Go Beyond Fries: 30 Recipes for Burger Sides (2024)

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Flipping some patties tonight? Make sure to save room on your plate for these sides for hamburgers. We've gone way beyond fries with recipes for pasta salads, beans, air-fried sides and more.

Fresh Corn Salad

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People who prefer food with some tang find this fresh corn salad particularly appealing. It’s a pretty dish that’s a great side for hamburgers. If you’re like me and enjoy growing your own ingredients, you won’t have to pick up much at the store. —Carol Shaffer, Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Before you prep this salad, check out our favorite ways to make burgers.

Crispy Baked Onion Rings

This crispy baked onion rings recipe is a healthy alternative to the deep-fried version. Thyme and paprika enhance the flavor of the tender onions. —Della Stamp, Long Beach, California

Onion rings and burgers are a match made in heaven! Learn how to make extra-juicy burgers to go with these baked rings.

Green Goddess Vegan Potato Salad

Don’t be fooled by the green color—this vegan potato salad is absolutely delicious! It’s perfect for potlucks and for those with dietary restrictions. —Laura Wilhelm, West Hollywood, California

If you’re going vegan, try our favorite plant-based burgers.

Grilled Corn in Husks

If you’re new to grilled corn in the husk, season the ears with butter, Parmesan cheese and parsley. It’s especially good! Be sure to give the corn a long soak before putting it on the grill. Hot off the grate, the kernels are moist and tender with a wonderful, sweet flavor. —Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey

Check out more ways to make corn on the cob.

Caprese Pasta Salad

This easy Caprese pasta salad is always a favorite, especially when summer tomatoes are at their peak. It comes together quickly, but if you can make it ahead of time, the flavors seem to get better after it’s chilled for a few hours. —Debby Harden, Lansing, Michigan

We love pasta salads as a side for hamburgers. Branch out with even more pasta salad recipes.

Contest-Winning Grilled Mushrooms

Grilled mushrooms always taste good, but this easy recipe makes them taste even more fantastic. As the mother of two children, I love to cook entire meals on the grill. It’s fun spending time outdoors with the kids. —Melanie Knoll, Marshalltown, Iowa

Grilled veggies make great sides for hamburgers. Before you fire up the grill to make these mushrooms and some cheeseburgers, refresh your memory on how to use a charcoal grill.

Three-Pepper Coleslaw

There are never any leftovers when I make this dish for a picnic, barbecue or any social gathering. —Priscilla Gilbert, Indian Harbour Beach, Florida

Found your sides already? Find the best hamburger recipe for you in our recipe collection.

Ranch-Style Beans

We serve these ranch-style beans at all of our barbecues. It seems most people who live here like spicy flavorful food, and this fits the bill just right. —Wilma Ruth James, Ranger, Texas

Editor’s Tip: If you’re hosting a party and it’s time to plan the menu. You could order a party sub or serve these amazing slider recipes!

Dilled Potato Salad

What’s a picnic without potato salad? This recipe will add delightful new flavor to yours. The spices make the difference. —Cam Cox, Hemet, California

Air-Fryer Potato Chips

For Christmas one year, I received an air fryer. Potato chips are simple to make in it and are an essential, crispy side for lunch. —Melissa Obernesser, Oriskany, New York

Cherry Tomato Pasta with Avocado Sauce

Heart-healthy avocado makes this pasta dish feel indulgent without being overly rich. The flavorful sauce is so luscious, you’ll think there is cream hiding in there. It’s guilt-free and dairy-free, but with a texture and consistency that’s similar to traditional cream-based sauces. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland

Herbed Steak Fries

Seasoned to perfection, these herbed steak fries from our Test Kitchen make a quick and tasty side dish for casual suppers. A great way to dress up frozen fries in a hurry!

You can’t beat steak fries and hamburgers. Check out these burger toppings for an even better combination.

Southwest Corn Salad

I first saw this Southwest corn salad recipe in the Omaha paper a few years ago. It’s ideal for family get-togethers of all kinds. Hearty enough to serve during winter, this salad always brings back memories of summer picnics! —Joanna Lonnecker, Omaha, Nebraska

Looking for something homey? Whip up this cheeseburger meat loaf for dinner tonight.

