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Whether you’re firing up the grill for a cookout with friends or just wanting to spice up your dinner at home, we all know burgers and hot dogs are classic star performers. But what about the sides? While burgers and hot dogs steal the spotlight, it’s the sides that can really elevate the meal.
Whether you’re hosting a big summer cookout or just enjoying a casual dinner with family, having tasty and healthy sides can add color, flavor, and nutrition to your plate.
So, let’s dive into some healthy burger sides that are sure to impress your family and friends!
Classic french fries are the classic burger side, but they can be lightened up if they are baked in the oven!
Oven Roasted Potato Wedges
5 from 2 votes
This Oven Roasted Rosemary Potatoes recipe is one of our favorite potato recipes. Yukon gold potatoes cook in an herby butter until they are buttery soft, and the rosemary gives them such a delicious flavor.
Take roasted potatoes up a notch with this easy recipe that uses Ranch Seasoning to add tangy flavors, including a tip for making the most crisp potatoes.
Easy Oven Baked French Fries are coated in olive oil, tossed in delicious seasoning, and baked until crispy. They are so easy to make, and when served with a burger and delicious dipping sauce – they are so good.
These BBQ Grilled Potato Slices with Blue Cheese Dip are a quick and easy side dish recipe that goes perfectly with your favorite hamburger or grilled chicken recipe.
Sweet Potato Fries Cut sweet potatoes into fries, toss them in olive oil and your favorite spices, and bake until crispy. These are a delicious twist on regular fries!
Parmesan-Thyme Sweet Potato Fries
Parmesan-Thyme Baked Sweet Potato Fries are baked in the oven with a crispy coating of parmesan and thyme.
Chips are also a pretty classic side dish and baking can make them a healthier side dish.
Baked Potato Chips
Homemade Potato Chips
Homemade potato chips are easier to make than you think and bake up crispy in the oven. They’re a great way to use up that extra large bag of potatoes.
Baked Sweet Potato Chips are an easy, crunchy snack you can bake in just about 30 minutes. They use less oil than a store-bought chip, and taste amazing!
Salads make easy sides when planning a cookout because they can be prepped in advance or you can ask someone else to make them!
Zesty Quinoa Salad
Quinoa salad is not only filling but is also super easy to make! Toss cooked quinoa with diced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, cilantro, and a drizzle of olive oil and lemon juice for a refreshing side.
Zesty Quinoa Salad
5 from 1 vote
Zesty Quinoa Salad is perfect for a hot summer day. It’s cool and refreshing, not to mention it is full of healthy ingredients! You can make it as a vegetarian salad or add chicken for extra protein.
Make a lighter version of my classic coleslaw recipe by using Greek yogurt instead of mayo. It’s loaded with shredded cabbage and carrots – you can also add some broccoli slaw as well!
Creamy Southern Coleslaw Recipe
This Creamy Southern Coleslaw recipe is one of my favorite side dishes. The sweet, tangy dressing combined with the fresh, crunchy cabbage is so simple, yet so flavorful.
A classic salad of black beans and fresh corn. Redneck caviar is a delicious corn salad with an oil and vinegar dressing that is a perfect burger side.
Cowboy Caviar Recipe
Cowboy Caviar is a Southern Dip and Side Dish made with fresh vegetables & a delicious vinegar dressing. Black-Eyed Peas & Black Beans are tossed with fresh summer tomatoes, peppers, and corn and you won’t be able to resist scooping a chip in this dip!
My whole wheat pasta salad recipe is loaded with cucumbers, fresh tomatoes, and a light dressing that makes for a fun pasta salad that everyone will enjoy.
Whole Wheat Pasta Salad
5 from 1 vote
This Whole Wheat Pasta Salad Recipe is loaded with fresh summer vegetables like cucumber and tomatoes and is coated in a deliciously zesty Italian dressing. Made with whole wheat pasta, it is a filling summer side dish.
Toss chopped tomatoes and cucumbers with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. You can even add some feta cheese for extra flavor.
Potato Salad
Make your favorite potato salad but swap out some of the mayonnaise for Greek yogurt!
Potato Salad with Pickles and Eggs
This Easy Southern Potato Salad made with Hard-Boiled Eggs and Pickles is a summertime favorite. It has a creamy, flavorful mayonnaise dressing and is topped with Creole Seasoning for a perfect finishing touch.
Homemade Greek Pasta Salad made with Pasta, Greek Olives, Feta Cheese, Peppers, Tomatoes, Cucumber, Pepperoncinis, and tossed in a Homemade Greek Dressing. The Best Greek Pasta Salad Recipe!
Looking for a quick and flavorful salad recipe? Try our Greek Salad with refreshing cucumbers and zesty lemon dressing. Perfect for a light and satisfying meal.
