46 BEST Side Dishes For Hamburgers

These are the best side dishes for hamburgers, from classic fries and creamy coleslaws to fresh salads and homemade condiments. Whether you’re firing up the grill for a weekend cookout or making burgers on a Tuesday night, the right sides turn a good burger into a proper meal.

The key to pairing sides with burgers is contrast. A rich, juicy burger needs something fresh or crunchy alongside it, not more heaviness. Fries are the obvious classic but a crisp slaw, a tangy potato salad or grilled corn can be just as good and often better. Below you’ll find over 40 ideas organized by category so you can mix and match depending on the occasion.

Quick Pairing Guide

Classic backyard burger: Air fryer fries or smashed potatoes + a simple side salad or coleslaw.
Smash burgers: Potato wedges + jalapeño slaw or pickled onions.
Gourmet/loaded burgers: Keep the sides simple. A green salad or grilled corn so the burger stays the star.
Feeding a crowd: One potato side (fries or wedges), one salad (coleslaw or pasta salad), one condiment spread (burger sauce, guacamole, pickled onions). That covers everyone.
Lighter meal: Skip the fries entirely. A grilled corn salad or cucumber tomato salad keeps things fresh without the heaviness.

Burger Toppings and Condiments

The patty is the foundation but the toppings and condiments are what make a burger memorable. Beyond the classic tomato, onion, lettuce, pickles and cheese, adding something unexpected like creamy mushroom sauce, pickled red onions or homemade guacamole takes your burger from good to unforgettable. And a great burger sauce is non-negotiable. It’s the single addition that makes the biggest difference.

Crispy Bacon. Air fryer bacon that comes out perfectly crispy every time with zero mess. The salty, smoky crunch takes any burger up a level.
Creamy Mushroom Sauce. Sautéed mushrooms in a rich, garlicky cream sauce. Spoon it over your burger for a steakhouse-style upgrade that’s ready in about 10 minutes.
Fried Egg. A perfectly fried egg with runny yolk on top of a burger is one of the best things in the world. When you cut into it and the yolk runs down into the patty, that’s the moment.
Pickled Onions. Quick-pickled red onions that add a tangy, slightly sweet crunch to every bite. They take 10 minutes to make and keep in the fridge for weeks.
The BEST Burger Sauce. The creamy, tangy, slightly sweet sauce that makes a burger taste like it came from your favorite burger joint. Once you make this you’ll never use plain ketchup on a burger again.
BBQ Sauce. Homemade BBQ sauce with a smoky, sweet depth that no bottled version can touch. Brush it on the patty while it grills or serve it on the side for dipping.
Roasted Garlic Aioli. A rich, creamy garlic aioli with mellow, sweet roasted garlic flavor. It’s more sophisticated than regular mayo and turns a simple cheeseburger into something special.
Guacamole. Fresh, chunky guacamole with lime, cilantro and a pinch of salt. It adds a cool, creamy richness that pairs especially well with spicy or smoky burgers.
Caramelized onions. Sweet, deeply golden onions cooked low and slow until they melt into something almost jam-like. They add a rich sweetness that works beautifully with sharp cheese on a burger.
Easy Greek Tzatziki. Cool, tangy cucumber yogurt sauce that adds a fresh, Mediterranean twist. Especially good on lamb burgers or any burger with bold, spiced flavors.

Potato Side Dishes for Hamburgers

There’s no beating a burger with fries. It’s the most classic pairing in all of casual cooking. But potatoes are versatile and there are plenty of ways to serve them alongside burgers beyond the standard French fry. Crispy smashed potatoes, spicy wedges, homemade tater tots and hasselback potatoes all bring something different to the plate.