Healthy Potato Salad

This healthy potato salad is crunchy-delicious with a brilliant zesty dressing. —Brittany Allyn, Mesa, Arizona

Grilled Vegetable Platter

This recipe is the best of summer in one dish! These pretty veggies are perfect for entertaining. Grilling brings out their natural sweetness, and the easy marinade really perks up the flavor. —Heidi Hall, North St. Paul, Minnesota

Discover more recipes like this perfect for 4th of July side dishes.

Radish Cucumber Salad

I put this cucumber radish salad together with vegetables I had left in my garden. My family liked it so well, I started bringing it to community suppers and was often asked for the recipe. It’s a refreshing side dish for any meat entree. —Mildred Sherrer, Bay City , Texas

Old Bay Crispy Kale Chips

Here in East Hampton, NY, harvesttime means big bunches of kale from local growers. These crunchy kale chips are delicious, super healthy and easy to make. I make them with seasoning to take the flavor up a notch. For extra zip, add a dash of cayenne pepper. —Luanne Asta, East Hampton, New York

Summer Orzo

I’m always looking for fun ways to use the fresh veggies that come in my Community Supported Agriculture box, and this salad is one of my favorite creations. I like to improvise with whatever I have on hand, feel free to do the same here! —Shayna Marmar, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Smoked Mac and Cheese

I found this smoked mac and cheese recipe, and I kept working with the ingredients until I discovered the perfect combination. You can bake it in the oven, too. —Stacey Dull, Gettysburg, Ohio

Marinated Cucumbers

These cucumber slices make a cool summer side dish dressed in a light, tangy vinegar and oil mixture seasoned with herbs. The refreshing salad is always a hit when served with cold sandwiches or grilled meat.
-Mary Helen Hinson, Lamberton, North Carolina

Crispy Baked Zucchini Fries

I coat zucchini strips with a mixture of panko bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese and spices. Then I bake them until they're crispy and golden brown. Delicious! —Matthew Hass, Ellison Bay, Wisconsin

Yummy Corn Chip Salad

Corn chips give a special crunch and an unexpected flavor to this potluck favorite. Bacon adds a hint of smokiness, while the cranberries bring a touch of sweetness. It’s the perfect picnic companion! —Nora Friesen, Aberdeen, Mississippi

Grilled Asparagus

Tender, with a delicious barbecue flavor, this grilled asparagus makes a perfect side dish for grilled meats. Don’t know how to cook asparagus on the grill? Just place the stalks on a double skewer. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Classic Macaroni Salad

This classic macaroni salad recipe is a refreshingly light take on an all-time favorite. It’s perfect for a fast weeknight dinner or a festive weekend barbecue. —Dorothy Bayes, Sardis, Ohio

Grilled Potatoes

Need a simple sidekick to serve with steaks or chops? Try these grilled potatoes, which are bursting with fresh flavor. I make this recipe for picnics and potlucks. The potatoes turn out tender and well-seasoned. Plus, there’s one less pot to wash! —Jena Coffey, Rock Hill, Missouri

Blaukraut

Blaukraut is an authentic German dish and it’s super simple to make. My mother used to make this blaukraut recipe for my family growing up. Now, it’s become one of our most popular German sides in our restaurant, Bavarian Inn! —Dorothy Zehnder, Frankenmuth, Michigan

Easy Grilled Corn with Chipotle-Lime Butter

Grilling corn in the husks is so easy. There’s no need to remove the silk and tie the husk closed before grilling. Just soak, grill and add your favorite flavored butter. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Summer Squash and Zucchini Salad

I came up with this colorful, tasty zucchini salad years ago for a recipe contest and was delighted when I won honorable mention! The recipe easily doubles and is the perfect dish to take to potlucks or family gatherings. —Paula Wharton, El Paso, Texas

Salsa Corn

All you’ll need for this corn salsa recipe is corn and pico de gallo—a simple and effective solution for last-minute guests. —Danielle Lee, Sewickley, Pennsylvania

Next, try the ultimate Mexican food and cheeseburger mash-up by making these cheeseburger quesadillas.

Lisa is a formerTaste of Home editor and passionate baker. During her tenure, she poured her love of all things sweet (and sometimes savory) into Bakeable, Taste of Home's baking club. Lisa also dedicated her career here to finding and testing the best ingredients, kitchen gear and home products for our Test Kitchen-Preferred program. At home, you'll find her working on embroidery and other crafts.