Chop up a mix of your favorite fruits—like strawberries, watermelon, and blueberries. Toss them together for a sweet, refreshing side that’s a hit on a hot day! Or whip up one of my smoothie recipes!
Snackable Vegetables
Crunchy Veggie Sticks with Hummus
Carrot sticks, celery, and bell peppers are perfect dippers! Pair these colorful fresh vegetables with homemade or store-bought hummus for a tasty and nutritious side dish.
Caprese Salad Skewers
Stack mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil on skewers. Drizzle with balsamic glaze for a side that looks as great as it tastes.
Spicy Roasted Chickpeas
Toss chickpeas in a little olive oil and spices then roast them until crispy. These little bites are crunchy and packed with protein!
Corn on the Cob
Nothing says summer like sweet corn on the cob! I like to cook mine in my Instant Pot, but you can also cook it on the grill! Finish it up with a dash of lime juice and a sprinkle of chili powder or Tajin for a zesty touch.
Instant Pot Corn on the Cob
There is no easier way to make Corn on the Cob than in an Instant Pot. It is quick, easy, and so reliable – the corn always comes out so tender and crisp.
This Oven Roasted Squash recipe is the perfect side dish for busy summer nights. It is a simple and easy way to cook all kinds of squash with so much flavor!
Oven Roasted Broccoli with Garlic and Olive Oil is a fresh, quick, and flavorful way to add vegetables to your weeknight dinners. This broccoli is bright, crunchy, and packed with flavor.
Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Lemon and Garlic is easy to prepare and is so buttery and delicious. An oven-roasted cauliflower head can be the star of the show or a healthy side dish.
This simple sautéed squash recipe is so easy to make and allows the flavors of this delicious summer vegetable to shine. The delicious squash is tender, buttery, sweet, and so flavorful.
Looking for a tasty side dish that the whole family will enjoy? Air Fryer Green Beans are an easy side dish that you can have ready in less than 15 minutes – the perfect addition to any meal.
These are the best green beans that I have ever eaten. They have a little bit of sesame flavor, mixed with a punch of ginger, garlic, soy (or coconut aminos), red bell peppers, and onion. Ready in less than 30 minutes – they are the most delicious dinner side dish.
Slice up some zucchini, brush it with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and grill until it has nice marks. A simple yet savory side!
Grilled Asparagus
Grilled asparagus spears are a great side dish for burgers. Especially if the grill is already nice and hot! Grill the asparagus spears until they’re tender and slightly charred. Drizzle with lemon juice for a bright finish!
Roasted Asparagus
You can also roast asparagus in the oven if you are making burgers indoors!
Oven Roasted Asparagus Recipe
Oven-roasted asparagus is crunchy, crisp, and buttery. It is quick and easy to make and is a delicious and healthy spring side dish. Click through to get the recipe!
Roast Brussels sprouts in the oven with garlic and a touch of balsamic vinegar. They become crispy and caramelized—seriously, it’s hard to stop eating them!
Homemade Pickles
Pickled vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, or radishes can add a little zing to your meal. Plus, they’re a fun, crunchy side that gives your meal an extra kick!
Fridge Dill Pickles
Dill Pickles are salty, crunchy, sour, and perfectly delicious. I add them to nearly everything – and also snack on them all the time. These quick pickles are so easy to make and are my favorite snack to have in the fridge.
Pickled radishes are crunchy and tangy with a little bit of bite. They are perfect for topping salads, tacos, and burgers, and are a great way to extend the life of summer produce.
Cucumber Salad Combine sliced cucumbers, red onions, and dill in a light vinegar dressing. This salad is cool and refreshing, perfect for balancing out those hearty burgers.
Pickled Cucumber Salad Recipe
This Easy Cucumber Salad Recipe is a frequent summer side dish at our house and is one of our favorite recipes. Thinly sliced cucumbers and red onion are quickly pickled to make an easy salad that is a little sweet and a little tangy.
Pickled Red Onions are the perfect finishing touch for so many recipes. They can perfectly balance out a salty or spicy dish and are so quick and easy to make!
Sauces are essential for the top of your hot dog or burger and I love a good homemade sauce!
Copycat Raising Cane’s Sauce Recipe
Copycat Raising Cane’s Sauce is a tangy, creamy, peppery, and addicting dipping sauce for fries, chicken, chips, and burgers. Give any meal some Cajun flare.
There you have it – 42vibrant and healthy sides to pair with your burgers and hot dogs!
From crispy veggies to refreshing salads, these dishes are not only delicious but also packed with nutrients to keep both your taste buds and your body happy.
So the next time you’re planning a cookout, don’t forget to think beyond the grill. With these tasty options, you’ll impress your friends and family, and they’ll keep coming back for more. Happy grilling, and enjoy every bite!
I love making recipes that bring family and friends to the table. Here you will find delicious, family-friendly, and Tried and True recipes that are quick & easy to make.