Air Fryer French Fries. Crispy, golden and ready in about 15 minutes. The classic burger companion and the air fryer means you get that satisfying crunch without deep frying.
Crispy salt and pepper smashed potatoes. Potatoes boiled, smashed flat and roasted until the edges are shatteringly crispy. These are always the first thing to disappear at a cookout.
Homemade Air Fryer Tater Tots. Homemade tater tots that are golden and crunchy on the outside with a soft, fluffy center. Once you’ve made these from scratch, the frozen ones don’t compare.
Easy spicy garlic baked potato wedges. Thick-cut potato wedges with a garlicky, spicy seasoning baked until crispy on the outside and fluffy inside. These hold up to dipping sauces better than thin fries.
Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes. Easy spicy garlic baked potato wedges. Thick-cut potato wedges with a garlicky, spicy seasoning baked until crispy on the outside and fluffy inside. These hold up to dipping sauces better than thin fries.
Easy oven baked fries with fry sauce. Classic oven fries served with a tangy, creamy fry sauce that’s impossible to stop dipping into. The fry sauce alone is worth making this recipe.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges. A slightly sweeter alternative to regular fries with crispy edges and a soft, caramelized interior. The natural sweetness pairs surprisingly well with savory, well-seasoned burgers.
Hasselback Potatoes. Thinly sliced accordion-style potatoes baked until crispy on the edges with a tender, buttery center. These are a more impressive potato side when you want to elevate a burger night.
Air fryer potato wedges. Thick, crispy wedges that are golden on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Quick to make in the air fryer and perfect for dipping in burger sauce or aioli.

Side Salads for Burgers

A fresh, crunchy salad is the best way to balance the richness of a juicy burger. You want something light and acidic that cleanses your palate between bites rather than another heavy side competing for attention. These salads all have enough flavor and texture to hold their own next to a burger without weighing the meal down.

Easy grilled corn avocado salad. Smoky grilled corn, creamy avocado, tomatoes and a bright lime dressing. This salad is substantial enough to feel like a real side but fresh enough to balance a rich burger.
Jalapeño Slaw. Crunchy, tangy and with a little kick from the jalapeño. This slaw cuts through the richness of a juicy burger perfectly and adds a freshness that heavier sides can’t match.
Easy cucumber tomato onion salad. Cool, crisp and refreshing with a simple vinaigrette. The lightest salad on this list and the perfect palate cleanser between bites of a big, loaded burger.
Corn Slaw. A crunchy, slightly sweet slaw with fresh corn and a creamy dressing. It brings color, crunch and a summery vibe to any burger plate.
Easy Carrot Salad. A bright, crunchy salad with a tangy dressing that adds a pop of color and freshness to the plate. Simple but surprisingly satisfying alongside a burger.
Chopped Salad. A classic chopped salad with crisp lettuce, vegetables and a punchy dressing. Everything is cut small so you get a bit of every ingredient in each forkful. Clean, fresh and exactly what a burger plate needs.
Homemade Caesar Salad. Crisp romaine, homemade dressing, parmesan and crunchy garlic croutons. A Caesar holds its own next to a burger better than most salads because it has enough bold flavor to match.
Arugula salad.Homemade Caesar Salad. Crisp romaine, homemade dressing, parmesan and crunchy garlic croutons. A Caesar holds its own next to a burger better than most salads because it has enough bold flavor to match.

Pasta Salad Side Dishes

Pasta salads and macaroni salads are a cookout staple for good reason. They can be made ahead, they serve a crowd, they travel well and everyone loves them. These recipes range from classic creamy macaroni salad to lighter, vinaigrette-dressed options so you can match the style to the occasion.

Easy creamy curried macaroni salad. A twist on classic macaroni salad with a creamy, mildly curried dressing that adds warmth and depth. It’s unexpected alongside burgers and people always ask for the recipe.
Caesar Pasta Salad. All the flavors of a Caesar salad but with pasta. Creamy dressing, parmesan, crunchy croutons and enough substance to be a proper side dish. Feeds a crowd and travels well.
Caprese pasta salad. Fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, basil and a balsamic dressing tossed through pasta. This is the summer pasta salad and it’s at its best when tomatoes are in season.
Mexican street corn macaroni salad. Smoky, creamy and tangy with all the flavors of elote in pasta salad form. This one’s a crowd favorite at cookouts and pairs especially well with spicy or smoky burgers.
Sun-dried tomato pesto pasta salad. A more Mediterranean take on pasta salad with sun-dried tomatoes, pesto and plenty of flavor. It’s a nice change from the typical creamy versions and holds up well on a buffet table.
Creamy BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad. A heartier pasta salad with BBQ chicken, corn, cheese and a creamy dressing. This one is substantial enough to almost be a meal on its own and it pairs naturally with the smoky flavors of a grilled burger.
Easy Greek Orzo Salad. Orzo pasta with cucumber, tomatoes, olives, feta and a lemon dressing. Light, bright and Mediterranean-inspired. The orzo gives it more substance than a regular Greek salad while keeping it fresh.

Grilled potato salad with sour cream dressing

Potato Salad Recipes

A summer cookout isn’t complete without potato salad. It’s one of those sides that people specifically look for on the table and notice when it’s missing. These three versions cover the classics: a grilled version with smoky flavor, a creamy version and a tangy sour cream version..

