42 Delicious Sides to Serve with Burgers and Hot Dogs

Whether you’re firing up the grill for a backyard cookout or simply upgrading a weeknight dinner, burgers and hot dogs are timeless favorites. But it’s the side dishes that can turn a simple meal into something memorable. The right sides add color, texture, and nutrition—so here are a variety of healthy, crowd-pleasing options to serve alongside burgers and hot dogs.

Below you’ll find practical, flavorful ideas for healthier fries and chips, refreshing slaws and salads, crunchy snackable vegetables, roasted and grilled vegetables, quick pickles, and delicious sauces and toppings to complete your meal.

Best Side Dishes for Burgers

Classic sides can be made lighter and more nutritious without sacrificing flavor. Focus on simple techniques—baking instead of frying, grilling seasonal vegetables, and choosing whole grains—to create sides that complement burgers and hot dogs while keeping the meal balanced.

Healthier Fries

French fries are a classic burger companion, and they become much healthier when baked or air-fried. Use a light coating of oil, toss with herbs or spices, and bake on a single layer for maximum crispness.

Oven Roasted Potato Wedges

Yukon Gold wedges roasted with rosemary and a touch of butter or olive oil for a tender, flavorful side.

Potato Wedge Recipe

Oven Baked French Fries

Coated in olive oil and seasonings, these fries bake until crispy and pair perfectly with burgers.

Baked French Fry Recipe

Sweet Potato Fries: Slice sweet potatoes into sticks, toss with a small amount of oil, and bake until golden. They offer sweetness, fiber, and vitamins as a delicious alternative.

Parmesan-Thyme Sweet Potato Fries

Baked sweet potato fries with a crispy parmesan and thyme coating.

Sweet Potato Fries

Healthier Chips

Baked or air-fried chips let you enjoy a crunchy side using far less oil than deep frying. Thinly slice potatoes or sweet potatoes, season, and bake in a single layer for the best results.

Homemade Potato Chips

Thinly sliced potatoes baked until crisp—an easy and satisfying snack.

Potato Chip Recipe

Baked Sweet Potato Chips

A light, crunchy alternative that comes together in about 30 minutes.

Sweet Potato Chip Recipe

Slaws & Salads for Burger Night

Salads are ideal for cookouts because they can be prepared ahead of time and serve large groups. Choose bright, seasonal produce and lighter dressings to balance rich burgers and hot dogs.

Zesty Quinoa Salad

Toss cooked quinoa with cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, herbs, olive oil, and lemon for a refreshing, protein-packed side.

Zesty Quinoa Salad

A cool, flavorful quinoa salad that can be made vegetarian or topped with grilled chicken.

Quinoa Salad Recipe

Creamy Coleslaw

Make a lighter coleslaw by replacing some or all of the mayo with Greek yogurt. Use shredded cabbage, carrots, and a touch of vinegar and mustard for balance.

Creamy Southern Coleslaw

Sweet and tangy dressing combined with crunchy cabbage makes a classic side.

Coleslaw Recipe

Cowboy Caviar

Also known as redneck caviar, this mix of beans, corn, tomatoes, and peppers tossed in a vinegar-based dressing is hearty and colorful—perfect for scooping with chips.

Cowboy Caviar

Black beans, fresh corn, and a tangy dressing make this a standout side.

Cowboy Caviar Recipe

Spinach and Strawberry Salad

Fresh spinach, sliced strawberries, nuts, and feta with a light vinaigrette create a bright, eye-catching salad that pairs beautifully with grilled meats.

Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing

Sweet berries and crunchy almonds topped with a homemade poppyseed dressing.

Spinach Salad Recipe

Pasta Salad with Veggies

Whole wheat pasta combined with cucumbers, tomatoes, and a light Italian dressing makes a filling, kid-friendly side that reheats well and travels easily to picnics.

Whole Wheat Pasta Salad

A zesty, vegetable-studded pasta salad that’s both filling and refreshing.

Pasta Salad Recipe

Snackable Vegetables

Corn on the Cob

Grilled or pressure-cooked corn is a summer essential. Finish with lime juice and chili powder or a sprinkle of seasoning for extra flavor.

Instant Pot Corn on the Cob

Quick, consistent results for tender corn when you don’t want to grill.

Instant Pot Corn on the Cob

Cooked Veggies

Roasted or sautéed vegetables add warmth and depth to a summer plate. Simple seasoning and high heat bring out natural sweetness and caramelization.

Oven Roasted Squash

Simple roasted summer squash with olive oil and herbs makes a flavorful side.

Roasted Squash Recipe

Oven Roasted Broccoli with Garlic & Olive Oil

Bright, crunchy roasted broccoli with garlic for a quick, healthy side.

Roasted Broccoli Recipe

Homemade Pickles

Quick pickles—cucumbers, radishes, or carrots in a simple vinegar brine—add a tangy crunch that brightens burgers and salads.

Fridge Dill Pickles

Quick refrigerator pickles that are salty, tangy, and easy to snack on.

Dill Pickle Recipe

Quick Pickled Radishes & Carrots

Tangy pickled radishes and carrots are great as toppings or a crunchy side.

Pickled Radishes & Carrots

Sauces & Toppings

Sauces finish burgers and hot dogs. Homemade options let you control sugar and salt while adding bold flavor—think tangy dipping sauces, mustard blends, and fresh relishes.

Copycat Raising Cane’s Sauce

A tangy, creamy dipping sauce that adds a Cajun-inspired kick to fries and burgers.

Cane’s Sauce Recipe

Dijon Mustard Sauce

A tangy mustard-based sauce that works with burgers, chicken, and grilled vegetables.

Dijon Mustard Sauce

Homemade Ketchup

Fresh-tomato ketchup that’s richer and less sweet than many store-bought varieties.

Ketchup Recipe

With these options—crisp roasted vegetables, lighter fries and chips, bright salads, and flavorful pickles and sauces—you can create a balanced, delicious burger spread that’s sure to please guests and support healthier eating habits. Happy grilling, and enjoy every bite!