatoes, caramelized onions, and delicious dill flavour from a homemade creamy dill dressing and chopped dill pickles all combine to make this potato salad SO good. It’s on repeat here at home!
A flavourful summer side dish
Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad
This Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad is a perfect summer side dish! It’s loaded with tortellini, tomatoes, olives, cheese, salami, artichoke hearts, and fresh basil and tossed in a tangy Parmesan garlic dressing. What could be more perfect next to the burger on your plate at your next backyard barbecue?
A Must-Make Salad
Bruschetta Pasta Salad
Is there a better foodie match made in Heaven than tomatoes, basil, garlic, and cheese? Now, just add some noodles and you have my Bruschetta Pasta Salad. Picture yourself on a sunny summer deck, glass of wine (or sparkler) in hand, sitting down to a delicious summer burger and this salad beside it. So good.
Fresh, Delicious, & NutriTious
Avocado Corn Couscous Salad
If you’re looking for a fresh and flavourful side dish for your next summer dinner or barbecue, this Avocado Corn Couscous Salad is it! Made with pearl couscous, roasted corn, avocado, fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, herbs, and Bocconcini cheese and tossed in a tangy dressing, this salad is a simple yet delicious addition to the menu.
Tangy & Simple
All Green Salad with a Creamy Avocado Vinaigrette
Sometimes, all you need is a fresh green salad with a delicious homemade dressing. If that’s what you’re in the mood for, you’re in luck! This Creamy Avocado Vinaigrette is tangy, flavourful, easy to make, and perfect on a simple green salad. It’s worth the tiny bit of effort to make your own dressing. Try this recipe and I’ll prove it to you!
a family fave!
Ramen Cabbage Salad
This Ramen Cabbage Salad always makes an appearance at least once alongside burgers in the summer! It’s classic and so so good, the bowl empties quickly! This flavourful and delicious salad is loaded with shredded cabbage, bean sprouts, mushrooms, ramen noodles, almonds and seeds, all tossed in a tangy dressing. Makes a big batch, which is perfect for summer cookouts.
a classic
Classic Potato Salad
There’s just nothing better than Classic Potato Salad with burgers! This easy recipe is made with simple ingredients that creates that classic flavour you come to expect from potato salad. It’s creamy and so delicious! This recipe can be made ahead of time too, making it perfect for summer barbecues.
Veggies
Sometimes you need a delicious vegetable cooked just right to go with your grilled burger, am I right? I have a couple of mouthwatering options that go great with sunshine and patio entertaining.
A crowd Pleaser
Grilled Corn on the Cob with Cilantro Butter & Lime
If you’re looking for a new and delicious way to make corn, try grilling corn on the cob with butter, lime juice, and cilantro! It’s the perfect way to use up all that sweet summer corn! Plus, it’s easy to make, pairs perfectly with burgers, and is always a crowd pleaser.
Roasted, Crunchy, & tender
Roasted Asparagus
There is no better way to enjoy asparagus than to roast it! Roasted asparagus is crunchy yet tender and rich in flavour. And all you need is oil, salt, and pepper to make this vegetable come to life in your oven or on your barbecue! And oh so good with burgers.
the perfect texture
Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
These Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites are crunchy and delicious! Cauliflower florets are coated in buffalo hot sauce and then tossed in Panko bread crumbs before cooking, giving them the perfect texture! Cauliflower cooked this way is a burger side dish everyone will love. I always double this recipe because it goes fast!
And that’s it! Everything you need to put together a complete summer burger meal, from classic fries and potato substitutes to tonnes of salad options and some cooked veggies too.
Want to add a tasty dessert to your meal?
Lemons and Summer just go Together
21 Tasty Desserts for Lemon Lovers
This is a delicious collection of 21 Lemon Desserts for all you lemon lovers out there! Bright, tangy, sweet + delicious recipes. Everything from tarts to cakes, cookies, muffins, mousse and more!
A Classic Summer Dessert
Peach Raspberry Crisp
Peach Raspberry Crisp is a classic summer dessert, made with fresh seasonal peaches and raspberries. Serve warm with cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. So good.
Easier Than Pie!
Summer Galette Recipe Ideas
Take the stress out of pie-making and make a galette instead! Galettes are a delicious way to enjoy all of the fruits of summer. Enjoy these Summer Galette Recipe Ideas.
Enjoy! Have a delicious day!