Grilled potato salad. Easy Greek Orzo Salad. Orzo pasta with cucumber, tomatoes, olives, feta and a lemon dressing. Light, bright and Mediterranean-inspired. The orzo gives it more substance than a regular Greek salad while keeping it fresh.
Easy creamy potato salad. The classic creamy potato salad that belongs at every summer gathering. Tender potatoes in a creamy, well-seasoned dressing with all the traditional additions. This is the version everyone knows and loves.
Easy sour cream potato salad. A tangier, lighter alternative to mayo-based potato salad. The sour cream gives it a fresh, slightly sharp flavor that pairs especially well with rich, juicy burgers.

Healthy Burger Side Dishes

If you want to keep the meal lighter or you’re cooking for guests with dietary restrictions, these sides are all naturally healthy without sacrificing flavor. Most happen to be gluten-free, vegan or low-carb. They add freshness and balance to the plate without the calorie load of fries or pasta salads.

Grilled Corn on the cob. Sweet, smoky, slightly charred corn with hot honey butter. There’s a reason grilled corn is a cookout staple. It takes minutes on the grill and tastes like summer.
Corn and grilled zucchini salad. A light, vibrant salad that celebrates summer produce. The charred zucchini and sweet corn complement each other beautifully and the whole thing comes together in about 15 minutes.
Easy marinated eggplant. Tender grilled eggplant in a flavorful marinade. This is one of those sides that surprises people who think they don’t like eggplant. The marinade transforms it completely.
Grilled Broccoli with Bacon Vinaigrette. Charred, smoky broccoli drizzled with a warm bacon vinaigrette. The combination of the healthy vegetable with the indulgent dressing is the perfect balance for a burger plate.
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries. A lighter alternative to regular fries with a crispy coating and a tender zucchini center. They satisfy the craving for something crunchy and fried without the heaviness of potatoes.
Easy Grilled Tomatoes. Simple halved tomatoes grilled until softened and slightly charred. They add a fresh, juicy, slightly smoky element to the plate that balances the richness of the burger.
Easy Avocado Salsa. A fresh, chunky salsa with creamy avocado, tomatoes, lime and cilantro. It works as both a burger topping and a side for dipping fries or chips into. Somewhere between guacamole and pico de gallo and just as addictive as both.
Grilled Halloumi Salad. Crispy, golden pan-fried halloumi over fresh greens with a bright dressing. The salty, squeaky cheese adds a satisfying protein hit and a textural contrast that makes this salad feel substantial enough to stand up to a big burger.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most popular side dish for burgers?

French fries, without question. They’re the most classic and most requested side for burgers and have been for decades. After fries, coleslaw, potato salad and corn on the cob are the next most popular, especially at summer cookouts and barbecues.

What salad goes best with burgers?

A simple coleslaw or a crunchy chopped salad are the most natural pairings. The acidity and crunch from a slaw cuts through the richness of the burger perfectly. A grilled corn avocado salad is another excellent option if you want something more substantial. Avoid heavy, creamy salads like a loaded Caesar as they compete with the richness of the burger rather than balancing it.

What to serve with burgers besides fries?

Coleslaw, potato salad, grilled corn, pasta salad, onion rings, sweet potato wedges, a simple green salad or cucumber tomato salad. The options are wide open. If you’re looking for something lighter, grilled vegetables or a fresh slaw are great alternatives that still feel like they belong at a burger meal.

How many sides should you serve with burgers?

Two is the sweet spot for a casual dinner. A potato side and a salad or slaw covers all the bases. For a cookout or party, three sides (one potato, one salad and one pasta or grain salad) plus a couple of condiments gives people enough variety without overcomplicating things.

What sides go with burgers for a party?

For a crowd, choose sides that can be made ahead and served at room temperature. Potato salad, pasta salad, coleslaw and grilled corn are all ideal party sides because they don’t need to be served hot and they taste just as good (or better) after sitting for a while. Pair those with a fry option (oven fries, tater tots or wedges that stay warm on a sheet tray) and a condiment spread and you’re set.

Can you serve burgers without fries?

Absolutely. Fries are traditional but far from mandatory. A good coleslaw, a grilled corn salad, sweet potato wedges or even just a handful of quality chips with a great burger sauce is a perfectly complete meal. Sometimes the simpler spread is actually more enjoyable because the burger gets to be the focus.